ISSN 1010-9919 printed version
ISSN 2312-3621 online version

INSTRUCTIONS TO AUTHORS

• Guidelines for contribution
• Bibliographical Style (Referencing)

Each submission is peer reviewed by at least two scholars who are informed by the related field of the article. In some instances (i.e. where the reviewers' recommendation excludes each other) a third peer reviewer will be requested to provide input. The peer reviewers' recommendation is final.

OTE publishes articles in Afrikaans, English, Dutch, French, and German as well as any other indigenous language of South Africa. Each non–English article should be accompanied by an English abstract.

GUIDELINES FOR CONTRIBUTIONS:

1. Articles: Articles should be submitted to the Editor at the following ramanh@unisa.ac.za in the electronic format that is required by OTE (see below). These submissions will them be forwarded to the Article Editor for the purposes of blind peer–reviewing. On reception of the reviews the author will be notified by the Editor whether the article has been accepted or not, and whether suggestions regarding changes to the article is mandatory.
2. Books and book reviews: Books should be sent to the Review Editor, OTE, Prof Willem Boshoff, Department of Old Testament and Ancient Near Eastern Studies, PO Box 392, Unisa, 0003, Republic of South Africa. Book reviews should be sent in an electronic format that is required by OTE to boshows@unisa.ac.za.

Appraisal of articles
Authors should submit an electronic copy (preferably in MS Word) and (if requested) one paper copy of the article or possibly another electronic copy, in PDF. Reviews should be presented in the language of the book being reviewed, but English is acceptable for works published in German, French or other modern languages. Each article must be accompanied by an English abstract. All articles will be evaluated by two scholars from a panel of adjudicators. The final decision about publication of an article rests with the editors.

Articles are reviewed according to the following criteria:

1. Subject and Title:
   The subject is relevant for the field of study of the OT
   The title provides a good description of the contents
2. Design
   The presentation is logical, systematic, and interesting
   The length of the article is acceptable
3. Review of Literature (consulted works)
   The consulted works represent a good scholarly standard
   The consulted works are approached critically
   The consulted works are representative for a study of this nature
4. Scholarly Merit
   The author clearly defines the research problem, aims, objectives, or hypotheses
   Research procedures, techniques and methods are clearly spelled out
   The conclusions are valid and meaningful for the discipline
5. Presentation
   The style of writing is academic, not informal or too personal
   The submission was edited properly and contains almost no language or typing errors
   The list of sources is well–structured and complete
   The style is compatible with that of OTE
6. Abstract
   The abstract provides the necessary and relevant information about the contents

Submissions
Contributions should be sent to the Editor at ramanh@unisa.ac.za. Books for review should be sent to the Review Editor OTE, Prof W. S. Boshoff, Department of Old Testament, P.O. Box 392, UNISA, Pretoria 0003, RSA : boshows@unisa.ac.za

Page Fees
Publication fees are payable, with the reservation that authors not attached to a South–African university may be exempted from this obligation. Accounts at current rates are sent to contributors.

• In terms of footnotes and bibliographical references, the style followed by OTE is based on the SBL Handbook of Style (see http://www.sbl-site.org/publications/publishingwithsbl.aspx) which follows the Chicago Manual of Style.
• Authors are also required to compile a bibliography at the end of the article.
• Articles should not have an author: date reference in the article, but a footnote with the bibliographical reference.
• Submissions that do not comply with these standards may not be considered for evaluation.
• Keep in mind that a font size of 13 (Times New Roman) is used for the final prints of articles (12 points for footnotes and the bibliography).
• All figures, photographs and other graphic representations originating from other printed matter must be accompanied by the necessary permission for reproduction in OTE and should be acknowledged accordingly.
• Drawings, analyses and other figures should be presented in final form, ready for publication.
• The electronic copy should be in MS Word, 13 pt for main text and 12 pt for footnotes and bibliography. Page size = A4. Hebrew and Greek script: preferably the SBL fonts.

Notes on referencing

i. First reference in footnote:

Note that article titles and book titles follows the title case for substantives, adjectives, verbs and adverbs.
Note the comma after the name.
Subtitles are indicated by a colon (:)
Note that first names are used and in the footnote they are mentioned first. One first name is enough. The second name is abbreviated by an initial. Editors and translators also require first names.

Book:
¹⁵ James L. Crenshaw, Ecclesiastes: A Commentary (Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1987), 178.

Essay in book:
¹⁵ Jean–Jaques Lavoie, "'Laisse Aller ton Pain sur la Surface des Eaux' Étude Qohélet 11,2," in The Language of Qohelet in its Context (ed. Angelika Berlejung and Pierre Van Hecke; Leuven: Peeters, 2007), 75.

Note the difference with a reference to a book with more than one editor. In a reference to an essay in a book, the author of the essay is different from the editors. In an edited book, the editors are also the authors of the different chapters in the book.

Article in Journal:
¹⁵ Willy Staerk, “Zur Exegese von Koh 10:20 und 11:1,” ZAW 59 (1942/43): 217.

Article in Dictionary:
¹⁵ Wolfgang G. Müller, “Ironie,” Reallexikon der deutschen Literaturwissenschaft 2: 185.

Book in a series (series not mentioned in footnote but in bibliography at end of article):
¹⁵ Carl Heinz Ratschow, Werden und Wirken: Eine Untersuchung des Wortes hajah als Beitrag zur Wirklichkeitserfassung des Alten Testamentes (Berlin: Töpelmann, 1941), 35.

Unpublished thesis and dissertation:
¹⁵ Natashia C. Van der Merwe, “The Identification of Whole and Unwhole Bodies in the Book of Judges.” (DLitt et Phil thesis, University of Johannesburg), 2009.

Paper at a conference:
¹⁵ David A. Bainbridge, “Use of Acorns for Food in California: Past, Present, Future. Presented at the Symposium on Multiple–use Management of California's Hardwoods, November 12–14. (San Luis Obispo, California, 1986). http://www.ecocomposite.org/native/UseOfAcornsForFoodInCalifornia .docBainbridge 1986).

If the paper is without an electronic version, the following is suitable:

¹⁵ David A. Bainbridge, “Use of Acorns for Food in California: Past, Present, Future. Presented at the Symposium on Multiple–use Management of California's Hardwoods, November 12–14. (San Luis Obispo, California, 1986), 1–17.

Internet article/ electronic version without a print counterpart:
¹⁵ Greg Neyman, “Biblical Interpretation and Theology: Creation Science and Genesis 1. Answers in Creation,” n.p. [cited 2 November 2008]. Online: http://www.answersincreation.org/genesis1.htm.
Note that URL addresses are never hyphenated at the end of a line and should be divided before the “dot” at the end of a line. Note that square brackets are used.

Internet dictionary:
¹⁵ David Wong, “Comparative Philosophy: Chinese and Western,” The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Winter 2009 Edition), n. p. [cited 18 February 2010], (ed. Edward N. Zalta). Online: http://plato.stanford.edu /archives/win2009/entries/comparphil–chiwes.

Wikipedia:
¹⁵ Wikipedia contributors, “Explication,” n.p. [cited 18 February 2010]. Online: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Explication&oldid=298838610.

Websites: ¹⁵ 2008 International Meeting, Program Units, “Congresses,” Society of Biblical Literature [cited 2 February 2010]. Online: http://www.sbl-site.org/meetings/Congresses_Program Units.aspx?MeetingId=13.

¹⁵ Barbara O’Brien, “Atheism and Devotion in Buddhism,” n.p. About.com: Buddhism [cited 17 May 2010]. Online: http://buddhism.about.com/od/ basicbuddhistteachings/a/buddhaatheism.htm.

CD Rom (i.e. Logos)
¹⁵ Duane F. Watson, “False Apostles,” n.p., ABD on CD–ROM. Version 2.0c. 1995, 1996.

Translated work:
¹⁵ Claus Westermann, Genesis 1–11: A Commentary (trans. John J. Scullion; Minneapolis: Augsburg Publishing House, 1984), 184.

Work with one or more editor:
¹⁵ Haroon Bhorat & Ravi Kanbur, eds., Poverty and Policy in Post–apartheid South Africa (Cape Town: HSRC Press, 2006), 23. [For one editor, the following is used: ed.,].

A revised edition:
¹⁵ Hans–Joachim Kraus, Psalmen 64–150 (4th ed.; Neukirchen: Neukirchener Verlag, 1972), 571. Take note: if the article is in English, the footnote should also be, hence 4th. ed. and not 4. Aufl.

ii. Subsequent references in footnotes if sources are referred to more than once:

Name, comma, abbreviated name of article or book, comma, page number.

Book:
¹⁵ Crenshaw, Ecclesiastes, 178.

Essay in book:
¹⁵ Lavoie, “Étude Qohélet 11,2,” 75.

Article in Journal:
¹⁵ Staerk, “Koh 10:20 und 11:1,” 217.

Article in Dictionary:
¹⁵ Müller, “Ironie,” 2: 185.

Book in a series:
¹⁵ Ratschow, Werden und Wirken, 35.

Unpublished Thesis and dissertation: ¹⁵ Van der Merwe, “Whole and Unwhole Bodies”, 200.

Paper at conference:
¹⁵ Bainbridge, “Use of Acorns for Food in California,” n. p.

Or

¹⁵ Bainbridge, “Use of Acorns for Food in California, 4.

Internet article / electronic version without a print counterpart:
¹⁵ Neyman, “Creation Science and Genesis 1,” http://www.answersincreation .org/genesis1.htm.

Internet dictionary:
¹⁵ David Wong, “Comparative Philosophy: Chinese and Western,” http://plato.stanford.edu/archives /win2009 /entries/comparphil–chiwes.

Wikipedia:
¹⁵ Wikipedia contributors, “Explication,” http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php ?title=Explication&oldid=298838610.

Websites:
¹⁵ 2008 International Meeting, “Congresses,” http://www.sbl–site.org/meetings/Congresses_Program Units.aspx?MeetingId=13.

CD Rom (i.e. Logos):
¹⁵ Watson, “False Apostles,” n.p.

Translated work:
¹⁵ Westermann, Genesis 1–11, 87.

Work with one or more editor:
¹⁵ Bhorat & Kanbur, Poverty and Policy, 23.
[For one editor, the following is used: ed.].

A revised edition:
¹⁵ Kraus, Psalmen 64–150, 571.

Note the comma after the name.

iii. Reference in bibliography at end of article

Book:
Crenshaw, James L. Ecclesiastes: A Commentary. Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1987.

Essay in book:
Lavoie, Jean–Jaques. “ ‘Laisse Aller ton Pain sur la Surface des Eaux’ Étude Qohélet 11,2.” Pages 75–90 in The Language of Qohelet in its Context. Edited by Angelika Berlejung and Pierre Van Hecke, Leuven: Peeters, 2007.

Note the page reference.

Article in Journal:
Staerk, Willy. “Zur Exegese von Koh 10:20 und 11:1.” ZAW 59 (1942/43): 216–218.

Article in Dictionary:
Müller, Wolfgang G. “Ironie,” Pages 184–189 in vol. 2 of Reallexikon der deutschen Literaturwissenschaft. Edited by Harald Fricke. 36 vols. Berlin & New York: Walter de Gruyter, 2007.

Book in a series:
Ratschow, Carl. H. Werden und Wirken: Eine Untersuchung des Wortes hajah als Beitrag zur Wirklichkeitserfassung des Alten Testamentes. BZAW 70. Berlin: Töpelmann, 1941.

Unpublished thesis and dissertation:
Van der Merwe, Natashia C. “The Identification of Whole and Unwhole Bodies in the Book of Judges.” DLitt et Phil thesis, University of Johannesburg, 2009.

Paper at a conference:
Bainbridge, David A. Use of Acorns for Food in California: Past, Present, Future. Paper presented at the Symposium on Multiple–use Management of California’s Hardwoods, San Luis Obispo, California, November 12–14, 1986. Cited 2 November 2010. Online: http://www.ecocomposite .org/native/UseOfAcornsForFoodInCalifornia.doc

Or Bainbridge, David A. Use of Acorns for Food in California: Past, Present, Future. Paper presented at the Symposium on Multiple–use Management of California’s Hardwoods, San Luis Obispo, California, November 12–14, 1986.

Internet article / electronic version without a print counterpart: Neyman, Greg. “Biblical Interpretation and Theology: Creation Science and Genesis 1. Answers in Creation.” No Pages. Cited 2 November 2008. Online: http://www.answersincreation.org/genesis1.htm. Wikipedia contributors. “Explication.” No Pages. Cited 19 February 2010. Online: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Explication&oldid =298838610.

Internet dictionary:
Wong, David. “Comparative Philosophy: Chinese and Western.” No Pages in The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Winter 2009 Edition). Edited by Edward N. Zalta. Cited 10 February 2010. Online: http://plato.stanford .edu/archives/win2009/entries/comparphil–chiwes.

Websites:
2008 International Meeting, Program Units, “Congresses,” Society of Biblical Literature. Cited 2 February 2010. Online: http://www.sbl-site.org/meetings /Congresses_Program Units.aspx?MeetingId=13.

CD Rom (i.e. Logos):
Watson, Duane F. “False Apostles.” The Anchor Bible Dictionary on CD–ROM.Logos Library System Version 2.0c. 1995, 1996. Print ed.: David Noel Freedman, ed. Anchor Bible Dictionary. 6 vols. New York: Doubleday, 1992.

Translated work:
Westermann, Claus. Genesis 1–11: A commentary. Translated by John J. Scullion. Minneapolis: Augsburg Publishing House, 1984.

Work with one or more editor:
Bhorat, Haroon & Ravi Kanbur, eds., Poverty and Policy in Post–apartheid South Africa. Cape Town: HSRC Press, 2006.

Note the full stop after the name in the above examples EXCEPT the one with the editors, where a comma is needed. Also note that the word order for the second editor is different: name + surname.

A revised edition:
Kraus, Hans–Joachim. Psalmen 64–150. 4th ed. Neukirchen: Neukirchener Verlag, 1972.

The following are in small caps:

YHWH
Version of translations: NRSV, etc
B.C.E. OR B.C. / A.D. / C.E.
Take note that if B.C.E. OR B.C. / A.D. / C.E. are at the end of a sentence an extra period is required to indicate the end of the sentence: B.C.E..

Stems in Hebrew:
The stems in Hebrew are written in italics without the first letter capitalised. Note the use of the single start quotation mark ‘ to indicate the ’ayin:

qal	pu’al	hitpa’el
nip’al	hip’il
pi’el	hop’al

Emphasising in a citation:
When citing someone else and you need to emphasise certain words, italicise the words emphasised and add after the citation in square brackets the following: [My emphasis, Your Initials]

For example:

Beyond these references to literal roads and journeys ...the image of the path or way embodies a profound reflection on fundamental ethical themes, the conduct of God and humanity, and the character of God’s salvation.¹⁵ [My emphasis, A. B.]

Note that the citation is rounded off with a period after which reference to the emphasis is stated. Also note the position of the footnote reference.