An Introduction to the Old Testament

This comprehensive, introductory textbook is unique in exploringthe emergence of the Hebrew Bible in the broader context of worldhistory. It particularly focuses on the influence of pre-Romanempires, empowering students with a richer understanding of OldTestament historiography. * Provides a historical context for students learning about thedevelopment and changing interpretations of biblical texts * Examines how these early stories were variously shaped byinteraction with the Mesopotamian and Egyptian, Assyrian,Babylonian, Persian, and Hellenistic empires * Incorporates recent research on the formation of thePentateuch * Reveals how key biblical texts came to be interpreted byJewish, Christian, and Muslim faiths * Includes numerous student-friendly features, such as studyquestions, review sections, bibliographies, timelines, andillustrations and photos