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2nd ed. (2022)

An Introduction to Early Judaism (2001) is a book by James C. VanderKam.

Abstract

"One of today's most respected scholars of biblical history and the Dead Sea Scrolls, James C. VanderKam here offers a superb new introduction to early Judaism ... Based on the best, most recent archaeological research, this illustrated volume explores the history of Judaism during the Second Temple period (516 B.C.E. - 70 C.E.), describing the body of Jewish literature written during these centuries and the most important groups, institutions, and practices of the time. Particularly interesting are VanderKam's depiction of events associated with Masada and the Kokhba revolt, and his commentary on texts unearthed in places like Elephantine, Egypt, and Qumran ... Written in the same accessible style as VanderKam's widely praised Dead Sea Scrolls Today, this volume provides the finest classroom introduction to early Judaism available."--Publisher description.

Editions

Published in Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2001.

Translations

• Wprowadzenie do wczesnego judaizmu (2006 VanderKam), book (Polish ed.)

Table of contents

• Preface
  • The Time of The Second Temple
• The Persian Period (538-332 BCE)
  • Beginnings. Events in Yehud (Judah). The Work of Ezra and Nehemiah. Jaddua and Alexander the Great. Events in Egypt. Events in Babylon and Persia
• The Hellenistic Age (332-63 BCE)
  • Ptolemaic Control of Egypt and Judea (ca. 305-198 BCE). Ptolemy I and Judea. Ptolemy II and the Greek Translation of the Torah. The Tobiad Romance. Seleucid Control/Influence in Judea (198-63 BCE). Antiochus III (223-187 BCE). Antiochus IV, High Priests, and Hellenism. The Hasmonean State (ca. 140-63 BCE). Simon (142-134 BCE). John Hyrcanus (134-140 BCE). Aristobulus I (104-103 BCE) and Kingship. Alexander Jannaeus (103-76 BCE). Salome Alexandra (76-67 BCE). Hyrcanus II and Aristobulus II (67-63 BCE).
• The Roman Period (63 BCE and Beyond)
  • The Early Years (63-37 BCE). Herod (37-4 BCE) and Archelaus (4 BCE-6 CE). Direct Roman Rule (6-66 CE). The First Jewish Revolt against Rome (66-73 CE). The Bar Kokhba Revolt (132-135 CE)
• Appendix on Egyptian Judaism
  • Jewish Literature of the Second Temple Period
• Second Temple Texts in the Hebrew Bible
• The Classification of Second Temple Literature
  • Apocrypha. The Catholic Deuterocanonial Books. Works in Greek Bibles but Not in the Hebrew Bible. Pseudepigrapha
• Jewish Writings of the Second Temple Period
  • Narrative Works. Histories: 1 Esdras, 1 Maccabees, 2 Maccabees. Tales: Tobit, Judith, Susanna, 3 Maccabees, Letter of Aristeas, The Greek Esther. Rewritten Scripture: 1 Enoch, The Astronomical Book of Enoch (1 Enoch 72--82), The Book of the Watchers (1 Enoch 1--36), Aramaic Levi, The Book of Jubilees, The Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs. Apocalypses: The Apocalypse of Weeks (1 Enoch 93:3-10; 91:11-17), The Book of Dreams (1 Enoch 83-90), Sibylline Oracles, The Similitudes or Parables of Enoch (1 Enoch 37-71), The Testament of Moses. Wisdom Literature: The Wisdom of Ben Sira, The Epistle of Enoch (1 Enoch 91-107 [108]), Baruch (or 1 Baruch), The Wisdom of Solomon. Poetic Works: The Psalms of Solomon, The Prayer of Manasseh, The Prayer of Azariah and the Song of the Three Young Men, Mockery of Idols, The Letter of Jeremiah, Bel and the Dragon. Philo and Josephus: Philo of Alexandria, Josephus. Great Archeological Discoveries: The Elephantine Papyri, The Dead Sea Scrolls, The Manuscripts and Fragments, Archeological Evidence, The Qumran Community and Its History, Masada. The Story. Archeological Evidence
• Synthesis: Leaders, Groups, and Institutions
• Rulers and Leaders
  • The Priests. High Priest. Leading Priests. Ordinary Priests. Civil Rulers. Sanhedrin/Council
• Groups
  • Early Second Temple Period. Late Hellenistic and Roman Times. Pharisees.

Sadducees. Essenes. Others

• Worship
  • The Temple. The Temple Structure. The Sacrificial System. Festivals. Passover. The Festival of Unleavened Bread. Second Passover. The Festival of Weeks. The First of the Seventh Month. The Day of Atonement. The Festival of Tabernacles (or Booths). Hanukkah. Purim. Other Forms of Worship. Music. Prayer. The Synagogue.
• Scriptures
  • Groups of Authoritative Writings. Versions. Interpretation
  • Bibliography
  • Index

External links