THE BACKGROUND OF THE OLD TESTAMENT

Illuminating commentary on the basic narrative of Old Testament events and personalities, from Abraham through the return of Israel from the exile, is offered in this simply written, but firmly grounded volume. The author places the important figures in Old Testament history in the cultural settings in which their daily lives were led, and in so doing, gives new meaning to otherwise obscure words and phrases in the Biblical literature. A prefatory explanation of the meaning of such terms as folklore, legend, and myth, seems aimed at conciliating those unfamiliar with more sophisticated scholarship; but the book makes no concession to traditionalism in its reliance upon the consensus of Old Testament research. Clear maps by Palacios introduce each chapter. The book promises to be very useful for church educators and others interested in getting a clearer picture of Old Testament life. Halftone cuts of contemporaneous carvings and artifacts illustrate the volume.