This detailed account chronicles the history, religion, literature, and culture of the Samaritans of the Israelite religion from the Biblical, Hellenistic, and Early Roman periods through modern times. While the book reviews what archaeological excavations in Middle East reveal about the world of the Samaritans, there is special emphasis on written accounts of the Samaritans in the Old and New testaments and possible Samaritan influence on New Testament writings. Also examined are accounts of the Samaritans in Jewish writings of antiquity, such as the Apocryphal writings, the Dead Sea Scrolls, Deuterocanonical writings, Flavius Josephus, and rabbinic literature. One section is devoted to the Samaritan Pentateuch, and another section is devoted to other Samaritan literature, such as liturgy, folktales, and linguistic writings. The book offers in-depth descriptions of contemporary Samaritan rituals and customs surrounding holidays, feast days, prayer, music, and art. The book includes contemporary b&w photos. Annotation 2016 Ringgold, Inc., Portland, OR (protoview.com)
