Yesterday, today, and tomorrow

About this book

From the Old Testament it is immediately evident that the people of Israel had a clear notion of their presence in time and history. But though the ancient Hebrews thus stand out among their Semitic contemporaries, recent scholarship has been slow to pursue the clues the Old Testament provides to this. More than a century has passed since the publication of the only systematic study of the Hebrew language of time. Subsequent research and advances in methodology have made the time ripe for a new comprehensive survey of the rich Old Testament materials that bear on this question. That is the motivation for this exhaustive study of the relevant texts bearing on the critical Old Testament notions of "the day past," "the day present," and "the day future." Devoting long chapters to each of these three building blocks for the Old Testament view of time and history, Simon John DeVries follows a comprehensive methodology, which combines elements from several disciplines to arrive at a more rounded exegesis than would be possible along only one track. And, the author contends, exegesis, carefully done, is the only satisfactory way to analyze theological problems. For the Old Tesatment student there is here a wealth of interpretative material, data that may lead to revisions of current lexicographical ideas or alter contemporary notions of the formation of certain Old Testament books. The study of Old Testament eschatology is certain to be clarified by the information in this volume. It is Professor DeVries's intent, however, that Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow will find wide readership beyond the specialist in biblical exegesis and criticism. Systematic and speculative theologians will profit from the insights conveyed here, for the question of time -- and the existence of human beings in it -- is a question for all seasons, one to which the Hebrew religion surely makes a distinctive contribution. - Jacket flap.