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The Hebrew Bible: A Journey Through History and Literature
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The Hebrew Bible: A Journey Through History and Literature

A special issue of Religions (ISSN 2077-1444).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2025 | Viewed by 4513

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Pierfrancesco Cocco

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Theology, Universidad Pontificia Comillas, 28015 Madrid, Spain
Interests: Hebrew Bible/Pentateuch; Book of Numbers

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to invite you to contribute to this Special Issue titled “The Hebrew Bible: A Journey Through History and Literature”. The Hebrew Bible remains one of the most influential texts in human history, impacting religious thought, cultural narratives, and literary traditions across the centuries. This interdisciplinary field of study, spanning from archaeology to literary criticism, offers invaluable insights into the historical and literary depth of this ancient text. By exploring both its historical context and its literary forms, we aim to shed new light on the Hebrew Bible’s profound influence across time and cultures.

Aim of the Special Issue and Scope

This Special Issue aims to foster a nuanced exploration of the Hebrew Bible through its historical and literary dimensions. Our objective is to bring together scholars from various disciplines to offer fresh perspectives on how the Hebrew Bible functioned within its original cultural context and how it continues to shape literary, religious, and cultural discourse. This Special Issue fits within the scope of the journal by engaging in critical analysis, theological reflections, and historical inquiries, while also addressing the Bible’s literary forms, reception, and interpretation across different eras and traditions. By contributing to this Special Issue, authors will engage with the broader scholarly conversation surrounding the Hebrew Bible’s ongoing relevance.

Suggested Themes and Article Types for Submissions

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. We invite contributions from a range of disciplines including history, theology, literary studies, and archaeology. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

  • Historical analysis of biblical narratives and their socio-political contexts;
  • Literary exploration of biblical poetry, wisdom literature, and storytelling techniques;
  • The Hebrew Bible’s relationship to other Near Eastern literature and traditions;
  • Theological reflections on the Hebrew Bible’s portrayal of God, human nature, and covenant;
  • Reception history of the Hebrew Bible in Jewish, Christian, and secular traditions;
  • Comparative studies between biblical texts and other ancient writings;
  • Archaeological insights and their implications for understanding biblical events;
  • Interdisciplinary approaches linking biblical texts with cultural studies or philosophy.

We request that, prior to submitting a manuscript, interested authors initially submit a proposed title and an abstract of 200–300 words summarising their intended contribution by January 15, 2025. Please send it to the Guest Editor or to the Assistant Editor Ms. Violet Li (violet.li@mdpi.com) of Religions. Abstracts will be reviewed by the Guest Editors to ensure proper fit within the scope of the Special Issue. Full manuscripts will undergo double-blind peer review.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Pierfrancesco Cocco
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a double-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Religions is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Hebrew Bible
  • ancient history
  • literary criticism
  • biblical theology
  • biblical narratives
  • biblical archaeology
  • biblical poetry
  • cultural studies
  • near eastern literature
 

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 354 KB  
Article
Revisiting Biblical Studies in Light of Reception Theory: Christian and Jewish Arabic Sources on Psalms 110 and 137
by Miriam Lindgren Hjälm and Meira Polliack
Religions 2025, 16(10), 1218; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16101218 - 23 Sep 2025
Abstract
The purpose of the present paper is to revisit the interface between biblical studies, reception exegesis, and reception theory. In the first part of the paper, we discuss what we believe to be the most important lessons learned from recent scholarship on the [...] Read more.
The purpose of the present paper is to revisit the interface between biblical studies, reception exegesis, and reception theory. In the first part of the paper, we discuss what we believe to be the most important lessons learned from recent scholarship on the relationship between these fields and highlight what we think is still an underestimated conclusion: if we assume that “meaning” is contextual rather than essential, the full(er) capacity of a biblical text is not discoverable until we have examined how it has appeared in various contexts. Related to this is the question of why and how texts survive and even thrive in new contexts and in what way later authors utilize the “capacity” of the biblical texts, because even if “meaning” is ultimately brought to texts by their readers, texts are in some senses agents as well. To exemplify these discussions and the connection between reception exegesis and biblical criticism, two short examples from the reception of Psalms 110 and 137 in medieval Christian Arabic and Judeo-Arabic sources are presented. In the first example, we recapitulate findings on how inner-biblical reception generates a complex web of potential interpretations but also how the ambivalence created in the process may be the greatest asset of that text. It is also an example of where interpretation may teach us about the life and thought of ancient and medieval communities and how they interacted with one another over the meaning of the biblical text. In contrast, the second example is more centered on the “capacity” of the text and in what sense communities exploit that potential for their larger purposes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Hebrew Bible: A Journey Through History and Literature)
12 pages, 330 KB  
Article
An Exemplary Sinner and Penitent: A Study of Ahab’s Conversion Patterns in the Greek and Hebrew Bibles
by Peter Dubovský
Religions 2025, 16(9), 1095; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16091095 - 25 Aug 2025
Viewed by 581
Abstract
Hebrew and Greek versions of the Books of Kings and Chronicles present various instances of kings undergoing conversion with respect to their political and religious attitudes. In some cases, kings who were initially good become bad, while in others, bad kings repent. This [...] Read more.
Hebrew and Greek versions of the Books of Kings and Chronicles present various instances of kings undergoing conversion with respect to their political and religious attitudes. In some cases, kings who were initially good become bad, while in others, bad kings repent. This paper explores the “conversion” patterns of king Ahab, focusing on their respective themes and vocabulary. The paper focuses on a comparison of the Hebrew and Greek versions, showing that the pattern of conversion changed in the late period: the Greek versions focus more on interior conversion. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Hebrew Bible: A Journey Through History and Literature)
9 pages, 299 KB  
Article
The Problems of Sons of Gods, Daughters of Humans, and the Nephilim in Genesis 6:1–4: A Reassessment
by Ki-Eun Jang
Religions 2025, 16(8), 972; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16080972 - 26 Jul 2025
Viewed by 886
Abstract
This article engages with earlier scholarly discussions on Genesis 6:1–4 and proposes that, contrary to the majority view, Genesis 6:1–4 does not presuppose knowledge of the flood narrative. Instead, its primary literary role is to introduce the Nephilim in anticipation of the forthcoming [...] Read more.
This article engages with earlier scholarly discussions on Genesis 6:1–4 and proposes that, contrary to the majority view, Genesis 6:1–4 does not presuppose knowledge of the flood narrative. Instead, its primary literary role is to introduce the Nephilim in anticipation of the forthcoming land promise and conquest narrative. I argue that the Nephilim are not necessarily read as divinely inspired beings but are instead associated with other pre-Israelite settlers characterized by their immense size. The inconsistent biblical depiction of the promised land—including the Transjordanian territory—and the conflation of various giant terms further suggest that the Nephilim in Genesis 6:4 are linked to the broader conquest narrative and associated traditions, particularly the eradication of giant groups such as the Rephaim. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Hebrew Bible: A Journey Through History and Literature)
16 pages, 291 KB  
Article
Praying for the Coming of the Kingdom, Crystallizing Biblical Themes in Second Temple Prayers: The Shema, the Qaddish, and the Lord’s Prayer
by Pino Di Luccio
Religions 2025, 16(8), 969; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16080969 - 26 Jul 2025
Viewed by 576
Abstract
Some studies have pointed to the Jewish background of the prayer that, according to the gospels of Matthew and Luke, Jesus taught his disciples. However, the formulations of LP’s words do not necessarily presuppose the conclusion of the formation of Jewish prayers and [...] Read more.
Some studies have pointed to the Jewish background of the prayer that, according to the gospels of Matthew and Luke, Jesus taught his disciples. However, the formulations of LP’s words do not necessarily presuppose the conclusion of the formation of Jewish prayers and do not necessarily presuppose a unidirectional influence of Jewish prayers on the formation of LP. This prayer and its “midrash” in John 17 may have influenced the formulation and final formation of some Jewish prayers. The differences between these prayers may indicate the mutual influence that, in some cases, took place throughout the history of their formation. This reciprocity may be due to the intention to establish and define the differences between the religious groups of Judaic origin that inherited these prayers and between the communities that recited them. The crystallization of biblical themes in these prayers highlights the common heritage of these groups and a different understanding of the fulfilment of God’s word in relation to the coming of his kingdom. While this process, characterized by a conflict of interpretations, took place “within Judaism,” it also led to the parting of the ways of Judeo-Christians from the Synagogue. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Hebrew Bible: A Journey Through History and Literature)
18 pages, 276 KB  
Article
The Graphic Interpretation of the Story of Ruth and Naomi in M. Finch’s The Book of Ruth
by Miren Junkal Guevara
Religions 2025, 16(6), 769; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16060769 - 13 Jun 2025
Viewed by 572
Abstract
In recent years, many academics have addressed the issue of the intersection of the fields of Biblical studies and Cultural studies. Many academic works have emphasized the importance of the Bible in the building of cultural narratives and the need to reflect on [...] Read more.
In recent years, many academics have addressed the issue of the intersection of the fields of Biblical studies and Cultural studies. Many academic works have emphasized the importance of the Bible in the building of cultural narratives and the need to reflect on those narratives through interpretation, placing biblical texts within originating cultural contexts. This article attempts to situate itself in that stream of work, exploring the graphic interpretation of the story of Ruth and Naomi in the graphic novel The Book of Ruth by Meredith Finch and Colin Dyer. It begins with an introduction to the characteristics of the graphic novel genre, highlighting how this medium has addressed religion and the Bible, including characters, narratives, and traditions. Subsequently, a comparative methodology is applied to examine the treatment of the biblical text in the graphic novel, contrasting the textual and graphic study conducted by Finch and Dyer. The aim is to demonstrate how the graphic novel serves as a contemporary mode of biblical text reception, creating a dialogue between the Bible and the current culture in which its texts are read. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Hebrew Bible: A Journey Through History and Literature)
21 pages, 380 KB  
Article
When Miriam’s Well Runs Dry: Death, Thirst, and the Bitterness of Israel in Num 20:1–2
by Francesco Cocco
Religions 2025, 16(3), 350; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16030350 - 11 Mar 2025
Viewed by 1046
Abstract
The abrupt juxtaposition of Miriam’s death and the subsequent water crisis in Num 20:1–2 invites deeper reflection on the narrative and theological significance of her role in Israel’s wilderness journey. While the biblical text provides a succinct account, the immediate onset of thirst [...] Read more.
The abrupt juxtaposition of Miriam’s death and the subsequent water crisis in Num 20:1–2 invites deeper reflection on the narrative and theological significance of her role in Israel’s wilderness journey. While the biblical text provides a succinct account, the immediate onset of thirst among the Israelites suggests a profound connection between her presence and divine sustenance. This article explores the literary and theological dimensions of Miriam’s role, arguing that her death disrupts the delicate balance of Israel’s survival in the desert. Through the exegetical analysis of Num 20:1–2, this study examines the syntactical continuity that binds Miriam’s passing with the ensuing crisis. It revisits her leadership in Num 12, where her challenge to Moses highlights the complexity of wilderness leadership. Furthermore, the article engages with rabbinic interpretations that identify Miriam as Israel’s well, emphasizing the theological implications of her absence. By synthesizing biblical narrative, linguistic analysis, and Jewish exegetical traditions, this study argues that Miriam’s presence embodies Israel’s dependence on divine provision. Her death, and the drying up of water that follows, expose the fragility of both leadership and faith in the wilderness. In doing so, the article underscores how—while somehow building on the biblical text—rabbinic interpretations portray Miriam as a pivotal mediator of divine grace, whose absence precipitates a crisis of both thirst and identity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Hebrew Bible: A Journey Through History and Literature)
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