This work adopts the direction of the Hebrew script as a metaphor for the cultural transformation involved in every act of biblical interpretation. It is a concern that has been evident in much of the work of David Clines, to whom this volume was presented on his 65th birthday. Clines, who has been associated with the Department of Biblical Studies in the University of Sheffield for the whole of his scholarly career, and who was one of the founders and directors of Sheffield Academic Press for 25 years. The volume includes thirty-seven essays from established scholars around the world, covering topics including the Pentateuch prophecy, wisdom, ancient Israelite history, Greek tragedy and the ideology of biblical scholarship.