A clear and concise handbook to the TANAKH

Named one of the "Best of the Best from the University Presses: Books You Should Know About" by the Association of American University Presses.

This new volume in the acclaimed JPS Guides series is an invaluable companion to the Jewish Bible, providing readers with ready access to important facts and Bible basics: how the Bible became the "Bible"; its origins, content, and organization distinctions between the Jewish Bible (the TANAKH) and Christian Bibles a short history of Bible translations, and how they differ Bible commentaries storytelling, poetry, law, prophecy, and Wisdom literature popular methods of Bible study finding meaning through midrash. In addition, there are summaries of all the biblical books; dozens of text boxes; an extensive glossary of Bible terms, places, and people; maps, charts, and tables; and large foldout timelines and family trees-all in color.

Contributions are by leading Bible scholars and educators: Marc Zvi Brettler, Joyce Eisenberg, Michael Fishbane, Michael V. Fox, Leonard Greenspoon, Jill Hammer, Stuart Kelman, Adriane Leveen, David Mandel, Lionel Moses, Shalom Paul, Benjamin Edidin Scolnic, Ellen Scolnic, David E. S. Stein, Barry Dov Walfish, and Andrea Weiss.

About the Author
JPS, with distinguished advisors Shalom Paul, Fred Greenspahn, and Ziony Zevit, and a host of contributors who are Bible scholars and educators in their own right. About half the chapters are new pieces commissioned for this book, and half have been adapted from previously published volumes (Etz Hayim, How to Read the Bible, HET, JPS Commentary: Haftarot, Contemporary Torah). See contributors list, attached.

Reviews

"An excellent text for adult study groups and high school students beginning their study into the mysteries and wisdom of the Jewish Bible."-Jewish Book World

"On the whole, the most interesting and helpful aspect of the book is precisely what is stated as its main objective: the book is written from a scholarly point of view, yet it is not burdensome. In today's parlance, it can be said to be user friendly. Beginning students of the Bible will find here a useful and informative tool. For that reason, this book will be a welcome addition to the libraries of synagogues, yeshivas, colleges, and churches, as well as to the library of any layperson who always wanted to know more about the Hebrew Bible but felt daunted by its complexity."-Society of Biblical Literature

"Anyone embarking on a voyage through the Bible needs a guide . . . The Jewish Publication Society has produced a concise guide that will help anyone engaged in Bible study."-AJL Newsletter

"A great reference work for beginners and more advanced students . . . Anyone interested in Bible study should find something of interest in this excellent guide."-The Reporter

Book Information
ISBN 9780827608511
Author Jewish Publication Society, Inc.
Format Paperback
Page Count 300
Imprint Jewish Publication Society
Publisher Jewish Publication Society