The books of the Old Testament are often thought of as being remote and "primitive" in comparison to other biblical literature. In fact, they were written by thoroughly learned men, educated in the traditional schools of ancient Israel. This book presents a fresh and enlivening case for the strong influence which this schooling must have had on the writers of the stories, poetry, and proverbs of the Bible.

C. T. R. Hayward is Professor of Hebrew, University of Durham.