The Old Testament: A Historical and Literary Introduction to the Hebrew Scriptures

by Michael D. Coogan

Lucidly written by a leading biblical scholar, this balanced, engaging, and up-to-date introduction to the Hebrew scriptures distills the best of current scholarship. Employing the narrative chronology of the Bible itself and the history of the ancient Near East as a framework, author Michael
D. Coogan covers all the books of the Hebrew Bible, along with the deuterocanonical books included in the Bible used by many Christians. He treats every book of the canon with careful attention to its historical context, its particular genre, and its distinctive features. Dealing in detail with
ancient Near Eastern sources and archaeological data, Coogan works from a primarily historical and critical methodology but also introduces readers to literary analysis and other interpretive strategies, especially current ones.
The Old A Historical and Literary Introduction to the Hebrew Scriptures is enhanced by a glossary, timelines, photos, illustrations, maps, and a four-color insert on Jerusalem in biblical times. Strategically placed boxes address issues that often puzzle readers of the Bible,
provide models of interpretation of particular texts, and discuss their significance for Judaism and Christianity. Each chapter includes key terms, questions for review and discussion, and suggestions for further reading. Providing a non-denominational and non-doctrinal treatment, The Old Testament
is accessible to students of all backgrounds. It offers a unique and captivating introduction to the Hebrew scriptures themselves and to how they have been--and can be--interpreted.

Genres: Religion, Theology, History, Old Testament, Textbooks, Reference, School

600 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2005

About the author

Michael David Coogan is Director of Publications for the Harvard Semitic Museum and Professor of Religious Studies at Stonehill College. For several decades, he has taught an introductory course on the Hebrew Scriptures at Harvard University, as well as at Wellesley College, Boston College, and Stonehill College. One of the leading biblical scholars in the United States, he is the author of The Old Testament: A Historical and Literary Introduction to the Hebrew Scriptures, and editor of the acclaimed third edition of The New Oxford Annotated Bible.

Reviews

[Darwin Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

A scientific (historical-critical and literary) study of the scriptures, in this case, the Old Testament, is quite an eye-opener. Many lacks, short-comings, contradictions, anachronisms, conflations, and authorial doubts are raised when using modern tools to "read against the grain" of the texts.

A serious consideration of the historical-critical and literary method (beginning with, but going well beyond the Documentary Hypothesis) has resulted in a spiritual struggle for me. I have come to realize, though, that what matters most is not really HOW the Bible came to be - with regard to original authorship, or probable manipulation and added input by editors, or the nature of the revelation, or the inspiration, by which God moved those involved to write - but that the Bible DID come to be and in the "final form" in which we now have it. Thus, I have not dismissed the need for the Bible, nor even of the Old Testament in particular, which is further removed from us in time, as well as in worldview and cultural norms. I have been aided in this view through my investigation into form and canonical criticism, which allow for a continuing special place for the Bible.

The significance of Scripture, even of the Old Testament, is more properly seen in the illumination of its READERS, rather than in the exaggerated evangelical/fundamentalist claims of inspiration in its AUTHORS. Such a realization grew initially, after reading Karl Barth's chapter, "The Strange New World within the Bible," from his book, The Word of God and the Word of Man. Barth helped me to see that this "final form" of the text (whatever it may be) is "a house" where I can "enter in to meet God." None of the other issues has added to or detracted from that fact (including "The Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy,” that overstates the case for the Bible's uniqueness, and Finkelstein's and Silberman's historicist/archaeological discounting of the Bible, in The Bible Unearthed). In the absence of the Tabernacle and Temple in today's world, the Bible is "the house" in which God awaits us - a discovery about the TaNaKh that probably gave rise centuries ago to the “Synagogue Movement.”

Here is my estimation of the matter: the Bible IS NOT the Word of God; rather, it CONTAINS the Word of God, but not in the writing, rather in the reading. To hold to the first view of it being the Word of God is to make of it a magical object, worshiped in its own right and resorted to as an idol and to do so in place of appealing to the person of the Holy Spirit. By means of this carnal view, one just needs to quote “chapter and verse” from the Bible to be “good to go!” However, to hold to the second view is to thank God for biblical criticism - negative as it might be - for having destroyed the Bible as a magical idol. For those who hold to the second view, that the Bible merely CONTAINS the Word of God, the Bible remains the place where we can go to seek out and enlarge a relationship with God, not just to uncover God's supposed "will," through a reductionist search for a proof text, extracted from an assumed “perfect” book of rules.

Anyone who wishes to know the Old Testament better should begin with this book by Coogan and Chapman.

[Carrie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lots of great information and ideas. Definitely some ideas I strongly disagree with. It definitely is a NON-faith based approach to the bible.

[Christópher Abreu Rosario · Rating 5 out of 5]

This textbook was a great introduction to studying the Old Testament. It was the required main textbook for my Old Testament class at Columbia Theological Seminary, along with Hidden Riches: A Sourcebook for the Comparative Study of the Hebrew Bible and Ancient Near East. These books paired together, and with knowledgeable professors, provided me an understanding of the OT I didn't know was possible. I wish I had learned this material in church, and hope to apply the knowledge I have gained in my current and future ministry.

[Margie Dorn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I appreciate the work of Michael Coogan specifically for his work focusing on historical and literary angles. It's helpful to see how the writing of the Hebrew Scriptures fits in with the stories of the world's peoples and processes. Just as the Scriptures had many writers, I feel it immensely helpful to have many writers shedding light on them from different angles. This is another scholar worthy of deep respect.

[gideon · Rating 4 out of 5]

very interesting and not infuriating to read as a jew! they actually get the torah. w

[Jc · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well-written, readable, and very, very informative overview survey of the history and literary content of the [christian version] of the Jewish scriptures. Well balanced, and thoroughly researched and referenced. Recommended for anyone curious regarding what we know of the old test. writings, and the cultures and powers behind them. Mostly avoids a religious viewpoint (to where many conservatives would find it to be anti-religious), and so makes for a fine introduction to these ancient texts for atheists and other free thinkers.

[Daniel Hadley · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's good as far as textbooks go. I wouldn't purchase it, however, because Wikipedia and other internet sites make reference books like this one obsolete. The best part about it for me was that it corresponded exactly to a course on the Hebrew Bible that I took from Coogan. I didn't even need lecture notes because it was all in the book.

[Becca P · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite textbook ever. My religion class read it cover to cover, and each chapter corresponded with relevant OT readings. I am thankful that this book offered historical connections and realistic literary interpretations. This book does not demand that you believe in any god, and it does not attempt to make you a believer.

[Coralie · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Old Testament class used this as one of our textbooks. The author is pretty clear and concise, which I enjoyed. He explains things pretty well. There are some...unusual views presented, but I liked seeing all of the connections Coogan made. I don't agree with everything in the book, but I think it's a nice source to have and to have read.

[Sarah (TheLibrarysKeeper) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderfully informative book. I enjoyed learning about the Torah and the stories it includes. The Hebrew Scriptures are so full of wonderful tales and beautiful writing. I am so glad I had this book to aid in my study.

[Wes Hunter · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Old Testament text from first year of seminary; it's not edge-of-your-seat kinda stuff but it's full of info and it's pretty accessible for a grad-school textbook.