The Sabbath Presence in the Hebrew Bible and Second Temple Literature

Building on the exegetical foundation and hermeneutical framework laid out in The Sabbath Presence in the Hebrew Bible: Origins and Meanings, this book extends the earlier work’s exploration of the Sabbath, viewing it from the perspective of human engagement with the divine presence. Bringing together biblical exegesis and Jewish interpretative traditions, it evaluates sacred time, Sabbath observance and Sabbath law in the light of the part they play in fostering a relationship with ‘the Presence’. Moving beyond the biblical tradition, this volume explores how the Sabbath was interpreted and reshaped within Second Temple literature and compares these developments with the original intent of the Sabbath as reflected in the Hebrew Bible, thereby providing a framework for evaluating later models of Sabbath observance and experience. Through in-depth analysis of key texts and interpretative methods, the book provides scholars, theologians, and students with a new perspective on the Sabbath's enduring significance within both Jewish thought and the broader religious discourse, thereby appealing to specialists in biblical studies, theology, and religious studies, as well as graduate students, academics, and the clergy.