Linguistic Dating of Biblical Texts: Vol 1

Since the beginning of critical scholarship, biblical texts have been dated using linguistic evidence. In recent years, this has been a controversial topic. However, until now, there has been no introduction to and comprehensive study of the field. Volume I introduces the field of linguistic dating of biblical texts, particularly to intermediate and advanced students of Biblical Hebrew with a reasonable background in the language, but also to scholars of the Hebrew Bibles in general who have not been exposed to the full scope of issues. It outlines topics at a basic level before entering into detailed discussion. Many text samples are presented for study, and readers are introduced to significant linguistic features of the texts through notes on the pages. Detailed notes on these text sample provide a background, concrete illustrations and a point of departure for discussion of the general and theoretical issues discussed in each chapter that will make this volume useful as a classroom textbook.

Ian Young is senior lecturer in the department of Hebrew, Biblical and Jewish Studies at the University of Sydney. Robert Rezetko completed his PhD in Hebrew Bible at the University of Edinburgh.

Preface Abbreviations Chapter 1 Introduction Chapter 2 Early vs. Late Biblical Hebrew: Principles and Methodology Chapter 3 Early vs. Late Biblical Hebrew: Critique of Principles Chapter 4 Early vs. Late Biblical Hebrew: Critique of Methodology Chapter 5 Early vs. Late Biblical Hebrew: Linguistic Features and Rates of Accumulation Chapter 6 Hebrew Inscriptions of the Monarchic Period Chapter 7 Dialects and Diglossia Chapter 8 Aramaic Chapter 9 Mishnaic Hebrew Chapter 10 Qumran Hebrew and Ben Sira Chapter 11 Loanwords Chapter 12 Archaic Biblical Hebrew Chapter 13 Textual Criticism Chapter 14 Conclusion