Product Description

The Bible, as is often said, is the world's least-read bestseller. That is particularly true of the Old Testament. People are often put off by the sheer bulk of the material and its frequently undistinguished quality. John Dancy has selected large samples from most of the canonical and apocryphal books, amounting to just under a third of the total, chosen for artistic merit and intrinsic interest rather than for representative status or theological value. Literature of this stature, he says, should not be restricted to academics and believers. To make it more approachable, the text is presented with commentary on the same page, in smaller type so that attention is never diverted from the original. The commentary mostly concentrates on literary matters but provides technical explanations where necessary. In addition a sensitive and sound introduction also puts the Hebrew writings in the historical context of the ancient Near East. Extracts are used from a variety of translations, preferring the most faithful in language, tone and style for each section. Accuracy is a prime concern, but so is poetry. Above all, the selections bring out the inherent dramatic qualities of the verse dialogues and narrative prose. Nothing quite like this has yet been made available. "The Divine Drama" will be a welcome addition to the library of any thoughtful reader who cares for good stories.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1374952 in Books
• Published on: 2001-01-18
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 798 pages

Times Literary Supplement, January 2002
The comments are admirably clear and pack a good deal of information and insight into a comparatively brief compass. The reader will be greatly enlightened

Mail on Sunday, January 20, 2002
Each of the passages is accompanied by an elegant commentary which teases out the hidden meanings. A magnificent achievement.

Church Times, December 21/28, 2001
Anyone to whom the Old Testament is a strange land, is in for a glorious, exciting and life-enhancing experience.

Customer Reviews

A Splendid introduction to the Old Testament
The Old Testament is a complex and difficult collection of books, and some sort of introduction is immensely valuable (if only in helping to avoid the boring bits). Here is a book that provides all that one needs (over one-third of the text of the Old Testament - using a variety of different translations), with brief introductions and commentaries. It sets the various books of the Old Testament into their historical and literary setting, as well as providing a wealth of information about how they came to be written and what they say.

It is all done with charm and (lightly worn) erudition, as befits a work by a distinguished former public-school headmaster.

Whether one is interested as casual reader, as Jewish or Christian believer, as preacher seeking material for sermons, or as learned academic, the book has plenty to offer.

Much recommended.