Roy E Gane
Andrews University, Old Testament, Faculty Member
- Professor of Hebrew Bible and Ancient Near Eastern Languages at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary, Andre... moreProfessor of Hebrew Bible and Ancient Near Eastern Languages at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary, Andrews University. Specialty: Ancient Israelite rituals and biblical law.edit
After ten seasons in the field, the archaeological excavations at Tall Jalul, led by the Institute of Archaeology at Andrews University under the directorship of Randall W. Younker, have resulted in significant clarification of the site’s... more
After ten seasons in the field, the archaeological excavations at Tall Jalul, led by the Institute of Archaeology at Andrews University under the directorship of Randall W. Younker, have resulted in significant clarification of the site’s occupation.1 Located on the rolling Madaba Plains in the central Jordanian plateau, Jalul rises above the plain, creating the highest elevation in the immediate Madaba region. As the largest ancient site in central Jordan, the early occupation of ancient Jalul covers more than 7 hectares (the equivalent of 18 acres), while later Islamic Jalul, referred to as the Jalul Islamic Village (JIV), covers about 28 hectares or 69 acres.2
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This study dialogues with an article titled "A Rejoinder to Roy Gane on Daniel 8 & 9" by André Reis. Against my interpretation of Daniel 8 and 9, he has made what appears to be a strong case for the preterist hypothesis of... more
This study dialogues with an article titled "A Rejoinder to Roy Gane on Daniel 8 & 9" by André Reis. Against my interpretation of Daniel 8 and 9, he has made what appears to be a strong case for the preterist hypothesis of historical-critical scholarship, which maintains that the Seleucid king Antiochus IV Epiphanes (reigned 175-164 BC) was the blasphemous oppressor predicted by the biblical book of Daniel, symbolized by a "little horn" in Daniel 7 and 8. Reis has alleged that I (Roy E. Gane) base my conclusions on assumptions, without acknowledging his own assumptions. I fully agree with Reis on the need for "close reading" that "stays close to the text as it was most likely understood in its immediate literary context" and a "low presuppositional threshold" (Reis's apt terminology) that "keeps external ideas of what the text should mean to a minimum." The question is how to apply these basic principles of good exegetical practice to Daniel 8-9. The reader can judge whose interpretation of Daniel 8 and 9 is based on assumptions.
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The single greatest catalyst and contributor to our developing understanding of priestly literature has been Jacob Milgrom (1923–2010), whose seminal articles, provocative hypotheses, and comprehensively probing books vastly expanded and... more
The single greatest catalyst and contributor to our developing understanding of priestly literature has been Jacob Milgrom (1923–2010), whose seminal articles, provocative hypotheses, and comprehensively probing books vastly expanded and significantly altered scholarship regarding priestly and related literature. Nineteen articles build on Milgrom’w work and look to future directions of research. Essays cover a range of topics including the interpretation, composition and literary structure of priestly and holiness texts as well as their relationships to deuteronomic and extra-biblical texts. The book includes a bibliography of Milgrom’s work published between 1994 and 2014. Features: Comparisons with Mesopotamian Hittite texts Essays from a diverse group of scholars representing a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and methodologies Charts and tables illustrate complex relationships and structureshttps://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/sem-books/1031/thumbnail.jp
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ABSTRACT "Some religious thought leaders, taking their cue from popular culture and current politics, are trying to make a case for biblical support of the practice of homosexuality and same-sex marriage. Their efforts create... more
ABSTRACT "Some religious thought leaders, taking their cue from popular culture and current politics, are trying to make a case for biblical support of the practice of homosexuality and same-sex marriage. Their efforts create serious confusion while challenging the church’s ability to sensitively address one of the most explosive spiritual and public policy issues of our time. In this volume, Christian scholars offer a deep resource of material—biblical, clinical, and legal—to untangle the complex web of questions surrounding this contested topic. The authors first provide a frank and rigorous explication of the Bible’s clear teaching. Then they lay out the implications for counseling and for the religious liberty of the church and its members. And through it all, they make an impassioned call for love and care for those who are being misled into a walk down a dangerous path. The book includes moving testimonies from several Christians who have lived and struggled with homosexuality in their personal lives and can praise God for empowering them to live for Him. In the threatening environment facing the church and society today, every Christian administrator, attorney, teacher, counselor, pastor, and congregational leader should read this book. " See more at: http://www.amazon.com/Homosexuality-Marriage-Church-Roy-Gane/dp/1883925703
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Introduction Seventh-day Adventists are showing increasing interest in the apocalyptic prophecy of Dan 11:2-12:3, especially 11:40-45. This final section of chapter 11 predicts dramatic events during the “time of the end” (v. 40), just... more
Introduction Seventh-day Adventists are showing increasing interest in the apocalyptic prophecy of Dan 11:2-12:3, especially 11:40-45. This final section of chapter 11 predicts dramatic events during the “time of the end” (v. 40), just before “Michael” will arise and there will be a terrible “time of trouble, such as never has been,”1 from which God’s true people will be delivered (12:1). If we are now living during the “time of the end,”2 these verses are soon to be fulfilled.3 The prophecy, which is introduced in Daniel 10 and concluded in chapter 12, culminates the prophecies of the book of Daniel, providing far more detail than the others in plain language. Chapters 2, 7, and 8 employ symbolism accompanied by some interpretation of the symbols (2:36-45; 7:16-27; 8:17-26), and 9:24-27 provides supplementary explanation of the
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Some religious thought leaders, taking their cue from popular culture and current politics, are trying to make a case for biblical support of the practice of homosexuality and same-sex marriage. Their efforts create serious confusion... more
Some religious thought leaders, taking their cue from popular culture and current politics, are trying to make a case for biblical support of the practice of homosexuality and same-sex marriage. Their efforts create serious confusion while challenging the church’s ability to sensitively address one of the most explosive spiritual and public policy issues of our time. In this volume, Christian scholars offer a deep resource of material—biblical, clinical, and legal—to untangle the complex web of questions surrounding this contested topic. The authors first provide a frank and rigorous explication of the Bible’s clear teaching. Then they lay out the implications for counseling and for the religious liberty of the church and its members. And through it all, they make an impassioned call for love and care for those who are being misled into a walk down a dangerous path. The book includes moving testimonies from several Christians who have lived and struggled with homosexuality in their personal lives and can praise God for empowering them to live for Him. In the threatening environment facing the church and society today, every Christian administrator, attorney, teacher, counselor, pastor, and congregational leader should read this book
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The presentation summarizes findings from my essay with this title that is to be published in Current Issues in Priestly and Related Literature: The Legacy of Jacob Milgrom and Beyond (Resources for Biblical Study series), which I am... more
The presentation summarizes findings from my essay with this title that is to be published in Current Issues in Priestly and Related Literature: The Legacy of Jacob Milgrom and Beyond (Resources for Biblical Study series), which I am editing with Ada Taggar- Cohen. The essay opens up a new approach to a biblical book by probing evidence for teaching logic in Leviticus and the implications of this logic for the purpose and authorship of the book. The first part of the essay identifies examples of ten literary relationships that could function as effective didactic strategies. The second part weighs the likelihood of pedagogical authorial intention against the possibility that what appear to be teaching strategies may have resulted secondarily from other literary factors. The third part enters preliminary exploration of the question, “Who was trying to teach what to whom by writing this book?” by pointing out some aspects of the didactic background and foreground of Leviticus. The essay concludes by considering implications of didactic logic for the authorship of the book, which counter the current theory of historical-critical scholarship that Leviticus was composed within a priestly scribal matrix during the Persian period after the Babylonian exile
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... the theory and methodology developed in the first part are applied to rituals belonging to selected ancient Near Eastern festival days, namely, the Israelite Day of Atonement, the fifth day of the Babylonian New Year Festival of... more
... the theory and methodology developed in the first part are applied to rituals belonging to selected ancient Near Eastern festival days, namely, the Israelite Day of Atonement, the fifth day of the Babylonian New Year Festival of Spring, and the fourth day of the Hittite Ninth Year ...
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"Some religious thought leaders, taking their cue from popular culture and current politics, are trying to make a case for biblical support of the practice of homosexuality and same-sex marriage. Their efforts create serious confusion... more
"Some religious thought leaders, taking their cue from popular culture and current politics, are trying to make a case for biblical support of the practice of homosexuality and same-sex marriage. Their efforts create serious confusion while challenging the church’s ability to sensitively address one of the most explosive spiritual and public policy issues of our time.
In this volume, Christian scholars offer a deep resource of material—biblical, clinical, and legal—to untangle the complex web of questions surrounding this contested topic. The authors first provide a frank and rigorous explication of the Bible’s clear teaching. Then they lay out the implications for counseling and for the religious liberty of the church and its members. And through it all, they make an impassioned call for love and care for those who are being misled into a walk down a dangerous path. The book includes moving testimonies from several Christians who have lived and struggled with homosexuality in their personal lives and can praise God for empowering them to live for Him.
In the threatening environment facing the church and society today, every Christian administrator, attorney, teacher, counselor, pastor, and congregational leader should read this book. "
In this volume, Christian scholars offer a deep resource of material—biblical, clinical, and legal—to untangle the complex web of questions surrounding this contested topic. The authors first provide a frank and rigorous explication of the Bible’s clear teaching. Then they lay out the implications for counseling and for the religious liberty of the church and its members. And through it all, they make an impassioned call for love and care for those who are being misled into a walk down a dangerous path. The book includes moving testimonies from several Christians who have lived and struggled with homosexuality in their personal lives and can praise God for empowering them to live for Him.
In the threatening environment facing the church and society today, every Christian administrator, attorney, teacher, counselor, pastor, and congregational leader should read this book. "
The judgment. Most Christians don't understand it. Others ignore it or cringe in terror because of it. Who's Afraid of the Judgment by Roy Gane, takes a fresh look at the book of Daniel and shows how God's character is vindicated in... more
The judgment. Most Christians don't understand it. Others ignore it or cringe in terror because of it.
Who's Afraid of the Judgment by Roy Gane, takes a fresh look at the book of Daniel and shows how God's character is vindicated in the judgment. It also shows the relationship between the gospel and the judgment, what difference the judgment makes in our lives as Christians, and answers many objections being raised today over 1844 and the little horn.
Who's Afraid of the Judgment by Roy Gane, takes a fresh look at the book of Daniel and shows how God's character is vindicated in the judgment. It also shows the relationship between the gospel and the judgment, what difference the judgment makes in our lives as Christians, and answers many objections being raised today over 1844 and the little horn.
"After delivering the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, God had to teach them how to live and journey with Him. Centuries of bondage had taken a toll on His chosen people, and He worked patiently to turn their hearts to Him--despite their... more
"After delivering the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, God had to teach them how to live and journey with Him. Centuries of bondage had taken a toll on His chosen people, and He worked patiently to turn their hearts to Him--despite their chronic rebellion and incessant grumbling.
So how could the Israelites possibly question whether God was among them? They knew without a shadow of a doubt--they had seen His presence, heard His voice, and eaten the food He provided. Yet they were still inclined to act as if they had never gotten the memo!
Roy Gane fills in background details that help us understand their wilderness experience and God's sometimes-puzzling decisions. Not surprisingly, our journey parallels that of the Israelites--and we too must learn those same lessons before we enter the Promised Land."
So how could the Israelites possibly question whether God was among them? They knew without a shadow of a doubt--they had seen His presence, heard His voice, and eaten the food He provided. Yet they were still inclined to act as if they had never gotten the memo!
Roy Gane fills in background details that help us understand their wilderness experience and God's sometimes-puzzling decisions. Not surprisingly, our journey parallels that of the Israelites--and we too must learn those same lessons before we enter the Promised Land."
Scientific study of rituals requires an understanding of their nature. As perceived by H. Hubert and M. Mauss (Essai sur la nature et la fonction du sacrifice, 1898), a basic aspect of the nature of sacrificial ritual is its dynamic... more
Scientific study of rituals requires an understanding of their nature. As perceived by H. Hubert and M. Mauss (Essai sur la nature et la fonction du sacrifice, 1898), a basic aspect of the nature of sacrificial ritual is its dynamic structure. The present work takes up the neglected quest for a theory of ritual and methodology of analysis that recognize and trace the contours of ritual dynamic structure.
The resulting fresh approach provides a controlled framework for interpreting rituals belonging to various cultures and for identifying bases of comparison between them. Two important innovations are:
1. Application of General Systems Theory concepts to study human rituals as hierarchically structured human activity systems.
2. Application of F. Staal's "ritual syntax"(developed in the context of Vedic studies) to ancient Near Eastern rituals.
The first part of Ritual Dynamic structure builds a theory and definition of ritual and a corresponding methodology for analyzing specific rituals in terms of their activities and the meanings attached to those activities. The second part illustrates this methodology and its usefulness for comparative studies by applying it to ceremonies belonging to three ancient Near Eastern festival days of cult purification: the Israelite Day of Atonement, the fifth day of the Babylonian New Year Festival of Spring, and the fourth day of the Hittite Ninth Year Festival of Telipinu.
The resulting fresh approach provides a controlled framework for interpreting rituals belonging to various cultures and for identifying bases of comparison between them. Two important innovations are:
1. Application of General Systems Theory concepts to study human rituals as hierarchically structured human activity systems.
2. Application of F. Staal's "ritual syntax"(developed in the context of Vedic studies) to ancient Near Eastern rituals.
The first part of Ritual Dynamic structure builds a theory and definition of ritual and a corresponding methodology for analyzing specific rituals in terms of their activities and the meanings attached to those activities. The second part illustrates this methodology and its usefulness for comparative studies by applying it to ceremonies belonging to three ancient Near Eastern festival days of cult purification: the Israelite Day of Atonement, the fifth day of the Babylonian New Year Festival of Spring, and the fourth day of the Hittite Ninth Year Festival of Telipinu.
Judges is one of the most puzzling books in the Bible. Violence and apostasy mingle with miraculous deliverance and triumph. Valiant heroes for God loom larger than life, yet God's people slide into deeper and deeper depravity. Some of... more
Judges is one of the most puzzling books in the Bible. Violence and apostasy mingle with miraculous deliverance and triumph. Valiant heroes for God loom larger than life, yet God's people slide into deeper and deeper depravity. Some of God's heroes themselves have problems. We admire Deborah and Barak, but aren't sure about Samson. Gideon's misdeed led Israel into idolatry, and Jepthan sacrificed his daughter. What possible purpose could the Holy Spirit have had in inspiring the writer to record such ghastly events? As we follow the struggles and victories and sorrows and joys of God's ancient people, we will realize that the story of Israel is also our story, and that Israel's God is our God.
Leviticus/Numbers, which is part of the NIV Application Commentary Series, helps readers learn how the message of Leviticus and Numbers can have the same powerful impact today that they did when they were first written.
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To many people who believe that Christ is coming again, his absence of almost 2,000 years is a mystery. But Altar Call explores ways to become acquainted with what he is doing in the control center of the universe. Through learning about... more
To many people who believe that Christ is coming again, his absence of almost 2,000 years is a mystery. But Altar Call explores ways to become acquainted with what he is doing in the control center of the universe. Through learning about Christ's ministry from the sanctuary services recorded in the Bible, we can enjoy interaction with him, experience his transforming power, and have confidence that we are at peace with God. Questions addressed in the book include: When you sin, do you have assurance that you are saved? How can you live a holy life? Why are you saved by grace through faith but judged by works? When does God's judgment begin and how does it affect your spiritual experience? What does God expect of you now?
Although Altar Call is based on nearly two decades of scholarly work, several features make it easy and enjoyable to read: (1) Clear language, many illustrations (humorous at times), some diagrams, and a study guide. (2) Direct encounter with the Bible itself. (3) Connects fresh scholarship with practical spirituality. (4) Explains step by step, without assuming that the reader begins with knowledge of the topic. (5) Forthrightly deals with highly controversial issues and challenges common assumptions, but in a positive way.
Although Altar Call is based on nearly two decades of scholarly work, several features make it easy and enjoyable to read: (1) Clear language, many illustrations (humorous at times), some diagrams, and a study guide. (2) Direct encounter with the Bible itself. (3) Connects fresh scholarship with practical spirituality. (4) Explains step by step, without assuming that the reader begins with knowledge of the topic. (5) Forthrightly deals with highly controversial issues and challenges common assumptions, but in a positive way.
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Roy Gane critically evaluates Jacob Milgrom's purification-offering theory but ultimately affirms and expands on his seminal insight that theodicy is foundational to the Israelite expiatory system. Gane's conclusions are derived from... more
Roy Gane critically evaluates Jacob Milgrom's purification-offering theory but ultimately affirms and expands on his seminal insight that theodicy is foundational to the Israelite expiatory system. Gane's conclusions are derived from exegetical study of Hebrew ritual texts and by adapting a systems theory approach to human activity systems.
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Number 6:13-20 outlines a ceremony, including a purification offering (vv. 14, 16), to be performed at the end of a successfully completed Nazirite period. The purpose of this mandatory purification offering constitutes a crux. For what... more
Number 6:13-20 outlines a ceremony, including a purification offering (vv. 14, 16), to be performed at the end of a successfully completed Nazirite period. The purpose of this mandatory purification offering constitutes a crux. For what nondefiant sin or sever physical ritual impurity- the evils remedied by non-calendric purification offerings elsewhere (e.g. Lev 4:1- 5:13; 12:6-8; 14:19)- could such a sacrifice expiate in this context? The answer to this question may affect or at least test our understasnding of purification offerings in general.
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Many today find the Old Testament a closed book. The cultural issues seem insurmountable and we are easily baffled by that which seems obscure. Furthermore, without knowledge of the ancient culture we can easily impose our own culture on... more
Many today find the Old Testament a closed book. The cultural issues seem insurmountable and we are easily baffled by that which seems obscure. Furthermore, without knowledge of the ancient culture we can easily impose our own culture on the text, potentially distorting it. This series invites you to enter the Old Testament with a company of guides, experts that will give new insights into these cherished writings.Features include* Over 2000 photographs, drawings, maps, diagrams and charts provide a visual feast that breathes fresh life into the text.* Passage-by-passage commentary presents archaeological findings, historical explanations, geographic insights, notes on manners and customs, and more.* Analysis into the literature of the ancient Near East will open your eyes to new depths of understanding both familiar and unfamiliar passages. * Written by an international team of 30 specialists, all top scholars in background studies.
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This multivolume work is still proving to be as fundamental to Old Testament studies as its companion set, the Kittel-Friedrich Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, has been to New Testament studies. Beginning with 'ābh ('āb),... more
This multivolume work is still proving to be as fundamental to Old Testament studies as its companion set, the Kittel-Friedrich Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, has been to New Testament studies.
Beginning with 'ābh ('āb), “father,” and continuing through the alphabet, the TDOT volumes present in-depth discussions of the key Hebrew and Aramaic words in the Old Testament. Leading scholars of various religious traditions (including Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Reformed, Anglican, Greek Orthodox, and Jewish) and from many parts of the world (Denmark, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Israel, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United States) have been carefully selected for each article by editors Botterweck, Ringgren, and Fabry and their consultants, George W. Anderson, Henri Cazelles, David Noel Freedman, Shemaryahu Talmon, and Gerhard Wallis.
The intention of the writers is to concentrate on meaning, starting from the more general, everyday senses and building to an understanding of theologically significant concepts. To avoid artificially restricting the focus of the articles, TDOT considers under each keyword the larger groups of words that are related linguistically or semantically. The lexical work includes detailed surveys of a word’s occurrences, not only in biblical material but also in other ancient Near Eastern writings. Sumerian, Akkadian, Egyptian, Ethiopic, Ugaritic, and Northwest Semitic sources are surveyed, among others, as well as the Qumran texts and the Septuagint; and in cultures where no cognate word exists, the authors often consider cognate ideas.
TDOT’s emphasis, though, is on Hebrew terminology and on biblical usage. The contributors employ philology as well as form-critical and traditio-historical methods, with the aim of understanding the religious statements in the Old Testament. Extensive bibliographical information adds to the value of this reference work.
This English edition attempts to serve the needs of Old Testament students without the linguistic background of more advanced scholars; it does so, however, without sacrificing the needs of the latter. Ancient scripts (Hebrew, Greek, etc.) are regularly transliterated in a readable way, and meanings of foreign words are given in many cases where the meanings might be obvious to advanced scholars. Where the Hebrew text versification differs from that of English Bibles, the English verse appears in parentheses. Such features will help all earnest students of the Bible to avail themselves of the manifold theological insights contained in this monumental work.
Beginning with 'ābh ('āb), “father,” and continuing through the alphabet, the TDOT volumes present in-depth discussions of the key Hebrew and Aramaic words in the Old Testament. Leading scholars of various religious traditions (including Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Reformed, Anglican, Greek Orthodox, and Jewish) and from many parts of the world (Denmark, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Israel, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United States) have been carefully selected for each article by editors Botterweck, Ringgren, and Fabry and their consultants, George W. Anderson, Henri Cazelles, David Noel Freedman, Shemaryahu Talmon, and Gerhard Wallis.
The intention of the writers is to concentrate on meaning, starting from the more general, everyday senses and building to an understanding of theologically significant concepts. To avoid artificially restricting the focus of the articles, TDOT considers under each keyword the larger groups of words that are related linguistically or semantically. The lexical work includes detailed surveys of a word’s occurrences, not only in biblical material but also in other ancient Near Eastern writings. Sumerian, Akkadian, Egyptian, Ethiopic, Ugaritic, and Northwest Semitic sources are surveyed, among others, as well as the Qumran texts and the Septuagint; and in cultures where no cognate word exists, the authors often consider cognate ideas.
TDOT’s emphasis, though, is on Hebrew terminology and on biblical usage. The contributors employ philology as well as form-critical and traditio-historical methods, with the aim of understanding the religious statements in the Old Testament. Extensive bibliographical information adds to the value of this reference work.
This English edition attempts to serve the needs of Old Testament students without the linguistic background of more advanced scholars; it does so, however, without sacrificing the needs of the latter. Ancient scripts (Hebrew, Greek, etc.) are regularly transliterated in a readable way, and meanings of foreign words are given in many cases where the meanings might be obvious to advanced scholars. Where the Hebrew text versification differs from that of English Bibles, the English verse appears in parentheses. Such features will help all earnest students of the Bible to avail themselves of the manifold theological insights contained in this monumental work.