--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It would be hard to find a more…" description: "\"It would be hard to find a more influential book of Biblical studies than his Canaanite Myth and Hebrew Epic [1973].\" — Hershel Shanks" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a2f/hershel-shanks-25800_biblical_it-would-be-hard-to-find-a-more-influent_3066206.jpg" --- # It would be hard to find a more influential book of… ![“It would be hard to find a more influential book of Biblical studies than his Canaanite Myth and Hebrew Epic [1973].” quote by Hershel Shanks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a2f/hershel-shanks-25800_biblical_it-would-be-hard-to-find-a-more-influent_3066206.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a2f/hershel-shanks-25800_biblical_it-would-be-hard-to-find-a-more-influent_3066206.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a2f/hershel-shanks-25800_biblical_it-would-be-hard-to-find-a-more-influent_3066206.jpg) > “It would be hard to find a more influential book of Biblical studies than his Canaanite Myth and Hebrew Epic \[1973\].” [Hershel Shanks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hershel-shanks/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Highlights the significance of “Canaanite Myth and Hebrew Epic” as a pivotal work in biblical scholarship. **In simple terms:** Key biblical study book. Key Takeaway Read for deeper biblical insight. Themes religion history scholarship Mood academic thoughtful Type scholarly informative When to use this quote - theology courses - religious studies - historical research Key Concepts mythology ancient texts interpretation Questions to Reflect On - How does this book reshape biblical narratives? - What are its scholarly criticisms? A Different Perspective May reflect author’s bias. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Biblical](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/biblical/) [Biblical Studies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/biblical-studies-1163774/) [Book](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/book/) [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Canaanite Myth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/canaanite-myth-5165680/) [Epic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/epic/) [Hard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hard/) [Hebrew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hebrew/) [Hebrew Epic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hebrew-epic-5165679/) [Influential](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/influential/) [Influential Book](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/influential-book-1911432/) [Myth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/myth/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Studies Canaanite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/studies-canaanite-5165681/) [Study](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/study/) [Would be](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/would-be/) ## Related quotes > [Frank Moore Cross is also a leading Dead Sea Scrolls scholar, which he's been since they were discovered more than 50 years ago. He's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hershel-shanks/frank-moore-cross-is-also-a-leading-dead-sea-scrolls-scholar-which-he/) [Hershel Shanks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hershel-shanks/) > [“The gospel of Jesus points us and indeed urges us to be at the leading edge of the whole culture, articulating in story and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-t-wright/the-gospel-of-jesus-points-us-and-indeed-urges-us-to-be-at-the/) [N.T. Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/n-t-wright/) > [“Therefore, the task of all Christian scholarship- not just biblical studies- is to study reality as a manifestation of God’s glory, to speak and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/therefore-the-task-of-all-christian-scholarship-not-just-biblical/) [John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/) > [“In my own academic field, it is much easier to get a doctorate in biblical studies if you do a relentlessly left-brain analysis of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-t-wright/in-my-own-academic-field-it-is-much-easier-to-get-a-doctorate-in/) [N.T. Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/n-t-wright/) > [Long before I was a writer, when I was just a haphazard reader and a dreamer of stories, I learnt about an influential book…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-o-hagan/long-before-i-was-a-writer-when-i-was-just-a-haphazard-reader-and-a/) [Andrew O'Hagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-o-hagan/) > [I grew up as a fan of the original Star Trek series. When I was in middle school, I think in the 6th grade,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-d-moore/i-grew-up-as-a-fan-of-the-original-star-trek-series-when-i-was-in/) [Ronald D. Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-d-moore/) > [Darwin's book, On the Origin of Species, was published in 1859. It is perhaps the most influential book that has ever been published, because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-lipson/darwin-s-book-on-the-origin-of-species-was-published-in-1859-it-is/) [Henry Lipson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-lipson/) > [It is possible to argue that the really influential book is not that which converts ten millions of casual readers, but rather that which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/it-is-possible-to-argue-that-the-really-influential-book-is-not-that/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [Reading was such a formative part of my childhood (along with 'Loony Tunes'), that it is difficult to pin point the most influential book.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-marie-macdonald/reading-was-such-a-formative-part-of-my-childhood-along-with-loony/) [Ann-Marie MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-marie-macdonald/) > [For 35 years, Frank Cross held one of the most prestigious chairs in academia: the Hancock Professor of Hebrew and Other Oriental Languages at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hershel-shanks/for-35-years-frank-cross-held-one-of-the-most-prestigious-chairs-in/) [Hershel Shanks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hershel-shanks/) > [At McCormick Theological Seminary I had to take Hebrew, so I began to read prophetic poetry, and suddenly it became the life I wanted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hershel-shanks/at-mccormick-theological-seminary-i-had-to-take-hebrew-so-i-began-to/) [Hershel Shanks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hershel-shanks/) > [ \[My father was \] Presbyterian \[minister\]. But I did not take the Bible seriously until I was forced to take Hebrew at McCormick Theological Seminary. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hershel-shanks/my-father-was-presbyterian-minister-but-i-did-not-take-the-bible/) [Hershel Shanks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hershel-shanks/) > [When members unite with the church, they should not only make a profession of faith in Christ (that is essential), but in light of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-adams/when-members-unite-with-the-church-they-should-not-only-make-a/) [Jay Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-adams/) > [You should do what we do, stack chips like Hebrews.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/puff-daddy/you-should-do-what-we-do-stack-chips-like-hebrews/) [Puff Daddy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/puff-daddy/) > [“There have been various attempts to reconstruct the vocalization and pronunciation of classical biblical Hebrew, which certainly differs considerably from that established by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angel-s-enz-badillos/there-have-been-various-attempts-to-reconstruct-the-vocalization-and/) [Angel Sáenz-Badillos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angel-s-enz-badillos/) ## More by Hershel Shanks > [ We differ \[with Frank Moore Cross\] simply because of our differing backgrounds. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hershel-shanks/we-differ-with-frank-moore-cross-simply-because-of-our-differing/) [Hershel Shanks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hershel-shanks/) > [The Bible is a book that has shaped my life, my beliefs, my ethics, my moral concerns, my religious outlook. This is not something,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hershel-shanks/the-bible-is-a-book-that-has-shaped-my-life-my-beliefs-my-ethics-my/) [Hershel Shanks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hershel-shanks/) > [ I know that the Bible has been a central influence in \[Elie Wiesel and Frank Moore Cross\] lives - but in a very different… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hershel-shanks/i-know-that-the-bible-has-been-a-central-influence-in-elie-wiesel-and/) [Hershel Shanks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hershel-shanks/) > [I think that there are these two very different sides to my relation to the Bible: one, my professional life; the other, a more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hershel-shanks/i-think-that-there-are-these-two-very-different-sides-to-my-relation/) [Hershel Shanks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hershel-shanks/) > [ As long as I'm giving a little hype, I can't resist saying that Elie \[Wiesel\] has also written a number of pieces for Bible… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hershel-shanks/as-long-as-i-m-giving-a-little-hype-i-can-t-resist-saying-that-elie/) [Hershel Shanks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hershel-shanks/) > [Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1986, Elie Wiesel is also the author of more than 40 books. As relevant as anything to today's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hershel-shanks/awarded-the-nobel-peace-prize-in-1986-elie-wiesel-is-also-the-author/) [Hershel Shanks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hershel-shanks/) > [Frank Moore Cross is also a leading Dead Sea Scrolls scholar, which he's been since they were discovered more than 50 years ago. He's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hershel-shanks/frank-moore-cross-is-also-a-leading-dead-sea-scrolls-scholar-which-he/) [Hershel Shanks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hershel-shanks/) > [In my work, I attempt to deal with the Bible as I would deal with any work of literature.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hershel-shanks/in-my-work-i-attempt-to-deal-with-the-bible-as-i-would-deal-with-any/) [Hershel Shanks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hershel-shanks/) > [I think that there is a certain schizophrenic aspect to my own relation to the Bible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hershel-shanks/i-think-that-there-is-a-certain-schizophrenic-aspect-to-my-own/) [Hershel Shanks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hershel-shanks/) > [I've been on a faculty in a university, and I felt it was incumbent on me to deal with the Bible not as something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hershel-shanks/i-ve-been-on-a-faculty-in-a-university-and-i-felt-it-was-incumbent-on/) [Hershel Shanks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hershel-shanks/) > [At McCormick Theological Seminary I had to take Hebrew, so I began to read prophetic poetry, and suddenly it became the life I wanted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hershel-shanks/at-mccormick-theological-seminary-i-had-to-take-hebrew-so-i-began-to/) [Hershel Shanks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hershel-shanks/) > [For 35 years, Frank Cross held one of the most prestigious chairs in academia: the Hancock Professor of Hebrew and Other Oriental Languages at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hershel-shanks/for-35-years-frank-cross-held-one-of-the-most-prestigious-chairs-in/) [Hershel Shanks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hershel-shanks/) > [Most of my professional work has been in these areas - as a historical critic, as a literary critic. I've done very little in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hershel-shanks/most-of-my-professional-work-has-been-in-these-areas-as-a-historical/) [Hershel Shanks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hershel-shanks/) > [To treat the history of Israel as I would treat the history of England or Russia or China; that is, an attempt at a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hershel-shanks/to-treat-the-history-of-israel-as-i-would-treat-the-history-of/) [Hershel Shanks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hershel-shanks/) > [Elie Wiesel has for years served as the moral compass of the civilized world. For many of us, including me, he has defined the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hershel-shanks/elie-wiesel-has-for-years-served-as-the-moral-compass-of-the/) [Hershel Shanks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hershel-shanks/) [Explore all 22 Hershel Shanks quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hershel-shanks/) ## More Biblical quotes > [The Louvre! The Louvre has me in its clutches. Every time I'm there rich blessings rain down upon me. I am coming to understand…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-modersohn-becker/the-louvre-the-louvre-has-me-in-its-clutches-every-time-i-m-there/) [Paula Modersohn-Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-modersohn-becker/) > [“Richard Dawkins regards faith as an evil to be eliminated; he takes all religious faith to be blind faith. (Dawkins says) ‘Scientific belief is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lennox/richard-dawkins-regards-faith-as-an-evil-to-be-eliminated-he-takes/) [John Lennox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lennox/) > [ The fall \[of your soul\] from perfection into duality...was naturally followed by the discovery of the duality of good and evil...This is the Biblical… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-campbell/the-fall-of-your-soul-from-perfection-into-duality-was-naturally/) [Joseph Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-campbell/) > [Even Superman's name reflects his creators' biblical knowledge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-feiler/even-superman-s-name-reflects-his-creators-biblical-knowledge/) [Bruce Feiler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-feiler/) > [“And I pray mark how he begins: he sets not up trophies to himself, but triumphs in his God-- "I will love thee, O…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-steele/and-i-pray-mark-how-he-begins-he-sets-not-up-trophies-to-himself-but/) [Richard Steele](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-steele/) > [Scripture is not inerrant; believers are called to interpret biblical texts in light of tradition and reason.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-meacham/scripture-is-not-inerrant-believers-are-called-to-interpret-biblical/) [Jon Meacham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-meacham/) > [“The Bible isn’t a list of requirements; rather, it’s a list of results after experiencing God’s love. Following God isn’t an action but a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-haas/the-bible-isn-t-a-list-of-requirements-rather-it-s-a-list-of-results/) [Peter Haas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-haas/) > [I portray myself as wicked, hoping I will not be regarded as wicked. But I may be wicked in the biblical sense](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/errol-flynn/i-portray-myself-as-wicked-hoping-i-will-not-be-regarded-as-wicked/) [Errol Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/errol-flynn/) > [ \[John Calvin's\] treatment of the person and work of Christ, of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer, of prayer and liturgy,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-d-crisp/john-calvin-s-treatment-of-the-person-and-work-of-christ-of-the-holy/) [Oliver D. Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-d-crisp/) > [If I had to choose between the two ways of approaching the deity, I should prefer the existential relational way, to the abstract philosophical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-moore-cross/if-i-had-to-choose-between-the-two-ways-of-approaching-the-deity-i/) [Frank Moore Cross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-moore-cross/) > [We have used the Bible as if it was a mere special constable's handbook — an opium-dose for keeping beasts of burden patient while…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-kingsley/we-have-used-the-bible-as-if-it-was-a-mere-special-constable-s/) [Charles Kingsley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-kingsley/) > [Mother's Day is among the most appropriate to reflect on the true meaning of love. -I Corinthians 13:4-7](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bible/mother-s-day-is-among-the-most-appropriate-to-reflect-on-the-true/) [Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bible/) > [ The words 'God is love' conclude a biblical warning, not a warm and fuzzy slogan. 'He who doesn't love \[his neighbor\] doesn't love God,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mel-white/the-words-god-is-love-conclude-a-biblical-warning-not-a-warm-and/) [Mel White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mel-white/) > [The overall way of thinking in the United States has shifted away from basic Biblical values, and the media share in the responsibility for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-schaeffer/the-overall-way-of-thinking-in-the-united-states-has-shifted-away/) [Francis Schaeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-schaeffer/) > [I want you to just let a wave of intolerance wash over you. I want you to let a wave of hatred wash over…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randall-terry/i-want-you-to-just-let-a-wave-of-intolerance-wash-over-you-i-want-you/) [Randall Terry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randall-terry/) [Browse all 714 Biblical quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/biblical/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It would be hard to find a more influential book of Biblical studies than his Canaanite Myth and Hebrew Epic [1973].", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Hershel Shanks" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hershel-shanks/it-would-be-hard-to-find-a-more-influential-book-of-biblical-studies/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Biblical" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hershel-shanks/it-would-be-hard-to-find-a-more-influential-book-of-biblical-studies/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a2f/hershel-shanks-25800_biblical_it-would-be-hard-to-find-a-more-influent_3066206.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a2f/hershel-shanks-25800_biblical_it-would-be-hard-to-find-a-more-influent_3066206.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a2f/hershel-shanks-25800_biblical_it-would-be-hard-to-find-a-more-influent_3066206.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It would be hard to find a more influential book of Biblical studies than his Canaanite Myth and Hebrew Epic…” — Hershel Shanks", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Hershel Shanks", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hershel-shanks/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "It would be hard to find...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hershel-shanks/it-would-be-hard-to-find-a-more-influential-book-of-biblical-studies/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hershel-shanks/it-would-be-hard-to-find-a-more-influential-book-of-biblical-studies/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```