Hardcover

ISBN 10: 9004282831 ISBN 13: 9789004282834

Verlag: Brill, 2014

In Saxa judaica loquuntur ('Jewish stones speak out'), Pieter W. van der Horst informs the reader about the recent boom in the study of ancient Jewish epigraphy and he demonstrates what kinds of new information this development yields. After sketching the status quaestionis, this book exemplifies the relevance of early Jewish inscriptions by means of a study of Judaism in Asia Minor on the basis of epigraphic material. It also highlights several areas of research for which this material provides us with insights that the Jewish literary sources do not grant us. Furthermore, the book contains a selection of some 50 inscriptions, in both their original languages and English translation with explanatory notes.

About the Author:

Pieter W. van der Horst (1946), PhD 1978, was professor of early Christianity and ancient Judaism at Utrecht University till 2006. He is a member of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences. He published 40 books and some 400 articles.

Review:

'Brill and van der Horst have produced a delightful book. [...] Van der Horst is an excellent guide in this field.[...] The author has more than clearly demonstrated how useful epigraphy is as a source for ancient Jewish history. [...] This book offers an ideal introduction to an often neglected field.' Jonathan Kearney, JSNT 38 (5) 2016