Form Criticism and Old Testament Studies

I. Genre research in general literary study

Bakhtin, M. M., "The Problem of Speech Genres", in M. M. Bakhtin, Speech Genres and Other Late Essays. Edited by C. Emerson and M. Holquist (Austin, TX: University of Texas Press, 1986) 60-102. [original Russian edition: 1952]

Combe, D., Les genres littéraires (Contours littéraires; Paris: Hachette, 1992).

Dijk, T. A. van (ed.), Discourse and Literature: New Approaches to the Analysis of Literary Genres (Critical Theory, 3; Amsterdam & Philadelphia: Benjamins, 1985).

Dubrow, H., Genre (The Critical Idiom, 42; London: Methuen, 1982).

Duff, D. (ed.), Modern Genre Theory (Longman Critical Readers: Harlow: Longman, 2000).

Fix, U., "Überdisziplinäres Textsortenwissen. Voraussetzung für die Arbeit von 'Textfächern'", in R. Heckl (ed.), Methodik im Diskurs: Neue Perspektiven für die Alttestamentliche Exegese (BThSt 156; Neukirchen-Vluyn: Neukirchener Theologie, 2015) 1-31.

Fowler, A., Kinds of Literature. An Introduction to the Theory of Genres and Modes (Oxford: Clarendon, 1982).

Frow, J., Genre (New Critical Idiom; London – New York: Routledge, 2006).

Genette, G. – H.-R. Jauss – T. Todorov, Théorie des genres (Paris: Éditions du Seuil, 1986).

Gerhart, M., "Generic Studies: Their Renewed Importance in Religious and Literary Interpretation", JAAR 45 (1977) 309-325.

Hempfer, K. W., Gattungstheorie. Information und Synthese (UTB 133; München: Fink, 1973).

Hernadi, P., Beyond Genre (Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press, 1972).

Jolles, A., Einfache Formen: Legende, Sage, Mythe, Rätsel, Spruch, Kasus, Memorabile, Märchen, Witz (Forschungsinstitut für neuere Philologie // Sächsische Forschungsinstitute in Leipzig, Heft 2; Halle [Saale]: Max Niemeyer, 1930) [with many subsequent unchanged reprints]. French version: Formes simples (Poétique 5; Paris: Éditions du Seuil, 1972) [reprint 1991]. Italian version: Forme semplici: leggende sacre e profane – mito – enigma – sentenza – caso memorabile – fiaba – scherzo. Premessa di G. Dolfini (Studi di linguistica e teoria letteraria, 6; Milano: Ugo Mursia, 1980). Dutch version: Eenvoudige vormen: legende, sage, mythe, raadsel, spreuk, casus, memorabile, sprookje, grap (Delft: Eburon, 2009). English version: Simple Forms: Legend, Saga, Myth, Riddle, Saying, Case, Memorabile, Fairytale, Joke. Foreword by F. Jameson. Translator’s Introduction by P. J. Schwartz (New York: Verso, 2017).

Judd, A., "Genre", in A. Judd, Playing with Scripture: Reading Contested Biblical Texts with Gadamer and Genre Theory (Routledge Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Biblical Criticism; London & New York: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, 2024) 72-106.

Knapp, G. P. et al., "Textarten", in H. L. Arnold – V. Sinemus (eds.), Grundzüge der Literatur- und Sprachwissenschaft, I: Literaturwissenschaft (München: Deutscher Taschenbuch-Verlag, 1973) 258-341. Details: "Textarten – Typen – Gattungen – Formen" (G. P. Knapp) 258-269; "Einfache Formen" (H. Belke) 269-274; "Gedichte" (B. Asmuth) 274-285; "Erzählende Texte" (J. Vogt) 285-302; "Szensiche und theatralische Texte" (W.Beimdick) 303-320; "Gebrauchstexte" (H. Belke) 320-341.

Roest, B. – H. L. Vanstiphout (eds.), Aspects of Genre and Type in Pre-Modern Literary Cultures (COMERS Communications, 1; Groningen: STYX, 1999).

Taha, I., "Text-Genre Interrelations: A Topographical Chart of Generic Activity", Semiotica 132–1/2 (2000) 101-119.

Todorov, T., Les genres du discours (Collection Poétique; Paris: Éditions du Seuil, 1978). English version: Genres in Discourse (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1990).

Unger, C., Genre, Relevance and Global Coherence: The Pragmatics of Discourse Type (Palgrave Studies in Pragmatics, Language and Cognition; Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, 2006).

Zahn, M. M., Genres of Rewriting in Second Temple Judaism: Scribal Composition and Transmission (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2020), esp. 56-73 (Chap. Two: "Genre and Rewriting", which contains a useful discussion of present-day genre theory).

Zymner, R., Gattungstheorie. Probleme und Positionen der Literaturwissenschaft (Paderborn: Mentis, 2003).

Zymner, R. (ed.), Handbuch Gattungstheorie (Stuttgart: Metzler, 2011).

II. General studies on form criticism of the Old Testament

1. Articles in dictionaries and encyclopedias

Alonso Schökel, L., "Form Criticism, Biblical", New Catholic Encyclopedia V (New York: McGraw-Hill, 1967) 1017-1023.

Alonso Schökel, L., "Literary Genres, Biblical", New Catholic Encyclopedia VIII (New York: McGraw-Hill, 1967) 803-809.

Barton, J., "Form Criticism (Old Testament)", ABD II (1992) 838-841.

Buss, M. J., "Form Criticism: Hebrew Bible", in J. H. Hayes (ed.), Dictionary of Biblical Interpretation. Vol. 1 (A-J) (Nashville, TN: Abingdon, 1999) 406-413. Reprinted in M. J. Buss, The Changing Shape of Form Criticism: A Relational Approach. Edited by N. M. Stipe (HBM 18; Sheffield: Sheffield Phoenix Press, 2010) 115-127.

Kuhl, C., "Formen und Gattungen, I: Im AT", RGG³ 2 (1958) 996-999.

Müller, H.-P., "Formgeschichte/Formenkritik, I: AT", TRE 11 (1983) 271-285.

Robert, A., "Littéraires (genres)", DBSup 5 (1957) 405-421.

Rösel, M., "Formen / Gattungen, II: Altes Testament", RGG⁴ 3 (2000) 186-190.

Sweeney, M. A. – D. Dormeyer, "Form Criticism", EBR 9 (2014) 468-474. Details: I. Hebrew Bible / Old Testament (Sweeney) 468-470; II. New Testament (Dormeyer) 470-474.

Tucker, G. M., "Form Criticism, OT", IDBSup (1976) 342-345.

2. Monographs and multi-author volumes

Bernhardt, K.-H., Die gattungsgeschichtliche Forschung am Alten Testament als exegetische Methode: Ergebnisse und Grenzen (Aufsätze und Vorträge zur Theologie und Religionswissenschaft, 8; Berlin: Evangelische Verlagsanstalt, 1956).

Boer, R. (ed.), Bakhtin and Genre Theory in Biblical Studies (Semeia Studies, 63; Atlanta, GA: Society of Biblical Literature, 2007).

Buss, M. J., Biblical Form Criticism in Its Context (JSOTSup 274; Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 1999).

Buss, M. J., The Concept of Form in the Twentieth Century (Sheffield: Sheffield Phoenix Press, 2008).

Buss, M. J., The Changing Shape of Form Criticism: A Relational Approach. Edited by N. M. Stipe (HBM 18; Sheffield: Sheffield Phoenix Press, 2010).

Buss, M. J., Toward Understanding the Hebrew Canon: A Form-Critical Approach (HBM 61; Sheffield: Sheffield Phoenix Press, 2013).

Hayes, J. H. (ed.), Old Testament Form Criticism (Trinity University Monograph Series in Religion, 2; San Antonio, TX: Trinity University Press, 1974).

Heckl, R. – T. Wagner (eds.), Methodik im Diskurs 2: der Zusammenhang von Gattungs- und Traditionskritik (BThSt 180; Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 2019).

Hempel, J., Die althebräische Literatur und ihr hellenistisch-jüdisches Nachleben (Handbuch der Literaturwissenschaft. Lieferung 145 / Die althebräische Literatur, 1; Wildpark-Potsdam: Akademische Verlagsgesellschaft Athenaion, 1930 [actually published in 1934]). Reprint: Berlin: De Gruyter, 1968.

Koch, K., Was ist Formgeschichte? Methoden der Bibelexegese. 5., durchgesehene und ergänzte Auflage (Neukirchen-Vluyn: Neukirchener Verlag, 1989) (earlier editions: 1964, 1967, 1974, 1981). The 3rd ed. of 1974 had a substantial new chapter, entitled "Linguistik und Formgeschichte: ein Nachwort" (pp. 289-342); this is found in the 4th and 5th editions too (pp. 271-324 in the latter). The subtitle of the first two editions (1964 and 1967) was "Neue Wege der Bibelexegese". English version of the second edition: The Growth of the Biblical Tradition. The Form Critical Method (New York: Scribners's; London: Adam and Charles Black, 1969).

Lohfink, G., Jetzt verstehe ich die Bibel. Ein Sachbuch zur Formkritik (Stuttgart: Katholisches Bibelwerk, 1974). Spanish version: Ahora entiendo la Biblia: Crítica de la formas (Dabar 11; Madrid: San Pablo, 1977). English version: The Bible: Now I Get It! A Form-Criticism Handbook (Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1979). Italian version: Ora capisco la Bibbia: studio sulle forme letterarie della Bibbia (Capire la Bibbia, 2; Bologna: Edizioni Dehoniane, 1981). French version: Enfin je comprends la Bible: un livre sur la critique des formes (Essais bibliques, 14; Genève: Labor et Fides, 1988).

Ohler, A., Gattungen im AT. Ein biblisches Arbeitsbuch. 2 Bände (Religionspädagogik; Düsseldorf: Patmos, 1972-1973). English version: Studying the Old Testament from Tradition to Canon (Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 1985).

Richter, W., Exegese als Literaturwissenschaft. Entwurf einer alttestamentlichen Literaturtheorie und Methodologie (Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 1971).

Sweeney, M. A. – E. Ben-Zvi (eds.), The Changing Face of Form Criticism for the Twenty-First Century (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2003).

Tucker, G. M., Form Criticism of the Old Testament (Guides to Biblical Scholarship, OT Series; Philadelphia: Fortress, 1971).

3. Articles and chapters

Alonso Schökel, L., "Genera litteraria", Verbum Domini 38 (1960) 3-15.

Alonso Schökel, L., "Hermenéutica racional: los géneros literarios", in L. Alonso Schökel (ed.), Concilio Vaticano II: Comentarios a la constitución Dei Verbum sobre la divina revelación (BAC 284; Madrid: BAC, 1969) 433-462. Versione italiana: "Ermeneutica razionale: i generi letterari", in L. Alonso Schökel, Il dinamismo della tradizione (Biblioteca di cultura religiosa, 19; Brescia: Paideia, 1970) 121-157.

Blum, E., "Formgeschichte – A Misleading Category? Some Critical Remarks", in M. A. Sweeney – E. Ben-Zvi (eds.), The Changing Face of Form Criticism for the Twenty-First Century (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2003) 32-45. [see the following item]

Blum, E., "'Formgeschichte' – ein irreführender Begriff?", in H. Utzschneider – E. Blum (eds.), Lesarten der Bibel. Untersuchungen zu einer Theorie der Exegese des Alten Testaments (Stuttgart: Kohlhammer, 2006) 85-96. Reprinted [same title] in E. Blum, Grundfragen der historischen Exegese: methodologische, philologische und hermeneutische Beiträge zum Alten Testament. Herausgegeben von W. Oswald und K. Weingart (FAT 95; Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, 2015) 69-82.

Buss, M. J., "The Study of Forms", in J. H. Hayes (ed.), Old Testament Form Criticism (Trinity University Monograph Series in Religion, 2; San Antonio, TX: Trinity University Press, 1974) 1-56.

Buss, M. J., "The Idea of Sitz im Leben – History and Critique", ZAW 90 (1978) 157-170.

Buss, M. J., "Principles for Morphological Criticism, with Special Reference to Letter Form", in R. A. Spencer (ed.), Orientation by Disorientation, Presented in Honor of William A. Beardslee (Pittsburgh Theological Monograph Series, 35; Pittsburgh: Pickwick, 1980) 71-86. Reprinted in M. J. Buss, The Changing Shape of Form Criticism: A Relational Approach. Edited by N. M. Stipe (HBM 18; Sheffield: Sheffield Phoenix Press, 2010) 81-94.

Buss, M. J., "Form Criticism: An Introduction", in S. R. Haynes – S. L. McKenzie (eds.), To Each Its Own Meaning: An Introduction to Biblical Criticisms and Their Application (Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 1993) 69-85. Reprinted in M. J. Buss, The Changing Shape of Form Criticism: A Relational Approach. Edited by N. M. Stipe (HBM 18; Sheffield: Sheffield Phoenix Press, 2010) 97-113.

Buss, M. J, "Toward Form Criticism as an Explication of Human Life: Divine Speech as a Form of Self-Transcendence", in M. A. Sweeney – E. Ben-Zvi (ed.), The Changing Face of Form Criticism for the Twenty-First Century (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2003) 312-325. Reprinted in M. J. Buss, The Changing Shape of Form Criticism: A Relational Approach. Edited by N. M. Stipe (HBM 18; Sheffield: Sheffield Phoenix Press, 2010) 129-142.

Buss, M. J, "Dialogue in and among Genres", in R. Boer (ed.), Bakhtin and Genre Theory in Biblical Studies (Semeia Studies, 63; Atlanta: Society of Biblical Literature, 2007) 9-18. Reprinted in M. J. Buss, Toward Understanding the Hebrew Canon: A Form-Critical Approach (HBM 61; Sheffield: Sheffield Phoenix Press, 2013) 145-154.

Buss, M. J., "Goals and Processes of the 'New' Form Criticism", in M. J. Boda – M. H. Floyd – C. M. Toffelmire (eds.), The Book of the Twelve and the New Form Criticism (ANEM 10; Atlanta, GA: SBL Press, 2015) 305-309.

Campbell, A. F., "Form Criticism's Future", in M. A. Sweeney – E. Ben-Zvi (eds.), The Changing Face of Form Criticism for the Twenty-First Century (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2003) 15-31.

Collins, J. J., "Changing Perceptions of Genre in Biblical Studies", RivB 69 (2021) 335-351.

Doty, W. G., "The Concept of Genre in Literary Analysis", in L. C. McGaughy (ed.), Society of Biblical Literature: 1972 Proceedings. One Hundred Eighth Annual Meeting, Book of Seminar Papers, 1-5 September 1971, Century Plaza Hotel, Los Angeles, Ca., Volume II (s.l.: Society of Biblical Literature, 1972) 413-448.

Fohrer, G. – H. W. Hoffmann – F. Huber – L. Markert – G. Wanke, Exegese des Alten Testaments. Einführung in die Methodik. 6., durchgesehene Auflage (UTB 267; Heidelberg: Quelle & Meyer, 1993), §7 ["Formen- und Gattungskritik"].

Frish, R., "Resuscitating »Wisdom Literature«", ZAW 136 (2024) 388-406.

García-Jalón de la Lama, S., "Género literario y actos de habla", EstBib 69 (2011) 137-168.

Gerstenberger, E. S., "Social Sciences and Form-Criticism: Towards the Generative Force of Life-Settings", in T. J. Sandoval – C. Mandolfo (eds.), Relating to the Text. Interdisciplinary and Form-Critical Insights on the Bible (JSOTSup 384; London: T & T Clark International, 2003) 84-99. Unchanged reprint in E. S. Gerstenberger, Die Hebräische Bibel als Buch der Befreiung. Ausgewählte Aufsätze. Herausgegeben von Ute E. Eisen und Christl M. Maier (Gießener Elektronische Bibliothek; Gießen 2012) 415-431. Free access to the volume here.

Green, B., "Pigeonholes, Pigeon Choices, Pigeon Handlers: Form, Rhetoric, and Genre in Biblical Studies", in M. L. Chaney – U. Y. Kim – A. Schellenberg (eds.), Reading a Tendentious Bible: Essays in Honor of Robert B. Coote (HBM 66; Sheffield: Sheffield Phoenix Press, 2014) 76-86.

Greenwood, D., "Rhetorical Criticism and Formgeschichte: Some Methodological Considerations", JBL 89 (1970) 418-426.

Haacker, K., "Leistung und Grenzen der Formkritik", TBei 12 (1981) 53-71.

Hayes, J. H., "Martin Buss – The Man and His Work (including a complete bibliography)", in T. J. Sandoval – C. Mandolfo (eds.), Relating to the Text: Interdisciplinary and Form-Critical Insights on the Bible (JSOTSup 384; London: T & T Clark International, 2003) 12-24.

House, P. R., "The Rise and Current Status of Literary Criticism of the Old Testament", in P. R. House (ed.), Beyond Form Criticism. Essays in Old Testament Literary Criticism (Sources for Biblical and Theological Study, 2; Winona Lake, IN: Eisenbrauns, 1992) 3-22.

Kim, H. C. P., "Form Criticism in Dialogue with Other Criticisms: Building the Multidimensional Structures of Texts and Concepts", in M. A. Sweeney – E. Ben-Zvi (eds.), The Changing Face of Form Criticism for the Twenty-First Century (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2003) 85-104.

Knierim, R., "Old Testament Form Criticism Reconsidered", Int 27 (1973) 435-468.

Knight, D. A., "The Understanding of 'Sitz im Leben' in Form Criticism", in G. MacRae (ed.), Society of Biblical Literature, 1974 Seminar Papers, One Hundred & Tenth Annual Meeting 24-27 October 1974, Washington Hilton, Washington, D.C., vol. 1 (Missoula, MT: Scholars, 1974) 105-125.

Lapointe, R., "Les genres littéraires après l'ère gunkélienne", Église et Théologie 1 (1970) 9-38.

Lapointe, R., "La valeur linguistique du Sitz im Leben", Bib 52 (1971) 469-487.

Ljungberg, B.-K., "Genre and Form Criticism in Old Testament Exegesis", in R. D. Bergen (ed.), Biblical Hebrew and Discourse Linguistics (Winona Lake, IN: Eisenbrauns / Summer Institute of Linguistics, 1994) 415-433.

Long, B. O., "Recent Field Studies in Oral Literature and the Question of Sitz im Leben", Semeia 5 (1976) 35-50.

Longman III, T., "Israelite Genres in their Ancient Near Eastern Context", in M. A. Sweeney – E. Ben-Zvi (eds.), The Changing Face of Form Criticism for the Twenty-First Century (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2003) 177-195.

Melugin, R. F., "Muilenburg, Form Criticism, and Theological Exegesis", in M. J. Buss (ed.), Encounter with the Text: Form and History in the Hebrew Bible (Semeia Supplements, 8; Philadelphia, PA: Fortress, 1979) 91-100.

Melugin, R. F., "Recent Form Criticism Revisited in an Age of Reader Response", in M. A. Sweeney – E. Ben-Zvi (eds.), The Changing Face of Form Criticism for the Twenty-First Century (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2003) 46-64.

Muilenburg, J., "Form Criticism and Beyond", JBL 88 (1969) 1-18. Reprinted in P. R. House (ed.), Beyond Form Criticism. Essays in Old Testament Literary Criticism (Sources for Biblical and Theological Study, 2; Winona Lake, IN: Eisenbrauns, 1992) 49-69.

Najman, H., "The Idea of Biblical Genre: From Discourse to Constellation", in J. Penner – K. M. Penner – C. Wassen (eds.), Prayer and Poetry in the Dead Sea Scrolls and Related Literature: Essays in Honor of Eileen Schuller on the Occasion of Her 65th Birthday (STDJ 98; Leiden: Brill, 2012) 307-321.

Newsom, C. A., "Spying Out the Land: A Report from Genology", in R. Troxel – K. Friebel – D. Magary (eds.), Seeking Out the Wisdom of the Ancients: Essays Offered to Honor Michael V. Fox on the Occasion of His Sixty-Fifth Birthday (Winona Lake, IN: Eisenbrauns, 2005) 437-450. Reprinted [same title] in R. Boer (ed.), Bakhtin and Genre Theory in Biblical Studies (Semeia Studies, 63; Atlanta, GA: Society of Biblical Literature, 2007) 19-30. Reprinted again in C. A. Newsom, Rhetoric and Hermeneutics: Approaches to Text, Tradition and Social Construction in Biblical and Second Temple Literature (FAT 130; Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, 2019) 55-66.

Richter, W., "Formgeschichte und Sprachwissenschaft", ZAW 82 (1970) 216-225.

Ska, J. L., "Le «Sitz-im-Leben» de Julius Wellhausen, Hermann Gunkel et Gerhard von Rad", in P. Abadie (ed.), Mémoires d'Écriture. Hommage à Pierre Gibert (Le livre et le rouleau, 25; Bruxelles: Lessius, 2006) 187-206.

Stewart, A. C., "Claus Westermann and His Contributions to Biblical Theology and Form Criticism", in S. E. Porter – Z. K. Dawson (eds.), Pillars in the History of Biblical Interpretation, Volume 3: Further Essays on Prevailing Methods (McMaster Biblical Studies Series, 6; Eugene, OR: Pickwick / Wipf & Stock, 2021) 263-284.

Sweeney, M. A., "Form Criticism", in S. L. McKenzie – S. R. Haynes (eds.), To Each Its Own Meaning. An Introduction to Biblical Criticisms and their Application. Revised and expanded second edition (Louisville, KY: Westminster / John Knox, 1999) 58-89. [this replaced a chapter by M. J. Buss in the first edition of 1993: see above]. Reprinted in M. A. Sweeney, Visions of the Holy: Studies in Biblical Theology and Literature (SBLRBS 105; Atlanta, GA: SBL Press, 2023) 21-53.

Verdini, L. A., "El método de la crítica del género en el Antiguo Testamento: Historia de su desarrollo", Revista Bíblica 79 (2017) 43-58.

Vieweger, D., "Exegese des Alten Testaments: Formkritik und Formgeschichte", in S. Kreuzer – D. Vieweger (eds.), Proseminar I – Altes Testament. Ein Arbeitsbuch (Stuttgart: Kohlhammer, 1999) 66-78.

Waldow, H. E. von, "Some Thoughts on Old Testament Form Criticism", in The Society of Biblical Literature One Hundred Seventh Annual Meeting Seminar Papers – 28-31 October 1971, Regency Hyatt House, Atlanta, Ga. Volume II (s.l.: The Society of Biblical Literature, 1971) 587-600.

Westermann, C., "Skizze einer Formgeschichte des Alten Testaments", in C. Westermann, Das mündliche Wort. Erkundungen im Alten Testament. Herausgegeben von R. Landau (Arbeiten zur Theologie, 82; Stuttgart: Calwer Verlag, 1996) 9-49.

III. Online resources