Robert Alter

Rediscover the incomparable literary richness and strength of a book that all of us live with an many of us live by. An international team of renowned scholars, assembled by two leading literary critics, offers a book-by-book guide through the Old and New Testaments as well as general essays on the Bible as a whole, providing an enticing reintroduction to a work that has shaped our language and thought for thousands of years. General introduction / Robert Alter and Frank Kermode The Old Testament: Introduction / Robert Alter ; Genesis / J.P. Fokkelman ; Exodus / J.P. Fokkelman ; Leviticus / David Damrosch ; Numbers / James S. Ackerman ; Deuteronomy / Robert Polzin ; Joshua and Judges / David M. Gunn ; 1 and 2 Samuel / Joel Rosenberg ; 1 and 2 Kings / George Savran ; Isaiah / Luis Alonso Schökel ; Jeremiah and Ezekiel / Joel Rosenberg ; The twelve prophets / Herbert Marks ; Jonah / James S. Ackerman ; Psalms / Robert Alter ; Proverbs and Ecclesiastes / James G. Williams ; Job / Moshe Greenberg ; The song of songs / Francis Landy ; Ruth / Jack M. Sasson ; Lamentations / Francis Landy ; Esther / Jack M. Sasson ; Daniel / Shemaryahu Talmon ; Ezra and Nehemiah / Shemaryahu Talmon ; 1 and 2 Chronicles / Shemaryahu Talmon The New Testament: Introduction / Frank Kermode ; Matthew / Frank Kermode ; Mark / John Drury ; Luke / John Drury ; John / Frank Kermode ; Acts / James M. Robinson ; The Pauline epistles / Michael Goulder ; The epistle to the Hebrews and the catholic epistles / Gabriel Josipovici ; Revelation / Bernard McGinn General Essays: The Hebrew Bible and Canaanite literature / John C. Greenfield The New Testament and Greco-Roman writing / Helen Elsom ; Fishing for men on the edge if the wilderness / Edmund Leach ; The canon / Frank Kermode ; The characteristics of ancient Hebrew poetry / Robert Alter ; Midrash and allegory / Gerald L. Bruns ; English translations of the Bible / Gerald Hammond

A landmark event: the complete Hebrew Bible in the award-winning translation that delivers the stunning literary power of the original. A masterpiece of deep learning and fine sensibility, Robert Alter’s translation of the Hebrew Bible, now complete, reanimates one of the formative works of our culture. Capturing its brilliantly compact poetry and finely wrought, purposeful prose, Alter renews the Old Testament as a source of literary power and spiritual inspiration. From the family frictions of Genesis and King David’s flawed humanity to the serene wisdom of Psalms and Job’s incendiary questioning of God’s ways, these magnificent works of world literature resonate with a startling immediacy. Featuring Alter’s generous commentary, which quietly alerts readers to the literary and historical dimensions of the text, this is the definitive edition of the Hebrew Bible.