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What if the Hebrew Bible wasn't meant to be read as 'revelation'? What if it's not really about miracles or the afterlife - but about how to lead our lives in this world? The Philosophy of Hebrew Scripture proposes a new framework for reading the Bible. It shows how biblical authors used narrative and prophetic oratory to advance universal arguments about ethics, political philosophy and metaphysics. It offers bold new studies of biblical narratives and prophetic poetry, transforming forever our understanding of what the stories of Abel, Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Moses and David and the speeches of Isaiah and Jeremiah, were meant to teach. The Philosophy of Hebrew Scripture assumes no belief in God or other religious commitment. It assumes no previous background in Bible. It is free of disciplinary jargon. Open the door to a book you never knew existed. You'll never read the Bible the same way again.

Tabla de contenidos provista por Syndetics

• 1 Introduction: beyond reason and revelation
• Part I Reading Hebrew Scripture:
• 2 The structure of the Hebrew Bible
• 3 What is the purpose of the Hebrew Bible?
• 4 How does the Bible make arguments of a general nature?
• Part II The Philosophy of Hebrew Scripture: Five Studies:
• 5 The ethics of a shepherd
• 6 The history of Israel, Genesis-Kings: a political philosophy
• 7 Jeremiah and the problem of knowing
• 8 Truth and being in Hebrew scripture
• 9 Jerusalem and Carthage
• Part III Conclusion:
• 10 God's speech after reason and revelation

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Library Journal Review

The Hebrew Bible is a work of reason, writes Hazony (philosophy, political theory & religion, Shalem Ctr., Jerusalem). A false "reason-revelation dichotomy," reinforced by the Church, the Enlightenment, and the Academy prevents scholars from understanding the Hebrew Bible as a work of philosophy, meant to "establish political, moral, and metaphysical truths of a general nature." Hazony explores recent scholarship that understands "the Bible as a work of reason" and "examines the philosophical interests of the authors of the Bible." To that end, he states that the Hebrew Bible is structured as a "History of Israel," written as a "consistent political philosophy." Later chapters address the philosophical staples of ethics, epistemology, the nature of truth, and faith. Hazony defines "reason" in an appendix intended for scholars. VERDICT A fascinating exploration of its subject that will nevertheless leave some readers unconvinced. Although written, per the author, with the hope of reaching interested readers beyond its natural audience of specialists, this is primarily a work of scholarship for scholars and those with grounding in the Old Testament. Recommended primarily for philosophers, political theorists, and biblical scholars.-Matt Rice, Philadelphia (c) Copyright 2012. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Publishers Weekly Review

Concerns about how secular education ignores the Hebrew Bible because of misunderstandings about the Bible drive this book. Readers who share that concern may not necessarily share Hazony's assessment of why this has happened. Hazony (The Dawn: Political Teachings of the Book of Esther), provost of the Shalem Center in Jerusalem, has written for a number of popular publications, so his desire to make this book reach beyond its primary academic audience seems realistic. Yet this is heavy going for general readers. The introduction alone has 58 footnotes. His argument is, however, provocative: the Hebrew Bible does not conform to the commonly accepted dichotomy of reason versus revelation (and is therefore dismissible as revelation), but can be appreciated for the sophisticated philosophy that it contains. Having quarreled with that distinction, Hazony nonetheless proceeds to accept it and then spends the bulk of the book arguing for the Hebrew Bible as a work of reason. His book is most accessible when examining particular biblical passages and ideas, such as "The Ethics of a Shepherd" and "Truth and Being in the Hebrew Bible." It's slow going but rewarding for biblical studies or philosophy insiders who are receptive to new ideas. (Aug. 28) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

CHOICE Review

Hazony (Shalem Center in Jerusalem) argues that Western academic tradition misguidedly sees the Hebrew Bible as the "revelation of secrets" or, following Christian notions of Scripture, as "witness (testamentum)," rather than studying it as ultimately a carefully argued work of "reason"--a complex philosophical system that, like much Greek philosophy, is in literary form and has religious references. As organized in Jewish tradition, the centerpiece is "The History of Israel, Genesis--Kings" (the title of chapter 6). Part 2 of this book presents basic discussions of ethics, political philosophy, epistemology, and metaphysics, offering conclusions sometimes more advanced than the Greeks' regarding such topics as limited government reflecting the people's desires and what is eternally true. Parallel collections of prophetic orations and writings follow, with additional perspectives on these issues. Mosaic law is important: Scripture enjoins observance, but--in contrast to Christian teachings--at the same time "criticize[s] ... perfect trust in God." Hazony sees the Hebrew Bible as a complex, multiauthored work of reason about the purpose of the world and its history, and how Israel should live in the light of that history--and that this is the history and task of all mankind, and a fundamental work for further philosophical study. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-level undergraduates and above; general readers. S. Ward University of Wyoming