Biblical Hebrew Forum

["Peter Kirk" <Peter_Kirk AT sil.org>]

But who is the author of the works of Herodotus, when did he or she
live, where did he or she live? What was the process by which he or she
wrote these (hi)stories?

OK, we have a name and perhaps a few autobiographical details - though
many of the events recorded date back long before the time of this
putative individual. But we have names and biographies in the books of
Joshua and Samuel though not in Judges. What makes Herodotus different
and more historical than any of these?

Peter Kirk

PS We should not easily confuse the author of Judges with the
post-exilic editor who added a few comments about the fate of the tribe
of Dan.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Madden, Shawn [mailto:sMadden AT sebts.edu]
> Sent: 03 June 2002 22:12
> To: Biblical Hebrew
> Subject: RE: The daughter of Jeftah died?
> 
> "Who is the author of the book of Judges,
> when did he live, where did he live?
> What was the process by which he wrote these (hi)stories?"
> 
> Though today skepticism exists as to who the author actually was, the
> Talmud was confident to name Samuel, a person who would satisfy as one
who
> would be familiar with the events or documents pertaining to the
events.
> He would also be someone respected enough to suggest that perhaps what
he
> wrote was worth keeping. As to how he wrote, who knows; who thinks
they
> can present an argument for the exact transmission details. And, who
> thinks that lack of such knowledge negates the works we have today?
Does
> 21st century standards the only standards by which we judge the value
and
> veracity of ancient writings? Herodotus, problems though he may have
by
> today's standards, remains the father of history.
> 
> 
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