Ancient Hebrew Social Life and Custom as indicated in Law, Narrative and Metaphor

Abstract

EVERY period has its special interests and similarly the sciences their special fashions. During the last century, interest in the Old Testament was predominantly theological arid historical, from the point of view of Christian theology and the history of the Christian religion; we, howeve in our times have learnt to look at parts of the Old Testament from a social aspect. For us, life has changed and its centre has been transferred to the economic and social sphere. Prof. Kennett's book is pointing to this direction, and we have good reason to tender our grateful admiration to this eminent scholar and our thanks to Prof. Burkitt for having published the manuscript after Prof. Kennett's death.—The author has limited his skilful investigation to the Scriptures, and it is amazing what a brilliant picture he has given us from the somewhat scanty indications scattered over the whole Old Testament. In this small study he again shows his supreme intimate knowledge of the Scriptures and his great gift of vivid description.

Ancient Hebrew Social Life and Custom as indicated in Law, Narrative and Metaphor.

(The Schweich Lectures of the British Academy, 1931.) By R. H. Kennett. (Published for the British Academy.) Pp. vi + 114. (London: Oxford University Press, 1933.) 6s. net.