Designed for readers who have no familiarity with the Old Testament or Hebrew Bible, this introduction provides a complete overview of its development and its continuing interpretation. Each chapter follows the same four-part format: "Content" summarizes the biblical book being treated, "Growth" explains the process behind the book's composition according to the most up-to-date scholarship, "Context" describes the historical, literary, and social settings that were at work in the book's production, and "Interpretation" explores the various ways in which the book has been and continues to be understood in scholarly and religious communities. The Old Testament: Its Background, Growth, and Content is an ideal classroom resource because, even though it presents the biblical books in their canonical order, it can be read in any sequence to meet ¿the needs and aims of a given course.

"McKenzie and Kaltner's text gives an excellent introduction to the geographical, historical, and cultural contexts of the Old Testament while presenting up-to-date information about its composition. It is a must for instructors who are looking for a well-written and researched text that provides their students with an accessible entree into the world of critical biblical studies."
--Linda S. Schearing, Professor of Hebrew Scriptures, Gonzaga University

"This introduction to the Old Testament stands out from similar efforts because, along with a focus on content, growth, and context, it pays serious attention to matters of interpretation. Always understandable, but never oversimplified, this will be a perfect textbook for college and seminary students."
--Richard D. Nelson, Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University


Steven L. McKenzie is the Spence L. Wilson Senior Research Fellow and Professor of Hebrew Bible at Rhodes College in Memphis, TN.

John Kaltner is the Virginia Ballou McGehee Professor of Muslim-Christian Relations at Rhodes College in Memphis, TN.