Water for a Thirsty Land: Israelite Literature and Religion

by Hermann Gunkel, Kenneth C. Hanson

Explores form, tradition, and theology The chapters in this volume provide the general reader an opportunity to learn from one of the greatest biblical scholars of the twentieth century. Beginning with the most general and moving to focused topics, this work provides a rationale for continuing to engage the Old Testament in the modern world. Combining his research strengths in the literary history of Israel, form criticism, tradition history, and the history of religion, this volume covers narrative, prophecy, and the Psalms. Rather than artifacts of a former generation, these essays are as fresh as ever in their perspective. To make it more helpful for students, each essay has been expanded with additional notes and bibliography to show where the discussion has continued since Gunkel. This work will provide an excellent supplementary textbook for courses in the Old Testament or Bible.

182 pages, Paperback

First published September 30, 2001

About the author

German Old Testament scholar, founded form criticism. He also became a leading representative of the history of religions school. His major works cover Genesis and the Psalms, and his major interests centered on the oral tradition behind written sources and in folklore.