Table of Contents

Introduction
Maps and Diagrams
Preface to the 1985 JPS Edition
Alphabetical Listing of the Books of the Bible
Hebrew Transliteration

Guide to Abbreviations and Terms
Abbreviations Used for the Books of the Bible
Abbreviations and Terms Used in the Footnotes to the Translation
Abbreviations Used in the Annotations, Introductions, and Essays


Torah
Introduction by Marc Zvi Brettler
Genesis by Jon D. Levenson
Exodus by Jeffrey H. Tigay
Leviticus by Baruch J. Schwartz
Numbers by Nili S. Fox
Deuteronomy by Bernard M. Levinson

Nevi'im
Introduction by Marc Zvi Brettler
Joshua by Nili Wazana
Judges by Yairah Amit
1 & 2 Samuel by Shimon bar-Efrat, by Marc Zvi Brettler
1 & 2 Kings by Ziony Zevit
Isaiah by Benjamin D. Sommer
Jeremiah by Dalit Rom Shiloni
Ezekiel by Tova Ganzel
The Twelve by Ehud Ben Zvi

Ketuvim
Introduction by Marc Zvi Brettler
Psalms by Adele Berlin and Marc Zvi Brettler
Proverbs by Michael V. Fox
Job by Edward Greenstein
Megillot (The Scrolls) Introduction by Marc Zvi Brettler
The Song of Songs by Elsie Stern
Ruth by Adele Reinhartz
Lamentations by Adele Berlin
Ecclesiastes by Peter Machinist
Esther by Adele Berlin
Daniel by Lawrence M. Wills
Ezra-Nehemiah by Hindy Najman
1 & 2 Chronicles by David Rothstein


ESSAYS
Introduction by Adele Berlin and Marc Zvi Brettler

Jewish Interpretation of the Bible
Inner-biblical Interpretation by Benjamin D. Sommer
Early Nonrabbinic Interpretation by Hindy Najman
The Bible in the Dead Sea Scrolls by Esther Eshel
Classical Rabbinic Interpretation by Yaakov Elman
Midrash and Midrashic Interpretation by David Stern
Medieval Jewish Interpretation by Barry D. Walfish
The Bible in the Jewish Philosophical Tradition by Hava Tirosh-Samuelson
The Bible in the Jewish Mystical Tradition by Michael Fishbane
17th-19th C. Jewish Interpretation by Edward Breuer
Modern Jewish Interpretation by Marc Zvi Brettler

Biblical Ideas and Institutions
The Religion of the Bible by Stephen A. Geller
Concepts of Purity in the Bible by Jonathan Klawans
Daily Life in Biblical Times by Oded Borowski
The Temple by Victor Avigdor Hurowitz
Biblical Calendars by Sasha Stern
Biblical Festivals and Fast Days by Baruch Levine
Historical and Ideal Davidic Kingship by Marvin Sweeney
War and Peace in the Bible by Jacob Wright

The Bible in Jewish Life
The Bible in the Synagogue by Avigdor Shinan
The Bible in the Liturgy by Ruth Langer
The Bible and Jewish Custom by Daniel Sperber
The Bible in Israeli Life by Uriel Simon
The Jewish Bible in America by Jonathan Sarna
Jewish Women's Writings on the Bible by Adele Reinhartz
Jewish Translations of the Bible by Leonard J. Greenspoon

Backgrounds for Reading the Bible
The History of Israel in the Biblical Period by Oded Lipschits
The Geography of the Land of Israel by Amitai Baruchi-Unna
The Archeology of the Land of Israel in the Biblical Period by Aren Maeir
The Ancient Near Eastern Background of the Bible by Jack Sasson
Languages of the Bible by Steven E. Fassberg
Textual Criticism of the Bible by Emanuel Tov
The Canonization of the Bible by Marc Zvi Brettler
The Development of the Masoretic Bible by Jordan S. Penkower
The Modern Study of the Bible by Marvin Sweeney
Gender in the Bible by Marc Zvi Brettler
Reading Biblical Poetry by Adele Berlin
Reading Biblical Prose by Yair Zakovitch
Reading Biblical Law by Shalom Holtz
The Hebrew Bible in Other Scriptures
The Hebrew Bible in the New Testament by A.-J. Levine
The Hebrew Bible in the Qur'an by Jack Lassner

Tables and Charts
Weights and Measures
Timeline
Chronological Table of Rulers
Calendar
Table of Biblical Readings
Chapter and Verse Differences

Translations of Primary Sources
Glossary
Index

About the Author

Adele Berlin is Robert H. Smith Professor of Hebrew Bible Emerita at the University of Maryland.

Marc Zvi Brettler is Dora Golding Professor of Biblical Studies and Chair of the Department of Near Eastern and Judaic Studies at Brandeis University.

Reviews

From the previous edition:

''The Jewish Study Bible encompasses a monumental assembly of critical learning and acumen, representing the achievement of an entire generation of Jewish scholars. The commentaries are not only erudite but purposeful and theologically alert. A heroic undertaking, brilliantly conceived and executed with panache.'' --Jacob Neusner
''Serious students of Judaism will want to have a copy of this outstanding and surprisingly affordable study Bible, which stands in the tradition of Oxford's great study Bibles. '' --Publishers Weekly, Religion Bookline
''Another superb holiday gift, especially appropriate for non-Orthodox Jews, is The Jewish Study Bible from Oxford University Press, which finally stands alongside the many verse-by-verse commentaries for Christians. This work also is recommended for serious-minded Christian readers.'' --Associated Press
''This is an essential acquisition for every library and an indispensable addition for every Jewish home. It has been needed for a long time.'' --Nahum M. Sarna, Judaica, Florida Atlantic University
''The Jewish Study Bible is a major accomplishment. It provides accessible essays from the full gamut of Jewish scholarship, and a running commentary that draws liberally from both traditional and scientific perspectives.'' --Lawrence A. Hoffman, Liturgy, Worship and Ritual, Hebrew Union College
"First published in 2004, The Jewish Study Bible is a landmark, one-volume resource tailored especially for the needs of students of the Hebrew Bible. It has won acclaim from readers in all religious traditions... The quality of scholarship, easy-to-navigate format, and vibrant supplementary features bring the ancient text to life... The Jewish Study Bible, Second Edition, is an essential resource for anyone interested in the Hebrew Bible."
--Jewish Media Review
"Each essay is informed, informative, and written by an authority on the subject being analyzed. Taken altogether, the essays provide a nearly exhaustive picture of all the topics basic to understanding the Bible and its background. An extremely useful resource... Highly recommended." --CHOICE