Introduction

Exploring the significance of understanding the ancient Near East for the Old Testament and the Second Temple period for the New Testament. Emphasizing the importance of immersing in the worldview of these civilizations to grasp the biblical writers' perspectives in comparison to their peers.

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Episode notes

The series on Bible study continues with the emphasis on interpreting the Bible in its own context. The context we’re discussing is the world of the ancient Near East (with respect to the OT) and the Second Temple period with respect to the NT. Interpreting the Bible in these contexts means thinking like a person living at these times. The best way to do that is to immerse yourself in the worldview of the civilizations of these eras with which the biblical writers had regular contact. That is accomplished by immersion in the written sources of these civilizations. The last episode of the podcast dealt with the need to tap into the written material of the ANE since that is the context for the OT. In this episode we’ll turn attention to the NT context, the Second temple period (6th century BC-1st century AD). As in the last episode, all print and online sources I mention in the podcast are found (with links) at the “Bibliography and Resources” tab here on the podcast website.

Ancient Texts in English Translation: Second Temple Period of Judaism (5th century BC – 1st century AD)

Books:

Old Testament Apocrypha

King James Version of the Apocrypha

digital version

The New Oxford Annotated Apocrypha: New Revised Standard Version

digital version

R.H. Charles’ edition: The Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha of the Old Testament: Apocrypha

digital version (Logos has Charles’ Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha in one set)

New Testament Apocrypha (less relevant, as these come from after the apostolic period):

one-volume edition of M. R. James: The New Testament Apocrypha

two-volume scholarly compendium by Schneemelcher