The Oxford Handbook of the Apocrypha

The Oxford Handbook of the Apocrypha is a comprehensive reference work on the Old Testament Apocrypha, covering their historical context, relationship to other texts, and social and theological themes. It provides updated research on each apocryphal text and explores overarching themes such as genre, historicity, Jewish practices, theology, gender, and sexual ethics.

Format: Hardback
Length: 568 pages
Publication date: 07 September 2021
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

The Oxford Handbook of the Apocrypha is a comprehensive and authoritative guide to the Old Testament Apocrypha, a collection of early Jewish texts that have played significant roles in Christian churches and cultures. This Handbook, edited by renowned scholars from around the world, delves into the historical, literary, and theological aspects of these texts, providing a comprehensive understanding of their significance.

The Introduction to the Oxford Handbook of the Apocrypha provides an overview of the Apocrypha's historical development, its place within the broader context of Jewish literature, and the various ways in which it has been interpreted and studied over the centuries. It also highlights the key social and theological themes that emerge from these texts, which have resonated with readers across different religious traditions.

The Handbook is divided into several chapters, each dedicated to a specific apocryphal text or group of texts. Each chapter offers an up-to-date and comprehensive analysis of the text in historical context, from the late Persian and early Hellenistic periods to the early Roman era. The essays provided in these chapters examine the place of the Apocrypha in the context of Early Judaism, the relationship between the Apocrypha and texts that came to be canonized, the relationship between the Apocrypha and the Septuagint, Qumran, the Pseudepigrapha, and the New Testament, as well as their reception history in the Western world.

Several chapters address overarching themes that cut across the individual apocryphal texts, such as genre and historicity, Jewish practices and beliefs, theology and ethics, gender and the role of women, and sexual ethics. These chapters provide a deeper understanding of the social, cultural, and religious contexts in which these texts were produced and offer insights into their enduring relevance.

The Oxford Handbook of the Apocrypha is an essential resource for scholars, students, and anyone interested in exploring the rich tapestry of early Jewish literature and its impact on Christian churches and cultures. With its comprehensive coverage, authoritative scholarship, and engaging approach, this Handbook offers a valuable contribution to the field of Apocrypha research and provides a roadmap for future studies.

Weight: 1252g
Dimension: 181 x 259 x 46 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780190689643