Prefaces are traditionally used by authors and editors to express their gratitude to individuals and institutions which have encouraged and supported their research. In keeping with that tradition, the contributors wish to thank our various institutions for their support of this project. In addition, we are grateful to Professor David E. Aune for accepting this volume for publication in the Society of Biblical Literature Resources for Biblical Study Series. As editor of this volume, it is not only my privilege to thank my fellow contributors for their essays but also my obligation to apologize to them and to the Society for the inordinate delay in the publication of this volume.