Rendsburg, Gary

“Did I Not Bring Israel Out of Egypt?” Biblical, Archaeological, and Egyptological Perspectives on the Exodus Narratives

Published: Eisenbrauns, 2016

James K. Hoffmeier, Alan R. Millard, and Gary A. Rendsburg (eds.)

 Click image to purchaseThe Hebrew Scriptures consider the exodus from Egypt to be Israel’s formative and foundational event. Indeed, the Bible offers no other explanation for Israel’s origin as a people. It is also true that no contemporary record regarding a man named Moses or the Israelites generally, either living in or leaving Egypt has been found. Hence, many biblical scholars and archaeologists take a skeptical attitude, dismissing the exodus from the realm of history. However, the contributors to this volume are convinced that there is an alternative, more positive approach. Using textual and archaeological materials from the ancient Near East in a comparative way, in conjunction with the Torah’s narratives and with other biblical texts, the contributors to this volume (specialists in ancient Egypt, ancient Near Eastern culture and history, and biblical studies) maintain that the reports in the Hebrew Bible should not be cavalierly dismissed for ideological reasons but, rather, should be deemed to contain authentic memories.

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Eblaitica, 4 vols.

Cyrus H. Gordon and Gary A. Rendsburg (eds.)

Published: Eisenbrauns, 1987 - 2002

Click image to purchaseThe discovery of the great Early Bronze Age library at Tell Mardikh, the site of the ancient city of Ebla, has altered significantly our understanding of the history and culture of ancient Syria and the neighboring areas. This volume contains essays that provide additional texts from the site, as well as studies on previously published texts that further the understanding of both the language and culture of the great city-state. These articles are by members of the Ebla Seminar at New York University, as well as from the epigrapher of the Italian expedition at Ebla, Alfonso Archi. Debate about the identification and connections of the language of the tablets found at Ebla will probably continue for some time, and the place and influence of the city in the web of ancient Syrian and Near Eastern culture will be discussed for years to come. This volume provides additional information relevant to both concerns and contributes to clarification of the issues involved.

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Diglossia in Ancient Hebrew

Gary A. Rendsburg

Published: American Oriental Society, 1990

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Encyclopedia of Hebrew Language and Linguistics, 4 vols.

Gary A. Rendsburg (ed.)

Published: Brill, 2013

Click image to purchaseThe Hebrew language has one of the longest attested histories of any of the world’s languages, with records of its use from antiquity until modern times. Although it ceased to be a spoken language by the 2nd century C.E., Hebrew continued to be used and to develop in the form of a literary and liturgical language until its revival as a vernacular in the 20th century. 
In a four volume set, complete with index, the Encyclopedia of Hebrew Language and Linguistics offers a systematic and comprehensive treatment of all aspects of the history and study of the Hebrew language from its earliest attested form to the present day. The encyclopedia contains overview articles that provide a readable synopsis of current knowledge of the major periods and varieties of the Hebrew language as well as thematically-organized entries which provide further information on individual topics, such as the Hebrew of various sources (texts, manuscripts, inscriptions, reading traditions), major grammatical features (phonology, morphology, and syntax), lexicon, script and paleography, theoretical linguistic approaches, and so forth. With over 950 entries and approximately 400 contributing scholars, the Encyclopedia of Hebrew Language and Linguistics is the authoritative reference work for students and researchers in the fields of Hebrew linguistics, general linguistics, Biblical studies, Hebrew and Jewish literature, and related fields. 

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