Bruce Wells

An Introduction to Biblical Law

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“Morrow is an outstanding biblical scholar and ideally suited to write this book. It's accessible and insightful, and it doesn't shy away from difficult scholarly or interpretive issues. While many people prefer the stories of the Pentateuch, Morrow demonstrates how fascinating and compelling the 'water from Sinai' (read the intro!) can be.”

The Lost World of the Torah

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“Walton and Walton take recent scholarship on ancient Near Eastern law and apply it with great dexterity to their investigation of the biblical Torah. Ancient law codes, like the Laws of Hammurabi, very likely did not form the actual law of their respective societies, and this book is willing to face the implications of this honestly. Overall, it builds a careful and important argument for how to approach biblical law. And it is brave enough to show that most casual interpretations by modern Christians will almost inevitably go awry. One can only hope that this kind of work will begin to dampen the naive and simplistic readings that plague much of American Protestantism today.”

The Social World of Deuteronomy

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“Benjamin brings together his knowledge of archaeology, ancient cultures, biblical studies, and feminist scholarship, and the results are enlightening and thought-provoking. Throughout, Benjamin pays special attention to how women may have influenced key Deuteronomic traditions. While acknowledging the influence of patriarchy, Benjamin offers interpretations that grant a higher social status to women than a superficial reading might suggest. The overall effect is a well-rounded description of the milieu in which Deuteronomy's authors produced their work.”

The World around the Old Testament

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“This is an especially important book. Nowhere else can one find, in a single volume, the kind of up-to-date and nuanced treatment of the ethnolinguistic groups of the ancient Near East that appears in this collection. Each chapter is written by a renowned scholar, and each carefully explains the sources that are used to reconstruct our understanding of the history, language, and religion of these cultures. The clear-eyed examination of current scholarly debates and the identification of key insights for the study of biblical texts also set this book apart. The World around the Old Testament will be a very productive resource for advanced students and scholars alike.”