Hellenism and the Primary History: The Imprint of Greek Sources in Genesis - 2 Kings

The author of this collection of essays argues that many biblical authors deliberately used Classical and Hellenistic Greek texts for inspiration when crafting many of the narratives in the Primary History. He suggests that there are too many similarities in basic theme, meaning, and detail for them to be accounted for by coincidence or shared ancient tropes, and that the final form of the text likely dates from the Hellenistic era. The book offers a valuable resource for anyone working on the dating of the Hebrew Bible and Hellenism in the ancient Levant.

Format: Hardback
Length: 216 pages
Publication date: 01 October 2020
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This collection of essays aims to establish that numerous biblical authors purposefully drew inspiration from Classical and Hellenistic Greek texts when crafting many of the narratives in the Primary History. Through a comprehensive analysis of the text, Gnuse argues that there are numerous instances of clear influence from late classical and Hellenistic literature. By comparing the biblical and Greek works in parallel, he suggests that there are too many similarities in basic themes, meanings, and details for them to be solely attributed to coincidence or shared ancient tropes. Using this evidence, he posits that although much of the text may have originated during the Persian period, significant portions of its final form likely date back to the Hellenistic era.

To bring his essays together into a cohesive collection, Gnuse includes an original introduction and a final chapter. The resulting volume serves as a valuable resource for anyone engaged in the dating of the Hebrew Bible, as well as those studying Hellenism in the ancient Levant more broadly.

In conclusion, this collection of essays provides compelling evidence that many biblical authors deliberately referenced Classical and Hellenistic Greek texts when crafting their narratives in the Primary History. Gnuse's meticulous analysis and thoughtful arguments shed light on the profound influence of these ancient literary sources on the biblical text, challenging traditional assumptions and providing new insights into the development of the Hebrew Bible and the broader Hellenistic world.

Weight: 450g
Dimension: 162 x 240 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367462468