Franz Delitzsch's lectures in 1902 and 1903 set off the Babel-Bible controversy, which rocked Europe and North America. In this searing critique of Delitzsch, Gunkel provides his own analysis of the relationship between ancient Israel and Babylon. In this edition, Gunkel's original work is newly translated, with a new Foreword, notes, bibliographies, and indexes. Besides correcting the syntactical and stylistic deficiencies of the original English translation, Hanson's main concern is to promote the enduring relevance of Gunkel's scholarship. Given the accessibility of his translation, the helpful organization of references, and the concise contextualization in his foreword, he has certainly met this goal.[...] We must thank Hanson for bringing back one of the great figures of OT scholarship, and we must thank Gunkel for reminding us that comparative study which exchanges the virtues of balance, honesty, and literary competence for the vice of public renown is detrimental for the state of scholarship and the life of the Church. (Samuel Hildebrandt, School of Divinity, University of Edinburgh The Expository Times, Vol. 125, No.6, March 2014 ) Gunkel (1862-1932) succeeded Carl Cornhill in 1920 in the coveted Chair of Old Testament at the University of Halle. This book is the opening section of his monumental 'Commentary on Genesis'.