Language and Imagery in the Old Testament

About this book

Drawing on material throughout the Old Testament J. C. L. Gibson unfolds for modern readers the ancient imagery and language in the Hebrew biblical texts. Focusing on the extraordinary literary power of the Old Testament he describes the creative techniques and artful expressions of its authors and he emphasizes their use of common literary genres for common people. The book will interest not only those accustomed to hearing the Bible read aloud to them in worship but also anyone interested in its enormous impact on language literature and culture. "For the serious Bible reader who wonders why there have been so many modern attempts at translating the Bible this is an admirable book. It shows as much as any single book can show why the Old Testament has been classed among the worlds great literature and enables the ordinary reader to come close to the excitement and thrill of reading it in the original Hebrew. Written by an expert teacher of the language it explains many of the distinctive characteristics of itits style and forms and distinctive idiomsgiving the reader a feel for it as no other book does. Altogether this is a thoroughly delightful and commendable book. I hope that it will be widely bought and read as companion to the Old Testament itself." Ronald E. Clements Professor Emeritus of Old Testament Studies Kings College London