The living world of the Old Testament / created by Bernhard W Anderson

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Introduction: the Old Testament as the story of a people. Part 1 The creation of a people: the beginnings of Israel; liberation from bondage; covenant in the wilderness; the promised land; the formation of an all-Israelite epic; the struggle between faith and culture. Part 2 Israel becomes like the nations: the throne of David; prophetic troublers of Israel; fallen is the virgin Israel; Judah's covenant with death; the rediscovery of Mosaic Torah; the doom of the nation. Part 3 The covenant community is renewed: by the waters of Babylon; the dawn of a new age; a kingdom of priests; the praises of Israel; the beginning of wisdom; the unfulfilled drama. Chronological chart. Select bibliography. Author index. Subject index.

The standard introduction to the subject, this major work of scholarship uses a wealth of historical, archaelogical, literary and theological sources to analyse and interpret the familiar Biblical narrative in the context of our modern knowledge of the ancient world without any denominational standpoint.