An Introduction to the Old Testament: Sacred Texts and Imperial Contexts of the Hebrew Bible

Offers readers a balanced and informative introduction to the forces that shaped the Old Testament by exploring the emergence of the Hebrew Bible in the broader context of world history.

Provides a historical context for students learning about the development and changing interpretations of biblical texts, empowering them with a richer understanding of the Old Testament

Examines how these early stories were variously shaped by interaction with the Mesopotamian and Egyptian, Assyrian, Babylonian, Persian, and Hellenistic empires

Incorporates recent research on the formation of the Pentateuch – the first introductory textbook of its kind to do so – and reveals how key biblical texts came to be interpreted by Jewish, Christian, and Muslim faiths

Includes numerous student-friendly features, including study questions, review sections, bibliographies, timelines, and illustrations and photos