The essays in this volume were fi rst delivered as papers at the Alexander von Humboldt-Stiftung Kolleg "Syro-Palestinian Religions and the Hebrew Bible" that was presented at the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Studies from 4-5 November 2005. The aim of the Kolleg was to bring together prominent German scholars and South African and other African scholars to discuss major issues in the present debate on the interface between Syro-Palestinian religions and the study of the Hebrew Bible. Different perspectives were offered and a variety of methodologies were applied in reading and interpreting the ancient sources, including texts and material sources.Table of contents: (9 contributions)I. Cornelius, From Ebla to StellenboschH. Niehr, Phoenician Cults in Palestine after 586 B.C.E.C. Frevel, Gifts to the Gods? Votives as Communication Markers in Sanctuaries and other Places in the Bronze and Iron Ages in Palestine/IsraelJ.S. du Toit, "These loving fathers": Infanticide and the Politics of MemoryA. Basson, Death as Deliverance in Job 3:11-26E. Blum, Israels Prophetie im altorientalischen Kontext. Anmerkungen zu neueren religionsgeschichtlichen Thesen