Comprehensive Examination

Reading List for MA Comprehensive Exam in Bible

The bibliographical entries in the course syllabus for BIB 5115: Intro to Biblical Studies II are required readings for the comprehensive exam. The following Reading List contains additional new readings as well as the BIB 5115 course readings to which special attention should be paid:  (Original PDF)

1. Biblical and ANE History:
    

   • J. Bright, A History of Israel or Michael D. Coogan (ed.), The Oxford History of the Biblical World or J. H. Hayes & J. M. Miller, Israelite and Judaean History. 
      

   • A. R. Millard, “Methods of Studying the Patriarchal Narratives as Ancient Texts,” in A. R. Millard & D. J. Wiseman, Essays on Patriarchal Narratives, pp. 35-51. 
      

   • H. Tadmor, “The Chronology of the First Temple Period,” The Age of the Monarchies: Political History (World History of the Jewish People 4/1,ed. by A. Malamat),  44-60.
      

   • B. L. Eichler, “Nuzi and the Bible: A Retrospective,” DUMU-E2-DUB-BA-A: Studies in Honor of Ake W Sjoberg (ed. H. Behrens et al), 107-119 
      

2. Ethno-linguistic Elements in the ANE
    

   • A. J. Hoerth, Peoples of the Old Testament World, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1998 or D. J. Wiseman, Peoples of Old Testament Times. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1973. 

     • “Sumerians” P0TW, pp. 19-42.

     • “Hittites," POTW, pp. 127-155.

     • “Canaanites and Amorites,” POTW, pp. 157-182.

     • "Phoenicians," pp. 183-206.

     • “Arameans,” POTW, pp. 207-230

     • “Philistines,” POTW, pp. 231-250
        

3. Biblical and ANE Religions
    

   • Y. Kaufmann, The Religion of Israel (M. Greenberg, trans.), 1-148. (Require a password to open these files since it is copyrighted.)

     • TOC, Chapters 1 and 2

     • Chapter 3

     • Chapter 4
        

4. Biblical and ANE Literature

    

   • J. H. Walton, Ancient Israelite Literature in its Cultural Context, Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1989. 
      

5. Biblical Archaeology: These are very large files!  Please download before printing.

    

   • W. Dever, “The Middle Bronze Age: Zenith of Urban Canaanite Culture,” Biblical Archaeologist 50 (1987) 149-177.
      

   • A. Leonard, “The Late Bronze Age,” Biblical Archaeologist 52 (1989) 1-39. 
      

   • E. Block-Smith & Nakhai, “Iron Age I,” Near Eastern Archaeology 62 (1999) 62-92. 
      

   • W. Dever, Recent Archaeological Discoveries and Biblical Research, 119-172;  or for more detailed information: A. Mazar, Archaeology of the land of the Bible, 91-549. 
      

6. CANON:
     

   • S.Z. Leiman,  The Canonization of Hebrew Scripture: The Talmudic and Midrashic Evidence (New Haven, 1991), pp. 51-72 and notes. (Requires a password to open this file since it is copyrighted.)
      

   • S.Z. Leiman, “lnspiration and Canonicity: Reflections on the Formation of the Biblical Canon” in E.P. Sanders, ed., Jewish and Christian Self-Definition (Philadelphia, 1981), vol. 2, pp. 56-63.
      

7. MASORAH:
    

   • A. Dotan, Ben Asher’s Creed: A Study of the History of the Controversy (Missoula, 1977).  Requires a password to open this file since it is copyrighted.
      

   • M. Cohen, ‘Mavo L'Mahadurat Hakketer’ in M. Cohen, ed., Mikro'ot G'dolot Hakketer - Yehoshua/Shoftim, (Jerusalem, 1992), pp. 1-57 (Eric: only up to p. 53 and notes.  Requires a password to open this file since it is copyrighted. 
      

8. SEPTUAGINT: 
    

   • E. Tov, “The Rabbinic Tradition Concerning the “Alterations” Inserted into the Greek Pentateuch and their Relation to the Original Text of the LXX,” Journal for the Study of Judaism 15 (1984),.pp. 65-89. 
      

   • I. Grunwald, "Pulmos b'Inyan Targum Hattorah l'Yavanit” in Teudah 4(1986), pp. 66-78. 
      

9.  DEAD SEA SCROLLS: 
    

   • F.M. Cross, “The Old Testament at Qumran” in his The Ancient Library of Qumran and Modern Biblical Studies (Grand Rapids, 1980 or later editions), pp. 163-194.  
      

   • E. Tov, “The Biblical Texts Found in Qumran” in his Textual Criticism of the Hebrew Bible (Assen, 1992), pp. 100-117.
      

10. TARGUM: 
     

    • J. Heinemann, “Early Halakhah in the Palestinian Targumim,” Journal of Jewish Studies 25 (1974), pp. 114-122. 
       

    • Y. Maori “Al Yahaso shel Targun Hattorah Hamyuchas l'Yonatan ben Uziel liMekorot Hahalacha” in Teudah  3(1983), pp. 235-250. 
       

    • P.S. Alexander, “Jewish Aramaic Translations of Hebrew Scriptures” in M.J. Mulder, ed., Mikra (Assen, 1988), pp. 217-253. 
       

11. MEDIEVAL JEWISH EXEGESIS: 
     

    1. Rashi: 

       • A.Grossman, “Hagahot Shemaya v'Nusach Peirush Rashi al Hattorah” Tarbiz 60(1991), pp. 67-98.
          

       • E. Touito, “HaUmnam Mishakeph Ktav Yad Leipzig 1 et nusach hamekori shel Rashi l'Torah?” Tarbiz 61 (1992), pp. 85-115.
          

    2. Ibn Ezra: 

       • U. Simon, “Ra'ava v'Radak: Shtei Gishot l'sheilat mehemnut nusach hamikra” in Bar-Ilan Annual 6(1968), pp. 191-237.
           

       • U. Simon, Four Approaches to the Book of Psalms (Albany, 1991). 
          

    3. Ramban:

       • B. Septimus, “‘Open Rebuke and Concealed Love’: Nahmanides and the Andalusian Tradition” in I. Twersky, ed., Rabbi Moses Nahmanides (Ramban): Explorations in His Religious and Literary Virtuosity (Cambridge, 1983), pp. 11-34. 
          

       • M. Idel, “R Moshe ben Nachman-Kabalah Halacha umanhigut ruchanit” Tarbiz 64(1995), pp. 535-580.