Just as the concept of jubilee has been interpreted differently in various modern contexts, says Bergsma (theology, Franciscan U. of Steubenville, Ohio), so it was during biblical times. He surveys the history of its reinterpretation as a legal, ethical, chronological, and messianic concept from the roots of the jubilee year in ancient Near Eastern law and practice through its original formulation in pre-exilic Israel and its various re-uses in the Hebrew Bible, Second Temple literature, and Qumran writings. He does not consider New Testament texts. Annotation ©2007 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)