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Exploring Jewish Literature of the Second Temple Period: A Guide for New Testament Students
From the crisis of the Babylonian exile to the rise of rabbinic Judaism--a span of over six hundred years--the Jewish people produced a wealth of literature that lies outside the Hebrew Bible. Today it goes under names such as apocrypha and pseudepigrapha, Josephus and Philo, apocalyptic literature and the Dead Sea Scrolls, Mishnah and targums. But line by line, scroll by scroll, it represents the history and theology, the hopes and prayers of a living and diverse Judaism. It is an engrossing subject in and of itself, but for students of the New Testament it offers an invaluable context for understanding the words and actions of Jesus as well as the conversion and thinking of Paul. Exploring Jewish Literature of the Second Temple Period is an introduction to this literature and places it within its historical context. Riding the explosive growth of knowledge of this period, Larry R. Helyer guides students to the heart of the matter. What were the pressures and realities, the questions and dreams that nurtured and provoked these written expressions? And how does this literature throw light on the text of the New Testament and origins of Christianity?
528 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2002
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 3, 2018
Larry Helyer’s book was written with two primary objectives. First, to provide a resource for identifying Jewish Literature between 500 B.C. – 200 A.D. that could be used for comparative studies with the New Testament. Second, to shed light on the Jewish heritage and theological understanding that influenced the New Testament Jews and the early church. While the influential role of the Jews and the important contribution they provide to the foundation of the early church is sorely neglected, Helyer provides a guide to the many works of literature available to supplement and support our New Testament understanding.
Larry Helyer provides numerous literature works from aforementioned time period. Each work includes a historical setting for the work, a succinct summary, the author’s purpose for the work, theological understanding or thrust, and it’s relevancy to the New Testament. The material does not become over burdensome with detail or repetitiveness and yet remains direct and to the point. In the preface Helyer specifically remarks that the book was intended for seminary students and pastors. What would have been most helpful in this case is some quick reference guides in the appendix of the book that grouped the resources to a time period, theological view, or even by New Testament books/passages.
“Exploring Jewish Literature of the Second Temple Period” will be a good resource for establishing context in New Testament studies and tracing theological development from the Old Testament through the New Testament. It also provides a starting point for understanding the influences that contributed to the formation of the major religious sects that Jesus confronts in the New Testament. Lastly, as the inevitable question arises over and over throughout history “how are Christians to handle persecution?”, there are ample Jewish resources that were specifically written in the midst of the most dire of circumstances to address this very issue.
Larry Helyer provides numerous literature works from aforementioned time period. Each work includes a historical setting for the work, a succinct summary, the author’s purpose for the work, theological understanding or thrust, and it’s relevancy to the New Testament. The material does not become over burdensome with detail or repetitiveness and yet remains direct and to the point. In the preface Helyer specifically remarks that the book was intended for seminary students and pastors. What would have been most helpful in this case is some quick reference guides in the appendix of the book that grouped the resources to a time period, theological view, or even by New Testament books/passages.
“Exploring Jewish Literature of the Second Temple Period” will be a good resource for establishing context in New Testament studies and tracing theological development from the Old Testament through the New Testament. It also provides a starting point for understanding the influences that contributed to the formation of the major religious sects that Jesus confronts in the New Testament. Lastly, as the inevitable question arises over and over throughout history “how are Christians to handle persecution?”, there are ample Jewish resources that were specifically written in the midst of the most dire of circumstances to address this very issue.
March 29, 2018
This is a wonderful introduction to the literature of the Second Temple Period. Obviously, much of this would be of little interest to the average person, but for a textbook it was an easy read and very informative. With the amount of information the book presents, it was a little like drinking water out of a fire hose at times.
May 5, 2024
A helpful guide into a mysterious and seemingly impenetrable world.
(The layout is helpful too)
(The layout is helpful too)
April 25, 2016
Larry R. Helyer (Ph.D., Fuller Theological Seminary) is Emeritus Professor of Biblical Studies at Taylor University, Upland, Indiana. Helyer has published numerous articles and reviews and has authored several books, including, Yesterday, Today and Forever: The Continuing Relevance of the Old Testament (Sheffield, 2004), The Witness of Jesus, Paul and John: An Exploration in Biblical Theology (IVP, 2008), and The Life and Witness of Peter (IVP, 2012). Still, it is within the present volume, Exploring Jewish Literature of the Second Temple Period: A Guide for New Testament Students (IVP, 2002), that Helyer has offered the reader his most notable investment and contribution to the study of the New Testament.
Exploring Jewish Literature of the Second Temple Period begins with a brief introduction outlining the history and importance of the Second Temple period for NT studies. While the information in this section may be considered foundational for the incoming reader, it is quite brief and could easily be ignored without consequence. However, the content that follows this section exhibits a much different story. Helyer systematically introduces the reader to the wealth of literature produced between the Babylonian exile and the rise of rabbinic Judaism. It is here that Helyer examines literary works generally categorized within groups such as the Apocrypha, Pseudepigrapha, Josephus, Philo, Dead Sea Scrolls, Mishnah, Targums, etc. Within each of the sections, the reader is carefully guided through various literary pieces, including information such as genre, sources, purpose, date, composition, structure and outline, content and characteristics, as well as a section devoted to the significance of the particular book to NT studies.
The examination of literature in this volume is impressive and includes such works as Tobit, Enoch, 2 Enoch, 4 Ezra, Thanksgiving Hymns, Damascus Document, Testament of Moses, Jubilees, and much, much more. Each major section of the book ends with helpful discussion questions for small groups or personal reflection, as well as a select bibliography for further study. One of the most impressive aspects of this volume is the sheer number of footnotes that accompany each section. This volume is both comprehensive and well-informed in its examination and research, and Helyer’s familiarity with the literature and context is evident with the turn of every page. Additionally, while the thoroughness of this volume will be enough to warrant its inclusion in your library, the readability will guarantee that it is met with equally good use.
If you are someone with even a remote interest in the study of the New Testament, Exploring Jewish Literature of the Second Temple Period: A Guide for New Testament Students by Larry R. Helyer is an indispensable resource. I recommend a cover-to-cover read the first time around for familiarization with the content, and then the consultation of the various indexes for future reference. Regardless, this will be a volume you will use often. It comes highly recommended!
Exploring Jewish Literature of the Second Temple Period begins with a brief introduction outlining the history and importance of the Second Temple period for NT studies. While the information in this section may be considered foundational for the incoming reader, it is quite brief and could easily be ignored without consequence. However, the content that follows this section exhibits a much different story. Helyer systematically introduces the reader to the wealth of literature produced between the Babylonian exile and the rise of rabbinic Judaism. It is here that Helyer examines literary works generally categorized within groups such as the Apocrypha, Pseudepigrapha, Josephus, Philo, Dead Sea Scrolls, Mishnah, Targums, etc. Within each of the sections, the reader is carefully guided through various literary pieces, including information such as genre, sources, purpose, date, composition, structure and outline, content and characteristics, as well as a section devoted to the significance of the particular book to NT studies.
The examination of literature in this volume is impressive and includes such works as Tobit, Enoch, 2 Enoch, 4 Ezra, Thanksgiving Hymns, Damascus Document, Testament of Moses, Jubilees, and much, much more. Each major section of the book ends with helpful discussion questions for small groups or personal reflection, as well as a select bibliography for further study. One of the most impressive aspects of this volume is the sheer number of footnotes that accompany each section. This volume is both comprehensive and well-informed in its examination and research, and Helyer’s familiarity with the literature and context is evident with the turn of every page. Additionally, while the thoroughness of this volume will be enough to warrant its inclusion in your library, the readability will guarantee that it is met with equally good use.
If you are someone with even a remote interest in the study of the New Testament, Exploring Jewish Literature of the Second Temple Period: A Guide for New Testament Students by Larry R. Helyer is an indispensable resource. I recommend a cover-to-cover read the first time around for familiarization with the content, and then the consultation of the various indexes for future reference. Regardless, this will be a volume you will use often. It comes highly recommended!
October 30, 2010
I went into this book fairly hopeful; I'm interested in the literature written in the intertestamental period, and have never had much occasion to really dig into reading works like the apocryphal and pseudopigraphical writings of the Jews. Unfortunately, Helyer's book disappoints for a student desirous of anything other than Helyer's own summaries and outlines.
In the early sections, Helyer at least implies that he's going to generously excerpt the works to which his titling and mammoth book refer. Further, with the book clocking in at over 500 pages, it seems only natural to expect large portions of at least the major works of these times to be quoted. This is not the case, though. For every paragraph of quoted text, there are at least 5 or 10 pages of Helyer's own thoughts, commentary, introduction, and notes. You get a much greater sense of Helyer's style than the style of the works cited; you get a much better sense of Helyer's opinions than an ability to form your own.
The most useful portion of this work for me was a good reference as to which collections of the early Jewish works might be worth buying. Unfortunately, I'll have to make those purchases and then read these works myself. Very disappointing.
In the early sections, Helyer at least implies that he's going to generously excerpt the works to which his titling and mammoth book refer. Further, with the book clocking in at over 500 pages, it seems only natural to expect large portions of at least the major works of these times to be quoted. This is not the case, though. For every paragraph of quoted text, there are at least 5 or 10 pages of Helyer's own thoughts, commentary, introduction, and notes. You get a much greater sense of Helyer's style than the style of the works cited; you get a much better sense of Helyer's opinions than an ability to form your own.
The most useful portion of this work for me was a good reference as to which collections of the early Jewish works might be worth buying. Unfortunately, I'll have to make those purchases and then read these works myself. Very disappointing.
October 17, 2010
Say hello to all kinds of important and interesting literature you probably need to know about, Bible students. Helyer is great at making this literature accessible to new students and to raise interest for those who are reading only because it is assigned. Em, guilty. I found his sections on how each section of literature is important for Christians and the NT to be both interesting and helpful. I do wish, however, that he would have had a summary section at the end of each chapter, instead of just review questions. With five hundred pages of text, things are bound to slip through the cracks. A great introduction, and far more interesting than I expected.
October 24, 2008
Simply a basic introduction to Jewish literature from the Second Temple period. And yet I enjoyed it *immensely*. Very accessible, a great overview... I'm not sure what I loved so much about it, but it's been one of my favorite textbooks of all time. A great resource!
Want to read
March 14, 2010I need to deepen my understanding about Judaic literature in 1st-2nd century, I hope this book will serve that need.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews