Hebrews between Cultures: Group Portraits and National Literature (Indiana Studies in Biblical Literature)
An issue central to Jewish historical study is the difficulty in defining the similarities and differences between the designations of Hebrews, Israelites, and Jews. Why do Jews speak Hebrew? Why do the inhabitants of Israel speak Hebrew and not Jewish? In the last 150 years, many scholarly efforts have been devoted to this complex topic. Sternberg, a professor at Tel Aviv University and author of the Poetics of Biblical Narrative (Indiana Univ., 1987), now makes a significant contribution with this weighty volume. An excellent index, notes, and an extensive bibliography help the reader navigate. Some readers may have difficulty working their way through the intricate arguments and explanations; Sternberg draws on the techniques of literary archaeology as well as philosophy, linguistics, and history, and his treatment will be of most interest to scholars of Bible history. Recommended for specialized research collections.?Olga B. Wise, Compaq Computers, Austin, TXCopyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.