Synagogues at the Intersection of Text and Archaeology: The Genesis and Framework of Second Temple Judaism

These essays by world-leaders in the field of Second Temple Judaism build on the ground-breaking T&T Clark Encyclopedia of Second Temple Judaism (T&T Clark, 2020), exploring the specific ways in which the discipline can be carried forward following the publication of this major work. Using the Encyclopedia as a departure point for considering developments in methodology, historical and textual studies, and interdisciplinary approaches the contributors to this volume begin each study with a clear statement about the methodological issues at work in their chapter, and how these can contribute to the ongoing scholarly discourse. The topics covered include archaeology, synagogues, the New Testament as Second Temple literature, marriage practices, group dynamics, the Dead Sea Scrolls, and reception history. The volume concludes with a postlude and response by John J. Collins.