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 EastBooks: General CollectionsThe Context of Scripture (COS); 3 volumesdigital versionAncient Near Eastern Texts (ANET) by Pritchard (one volume hardcover; split into two volumes paperback; vol. 1 and vol. 2)digital versionWritings from the Ancient World set (amazon link to volumes in the series)digital versionEgyptian Literature:Miriam Lichtheim, Ancient Egyptian Literature (3 vols)digital versionFoster, Ancient Egyptian LiteratureThe 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.Moran, The Amarna Lettersdigital versionMesopotamia (Sumerian, Babylonian, Assyrian)Foster, Before the Muses: An Anthology of Akkadian LiteratureFoster, From Distant Days: Myths, Tales, and Poetry of Ancient MesopotamiaDalley, Myths from Mesopotamia: Creation, the Flood, Gilgamesh, and OthersJacobsen, The Harps that Once … Sumerian Poetry in TranslationUgaritic Texts:Wyatt, Religious Texts from Ugaritdigital versionGibson, Canaanite Myths and Legendsdigital versionCoogan and M. Smith, Stories from Ancient CanaanWebsitesETANA (Electronic Tools Ancient Near East Archives)Internet Sacred Texts ArchiveInternet Archive