Reading the Old Testament: An Introduction (2nd ed.)

Reading the Old Testament was recognized as a classic introductory text almost from its first appearance in 1984. Without diminishing its famed clarity and theological depth, two prominent scholars, Richard Clifford and Daniel Harrington, have brought the book into the twenty-first century, revising and updating the text for a new generation of readers. Dive into this clear and comprehensive introduction to the Old Testament and be equipped for better study. The text is designed to guide students through the text and its problems, enrich their understanding of the individual biblical books, and explore the way the Bible came to be written. Boadt gives special attention to recent archeological discoveries in the Middle East and how these affect our understanding of the Old Testament. Reading the Old Testament offers a rich discussion of the way Israel’s religious experience was translated into written records, with thorough treatment of the Exile and the post-exilic periods—crucial times in the formation of the Old Testament. The book also contains numerous maps, charts, and drawings.