History of Biblical Interpretation: A Reader.

HISTORY OF BIBLICAL INTERPRETATION: A READER. By William Yarchin. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 2004. Pp. xxx + 444. Cloth, $34.95.

At the outset the editor correctly notes the lacuna of a single-volume reader that "covers the entire span of the Bible's history, presenting examples of how people have thought about interpreting Scripture" (p. vii). To fill this gap, W. Yarchin offers the reader a virtual treasure-trove of interpretive methods and agendas from the very rich history of interpretation of the Bible in both Jewish and Christian traditions. Although the material at hand is both daunting and unwieldy, Yarchin deftly divides the history of interpretation into five parts: (1) prerabbinic Jewish interpretation (150 BCE-70 CE); (2) patristic interpretation and it legacy (150 -1500 CE); (3) rabbinic interpretation and its legacy (150-1500 CE); (4) modern interpretation 1500-present); and (5) late modern interpretation (1970-present). While conceding that his work does not depict the full extent of biblical interpretation through the ages, Yarchin achieves his goal of introducing the reader to the achievements and vicissitudes of the interpretive enterprise. What is noteworthy is that the editor has composed a very readable essay before each selection, thus enabling the reader to appreciate the thrust and focus of the selection under consideration.

Not surprisingly the lion's share of this volume is allotted to parts four and five. In the period of modern interpretation there are selections from D. F. Strauss, H. Gunkel, R. Bultmann, W. F. Albright, etc. In the period of late modern interpretation Yarchin has included selections from such scholars as B. Chiilds, W. Wink, P. Trible, E. Schiissler Fiorenza, F. F. Segovia, etc. Given over two millennia of biblical interpretation, it is impossible to discuss all movements and strategies. A selection from the social-scientific approach, however, (mentioned by Yarchin in p. xxvi) might have enhanced the work. Yarchin displays both ecumenical sensitivity and exegetical acumen by considering the contributions and insights of Jewish scholars. In addition to Philo in Part One, he includes Rashi, Ramban, and Sa'adia Gaon in Part Three, as well as B. Spinoza and M. Mendelssohn in Part Four. In Part Five he offers the penetrating essay by J. Levenson on why Jews are not interested in biblical theology.

The end result of this well conceived and well organized volume is that one comes to recognize and appreciate the contributions of past generations. The practitioner in the modern guild of biblical interpretation is linked inexorably to this long line of scholars. To be sure, modern practitioners of this discipline do not exist in some sort of interpretive vacuum. At the same time the reader is implicitly cautioned to anticipate different approaches and methods of biblical interpretation in the future.

John F. Craghan

Darboy, WI 54915