How to Read the Bible

Starred review from October 10, 2005
How does a person read the Bible, which is a product of another time and culture, and have it make sense? Brettler, who chairs the department of Near Eastern and Judaic Studies at Brandeis, begins with the complicated web of doctrine, history and myth that is the Hebrew Bible and untangles it until a clear and beautifully drawn picture emerges. His mode of interpretation is the "historical-critical" method—reading the text in its historical setting, employing critical methodology to explicate and, when possible, harmonize "the multiple ancient perceptions of God, preserved in our composite Bible." After explaining his approach, Brettler takes readers through the historical periods of the Bible, placing the stories in their proper context. He explains, for example, the importance of the Jewish exile in Babylon to the people's view of the prophetic calling. He also discusses the poetic books, their formation and content, and the messages of the prophets. The result is an eye-opening journey through a familiar text, a fresh look at an old story. Written for the beginning reader as well as the scholar, this is an outstanding introduction to the Hebrew Bible and the history of Israel, and should be widely read.

December 1, 2005
Does one need a book to learn how to read a sacred text? Yes, argues Jewish scholar Brettler ("The Jewish Study Bible"), who claims that there is more to reading the Hebrew Bible than meets the eye. His goal is to help readers see the scriptures as scholars see them. Brettler shows how biblical passages can be read more clearly by using the historical-critical method, which seeks to view the biblical texts in their original historical context and as particular forms of literature. Through the many chapters of the book, covering the creation, patriarchs, biblical law, kingship, prophets, and wisdom literature, Brettler interprets significant texts and shows the effectiveness of the historical-critical approach. In the process, he provides a good overview of the Hebrew Bible and the history of Israel. A major drawback, however, is the book's scholarly tone; a simpler style would reach the college student or adult reader more effectively. Steven McKenzie's "How To Read the Bible", though written from a Christian perspective, is a much clearer work. An optional purchase." -John Jaeger, Dallas"

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