Endorsements
This rich multidimensional study will be the state-of-the-art introduction to the Old Testament for some time to come. In addition to a book-by-book introduction, this valuable resource by these two accomplished scholars includes much useful information concerning ancient Near Eastern history, geography, and cultural context and concerning alternative theological interpretations, canon, and studies of personalities. This information-packed book is made even more attractive by insightful artwork and witty links to contemporary life. The authors note that one does not read a library but study it. That is what they do with the library of the Old Testament: they study it. And they invite the reader to study it with them as they guide, instruct, and persuade.
Walter Brueggemann , Columbia Theological Seminary (emeritus)
In Introducing the Old Testament , Jacobson and Chan offer an excellent resource for studying and teaching the Old Testament. Drawing on their years of experience as educators, the authors have clearly thought about diverse audiences when writing this book. The books organization is clear and easy to follow, focusing especially on historical, literary, and theological themes in the Old Testament. In addition to its insightful scholarship, Introducing the Old Testament includes many maps, images, artistic pieces, and online resources that assist and enhance biblical study. Overall, Jacobson and Chan provide a wealth of knowledge in this critical, creative, and visually stimulating volume.
Jaime L. Waters , Boston College School of Theology and Ministry
This is a textbook written by top-notch scholars who are also extraordinary teachers. Their love of Old Testament study and their commitment to student learning shine through in every chapter. With an affable voice, good humor, and rigorous scholarship, the book offers hospitality to all students, whether they come to the Old Testament classroom with enthusiasm, reluctance, or indifference. Jacobson and Chan approach their subject with joy and humility rather than dogmatism, always keeping the biblical text and its world at the center of their analysis. I cant wait to use this book in my seminary courses!
Cameron Howard , Luther Seminary
In this impressive volume, Jacobson and Chan have sought to present readers with something that is beautiful, well organized, and easy to use. They (and Baker Academic) have succeeded admirably on all of these fronts and yet still more: here is an engagement of the Old Testament that pays equal attention to its theological, literary, and historical depths, that is accompanied by numerous readerly helps, and that is handsomely illustrated and spiritedly written to boot. I predict this introduction, unlike so many others presently on the market, will have a very long shelf life, with enduring usefulness in a wide range of classroom settings.
Brent A. Strawn , Duke University
Half Title Page
Title Page
Copyright Page
2023 by Rolf A. Jacobson and Michael J. Chan
Published by Baker Academic
a division of Baker Publishing Group
Grand Rapids, Michigan
www.bakeracademic.com
Ebook edition created 2023
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meansfor example, electronic, photocopy, recordingwithout the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
ISBN 978-1-4934-3805-1
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations labeled AT are the authors own.
Scripture quotations labeled CEB are from the Common English Bible. Copyright 2011 by the Common English Bible. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Scripture quotations labeled ESV are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2016
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NET) are from the NET Bible copyright 1996, 2019 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations labeled NIV are from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations labeled NJPS are from the New Jewish Publication Society Version 1985 by The Jewish Publication Society. All rights reserved.
All maps are copyright Baker Publishing Group.
Baker Publishing Group publications use paper produced from sustainable forestry practices and post-consumer waste whenever possible.
Dedication
For our wives, Amy and Katherine
And for Jim Kinney
Contents
Endorsements
Half Title Page
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
List of Maps
Preface
PART 1
The Old Testament: Context and Scope
1. The Old Testament World
2. The Old Testament Writings
PART 2
From Creation to Inheritance
3. The Pentateuch
4. Genesis
5. Exodus
6. Leviticus
7. Numbers
8. Deuteronomy
PART 3
Stories of Land, Loss, and Homecoming
9. The Historical Books
10. Joshua
11. Judges
12. Ruth
13. 12 Samuel
14. 12 Kings
15. 12 Chronicles
16. Ezra-Nehemiah
17. Esther
PART 4
Poetic Collections
18. Poetry, the Poetic Books, and Wisdom
19. Job
20. Psalms
21. Proverbs
22. Ecclesiastes
23. Song of Songs
PART 5
Prophetic Literature
24. Prophecy and the Prophetic Books
25. Isaiah
26. Jeremiah
27. Lamentations
28. Ezekiel
29. Daniel
30. Hosea
32. Amos
33. Obadiah
34. Jonah
35. Micah
36. Nahum
37. Habakkuk
38. Zephaniah
39. Haggai
40. Zechariah
41. Malachi
Glossary
Notes
Art Credits
Index
Back Ad
Back Cover
Laila Shawa / Bridgeman Images
Preface
Welcome to the Old Testament! If you are reading these words, you are most likely a teacher or a student in a course on the Old Testament. The Old Testament is an astounding bookreally, an astounding library. It contains thirty-nine books in the Protestant Christian way of approaching it. These books contain stories, laws, poems, songs, prophecies of many types, proverbs, genealogies, liturgies, and much more. Much of the Old Testament is beautiful, but some is troubling and even a little terrifying. One doesnt read a libraryone studies a library. Welcome to the study of this wonderful, ancient library.
The Old Testament (in Judaism, it is called the Tanak, a term well explain below) is among the most influential books in world history, because it is central to the religious lives of both Jews and Christians. The main figure or character in the book is the Lord, the God of Israel. The main human figures in the book are ancient Israelitesdescendants of two Mesopotamian migrants, Abraham and Sarah. You may or may not be a person of faith; you may not be sure if you are a person of faith. This book does not assume either that you are or that you are not. But we have written the book so that believers, nonbelievers, doubters, inquirers, those who are curious, and those who simply have to take a required course are all welcome.