Embarking on a journey through the Old Testament can be truly transformative. It offers profound insights into the intricate tapestry of biblical history, and delving into its cultural and historical context not only enriches our understanding of the original people of God but also deepens our experience with God’s timeless truths. However, the ancient Hebrew culture and the societies of the Ancient Near East differ significantly from our modern world, which can sometimes lead to misunderstandings regarding what exactly is going on when we read the First Testament.
In such moments, trusted resources become our best friends.
In this article, I’ll share my personal experiences with five exceptional books that serve as indispensable guides to the captivating world of the Old Testament. These books skillfully weave together the threads of biblical history in an engaging and enlightening manner. My goal is to assist you in making sense of the sacred texts of Israel, which Christianity has embraced within our canon. Whether you’re seeking to aid someone in your life who struggles to comprehend anything before the book of Matthew or if you find yourself in that position, consider exploring these insightful books on the background of the Old Testament.
But before we get to the books, why would we want to do all this research?
Why the Context of the Old Testament Matters for Bible Study
Understanding the cultural and historical context of the Old Testament is very useful for personal Bible study and when preparing to teach a Bible class at church. This contextual awareness serves as a crucial foundation for interpreting ancient texts accurately. For personal Bible study, it enhances our ability to grasp the nuances, metaphors, and historical references embedded in the text, allowing us to glean deeper spiritual insights. When teaching a Bible class at church, this knowledge empowers us to guide our congregation or students with greater clarity, ensuring that the messages from the Old Testament resonate authentically and profoundly. By delving into the cultural and historical backdrop, we not only bridge the gap between ancient times and our contemporary world but also unlock a richer understanding of the Old Testament’s enduring relevance and its impact on our faith journey.
Best Books on Old Testament Backgrounds
TERMINOLOGY
Real quick, I want to break down what I mean by “reading level” in the following article. Some of these books are written at a more POPULAR level, this book is going to be accessible to anyone and isn’t written just for scholars. Then I have a category called ADVANCED POPULAR because it’s a work I think is accessible to most people but might be a little more technical in some of its content and language. Finally, I have the category ACADEMIC to denote a work that is aimed toward scholars and researchers, usually citing lots of quality sources, and it might contain the original languages.
The Epic of Eden
Subtitle: A Christian Entry into the Old Testament
Author(s): Sandra L. Richter
Reading Level: Popular
This book served as my first college-level introduction to the Old Testament. In The Epic of Eden, Sandra Richter does an amazing job of organizing the whole Old Testament in a way that makes sense. She tracks the story and themes, and along the ride, she gives you helpful facts about the Ancient Near East. Unlike many of the books on this list, Richter’s work is very honest, engaging, and conversational. Yet, she’s definitely a scholar, having earned her Ph.D. from Harvard and having a hand in creating many Old Testament handbooks.
The Epic of Eden is not just a factbook but provides context for the whole story of Scripture. Richter traces God’s grace from Eden and even into the New Testament, showing the reader how God works from the very beginning to bring about salvation. For any Christian nervous about approaching the strange terrain of the Old Testament, this is the right book to put you at ease.
The Meaning of the Bible
Subtitle: What the Jewish Scriptures and Christian Old Testament Can Teach Us
Author(s): Douglas A. Knight & Amy-Jill Levine
Reading Level: Popular
Knight and Levine’s The Meaning of the Bible is a good introduction to the Hebrew Bible. It essentially tracks major themes and stories in Scripture and describes what modern people may have missed. These two professors from Vanderbilt do not interpret the Hebrew Bible in terms of Christian theology but try to understand how the stories, laws, and poems would be understood in their original contexts.
A lot of what they say might be radical or at least new information. Yet, there is certainly value in being challenged! What I got most out of it is its exploration of themes that run throughout the collection, themes like creation and chaos, sexuality, and the nature of God. But it’s also a good introduction to the story of Scripture for those who aren’t as familiar with the major narratives (although they do deviate from strict chronology in many places). Also, The Meaning of the Bible gets points for including helpful maps and discussion on geography so we can understand where the narratives take place!
A Rabbi Reads the Bible
Subtitle: NA
Author(s): Jonathan Magonet
Reading Level: Popular
Unfortunately, Christians too often forget to consult Jews in their reading of the Old Testament (which is just a regular testament for them!). In A Rabbi Reads the Bible, just as the title says, a Rabbi reads and interprets Scripture! The beauty of this work isn’t just the Jewish insight from Rabbi Jonathan Magonet, but that he breaks down familiar passages in new ways and even brings in modern cultural examples (some a little dated now) to the discussion. I love his wit, passion, and playful attitude toward this sacred Scripture while drawing in theology, literary criticism, and even psychoanalysis.
A Rabbi Reads the Bible isn’t an encyclopedic volume that goes through every book, but instead focuses on interpretative methods and ethical highlights. For some reason, Christians label the Old Testament as violent and archaic – maybe even painting God as “evil.” But Magonet finds the ethical threads embroidered in the fabric of Judaism and postures the whole of the Hebrew Bible in a new light. I especially love how in his chapter on the Ten Commandments (what Jews often call the Ten Words), he explains what they mean by looking at the inherent logic in the Ten Rules, showing that the Sabbath and honoring our parents fall at the center for a very good reason. You’ll never read the OT the same again – and you might learn to like Leviticus!
The Social Visions of the Hebrew Bible
Subtitle: A Theological Introduction
Author(s): J. David Pleins
Reading Level: Academic
Pleins’ study of the Hebrew Bible in The Social Visions of the Hebrew Bible focuses on the social ethics present in the diverse books of the canon. He is not concerned with creating some sort of unified theory about what the whole corpus says about people, our obligations to them, and humans’ role in life. Instead, he investigates the major sections of the Hebrew Scriptures and offers comments on the key representative literature within those sections.
It’s a large, dense introduction to the subject—but it’s certainly helpful, especially for those interested in learning about some of the ways the Old Testament describes ethics and morality. What Pleins concludes is that there is a lot of diversity between different texts. These authors are wrestling with moral and ethical questions in their own societies—not unlike how we try to apply Biblical values to our culture today. Overall, The Social Visions of the Hebrew Bible offers a helpful primer on Hebrew social visions so we can understand what the ancient text is asking of us.
A History of Ancient Israel and Judah
Subtitle: NA
Author: J. Maxwell Miller & John H. Hayes
Reading Level: Academic
If you want to know just about everything about the history of the people who brought us the Hebrew Bible, here’s your book. A History of Ancient Israel and Judah is almost a Bible of its own for a textual, archaeological, and epigraphical study of the ancient Israelite people. The substantial book asks critical questions about the texts, especially their historicity. For those unfamiliar with an academic study of the Old Testament, a lot of what Miller and Hayes say might scare you. While they are Christians, their primary concern is trying to figure out what “really” happened, irrespective of any theory of inspiration for Scripture.
The main value in the work is for answering those pressing questions like: “What do we know, outside of Scripture, about the formation of Israel?” “What do we know about Israelite religious practices?” “What was ancient Israel and Judah really like?” Along with a plethora of very useful information about geography, culture, and even how ancient people viewed history, Miller and Hayes attempt to answer these questions. You might not like their answers, but I think there is value in listening to their case. I especially wish more people realized that the modern notions of history as “a factual record of what really happened” is not how most people throughout the ages viewed history. Though it’s meaty, A History of Ancient Israel and Judah delivers great background information on the Old Testament.
Conclusion: Enhancing Study and Teaching with Essential Old Testament Resources
These five books serve as indispensable tools for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of the Old Testament. For students and Bible class leaders alike, these books offer a wealth of knowledge that can transform how the Old Testament is understood and taught. They offer clarity in the complex tapestry of biblical history, making the ancient stories and teachings more accessible, relevant, and applicable. Whether used for preparing for Sunday school, resources in a study group, or guides for personal exploration, each book contributes uniquely to a fuller, more nuanced understanding of the Old Testament.
Incorporating these resources into study and teaching will not only enlighten readers about the historical and cultural backdrop of the Old Testament but will also inspire a deeper appreciation for its enduring wisdom and relevance. They are not just fact stacks of information; they are gateways to exploring the rich legacy of the Old Testament and its enduring wisdom for today.
Now Improve Your Teaching Style
We offer a free teaching guide, the Five Questions Bible Class Model, to strengthen how lay teachers can lead a study of Scripture. With this innovative model, you can seamlessly integrate your newfound knowledge of the Old Testament into leading a captivating and insightful class on any specific passage. With this structure, you are equipped to lead engaging discussions and provide a deeper understanding of Old Testament passages, making your teaching not only informative but also transformative.
Five Questions Bible Class Model
The Five Questions Model guides a Bible class leader through a basic structure for a class that helps the class understand and apply a section of Scripture.
Bonus Books!
I haven’t read all of these, but based on the knowledge of the authors and the recommendations of others, I can also confidently recommend the following for your Old Testament background study.
- Old Testament Theology for Christians: From Ancient Context to Enduring Belief by John H. Walton
- The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament by John H. Walton, Victor H. Matthews, & Mark W. Chavalas
- Ancient Near Eastern Thought and the Old Testament: Introducing the Conceptual World of the Hebrew Bible by John H. Walton
- An Introduction to the Old Testament: The Canon and Christian Imagination by Walter Brueggemann & Tod Linafelt
Jake Doberenz is a writer, teacher, minister, and creative thinker from Oklahoma City, OK. He is the Founder and President of Theophany Media. Additionally, he ministers at the Mayfair Church of Christ and teaches middle school debate at The Academy of Classical Christian Studies in Oklahoma City. Jake is almost done with his Master of Theological Studies at Oklahoma Christian University, the same place he recieved an undergraduate degree in Biblical Studies with a minor in Communication Studies.