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This collection of essays deals with major issues of Old Testament theology and exegesis in a comprehensive survey of issues related to understanding and applying the textual material. It contains the "ground rules" for the much larger New International Dictionary of Old Testament Theology and Exegesis five volume reference set. This material is advantageous to the preacher because it highlights basic approaches to the text which need to be considered in any given sermon on Old Testament material. This makes it applicable to all readers of the text and helps to ward off common misapplications that might arise because of differing cultural assumptions. The material in these essays can be technical at times but not overwhelmingly so, and it opens doors to further in-depth research should that be desired.

The essays include "Language, Literature, Hermeneutics and Biblical Theology," "Textual Criticism of the Old Testament and Its Relation to Exegesis and Theology," one essay on Old Testament history in regard to "A Theological Perspective" and one on "A Hermeneutical Perspective," literary approaches ("Literary Approaches and Interpretation" and "Narrative Criticism"), others on "Linguistics, Meaning, Semantics and Discourse Analysis" and "Principles for Productive Word Study," and integrative concerns in essays on "The Flowering and Floundering of Old Testament Theology" and "Literary, Thematic, and Canonical Issues." This range of essays covers the history of the Old Testament, the history in the Old Testament, issues of reliability and appropriate theological understandings of in situ passages and their initial environments, as well as subsequent applications, literary concerns in understanding and exegesis and application, semantic aspects of language and their proper usages in understanding, exegesis, application, and considerations of understanding the texts within the Jewish and Christian traditions (as well as the mutual interactions of these traditions). Taken together, these essays cover the gamut of considerations to be addressed in a thorough study of a particular text so that it may be understood as it was originally heard when proclaimed, how it was understood by the later prophets and applied by them, by the Old Testament compiler(s), and in the time of Jesus, and subsequently in Christian understanding. The fruits of this multi-faceted approach are correct understanding of the message and appropriate application to contemporary issues within the same spheres of interest.

The sectional layout of this book makes it easy to access areas of interest in reviewing principles. One can relatively easily access particular areas of concern or review. The pertinent concerns are well addressed in the "Preface" by Willem VanGemeren. He notes that interpretation involves the whole Bible, the text, the interpreter, and perspective(s). Further, one has to consider the exegetical possibilities of the text under study, its prior theological understanding(s), and its theological significance for today (what the text has meant and what it means). This ultimately opens the text to the reader and student and to the hearers of its proclamation. VanGemeren notes that each generation must receive the Bible and its legacy of interpretation, but that every generation has the responsibility to address the Bible to its cultural and historical milieu. This text is a genuine aid in approaching that task and accomplishing it responsibly.

I just got a copy of this book. It lacks periods and colons in the main body of the text. The articles are good, but, like the last reviewer said, it is difficult to read.

The book itself is great, but the publisher decided to leave out some of the punctuation. It is a bit frustrating when you try to read. This is a heads up for all who wish to purchase it.