Language and Identity in Hellenistic Judaism
Essays in Memory of James K. Aitken
Will be published approx. on 5. February 2026
Book
Hardback
240 pages
978-0-567-71508-1 (ISBN)
Description
This volume honours the life and scholarship of James K. Aitken (1968-2023), a distinguished scholar of Hebrew and Early Jewish Studies at the University of Cambridge. Bringing together fourteen original essays by colleagues, students, and friends, the collection explores themes central to Aitken's work. Contributors examine the interplay between language and identity in ancient Jewish communities, with particular attention to the Septuagint and its place within the history of Greek.
Aitken's intellectual legacy is reflected in the breadth of topics covered, from lexical studies and syntactic analysis to sociolinguistic phenomena and historical context. The essays build on his pioneering research and continue conversations he began, offering fresh insights into the lived realities of Jews in the Hellenistic world.
More than a scholarly tribute, this volume is a testament to Aitken's collegial spirit and mentorship. The editors-William A. Ross, Marieke Dhont, and Christopher Fresch-were all shaped by his guidance and friendship, and have curated a collection that reflects both his academic influence and personal impact. With contributions from leading international scholars, this book stands as a fitting memorial to a beloved teacher, collaborator, and friend.
Aitken's intellectual legacy is reflected in the breadth of topics covered, from lexical studies and syntactic analysis to sociolinguistic phenomena and historical context. The essays build on his pioneering research and continue conversations he began, offering fresh insights into the lived realities of Jews in the Hellenistic world.
More than a scholarly tribute, this volume is a testament to Aitken's collegial spirit and mentorship. The editors-William A. Ross, Marieke Dhont, and Christopher Fresch-were all shaped by his guidance and friendship, and have curated a collection that reflects both his academic influence and personal impact. With contributions from leading international scholars, this book stands as a fitting memorial to a beloved teacher, collaborator, and friend.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Edinburgh
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 240 mm
Width: 161 mm
Thickness: 21 mm
Weight
619 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-567-71508-1 (9780567715081)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
William A. Ross | Marieke Dhont | Christopher J. Fresch
Language and Identity in Hellenistic Judaism
Essays in Memory of James K. Aitken
E-Book
02/2026
1st Edition
T.& T.Clark Ltd
€100.99
Available for download
William A. Ross | Marieke Dhont | Christopher J. Fresch
Language and Identity in Hellenistic Judaism
Essays in Memory of James K. Aitken
E-Book
02/2026
1st Edition
T.& T.Clark Ltd
€100.99
Available for download
Persons
William A. Ross is associate professor of Old Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary in Charlotte, USA
Marieke Dhont is an affiliated lecturer at the Faculty of Divinity, University of Cambridge, UK
Christopher J. Fresch is Lecturer in Biblical Languages and Linguistics at the Bible College of South Australia, Australian University of Theology, Australia
Marieke Dhont is an affiliated lecturer at the Faculty of Divinity, University of Cambridge, UK
Christopher J. Fresch is Lecturer in Biblical Languages and Linguistics at the Bible College of South Australia, Australian University of Theology, Australia
Content
List of Figures
List of Tables
Publisher's Note
Dominic Mattos
Abbreviations and Sigla
James K. Aitken Publications
Prof. James K. Aitken: A Brief Biography
Simon Gathercole
Introduction
Marieke Dhont, William A. Ross, and Christopher J. Fresch
Light from East Anglia: Tracing the Influences of the Cambridge School of Septuagint Scholarship
William A. Ross
The Poetics of Symmachos
Nicholas de Lange
On the Language of the Septuagint and Other Matters: A Conversation with Jim Aitken
Benjamin G. Wright III
"(John) Joseph": A Fifth-Century Greek Translator of Jeremiah
Alison G. Salvesen
Was There a Jewish Literary Tradition in Greek After the First Century CE?
James Carleton Paget
The Septuagint Psalms Translator's Treatment of the Hebrew Verb: Preliminary Findings
John A. L. Lee
Innovation in the Tiberian Reading Tradition of the Hebrew Bible
Geoffrey Khan
Lexical and Stylistic Aspects of the Greek Prologue to Sirach
Jeremy Corley
Horn Vocabulary and the Revision of Old Greek Judges
William A. Ross
Diathesis, Greek Idiom, and Freedom of Choice
Christopher J. Fresch
Jewish Burial Practices in the Hellenistic, Roman, and Early Byzantine Balkans and the Aegean
Alexander Panayotov
Verbal Periphrasis with ????? in Postclassical Greek
Marieke Dhont
List of Contributors
Indices
List of Tables
Publisher's Note
Dominic Mattos
Abbreviations and Sigla
James K. Aitken Publications
Prof. James K. Aitken: A Brief Biography
Simon Gathercole
Introduction
Marieke Dhont, William A. Ross, and Christopher J. Fresch
Light from East Anglia: Tracing the Influences of the Cambridge School of Septuagint Scholarship
William A. Ross
The Poetics of Symmachos
Nicholas de Lange
On the Language of the Septuagint and Other Matters: A Conversation with Jim Aitken
Benjamin G. Wright III
"(John) Joseph": A Fifth-Century Greek Translator of Jeremiah
Alison G. Salvesen
Was There a Jewish Literary Tradition in Greek After the First Century CE?
James Carleton Paget
The Septuagint Psalms Translator's Treatment of the Hebrew Verb: Preliminary Findings
John A. L. Lee
Innovation in the Tiberian Reading Tradition of the Hebrew Bible
Geoffrey Khan
Lexical and Stylistic Aspects of the Greek Prologue to Sirach
Jeremy Corley
Horn Vocabulary and the Revision of Old Greek Judges
William A. Ross
Diathesis, Greek Idiom, and Freedom of Choice
Christopher J. Fresch
Jewish Burial Practices in the Hellenistic, Roman, and Early Byzantine Balkans and the Aegean
Alexander Panayotov
Verbal Periphrasis with ????? in Postclassical Greek
Marieke Dhont
List of Contributors
Indices