Recent years have witnessed significant discoveries of texts and artefacts relevant to the study of the Old and New Testaments and remarkable shifts in scholarly methods of study. The present volume mirrors the increasing specialization of Old Testament studies, including the Hebrew and Greek Bibles, and reflects rich research activity that has unfolded over the last four decades in Pentateuch theory, Septuagint scholarship, Qumran studies and early Jewish exegesis of biblical texts. The second half of the volume discusses the period running from the New Testament to 600, including chapters on the Coptic, Syriac and Latin bibles, the 'Gnostic' use of the scriptures, pagan engagement with the Bible, the use of the Bible in Christian councils and in popular and non-literary culture. A fascinating in-depth account of the reception of the Bible in the earliest period of its history.

A Choice Outstanding Academic Title, 2013

'Clearly and authoritatively written by three-dozen widely recognized specialists, this superb collection divides into five parts: 'Languages, Writing Systems, and Book Production'; 'The Hebrew Bible and Old Testaments'; 'The New Testament'; 'Biblical Versions other than the Hebrew and the Greek'; and 'The Reception of the Bible in the Post-New Testament Period' … With a full array of indexes, this volume is perfect for advanced undergraduates through seasoned researchers. All libraries serving such individuals will want at least one copy of this book, along with the three others … that make up this series … Highly recommended …'

L. J. Greenspoon Source: Choice

'Just as the original became a standard work of reference, a must for all scholarly libraries, so too should this successor, as both then and now the contributors are all scholars of the front rank, and we are offered a fresh guide to the ‘state of the art’ in biblical study and the history of biblical reception in antiquity.'

Source: Reviews in Religion and Theology