In a fresh, in-depth study of the Ugaritic text often called “The Birth of the Beautiful Gods,” Smith applies the tools of detailed philological analysis and recent theoretical advances in the study of myth and ritual to illuminate this text as a sophisticated, integrated whole. In a series of rituals and myths, “The Feast of the Goodly Gods” captures a ritual moment of cosmic integration between the beneficial deities and the destructive cosmic enemies, in particular the gods after whom the text is named. This important volume not only brings the world of this fascinating Ugaritic text to life, setting it clearly within its royal context, but also provides a model for the integration of philological analysis and contemporary theories especially ritual studies in the interpretation of ancient texts, including the Bible. Up to date, wide-ranging, judicious, and fair, Smith s is a work of mature scholarship. --Saul Olyan, Professor of Judaic Studies and Religious Studies, Brown University The monograph is authoritative - S. spent over four hours looking at one line on the original tablet - and engages extensively with discussion of the relationship between myth and ritual. In contrast with previous interpreters S. denies that there is a sacred marriage within this text. --P.J.WILLIAMS, Journal for the Study of the Old Testament (32/5 [2008]: 195) Smith attacks this text with ... searching philological analyses ... and well-informed use of ritual theory. --Ronald Hendel, Norma and Sam Dabby Professor of Hebrew Bible and Jewish Studies University of California, Berkeley Mark S. Smith, Ph.D. (1985) in Northwest Semitics, Yale University, is Skirball Professor of Bible and Ancient Near Eastern Studies at New York University. He has been a visiting professor at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem and at the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome and has also taught at the École Biblique in Jerusalem, Yale University, and Saint Joseph's University. He is the author of numerous articles and books including The Early History of God (Eerdmans), The Ugaritic Baal Cycle: Volume I (Brill), and The Origins of Biblical Monotheism (Oxford University Press). Used Book in Good Condition