Biblical Hebrew Forum

[Lloyd Barre <barre AT c-zone.net>]

Dear List Members,

May I suggest that we abandon the use of terminology that has introduced a 
false dichotomy into the study of the traditions of ancient Israel by 
contrasting "biblical" with "extra-biblical" data or evidence.  I suggest 
that this type of language be repacled with "intra-biblical" verses 
"extra-biblical, or abandoned altogether.  I think that some rethinking here 
will discover that the distinction is merely a "local" one and holds no final 
methodological significance whatsoever.   In addition, this facile 
understanding has confused and confounded many a graduate and post-graduate 
student of this area of research and which descends from an inappropriate and 
manifestly irritating distinction between "secular" and "religious" 
understandings of the biblical materials.  I suggest that we strive to 
transcend this limited perspective and strove to arrive at one that is more  
integrated, wholistic, and seemingly more intelligent.

Thank you.



L. M. Barre, Ph.D.

barre AT c-zone.net
www.angelfire.com/ca2/AncientIsrael