An award-winning study which analyzes the phenomenon of textual analysis in ancient Israel, exploring the tradition of exegesis prior to the development of biblical interpretation in early classical Judaism and the earliest Christian communities.

Part 1 Scribal comments and corrections: the role of scribes in the transmission of biblical literature; lexical and explicative comments; pious revisions and theological addenda. Part 2 Legal exegesis: the scope and content of biblical law as a factor in the emergence of exegesis; legal exegesis with verbatim, paraphrastic, or pseudo-citations in historical sources; legal exegesis with covert citations in historical sources; legal exegesis and explication in the Pentateuchal legal corpora. Part 3 Aggadic exegesis: preliminary considerations; aggadic exegesis of legal traditions in the prophetic literature; aggadic transformations of non-legal Pentateuchal traditions; aggadic exegesis in historiographical literature. Part 4 Mantological exegesis: the shape and nature of mantological material as factors for exegesis; the mantological exegesis of dreams, visions, and omens; the mantological exegesis of oracles; generic transformations. Epilogue.

'a masterful and important study which illustrates in countless ways the nature of the on-going exegesis of biblical texts within the Bible itself' Roland E. Murphy, Interpretation 'an outstanding work of scholarship' James L. Kugel, Journal of Jewish Literary History 'a monumental study which places all students of the Hebrew Bible deeply in his debt. Its learning and scope are matched only by its enviable lucidity' E. W. Nicholson, Journal of Theological Studies 'a major scholarly achievement' R. E. Clements, Society for Old Testament Study 'a very substantial and important study of an area which has not previously been given so comprehensive a treatment' Peter R. Ackroyd, Theology 'one of the major works of biblical interpretation in the last decade' Patrick D. Miller, Theology Today 'a magisterial study of inner-biblical exegesis' Herbert Mark, Yearbook of Comparative and General Literature 'Michael Fishbane has written a great feast of a book, with detailed discussion of many passages based on very wide reading.' Methodist Church Overseas Division Annotated Booklist 1988 A review of the 1985 issue; 'It is a pleasure to review a book which reveals so clearly years of intense research and hard reflection. Prof. Fishbane's carefully structured book i s packed with such detailed exegesis and close argument that only the serious reader can begin to tap its richness; however, the rewards are great for anyone willing to expend the energy.' Journal of Biblical Literature