The last episode of the podcast dealt with the need to tap into the intellectual output of the ancient Mediterranean world — the Bible’s own context – in order to start thinking the thoughts of the biblical writers. This episode takes this recommendation further by directing listeners to the best volumes and websites for English translations of ancient literature pertinent to biblical studies. The episode focuses on the civilizations that give the OT its context – the civilizations of the ancient Near East (ANE). Dr. Heiser recommends books (whether hard copy or digital form) as well as websites for tapping into ANE literature.
Ancient Texts in English Translation: Ancient Near East
Books: General Collections
The Context of Scripture (COS); 3 volumes
digital version
Ancient Near Eastern Texts (ANET) by Pritchard (one volume hardcover; split into two volumes paperback; vol. 1 and vol. 2)
digital version
Writings from the Ancient World set (amazon link to volumes in the series)
digital version
Egyptian Literature:
Miriam Lichtheim, Ancient Egyptian Literature (3 vols)
digital version
Foster, Ancient Egyptian Literature
The Literature of Ancient Egypt: An Anthology of Stories, Instructions, Stelae, Autobiographies, and Poetry; Third Edition by Professor William Kelley Simpson, Professor Robert K. Ritner, The Reverent Dr. Vincent A. Tobin and Professor Edward Wente Jr.
- Moran, The Amarna Letters
digital version
Mesopotamia (Sumerian, Babylonian, Assyrian)
Foster, Before the Muses: An Anthology of Akkadian Literature
Foster, From Distant Days: Myths, Tales, and Poetry of Ancient Mesopotamia
Dalley, Myths from Mesopotamia: Creation, the Flood, Gilgamesh, and Others
Jacobsen, The Harps that Once … Sumerian Poetry in Translation
Ugaritic Texts:
- Wyatt, Religious Texts from Ugarit
digital version
Gibson, Canaanite Myths and Legends
digital version
- Coogan and M. Smith, Stories from Ancient Canaan
Websites
ETANA (Electronic Tools Ancient Near East Archives)
Internet Sacred Texts Archive
Internet Archive
The Naked Bible Podcast