| HOME | Page | |
| vii | ||
I |
1 | |
II |
11 | |
III |
Pentateuch | Joshua | Judges | Ruth | Samuel | Kings | Chronicles | Ezra-Nehemiah |
22 |
IV |
131 | |
V |
139 | |
VI |
150 | |
VII |
Job | Psalms | Proverbs | Ecclesiastes | Song of Solomon |
166 |
VIII |
221 | |
IX |
Isaiah | Second Isaiah | Third Isaiah | Jeremiah | Lamentations | Ezekiel | Daniel |
233 |
X |
345 | |
XI |
387 | |
| 434 | ||
Index |
443 |
In offering this book, the third work in which we have joined in happy collaboration,
to Biblical students, whether in the technical or the wider sense, it has
been our endeavour to strike a mean between the exhaustive work of Driver
and the necessarily restricted volumes, for example, of Gray or McFadyen.
Excellent as these two latter are, it is obvious that the authors were not permitted
sufficient scope by their respective publishers since the size of the volumes
had to conform to that of a Series.
While we have, therefore, not gone into the minute details, which characterize
Driver's great work, it has been our aim to offer a somewhat fuller account
of the Old Testament books‑their contents, structure, etc.‑than
that given in most other English Introductions.
Further, we have been at pains to lay stress on some matters that have not
always received as much attention as is due to them.
Thus, wherever needful, we have dealt as fully as space permitted with the historical
background of a book;
not that this has been wanting in other Introductions, but we venture to
think that the subject demands rather fuller treatment than is usually accorded
it.
We have also made a point of indicating, though as a rule quite cursorily, the
importance of the Septuagint for the study of the Old Testament books.
Our general approach to the problems of the prophetic literature differs
from that which is to be found in most standard Introductions.
We do not, however, claim any originality here.
The line that we have followed is that taken by practically all the best writers
on individual prophetic books.
Here, we hope, we have been able to fill a gap in the study of the subject.
The method has involved our giving more attention than has usually been done
in works on Introduction to the metrical structure, e.g., of the different parts
of the Book of Isaiah.
The general subject of Hebrew metre is dealt with in a special section.
We are fully aware of the differences of opinion which exist on this side
of Old Testament studies, but it is well, we believe, that the salient facts
should be brought to the notice of the student.
Many problems arise in connexion with most of the Old Testament books;
we have done our best to touch upon most of these, but it is hardly to be
expected that all of them should have been dealt with.
The literature, English and foreign, which is concerned with the Old Testament
is enormous.
Where there is a plethora of material it is not always easy to decide what should
be said and what left aside.
It is quite impossible to deal with everything in one volume, perhaps even in
half a dozen.
In this matter we are fully prepared to meet with criticism;
we regret it, but we cannot help it.
In the first instance we are individually responsible for certain books,
or parts of books.
But in every case we have discussed together the various problems that arise,
and in almost every case we have reached agreement.
In the one instance in which we have not been able to see eye-to-eye the fact
is indicated in a footnote.
With regard to the treatment of the individual books, it will be seen that
there is not always uniformity in the headings of the sections.
It is hardly necessary to apologize for this because the nature and character
of the various books differ greatly, and what is appropriate in the case of some
is not so in that of others.
In transcribing Hebrew words, we have deliberately avoided the use of diacritic
signs to indicate quantity.
For the reader who understands Hebrew these are unnecessary.
For the reader who does not understand Hebrew they are meaningless.
We have followed the usual method in transcribing Hebrew consonants except that
we have retained the spelling ‑ now grown familiar ‑ of
Qinah.
We regret that Prof Eissfeldt's "Einleitung in das Alte Testament"
did not appear until the printing of our own book was already far advanced.
It has been, therefore, impossible to use it in our own work, but we note with
satisfaction the extent to which we can concur in his views, especially in his
treatment of the prophetic literature.
We take this opportunity of thanking Mr. H. H. Rowley, of University College,
Cardiff, for having read through our MS., for having made a number of valuable
criticisms, and for having also read the proofs with that meticulous care
which characterizes all his work.
We are also indebted to Mrs. T. H. Robinson for having read the proofs and for
having checked the Biblical references.