Review by Choice Review
Students of biblical studies, patristics, and Judaica should welcome this annotated translation--the first in any language--of Jerome's scholarly exegetical treatise, the Quaestiones Hebraicae in Genesim, completed sometime between late 391 and early 393. Basing his translation on the edition of Vallarsi (available in Migne's Patrologia Latina series), Hayward (Durham Univ.) offers valuable insights into the character, purpose, and sources of this work. As one of the rare early Christian scholars who knew Hebrew and resided in the homeland of the Jews, Jerome was in a unique position to both immerse himself in biblical Hebrew studies and enter into associations with contemporary Jewish teachers. The Quaestiones thus represents an attempt by Jerome "to transmit to the Church Jewish scholarship in its own terms." Hayward's translation is careful and very readable, and his commentary, though acknowledged as "only a fraction of what could have been written, space permitting, on almost any of the verses which Jerome chose to expound," presents the major linguistic, historical, and theological issues with clarity. An insightful study of a fascinating and unique ancient treatise. Highly recommended for upper-division undergraduates, graduate students, and faculty. C. L. Hanson; Muskingum College
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review