An Introduction to the Hebrew Bible: A Thematic Approach

Disclaimer: I do know one of the authors of this book personally, but I nonetheless stand by this review as an accurate and unbiased testament to its merits.I bought this book after having contacted one of the author's and asking for some specific insight into their area of expertise. It goes without saying that they were perhaps motivated to suggest this book to me because their name was on it, but I find the material that's included here good "despite" that. The book is straightforward, well written, and easy to understand. At places, it's entertaining - something that can't be said for all academic works.The book is obviously a textbook, but that makes it a good source when researching and the like. It's an excellent reference book that also illuminates particulars in ancient Isreal and surrounding areas.The books thematic approach takes a bit to get used to, but once you've learned how that works, it's - again - straightforward. These "themes" help to make the book a lot easier to read. Although I wouldn't call it a "page turner," it is interesting for some "nighttime" reading.I do have some criticisms about the book, though.1.) The cover seems rather flimsy for a book of this size. It would be better served by either a hardback cover or a sturdier paperback cover. I'm thinking I might have to get the book recovered in hardcover because it's already showing signs of heavy wear even though I haven't really used the book too extensively.2.) The book does a good job trying to appease all sides of the polarized political spectrum that has taken hold of modern society, but it makes for reading that seems a bit problematic. I doubt this was the goal at all, but at times you might ask yourself - in some places - if this problem could have been avoided by "politically charged" terminology. It might have made the book seem more "resolute" on particular issues/points.3.) I would be nice if the book were printed on different paper with colored pictures. There are many illustrations that could be enhanced 100x if they were color. This would assuredly affect the price of the book, but the overall quality of this work - which is already good - would be improved greatly with color illustrations.Overall, a recommend this book to anyone with questions about Old Testament history and the cultural situation of ancient Israel and surrounding areas.

Four contributors have co-written this book which covers much of the cultural background of the Hebrew Bible. Coming at it from the New Testament I found the book to be very informative and helpful. I continue to struggle with the chapter on 'Job' but that may be more my problem than that of the authors.Challenging and informative in a combination of assertions, questions, helpful footnotes and bibliography.

Great reference for bible background studies

Big book. Will use it as needed to research different views.not sure yet about what it says but ill find out.