Encountering the Old Testament: A Christian Survey » (2nd Edition)

Bill T. Arnold (PhD, Hebrew Union College) is professor of Old Testament and Semitic languages at Asbury Theological Seminary. He is the author or editor of numerous books, including Encountering the Book of Genesis, Dictionary of the Old Testament: Historical Books, A Guide to Biblical Hebrew Syntax, and a commentary on 1 and 2 Samuel. Bryan E. Beyer (PhD, Hebrew Union College) is professor of Old Testament at Columbia International University Seminary and School of Missions. He is the author of Encountering the Book of Isaiah and coeditor (with Bill Arnold) of Readings from the Ancient Near East.

The bestselling Encountering the Old Testament has become the leading Old Testament survey text. Now the second edition has been updated throughout with revisions to the text, sidebars, bibliographies, notes, and indexes. The accompanying CD-ROM has been radically revised to demonstrate its close connection to the text and includes links to study aids, videos, and photos. The book's numerous helpful features include full-color illustrations, photographs, sidebars, focus boxes, learning objectives, chapter outlines and summaries, and study questions.

To the Professor 15

To the Student 17

Abbreviations 19

1 What Is the Old Testament and Why Study It? 21

2 Where and When Did the Events of the Old Testament Take Place? 35

Pt. 1 Encountering the Pentateuch

3 Introduction to the Pentateuch: The Birth of God's People 63

4 Genesis 1-11: The Prelude to Israel 77

5 Genesis 12-50: The Patriarchs: Ancestors of Israel's Faith 89

6 Exodus: A Miraculous Escape 103

7 Leviticus: Instructions for Holy Living 117

8 Numbers: Failure in the Desert 127

9 Deuteronomy: Restoring the Covenant 141

Pt. 2 Encountering the Historical Books

10 Introduction to the Historical Books: The History of Israel's Nationhood 157

11 Joshua: Conquest and Division 167

12 Judges and Ruth: Israel's Moral Crisis 181

13 First Samuel: God Grants a King 195

14 Second Samuel: David's Reign 209

15 First Kings: The Glory of Solomon and the Beginning of the End 221

16 Second Kings: The End of National Israel 237

17 First and Second Chronicles: A Look Back 251

18 Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther: A Time to Rebuild 263

Pt. 3 Encountering the Poetical Books

19 Introduction to the Poetical Books: The Literature of God's People 281

20 Job: One Man's Search for Justice 289

21 Psalms: The Songbook of Ancient Israel 303

22 Proverbs: Advice on Living in God's World 313

23 Ecclesiastes and Song of Songs: Israelite Faith in Everyday Life 325

Pt. 4 Encountering the Prophets

24 Introduction to the Prophets: Voices of God's Servants 339

25 Isaiah 1-39: Prophet of Judah's Royal Court 353

26 Isaiah 40-66: Great Days Are Coming! 369

27 Jeremiah1-20: Struggling with God's Call 383

28 Jeremiah 21-52 and Lamentations: Dealing with Disaster 393

29 Ezekiel 1-24: Rough Days Are Coming! 407

30 Ezekiel 25-48: God's Planning an Exciting Future! 417

31 Daniel: The Kingdom of God - Now and Forever 427

32 Hosea, Joel, and Amos: A Call for Repentance and a Promise for Blessing 439

33 Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah: God's Plan for the Nations 451

34 Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi: Rebuilding a People 463

Epilogue 475

Glossary 477

Notes 491

Subject Index 502

Scripture Index 514

Name Index 524