C. L. Seow

Herein is everything a student needs to begin building a solid foundation in ancient Biblical Hebrew. I only have two major issues with it. First, language is not just about form, it is also about beauty and art. While this grammar is the pinnacle of form, it is null and void of beauty and art. There has not ceased to be rumblings of discontent and frustration among my peers since the first chapter, for language was not meant to be understood on the basis of never-ending systematic charts show more and rules. Second, there is far too much information condensed into the grammar to ever be absorbed in any one year of Hebrew apart from almost total immersion. Seow can be congratulated for giving us the tools and means to construct our house. It remains to be seen, however, how many laborers will remain to complete the job. show less

"The Hebrew book of Job is by all accounts an exquisite piece of literary art that holds its rightful place among the most outstanding compositions in world literature. Yet it is also widely recognized as an immensely difficult text to understand.

In elucidating that ancient text, this inaugural Illuminations commentary by C. L. Seow pays close attention to the reception history of Job, including Jewish, Muslim, Christian, and Western secular interpretations as expressed in theological, show more philosophical, and literary writings and in the visual and performing arts. Seow offers a primarily literary-theological interpretation of Job, a new translation, and detailed commentary.

"Seow is arguably the master scholar, researcher, teacher, and interpreter of his generation. In this remarkable book, his singular capacities are fully on exhibit. . . . Mastery of the critical apparatus, attentiveness to rhetorical nuance, theological sensibility, and acuteness concerning the historical spectrum of interpretations. He is able to trace the thickness of interpretation from the oldest translations through the vagaries of the historical process. In the midst of such erudition, his commentary on specific texts is nonetheless cast in an accessible narrative mode. This commentary has a durable quality that will serve us long and well." (Walter Brueggemann)

"One of the very best commentaries in the last hundred years. . . . Much of Seow's work will not need to be redone." (Michael D. Coogan, Harvard Divinity School)

"This is easily the most comprehensive commentary available on the book of Job. From detailed textual analysis to artistic and poetic interpretations, Seow provides a rich avenue into one of our most complex biblical books. The breadth of scholarship is matched by the clarity and attractiveness of presentation. This will be a standard work for a long time to come." (Patrick D. Miller, Princeton Theological Seminary) show less

An excellent grammar for those looking to gain a good hold on Biblical Hebrew. Seow emphasizes many aspects of historical morphology; beneficial for advanced students within the field,but it may be hard for those not as acquainted with the field to grasp. Overall a very good grammar.

Compilation of essays from scholars at Princeton Theological Seminary (primarily Presbyterian), which range across the spectrum of attitudes towards full GLBT inclusion in the life of the Church. Divided into three sections on What do the Scriptures Say, How do the Scriptures inform our Theological Reflection, and How do we live Faithfully?