A Biblical Introduction, Vol. 1 (Classic Reprint)

Delve into how ancient laws, wisdom, and poetry shaped the Old Testament and its world.

In A Biblical Introduction, Vol. 1, you’ll glimpse how discoveries like the Code of Hammurabi illuminate Israel’s context and the biblical writers’ world. The volume surveys wisdom literature, the Psalms, and the Book of Jeremiah, offering clear introductions to their origins, themes, and ongoing scholarly debates. It presents a balanced view that helps readers see connections and differences between ancient Near Eastern texts and the Hebrew Bible.

• Learn how Hammurabi’s laws relate to early biblical legislation and what scholars infer about ancient Western Asia.
• Understand why the Wisdom Literature is considered a key part of Old Testament thought and how it differs from prophetic writing.
• Explore the Psalms’ structure, genres, and how poetry hinges on parallel lines and other Hebrew forms.
• Get an overview of the Jeremiah tradition, its sources, and the critical questions scholars raise about authorship and composition.