Download Old Testament Legends by M. R. James. Apocryphal and folkloric retellings of Biblical stories. Available in PDF, EPUB, and MOBI formats.
Old Testament Legends Summary
Old Testament Legends by M. R. James is a collection of apocryphal and folkloric retellings of stories from the Hebrew Bible. From the infancy of Moses to the mysterious tale of the death of Adam, James reinterprets these ancient narratives with his scholarly grace and storytelling subtlety, offering readers a glimpse into religious traditions shaped by centuries of oral history.
Old Testament Legends Excerpt
Short Summary: These tales bring to life early legends of Biblical figures—like Abraham, Moses, and Adam—with a blend of reverence and mythic imagination, grounded in apocryphal texts and medieval Christian lore.
"And so it was told that when Adam died, his son Seth journeyed to the gates of Paradise to ask for the oil of mercy. But the angel at the gate spoke thus: ‘Not yet, Seth, not yet. The oil shall be given—but not in thy time.’"
In another tale, the infant Moses is said to speak wisdom beyond his years, watched over by angels and spared from Pharaoh’s wrath by divine intervention.
With each legend, M. R. James invites the reader to reflect not only on faith, but on the way stories echo across generations, shifting and surviving through mystery and devotion.
