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Brent A. Strawn

Brent A. Strawn

D. Moody Smith Distinguished Professor of the Old Testament
Divinity School
Bstrawn@div.duke.edu
407 Chapel Drive, Internal Box #90968, Durham, NC 27708
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Selected Publications

bĕ-rēʾšît, “With ‘Wisdom,’” in Genesis 1.1 (MT)

Journal Article Journal for the Study of the Old Testament · March 1, 2022 This essay argues that the vocalization of the very first word of Gen. 1.1 in the Masoretic Text (MT), bĕrēʾšȋt, which is often thought to be in error in some way, may instead be the result of exegetical activity. Specifically, in light of the well-atteste ... Full text Open Access Cite

A New Identification of a Psalm Manuscript from Qumran: 4Q85 + 4Q98c

Journal Article Dead Sea Discoveries · January 1, 2022 This brief note proposes a new identification for a fragment of one of the Psalm manuscripts from Qumran. On the basis of material conditions—but above all else, the distinctive paleography of the script—4Q98c (4QPst) should be considered as part of the sa ... Full text Cite

Bonhoeffer on Enemies and Imprecation in the Psalms: A Biblical-Theological Commentary

Journal Article Toronto Journal of Theology · December 1, 2021 This essay analyzes Bonhoeffer's treatment of the enemies and imprecatory psalms in his The Prayerbook of the Bible from a biblical-theological perspective. The analysis focuses on four important aspects of Bonhoeffer's interpretation: its starting point(s ... Full text Cite

Must Animals Die? Genesis 3:21, Enūma Eliš IV, and the Power of Divine Creation

Journal Article Vetus Testamentum · January 1, 2021 Yhwh-God's provision of clothing for the first humans in Gen 3:21 is often understood as a gracious act that nevertheless involves animal slaughter so as to produce the "garments of skin."The present essay uncouples these two elements-the beneficence of th ... Full text Cite

What Kind of Person Wrote Psalm 23?

Journal Article Biblische Notizen · January 1, 2021 The present study connects Psalm 23 to Num 35:25 and the possibility that the anointing referred to in the latter text refers, not to the priest, but to the unintentional homicide. If so, it suggests that the author (or persona) of this famous psalm may ha ... Cite

Solomon and 666 (revelation 13.18)

Journal Article New Testament Studies · April 1, 2020 The present article argues that 666 in Rev 13.18 is best related to the notice of Solomon receiving 666 talents of gold (1 Kgs 10.14//2 Chr 9.13), which is, in turn, an important notice of this king's wayward and unjust practices: His inordinate wealth, ex ... Full text Open Access Cite

In song of songs 1,14*

Journal Article Biblica · January 1, 2020 This study explores the possibility that in Song of Songs 1,14 is not solely or merely a toponym, but may (also) be an allusive reference to the woman’s body, perhaps by wordplay (if not revocalization): ȇn gaddȋ, “the eye/spring of my good fortune/delight ... Full text Open Access Cite

The oxford handbook of the historical books of the hebrew bible

Book · January 1, 2020 The Oxford Handbook of the Historical Books of the Hebrew Bible offers thirty-six essays on the so-called “Historical Books”: Joshua, Judges, 1-2 Samuel, 1-2 Kings, Ezra-Nehemiah, and 1-2 Chronicles. The essays are organized around four nodes: contexts, co ... Full text Cite

Editorial preface

Book · January 1, 2020 Cite

Introduction

Book · January 1, 2020 This brief chapter introduces the Oxford Handbook of the Historical Books of the Hebrew Bible. It notes the secondary and constructed nature of the category “Historical Books” (which is not native to the Hebrew Bible) and how this category might be potenti ... Full text Cite

The old testament: A concise introduction

Book · October 18, 2019 This concise volume introduces readers to the three main sections of the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh) and to the biblical books found in each. It is organized around two primary "stories": the story that scholars tell about the Old Testament and the story the lit ... Full text Cite