Gathers together the author's important essays on the Old Testament and on the ancient versions, adding an introduction which gives background comment and reflections on each essay. The Old Testament essays are divided into these three groups: "The Narrative Tradition", "Prophecy from East to West", and "Across, Behind and Beyond the Text".
'Robert P. Gordon, renowned Cambridge Hebraist has, for many years, deepened our understanding of the Targums and other key versions of the Hebrew Bible. Lesser known, to some, have been his several fundamental contributions to prophetical and historical studies, as well as to the literary techniques of Hebrew prose composition. In his collection of carefully documented essays, Professor Gordon has generously made a selection of all of his shorter works available to us. This well-written and useful volume will be of interest not only to scholars, but also to a pre- and post doctoral audience'. Hans M. Barstad, University of Oslo 'The writings of Robert Gordon are wide ranging, engaging, and distinctively helpful. The same can be said of the effect that he has had on a steady stream of doctoral students, now scattered across the globe. All who know the man and his work will be delighted with this convenient collection of his shorter writings. As a writer, Gordon has the rare ability to combine specialist precision with elegant readability, and those yet to read his work are in for a feast that will both delight and fortify.' V.Philips Long, Regent College, Vancouver 'These contributions of Robert Gordon are marked by lucid and illuminating observations, opening up new territory and wide vistas, especially in the field of Targum studies'. Arie van der Kooij, Leiden University 'As an expert of ancient versions, Robert Gordon handles his sources in their original language with ease, relating them to questions modern readers have. His works on the extremely textually difficult Books of Samuel are among the finest examples of recent scholarly achievements, from which every Bible scholar should learn.' David T. Tsumura, Japan Bible Seminary '... 28 informative and insightful essays that are well worth reprinting and rereading... The volume represents a brilliant sample of Gordon's scholarly contribution to the field of Old Testament study...' Journal for the
