An Introduction to Early JudaismBased on the best archaeological research, this volume explores the history of Judaism during the Second Temple period (516 BCE–70 CE), describing the body of Jewish literature written during these centuries and the most important groups, institutions, and practices of the time. Particularly interesting are VanderKam’s depiction of events associated with Masada and, more briefly, the Bar Kokhba revolt—as well as his commentary on texts unearthed in places like Elephantine and Qumran. Now in its second edition, with additional material and updated throughout, this book remains the preeminent guide to early Judaism for anyone looking for a text that is concise and accessible while still comprehensive—and written by one of the foremost experts in the field. |
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Alexander altar angels Antiochus Antiochus IV apocalypse Aramaic Aristobulus Aseneth aer Babylon Baruch Ben Sira biblical brother Cave century BCE chapter Chron copies Daniel Dead Sea Dead Sea Scrolls death divine Egypt Eleazar Elephantine Enoch Esdras Essenes Esther example exile Ezra Festival God’s Greek Hasmonean Hebrew Bible Herod high priest high priesthood Hyrcanus identied inuence Israel Jannaeus Jeremiah Jerusalem Jewish Jews Jonathan Josephus Josephus’s Jubilees Judah Judaism Judas Judea king king’s later leader Letter of Aristeas Levi Lord Macc Maccabees Masada mentioned Moses Nehemiah offered Onias oen Persian Pharisees Philo praise prayer priestly prophets Psalms Pseudepigrapha Ptolemy Qumran reign revolt righteous Roman Rome rulers Sabbath sacrice Sadducees sanctuary Sanhedrin says scriptural scrolls Second Temple period Seleucid Sicarii Simon Sira sons sources story Testament texts Tobiad Tobit translation wisdom worship writings written