Naked Bible 018: Taking the Bible’s Own Context Seriously, Part 3: ANE Texts in Translation

The last episode of the podcast dealt with the need to tap into the intellectual output of the ancient Mediterranean world — the Bible’s own context – in order to start thinking the thoughts of the biblical writers. This episode takes this recommendation further by directing listeners to the best volumes and websites for English translations of ancient literature pertinent to biblical studies. The episode focuses on the civilizations that give the OT its context – the civilizations of the ancient Near East (ANE). Dr. Heiser recommends books (whether hard copy or digital form) as well as websites for tapping into ANE literature.

Ancient Texts in English Translation: Ancient Near East

Books: General Collections

The Context of Scripture (COS); 3 volumes

digital version

Ancient Near Eastern Texts (ANET) by Pritchard (one volume hardcover; split into two volumes paperback; vol. 1 and vol. 2)

digital version

Writings from the Ancient World set (amazon link to volumes in the series)

digital version

Egyptian Literature:

Miriam Lichtheim, Ancient Egyptian Literature (3 vols)

digital version

Foster, Ancient Egyptian Literature

The Literature of Ancient Egypt: An Anthology of Stories, Instructions, Stelae, Autobiographies, and Poetry; Third Edition by Professor William Kelley Simpson, Professor Robert K. Ritner, The Reverent Dr. Vincent A. Tobin and Professor Edward Wente Jr.

1. Moran, The Amarna Letters

digital version

Mesopotamia (Sumerian, Babylonian, Assyrian)

Foster, Before the Muses: An Anthology of Akkadian Literature

Foster, From Distant Days: Myths, Tales, and Poetry of Ancient Mesopotamia

Dalley, Myths from Mesopotamia: Creation, the Flood, Gilgamesh, and Others

Jacobsen, The Harps that Once … Sumerian Poetry in Translation

Ugaritic Texts:

1. Wyatt, Religious Texts from Ugarit

digital version

Gibson, Canaanite Myths and Legends

digital version

1. Coogan and M. Smith, Stories from Ancient Canaan

Websites

ETANA (Electronic Tools Ancient Near East Archives)

Internet Sacred Texts Archive

Internet Archive