Exile and the disruptioon of the exilic period are prominent features in scholarly reconstructions of what influenced the shaping of biblical books and the development of theological thinking. The Babylonian golah community, as an exilic community, is credited by a growing number of scholars with influencing large parts of the Hebrew Bible. This study addresses the question whether the redactions show signs of an exilic mindset (first generation exiles) or are better understood as a reflection of a diaspora mindset (second/third and subsequent generations). This study also reviews all known archaeological diaspora findings from Mesopotamia in the pre-Hellenistic period (aided by insights from Elephantine) in order to build an as comprehensive as possible picture of Jewish diaspora life in Mesopotamia.

Explores the Old Testament's prophetic cry against materialism, consumerism, violence, and oppression

It was the center of learning, commerce, wealth, and religion. Devoted to materialism, extravagance, luxury, and the pursuit of sensual pleasure, it was a privileged society. But, there was also injustice, poverty, and oppression. It was the great and ancient Babylon—the center of the universe. And now we find Babylon redux today in Western society. Consumer capitalism, a never-ending cycle of working and buying, a sea of choices produced with little regard to life or resources, societal violence, marginalized and excluded people, a world headed toward climactic calamity. Where are the prophets—the Jeremiahs—to lead the way out of the gated communities of overindulgence, the high rises of environmental disaster, and the darkness at the core of an apostate consumer society? Walter Brueggemann—a scholar, a preacher, a prophetic voice in our own time—challenges us again to examine our culture, turn from the idols of abundance and abuse, and turn to lives of meaning and substance.

From the origins and exodus to the restoration and new hope, Kingdom of Priests offers a comprehensive introduction to the history of Old Testament Israel. Merrill explores the history of ancient Israel not only from Old Testament texts but also from the literary and archeological sources of the ancient Near East. After selling more than 30,000 copies, the book has now been updated and revised. The second edition addresses and interacts with current debates in the history of ancient Israel, offering an up-to-date articulation of a conservative evangelical position on historical matters. The text is accented with nearly twenty maps and charts.

This present study seeks to clarify the character and functions of the Neo-Babylonian empire in its relationship to subjugated populations, and in particular to the population of Judah.

The Subcommittee on the Catechism, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, has found this catechetical text, copyright 2009, to be in conformity with the Catechism of the Catholic Church. This in-depth course brings to life the books of the Old Testament, with a full-color student text that covers the most important stories and passages of the Old Testament and guides students as they read the Bible. The one-semester course can be taught to ninth graders but is ideal for tenth- and eleventh-grade students. With emphasis to the context and spiritual meaning of the Old Testament, this text includes an extensive discussion of the Ten Commandments, sidebars featuring prayers in the Old Testament, historical and biblical timelines, review questions, reflective activities, and a full-color design with maps, charts, photos, and artwork help make the Old Testament come alive for students. The third edition features updates to the text that reflect current Scripture scholarship and the cultural experience of today's teens, new illustrations and photos, and a new glossary of biblical terms.