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Hebrew Studies 34 (1993) 219 Reviews written a book that abundantly illustrates both the strengths and the limitations of his method of study. Jon D. Levenson Harvard University Cambridge, MA 02138 HOLY WAR IN ANCIENT ISRAEL. By Gerhard von Rad. Marva J. Dawn, trans. and ed. Pp. vii + 166. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1991. Paper, $14.95. Why did it take 39 years for von Rad's classic statement on holy war to be translated into English? Whatever the answer, this translation is worth waiting for. It consists of three parts, each of which is worth the price of the book: the translation, an introduction, and an annotated bibliography. In my opinion, the translation by Marva J. Dawn is both accurate and in good readable English. The preface credits John Howard Yoder as instigating the project. The introduction is an essay by Ben C. Ollenburger, "Gerhard von Rad's Theory of Holy War." The essay consists of three parts: he places von Rad's essay within the context of prior studies on the subject, within the context of von Rad's own work, and discusses how it was received in subsequent studies of the topic. Von Rad agrees with Wellhausen (1885) and Schwally (1901) on the cultic/religious character of Israel's early warfare, and that it was of central importance in the development of Israel's religious traditions; he agrees with SchwaUy and Max Weber (1917-1919) that holy war was U a covenant affair, situated in the specific cultic and political arrangements of Israel's tribes." He also concurs with Weber that the prophetic movement preserved the holy war tradition as an alternative to the theology and practices of the royal court. Von Rad reconceived these items in tenns of his own previous work on the fonn criticism of the Hexateuch, Israelite historiography, and Deuteronomy. Ollenburger discusses how subsequent Old Testament scholarship has debated the issues raised by von Rad: Smend (1963), Weippert (1972), Stolz (1972), Schmid (1972), Cross and Miller (1973), Weimar (1976), Lind (1980), and Hobbs (1989); he modestly omits a discussion of his own Hebrew Studies 34 (1993) 220 Reviews work (1987). Although scholarship has advanced considerably since von Rad's Holy War, Ollenburger points up that "virtually all the issues he addressed remain topics of debate." Ollenburger's essay is profound and deserves wide reading. One of von Rad's most durable conclusions is that the holy war (or Yahweh war) tradition provided a basis for the prophets' opposition to the royal court. Their "pacifistic" criticism of warfare, with early historical rootage according to some scholars, with mythological or late pietistic roots according to others, provided the incentive for this translation of von Rad's work. This interest is most evident in Judith E. Sanderson's representative bibliography, consisting of scholarly and popular works on warfare, political power, peace and justice issues in the Hebrew Bible, and the use of the Bible for non-violent ethics today. Millard C. Lind Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminaries Elkhart, IN 46517-1999 ISAIAH 34-66. By John D. W. Watts. Word Biblical Commentary 25. Waco, Texas: Word Books, 1987. Cloth. This is the second part of a two-volume commentary on Isaiah; the first was reviewed in Hebrew Studies 28 (1987: 211-212). Professor Watts continues his exposition of Isaiah as a "Vision" or "Drama" in "Twelve Acts," treating chaps. 34-66 as Acts VI through XII. The twelve acts are in a strict chronological sequence of "generations," designated according to Judean rulers in the first seven acts and Persian rulers in the remaining five. Thus Act I (Isaiah 1-6) concerns Uzziah/Jotham, Act VII (40:1- 44:23) concerns Jehoiachin, while Act XII (62-66) concerns "The Twelfth Generation: Artaxerxes (457 - ca. 438 B. C. [sic])." There are some inconsistencies between the program projected in the Introduction of Watts' first volume (p. li) and that executed in his second. For example, Act XII in the earlier volume covered chaps. 63-66, was titled "The Age to Come," and unlike the other acts was not ascribed to a ruler. In the present volume, Act XII covers chaps. 62-66, is titled "For Zion's Sake: New Heavens and...

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