Shimon Bar-Efrat

Shimon Bar-Efrat was an Israeli Old Testament scholar. He was Head of Biblical Studies at the Hebrew University Secondary School in Jerusalem, and is best known for his book, Narrative Art in the Bible, in which he "provides a catalogue of literary techniques and devices found in Old Testament narratives." Jeffrey Staley suggests that, along with Robert Alter, Adele Berlin, and Meir Sternberg, Bar-Efrat is a master of "leading the reader through the sudden twists and sharp turns, the steep ridges and dizzying drop-offs that make up the art of ancient Hebrew characterization."