Early Christian Handbooks on Interpretation

Abstract

This chapter identifies the types of handbooks of biblical interpretation that are available from the patristic period. It assesses handbooks which summarize the content of biblical books, compare translations, affirm the unity and coherence of scriptural accounts, explicate difficult passages, explain the biblical names of persons and places and their etymologies, provide guidelines for theological interpretation, and comment on various items mentioned in Scripture. It also takes a closer look at some key handbooks, which explicitly address interpretative matters: such as those of Origen, Tyconius, Augustine, Eucherius, and Adrian. The considered handbooks are very different, as they focus on particular hermeneutical issues and address particular concerns.