Old Testament Times

by R.K. Harrison

Old Testament Times deals in a non-technical manner with the broad social and cultural context in which the events recorded in the Bible took place. Particular attention is given to recent archaeological discoveries and the light they shed on the Old Testament. Certain of the more problematic issues of Old Testament history are also examined in outline. The world of the Old Testament was geographically and politically interdependent and coexisted with the world of the ancient Near East. The people and times of the Old Testament cannot and must not be studied in isolation from the larger Near Eastern background. Any information that can be discovered about the history, religion, languages, literatures and cultures of ancient Oriental peoples have an important bearing upon our understanding of the people of God. Old Testament Times is more than a survey of the Old Testament; it is an examination of the background in which the Old Testament was written. Dr. Harrison explores the relevance of the historical, political, social, and economic framework relating to the beginning and growth of the Israelite people and the development of Judaism. Designed to complement Merrill C. Tenney's well-known New Testament Times, this present volume contains more than one hundred photos as well as indexes and a list of books for further reading.

Genres: Old Testament, Reference, Biblical Studies, Education, History

384 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[Kesia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overview of OT context. The beginning chapters were heavily focused on Near Eastern nations and how their cultures are relevant to the OT. I felt that the Pentateuch got lots of attention where as the prophets and post exilic times were covered quicker with less details.

Interesting to read about the archeology bits and its involvement in helping validate and interpret scripture. Helpful pictures and illustrations throughout.

[Pei-jean Lu · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was hoping this to be a little more in-depth, but that being said it is a good overview into the Old Testament world and how it ties in with the other civilisations and empires present during the time.

[William Collen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book and Jack Finnegan's "Light From the Ancient Past" are almost identical in scope, subject, and even structure, but whereas Finnegan's book focuses more on the archaeology, this one takes a much broader view. Large passages read like a paraphrase or summary of the Old Testament.

[Achieng Otieno · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rich in lost and some obscure heritage.

[John Crowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in seminary. It was great.