Theodicy and the Bible
From Job to the crucifixion, stories from the Bible attempt to answer the question of why good people suffer, and why tyrants commit evil with impunity...Read more
From the Desk Of
Michael D. Coogan
Like other literature, much of the Bible is ambiguous, and the meaning of a passage can hinge on the translation or interpretation of a single word....
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What's New
- New articles from the Oxford Encyclopedia of the Bible and Archaeology and The Oxford Encyclopedia of Biblical Interpretation
- The Tale of Sinuhe and Other Ancient Egyptian Poems, edited by Richard Parkinson
- Interview with Editor in Chief, Michael Coogan
- New photo essay: Tel en Naṣbeh
- New thematic guide: Gender in the Hebrew Bible
- New thematic guide: Sacrifice in the New Testament
- New interviews: Richard B. Parkinson
- New Focus On: Theodicy and the Bible
- Letter from the Editor
- Visit the What’s New page for more details
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Feature
Learn More
For more information on our latest "Focus On" article, see relevant articles and resources on theodicy, suffering, evil, and Job.
Interview with Richard B. Parkinson
In our ongoing series, OBSO interviews Richard B. Parkinson, translator of The Tale of Sinuhe, a collection of adventure stories, dialogues on life and death, ruminations on the problem of suffering, and teachings about the nature of wisdom and virtue from ancient Egypt.
Photo Essay: Tell en Naṣbeh
Jeffrey R. Zorn (Cornell University) shares his ongoing excavation of Tell en Naṣbeh, a site usually identified with biblical Mizpah of Benjamin. In the sixth century B.C.E., the site was an important fortress on the northern border of Judah and the capital of what remained of Judah following the Neo-Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem.
Read MoreThe Tale of Sinuhe and Other Ancient Egyptian Poems
R.B. Parkinson's landmark translation of the Tale of Sinuhe and other masterpieces of ancient Egypt is now available online for the first time. Featuring adventure stories, dialogues on life and death, ruminations on the problem of suffering, and teachings about the nature of wisdom and virtue, this collection explores many of the themes that are also essential to Biblical literature.
Read MoreReference Guide
This new feature allows you to scroll through the tables of contents for each of the major reference works on Oxford Biblical Studies Online, including The Oxford Companion to the Bible and the new Oxford Encyclopedia of the Books of the Bible.
Guide to Biblical Commentaries
This list of the books of the Bible includes their respective commentaries from the following sources: Oxford Bible Commentary, New Oxford Annotated Bible (NRSV), Oxford Study Bible (REB), Jewish Study Bible (TANAKH), Catholic Study Bible (NAB), and the Access Bible (NRSV).
What's Inside
Six Bible texts, including the latest edition of the New Oxford Annotated Bible, as well as deuterocanonical collections, Concordances, and the Oxford Bible Commentary. 
More than 6,000 A-Z entries and chapters from acclaimed Oxford references, written by leading scholars and specialists
Hundreds of images and maps provide visual perspectives of the biblical world 
Tools & Resources contains Internet resources selected by specialists in the field, thematic guides, lesson plans, suggested reading lists for further research, and more.
