T&T Clark Encyclopedia of Second Temple Judaism Volumes I and II

The T&T Clark Encyclopedia of Second Temple Judaism provides a comprehensive reference resource of over 600 scholarly articles aimed at those studying Judaism in the Second Temple Period, and the numerous texts and artefacts related to it. The work is split into four parts across two volumes. Part One locates the discipline in relation to other relevant fields (for example the Hebrew Bible, Rabbinics, Christian Origins) and provides an orientation to the discipline's distinctive nomenclatures and debates. The history of research in the area is also presented in full. Part Two presents an overview of respective contexts of the discipline set within the broad framework of historical chronology. Social/cultural, literary, linguistic, geographical, political, and religious contexts are all explained, from the time period of the conquests of Alexander the Great (332 B.C.E.) through to the reign of Hadrian (135 C.E.). Part Three focuses specifically on the literature of the Second Temple period, summarizing the content of key texts, and examining their similarities and differences with other texts of the period. This section includes surveys of scholarship on date, provenance, location, language(s), and interpretative issues. The reception history of texts is considered. Part Four addresses topics, specifically those relevant to Second Temple literature such as places, practices, historical figures and artefacts. The volumes include 14 specially created color maps and over 60 charts and illustrations.

Table of Contents:
Contents for Volumes I and II Preface Acknowledgments Abbreviations Part One: Introduction and survey of scholarship Part Two: Contexts of Second Temple Judaism 1. The Conquests of Alexander (332–323 B.C.E.) 2. The Diadochi (323–301 B.C.E.) 3. The Egyptian Ptolemies (301–198 B.C.E.) 4. The Syrian Seleucids (198–167 B.C.E.) 5. The Maccabean Revolt and the Hasmonean Dynasty (166–63 B.C.E.) 6. The Romans from Pompey to Hadrian (63 B.C.E.–135 C.E.) Part Three: The Literature of Second Temple Judaism A–Z Part Four: Topics – Second Temple Judaism A–Z

About the Author :
Loren T. Stuckenbruck is Professor of New Testament and Second Temple Judaism at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Germany. Daniel M. Gurtner is Professor of New Testament at Gateway Seminary in Ontario, California, USA.

Review :
This reference work is a major achievement that brings together a remarkable collection of scholars and represents the best of recent scholarship on Second Temple Judaism… The conception and execution of the two volumes are outstanding, and so comprehensive that is difficult to think of a text or topic that may have been overlooked… The editors have produced an extraordinarily rich and useful work that should be consulted by all those studying Second Temple Judaism. While even a resource of this size must necessarily be selective, the editors have successfully created a truly indispensable reference work for scholars and students alike. This is an extraordinary resource for scholars and students of every level and area of interest. Top-rate contributors provide elegant, up-to-date essays for all texts as well as all categories of material evidence from, or pertaining to, the Second Temple period. In thoughtful, clear prose, Stuckenbruck’s and Gurtner’s opening chapters summarize scholarship on this era as well as present its overarching context. This is the rare project that meets the challenge of crafting a fully rounded, three dimensional picture of a critical place and time. The information here will comprise a starting point and launchpad for future research. Drawing on the expertise of a host of scholars, the T&T Clark Encyclopedia of Second Temple Judaism fills a big gap as an essential guide to this burgeoning field. This rich reference resource will prove indispensable to students and scholars of the Bible and its contexts in antiquity. The T&T Clark Encyclopedia of Second Temple Judaism is a distinguished reference work that will make a significant contribution to the burgeoning field of study it addresses. The editors and press are to be commended for creating a work with the ingredients one hopes to find in an encyclopedia: a lengthy list of well-chosen topics that offer both comprehensive and in-depth coverage, and an outstanding, diversified roster of contributors.