About the Book
An indispensable guide for exploring the literary, historical, and theological issues behind the Old Testament—now fully updated.
The purpose of studying the Old Testament is to understand God and his redemptive work more fully. However, this goal is complicated by the fact that it was transmitted through a very different language and culture from our own. A Survey of the Old Testament addresses background information, purpose, message, structure, and major themes of the Old Testament to help readers understand its message and relevance.
Chapters introducing each major section of the Old Testament are included, as are chapters dealing with issues of interpretation, hermeneutics, theology, geography, archaeology, history, formation of the Old Testament canon, and the Old Testament's relationship to the New Testament. The fourth edition features a renewed focus on purpose, theology, and message while also providing a more succinct textbook less intimidating to students.
Features included for each book of the Old Testament:
Writing of the Book
Background
Outline of the Book
Purpose and Message
Structure and Organization
Major Themes
Questions for Further Study and Discussion
Further Reading
Complete with updated full-color maps, photos, timelines, and charts, the latest edition of this widely acclaimed textbook is a useful and readable tool for students and other readers who wish to better understand the Old Testament and God's redemptive work.
About the Author :
Andrew E. Hill (PhD, University of Michigan) is professor emeritus of Old Testament studies at Wheaton College in Illinois. He coauthored Old Testament Today, with John Walton; coedited The Baker Illustrated Bible Commentary, with Gary M. Burge; and authored 1 and 2 Chronicles in the NIV Application Commentary series; and Malachi in the Anchor Yale Bible Commentary series. He has contributed to numerous academic journals including, Hebrew Annual Review, Journal of Biblical Literature, and Vetus Testamentum.?
John H. Walton (PhD, Hebrew Union College) is professor emeritus of Old Testament at Wheaton College Graduate School. He is the author or coauthor of numerous books, including Old Testament Today, with Andrew E. Hill; volumes on Job and Genesis in the NIV Application Commentary series; the Lost World series; and Old Testament Theology for Christians. He was also coeditor, with Craig Keener, of the ECPA 2017 Bible of the Year winner, the NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible.?
Review :
'A wonderful introduction, both textual and visual, to the Old Testament as Holy Scripture that is rooted in the realities of ancient time and space. Highly recommended!'
'Combining attention to historical backgrounds, literary features, and theological themes with a nuanced treatment of critical issues and hundreds of images that bring the world of the Old Testament to life, Survey of the Old Testament has been my go-to textbook for introductory classes. The fourth edition points readers to a wealth of recent resources for further learning and offers updated discussions of key issues, which will make it a preferred text for the next generation of students.'
'Hill and Walton ask good questions for the beginning student as they turn its pages and seek to understand it as Christian Scripture. The strength of the volume lies in its exploration of key themes, presented as they arise in each biblical book, and also as they intersect with the larger canonical storyline. This provides a unified approach to the Christian canon and a deeper awareness of how the Old Testament fits into the Christian Bible. The work is also supported by a treasury of visuals, such as maps and photographs of landscapes and artifacts, which help bring the biblical world to life.'
'Hill and Walton's standard evangelical introduction to the Old Testament has only gotten better with its fourth edition. Expect the same authoritative content, updated to reflect the latest scholarship, but in a tighter and cleaner layout that is visually appealing and creates a more compact textbook for a new generation of readers.'
'I'm always pointing my students to Walton and Hill's A Survey of the Old Testament. But I also find myself going back to this book again and again because it keeps yielding fresh insight on key topics in every Old Testament book. If you want to engage seriously and faithfully with God's Word, this comprehensive text will serve you and your students brilliantly.'
'It is a joy to commend this updated edition of Hill and Walton's classic textbook to a new generation of Old Testament students. Readers will gain insights about the overall purpose and message of each Old Testament book, as well as the most significant issues in the secondary literature--such as historicity, archaeology, and other major interpretive trends. All the while, conservative and critical positions are summarized from an evangelical perspective. Students, pastors, and scholars would do well to keep this book on their short stack of key resources on the Old Testament.'
'John Walton and Andrew Hill are two of the very best Old Testament scholars of my generation. I am so thankful they have updated their bestselling and influential textbook, A Survey of the Old Testament, for the next generation of students. I enthusiastically recommend it.'
'Students and instructors alike will enthusiastically welcome the latest edition of this trusted textbook. Updated chapters helpfully synthesize the contents of the biblical books in the form of major themes, enabling students to readily grasp what each book is about and to connect its message with the Christian faith. What's more, like its previous editions, the book boasts an attractive and engaging layout with an abundance of color graphics. Students will profit immensely from this accessible and insightful introduction to the Hebrew Bible, resulting in a greater enjoyment of and appreciation for the Old Testament as Christian Scripture.'
'This is a well-written and finely illustrated survey of the Old Testament. It is readable for college students, and both students and professors can rely on it for evenhanded treatment of difficult topics in Old Testament studies. This new updated edition is welcome.'
'This new edition of A Survey of the Old Testament will continue the usefulness of this work that has been so widely used previously. With its evenhanded yet basically traditional approach, it can be recommended to all who look for a trustworthy handbook to read alongside the Bible itself.'
