First published 1986
James L. Kugel explores how people in antiquity interpreted the Hebrew Bible. He traces the methods and assumptions that shaped biblical understanding from the earliest periods through the rabbinic era. Kugel shows how ancient interpreters filled gaps in biblical narratives, resolved apparent contradictions, and extracted moral lessons from sacred texts. He examines the work of translators, commentators, and religious teachers who sought to make ancient scriptures relevant to their communities. The book reveals how interpretation became a creative act that transformed biblical meaning across centuries. Kugel demonstrates that modern readers inherit interpretive traditions stretching back thousands of years, traditions that continue to influence how we read these foundational texts today.
Genres: history, religion, non-fiction, ancient-history, academic
Vibes: thought-provoking
Tropes: academic-study
Period: Antiquity, Rabbinic Era
214 pages · Hardcover · Westminster John Knox Pr