Yale University Library Research Guides: Hebrew Bible Interpretation I &amp; II: Form Criticism

Intro to Form Criticism

And God Said What?: An Introduction to Biblical Literary Forms by Margaret Nutting Ralph A revised edition of a bestseller that introduces readers to the importance of understanding the various literary forms that appear in Scripture.
Biblical Form Criticism in Its Context by Martin J. Buss A description of the methodology of form criticism.
The Changing Face of Form Criticism for the Twenty-First Century by Marvin A. Sweeney (Editor); Ehud Ben Zvi (Editor) Surveys the contemporary landscape of form criticism and explore significant patterns and trends now emerging in the field.
What Is Form Criticism? by Edgar V. McKnight; Dan O. Via (Editor) A short and classic text on form criticism.
Call Number: Marvin Pope Biblical Studies Room

Genesis, with an Introduction to Narrative Literature by George W. Coats Uses form-critical analysis.
Exodus 1-18 by George W. Coats A technical form-critical commentary.
Numbers by Rolf P. Knierim Shows how form criticism sheds light on the text's structure, genre, setting, and intention.

Micah by Hans Walter Wolff Detailed form and redaction-critical commentary.
Minor Prophets, Part 2 by Michael H. Floyd A form-critical introduction to the Book of the Twelve.
Haggai and Zechariah 1-8, by David L. Petersen Detailed historical and philological commentary.
Call Number: Marvin Pope Biblical Studies Room

Judges by Serge Frolov Examines the structure, genre, setting, and intention of Judges through form-critical analysis.
1 Samuel by Antony F. Campbell Highlights both the literary development of 1 Samuel itself and its meanings for its audience.
2 Samuel by Antony F. Campbell Reveals the diversity of views that existed in Israel's traditions, and highlights the primacy of theology over history in Israel's thinking.
1 Kings, with an Introduction to Historical Literature by Burke O. Long Focuses on 1 Kings as an example of historical literature, first analyzing the book as a whole and then unit-by-unit.
2 Kings by Burke O. Long A form-critical commentary on 2 Kings.