Originally presented at a seminar held at Yale University, summer of 1978.

Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

Hallo, W. W. Biblical history in its Near Eastern setting.--Millar, W. R. Oral poetry and Dumuzi's Dream.--Andreasen, N. E. A. Genesis 14 in its Near Eastern context.--Savage, M. Literary criticism and Biblical studies: a rhetorical analysis of the Joseph narrative.--Schmitt, J. J. Pre-Israelite Jerusalem.--Saint-Laurent, G. E. Light from Ras Shamra on Elijah's ordeal upon Mount Carmel.--Polley, M. E. Hebrew prophecy within the Council of Jahweh, examined in its ancient Near Eastern setting.--Evans, C. D. Judah's foreign policy from Hezekiah to Josiah.--White, J. B. Universalization of history in Deutero-Isaiah.--Davison, J. M. The oikoumene in ferment: a cross-cultural study of the sixth century.--Schultz, C. The political tensions reflected in Ezra-Nehemiah.--Thomas, J. D. Jewish apocalyptic and the comparative method.--Jones, B. W. Antiochus Epiphanes and the persecution of the Jews.