In this collection of essays-many of them here published in English for the first time-the distinguished Norwegian Old Testament scholar, Magne S3/4b°, investigates the complex and variegated history of traditions constituting the literature of the Old Testament. Professor S3/4b° provides tradition-historical studies of particular texts (such as the 'revelation' of God's name in Exodus and passages presenting the early preaching of Isaiah) and of particular theological themes (such as the priestly theology in the Pentateuch and the relation of apocalyptic to prophecy and wisdom), as well as more wide-ranging considerations of the significance of tradition history in Old Testament studies. The focus is on the diverse and creative development of the traditions, and on the final transition from pluriformity to canonical unity.