The Old Testament: Its Background, Growth, & Content

Without doubt, Steven L. McKenzie and John Kaltner have taken the study of Old Testament introduction many steps forward by their attractive presentation of a work that combines so many associated disciplines, namely, archaeology, history, geography, ancient Near Eastern background, and literary interpretation, to name but a few. In addition, the work is supplied with many photographs of archaeological sites and relevant associated texts, a feature that by itself is rare in Old testament introductions. Further, there are excerpts from related texts such as the Gilgamesh Epic and the annals of King Sennacherib of Assyria. 2. Plan The plan on which the work throughout is based is introduced in the first chapter, which is entitled “Introduction” and includes the four subsections of “Content”; “Growth”; “Context”; and “Interpretation.” In the introductory section the authors make clear that this work adopts the four-part division of the Jewish Canon, with sections on the Torah, Former Prophets, Latter Prophets, and Writings. This section discusses the growth and canonization of the various books that now comprise the Hebrew Bible. [Full Review]