Interpreting Hebrew Poetry

Here is a convenient introduction to the unique aspects of interpreting the one-third of the Hebrew Bible that is in poetic form. Numerous are the occasions when a failure to distinguish poetry from prose in the Old Testament has resulted in flawed interpretation. Robert Lowth's Lectures on the Sacred Poetry of the Hebrews (1753, 1787), marked a turning point of major proportions by focusing on the importance of parallelism of lines. But new studies of the past decade now require significant adjustments to Lowth's analyses. Interpreting Hebrew Poetry offers an authoritative introduction to this discussion of parallelism, meter and rhythm, and poetic style. It also provides by way of example a poetic analysis of Deuteronomy 32, Isaiah 5:1-7, and Psalm 1.

About the author

David L. Petersen is the Associate Dean of Faculty and Academic Affairs and Franklin N. Parker Professor of Old Testament at Candler School of Theology, Emory University. He was the senior Old Testament editor for The New Interpreter's Bible and is currently the Old Testament editor for The Common English Bible. Petersen recently served as president of the Society of Biblical Literature. He is an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA) and is a member of the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta.

Product details

• Authors: David L Petersen, David L. Petersen, David L./ Richards Petersen, David L Peterson, David L. Peterson, Kent H. Richards, Kent Harold Richards
• Assisted by: Gene M Tucker (Editor), Gene M. Tucker (Editor)
• Publisher: Augsburg Fortress Pub
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 01.05.1992
• EAN: 9780800626259
• ISBN: 978-0-8006-2625-9
• Dimensions: 146 mm x 222 mm x 13 mm
• Series: Guides to Biblical Scholarship S.; Guides to Biblical Scholarship; Guides to Biblical Scholarship S.
• Subject: Humanities, art, music > Linguistics and literary studies > General and comparative literary studies