The second half of the collection of mostly Jewish pseudepigraphal literature, featuring expansions of the Old Testament stories, legends regarding Biblical characters, wisdom literature, prayers and psalms, as well as fragments of Judeo-Hellenistic works. Notable texts include the Letter of Aristeas, Jubilees, Martyrdom/Ascension of Isaiah, Joseph and Aseneth, Jannes and Jambres, Ahiqar, and Psalms and Odes of Solomon.

The introductions for each text are most valuable, explaining what is known about the text, its provenance, purpose, and importance. Many texts are replete with notes on the condition of the text, translation choices, and other details.

Yet, as before, so again: the collection can be a bit uneven. Sometimes the translators have an argument to make in regards to the text and that is more illuminated than the text itself.

Nevertheless, this continues to remain a most crucial work for investigation in to early Jewish literature. ( )

No scholar's library is complete without it (and its companion). ( )

NO OF PAGES: 1006 SUB CAT I: Extra Biblical Writings SUB CAT II: SUB CAT III: DESCRIPTION: From the finding of the Dead Sea Scrolls to the latest on the Gnostic writings, the Nag Hammadi codices, new information is unearthed practically every day to help us understand the life-styles and beliefs of our religious ancestors. The "Old Testament Pseudepigrapha" is the foremost example of this work. For the first time, all the important documents (sixty-five in all, published in two separate volumes) from the period between the Old and the New testaments have been collected in this landmark work. The General Editor has selected the foremost international authority on each book to contribute a new translation (sometimes for the first time) and an introduction and critical notes for each of the texts, all work taking advantage of the very latest in scriptural scholarship. By studying the Pseudepigrapha, we can increase our knowledge of the beginnings of the Christian religion, as well as the development of Judaism after the close of the Hebrew Bible.NOTES: Purchased from CBD. SUBTITLE: Expansions of the "Old Testament" and Legends, Wisdom and Philosophical Literature, Prayers, Psalms and Odes, Fragments of Lost Judeo-Hellenistic Works