This volume makes a positive intervention into maximalist/minimalist debates about Israelite historiography by pointing to the events that happened during the Persian and Hellenistic periods. During this historical epoch, traditions about Israel and Judah's founding became fixed as markers of ethnic identity, and much of the canonical Hebrew Bible came into its present form. Concentrating on these events, a clearer historical picture emerges.

The entire volume is set within the context of Douglas A. Knight's contributions, which have encouraged a rigorous social-scientific and tradition-historical approach to the Hebrew Bible and ancient Israel in general.

Jon Berquist is senior academic editor at Westminster John Knox Press.

Alice Hunt is President of Chicago Theological Seminary.

Introduction

Jon Berquist and Alice Hunt, The Contributions of Douglas A. Knight

History and Contexts

Jack Sasson, Vanderbilt University, Coveting the Second Temple Period

Philip Davies, Sheffield University, The Origins of the Kingdom of Judah

Neils P. Lemche, Copenhagen University, Shechem Revisited

Israel Finkelstein, Tel Aviv University, Jerusalem: A Persian City

Ken Stone, Chicago Theological Seminary, The Zoological Gaze in Post-Exilic Biblical Literature

Julye Bidmead, Chapman University, From New Moon to New Moon: Women's Rituals in the Persian Period

Texts and History

Annalisa Azzoni, Vanderbilt University, Genesis: Creating Creation

Kristin Swanson, Luther College, What happens when we read Judges in the Persian Period?

Robert R. Wilson, Yale University, The Persian Period and the Shaping of the Prophetic Literature

Deborah Appler, Moravian Theological Seminary, "'Digging in the Claws.' Daniel 4 and the Predatory Nature of Empire"

Cheryl B. Anderson, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, Ruth and Esther as Models for the Formation of God's People: Engaging Liberationist Critiques

Amy-Jill Levine, Vanderbilt University, "Xenophobia" of Ezra/Nehemiah and Post-Colonial Views of "Jews"

Herbert R. Marbury, Vanderbilt University, Nehemiah: Caught Between Court and Cult with Lessons for Church and State

James Crenshaw, Duke University, Pondering the Passing of Time: Psalm 39 and Qoheleth

Norman Gottwald, Pacific School of Religion, Ecclesiastes of the Hellenistic Period

Jennifer L. Koosed, Albright College, The Chronicler Buries Saul

David Penchansky, University of St. Thomas (St. Paul), Sophia and Simon: The Two Poles of Ben Sira's Affection

Peter J. Haas, Case Western Reserve University, Was the Judaism of the Dead Sea Scrolls a Mystery Religion?

Conclusion

Jon Berquist and Alice Hunt, The Future Focus of Biblical Studies: Where Do We Go From Here?