Michael D. Coogan - Stories from Ancient Canaan

ADVANCE PRAISE FOR STORIES FROM ANCIENT CANAAN

Stories from Ancient Canaan has been well known and established over many years for its translations of the ancient Ugaritic myths and legends. Now, in its new, second edition, it should become a textbook of choice for all students interested in the cultures of the biblical world. Everything in the book has been reconsidered, from the translations, to the introductions, the bibliography, and the glossary of names, and all these have been revised and updated to reflect the latest scholarship. The translations themselves are fluent and readableand the most easily accessible of all those available, allowing both nonprofessional and professional readers alike to grasp at once the overall story line and the details that fit into it; a new and much appreciated feature are the descriptions, without cluttering up the text, of what is preserved and not preserved of the ancient tablets being translated. The introductions and glossary, in turn, lay out concisely and lucidly the essential features of the culture, religion, and literature of ancient Ugarit and their relationships to the Hebrew Bible as well as the content and themes of the translated myths and legends. Two additional and important Ugaritic myths are included, which round out the collection. It is a pleasure to welcome back an old friend, and that in a sparkling new dress which will ensure its continued long life and value.

Peter Machinist, Hancock Professor of Hebrew and Other
Oriental Languages, Harvard University, and Editor in Chief
of the Hermeneia Commentary seriesOld Testament

Its about time that an expanded second edition of a classic is now made available. The collaborative work of Coogan and Smith brings to life the ancient texts of Ugarit for a general audience. Without question, this is the ideal introduction to the lively poetic narratives that characterize much of Canaanite religion in prebiblical times.

William P. Brown, Professor of Old Testament, Columbia Theological
Seminary, and author of The Seven Pillars of Creation

This second edition makes a good book even better. The revised translations are significantly updated and improved, while remaining clear and accessible for an undergraduate audience. The new annotations within the translations will help students follow the sometimes broken narrative flow of these ancient tales. Coogan and Smith have produced a work of enormous educational value.

Wayne T. Pitard, Professor of Religion and Director of the Spurlock
Museum, University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign, and coauthor
of The Ugaritic Baal Cycle, volume 2

An already valuable resource is now vastly enhanced. Michael Coogan and Mark Smith have extensively revised the first edition from 1978, increasing its length with two new texts, reworked introductions, additional explanatory notes, line numbers, and photographs plus a map. Scholars will appreciate their attention to recent developments in the study of the Ugaritic language and history; others will find these classic stories from ancient Canaan even more readable and understandable than previous translations. The authors have provided us with a resource that will deepen readers appreciation of the literary creativity and cultural contributions of the people who lived in the centuries before the biblical traditions emerged. Highly recommended for all readers interested in cultural and religious history.

Douglas A. Knight, Drucilla Moore Buffington Professor of
Hebrew Bible and Professor of Jewish Studies, Vanderbilt University,
and author of Law, Power, and Justice in Ancient Israel and,
with Amy-Jill Levine, The Meaning of the Bible

The best and most accessible presentation of the ancient Canaanite texts from the city of Ugarit. The reader will be caught by the stories themselves and encounter many resonances with biblical texts.

Patrick D. Miller, Charles T. Haley Professor of Old Testament
Theology Emeritus, Princeton Theological Seminary,
and author of The Religion of Ancient Israel

Coogans elegant translations of Canaanite myths in Stories from Ancient Canaan have served students well for more than thirty years. Now this classic has been expanded and updated to take into account advances in the understanding of Ugaritic, while maintaining its original accessibility and accuracy. This new version will continue to introduce readers to these texts, marvelous in their own right and essential for understanding the Bible.

Lawrence E. stager, Dorot Professor of the Archaeology of Israel,
Harvard University, and coauthor of Life in Biblical Israel

Edited and Translated by
Michael D. Coogan and Mark S. Smith

2012 Michael D. Coogan and Mark S. Smith

First edition, edited and translated by Michael David Coogan,
was published in 1978 by The Westminster Press.

Second edition
Published by Westminster John Knox Press
Louisville, Kentucky

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Or contact us online at www.wjkbooks.com .

Scripture quotations are the authors own translation.

Book design by Drew Stevens
Cover design by Dilu Nicholas
Cover illustration: Erich Lessing / Art Resource, NY. A stela from Ugarit, dating to ca. 1300 BCE, about 18 inches (47 cm) high, made of serpentine. It depicts the god El, who is bearded and with a horned headdress characteristic of deities, seated on a throne facing a worshipper, perhaps the king of Ugarit or a priest.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

2011039963

The paper used in this publication meets the minimum requirements of the American National Standard for Information SciencesPermanence of Paper for Printed Library Materials, ANSI Z39.48-1992.

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