This lively, engaging introduction to the Old Testament is critical and theological,  
lavishly illustrated, and accompanied by a variety of pedagogical aids.  
  
"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 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."  
\--__Walter Brueggemann__, Columbia Theological Seminary (emeritus)  
  
"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. 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. 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 can't wait to use this book in my seminary courses!"  
\--__Cameron Howard__, Luther Seminary  
  
"Choosing textbooks for teaching introductory courses on the Old Testament is one of the more important and difficult pedagogical decisions, given the sheer scope of the Old Testament material and the range of hermeneutical and theological topics. Jacobson and Chan have written a resource that is both thorough and accessible for students from a wide range of theological backgrounds."  
\--__Bo Lim__, Seattle Pacific University  
  
"In this impressive volume, Jacobson and Chan have sought to present readers with something that is 'beautiful, well organized, and easy to use.' They 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 will have enduring usefulness in a wide range of classroom settings."  
\--__Brent A. Strawn__, Duke University  
  
"An attractive and accessible textbook that is well-grounded in contemporary scholarship. The authors are evenhanded and irenic in their approach, offering balanced discussions of major issues in Old Testament interpretation. Moreover, they accomplish this with a light and humorous touch. Students will appreciate this text!"  
\--__David N. DeJong__, Hope College

__Rolf A. Jacobson__ (PhD, Princeton Theological Seminary) is professor of Old Testament and the Alvin N. Rogness Chair of Scripture, Theology, and Ministry at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota. He is the coauthor, with Karl N. Jacobson, of Invitation to the Psalms.  
  
__Michael J. Chan__ (PhD, Emory University) is executive director for faith and learning at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota. He hosts the Gospel Beautiful podcast and is a sought-after adult educator, leader, and group facilitator.

This lively, engaging introduction to the Old Testament is critical and theological, lavishly illustrated, and accompanied by a variety of pedagogical aids. It serves as the Old Testament counterpart to Mark Allan Powell's successful Introducing the New Testament (over 105,000 copies sold).  
  
Introducing the Old Testament presents disputed and controversial issues fairly, neither dictating conclusions nor privileging skepticism over faith-based perspectives. The full-color interior is illustrated with photographs and fine art and includes sidebars, maps, a glossary, and further reading suggestions.  
  
A companion website through Baker Academic's Textbook eSources features a wealth of additional resources for students and instructors. Resources for students include chapter objectives, study questions, flash cards, and self-quizzes. Resources for professors include chapter objectives, discussion prompts, pedagogical suggestions, PowerPoint slides, and a test/quiz bank.

This lively, engaging introduction to the Old Testament is critical and theological, lavishly illustrated, and accompanied by a variety of pedagogical aids.

__Contents  
  
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. 1-2 Samuel  
14. 1-2 Kings  
15. 1-2 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  
31. Joel  
32. Amos  
33. Obadiah  
34. Jonah  
35. Micah  
36. Nahum  
37. Habakkuk  
38. Zephaniah  
39. Haggai  
40. Zechariah  
41. Malachi  
Glossary  
Index

Jacobson, Rolf A. ;Chan, Michael J.

iEndorsements

iiiHalf Title Page

vTitle Page

viCopyright Page

viiDedication

ixContents

xiMaps

xiiiPreface

1Part 1: The Old Testament (Context and Scope)

31 The Old Testament World

252 The Old Testament Writings

47Part 2: From Creation to Inheritance

493 The Pentateuch

694 Genesis

915 Exodus

1156 Leviticus

1297 Numbers

1478 Deuteronomy

165Part 3: Stories of Land, Loss, and Homecoming

1679 The Historical Books

18310 Joshua

20111 Judges

22112 Ruth

23313 1–2 Samuel

25514 1–2 Kings

27915 1–2 Chronicles

29116 Ezra-Nehemiah

30517 Esther

315Part 4: Poetic Collections

31718 Poetry, the Poetic Books, and Wisdom

32919 Job

34520 Psalms

36521 Proverbs

37722 Ecclesiastes

38923 Song of Songs

401Part 5: Prophetic Literature

40324 Prophecy and the Prophetic Books

42725 Isaiah

44526 Jeremiah

45927 Lamentations

46728 Ezekiel

47929 Daniel

49530 Hosea

50931 Joel

51932 Amos

53533 Obadiah

54334 Jonah

55535 Micah

56736 Nahum

57937 Habakkuk

58938 Zephaniah

59939 Haggai

60740 Zechariah

61741 Malachi

627Glossary

635Notes

641Art Credits

645Index

655Back Ad

656Back Cover

\["For preachers, teachers and Theology students","This comprehensive and full-colour guide opens up the depth of the Old Testament","You'll find a wealth of information and insight to inform your faith"\]

__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\. 1-2 Samuel

14\. 1-2 Kings

15\. 1-2 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

31\. Joel

32\. Amos

33\. Obadiah

34\. Jonah

35\. Micah

36\. Nahum

37\. Habakkuk

38\. Zephaniah

39\. Haggai

40\. Zechariah

41\. Malachi

Glossary

Index

"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 book's 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 can't wait to use this book in my seminary courses!"

__Cameron Howard, associate professor of Old Testament, Luther Seminary__

"Choosing textbooks for teaching introductory courses on the Old Testament is one of the more important and difficult pedagogical decisions, given the sheer scope of the Old Testament material and the range of hermeneutical and theological topics. Jacobson and Chan have written a resource that is both thorough and accessible for students from a wide range of theological backgrounds."

__Bo Lim, professor of Old Testament, Seattle Pacific University__

"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, D. Moody Smith Distinguished Professor of Old Testament and professor of law, Duke University__

"Jacobson and Chan have produced an attractive and accessible textbook that is well-grounded in contemporary scholarship. They are evenhanded and irenic in their approach, offering balanced discussions of major issues in Old Testament interpretation. Moreover, they accomplish this with a light and humorous touch. Students will appreciate this text!"

__David N. DeJong, assistant professor of biblical studies, Hope College__

For anyone wanting to get deeper into the Old Testament, this full-colour and comprehensive introduction helps you read the text with a critical and theological lens.

Introducing the Old Testament

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