Old Testament Survey

by Paul R. House, Eric Mitchell

This second edition of the widely used and highly praised Old Testament Survey revises the original edition and greatly expands its attention to historical and geographical topics. These are combined with the first edition’s focus on literature and narrative, and an increased amount of improved maps are also included. In all, the book charts every major element that unifies the Old Testament, making it an excellent companion for Bible reading. Any student desiring a thorough and time-tested overview of the Bible’s first half will find it in this updated edition of Old Testament Survey.

Genres: Theology, Christian, Old Testament, Nonfiction, Religion, Spirituality, Reference

400 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 1992

About the author

Paul R. House teaches at Beeson Divinity School of Samford University (Birmingham, Alabama). An Old Testament scholar, he has taught previously at Taylor University, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and Wheaton College.

Reviews

[Jessi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best books I've read on the Old Testament. It's simple, easy to read, and very informative. The Old Testament can be long and confusing to understand, but this book breaks each book down into the main ideas, themes, and characters. There are also maps, historical understanding sections, and charts that all add to the understanding of each book. It wasn't dry, and it enhanced my understanding of the Bible.

[Tristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid OT survey textbook that I used for OT1 and OT2.

[Nickolas Wingholt · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have a love-hate relationship with biblical survey, and this book was no exception. I can tell you that House and Mitchell write with stunning clarity. There will never be a time where you are wondering what it is they are trying to say - and I think that's really important for newbies to the Old Testament. But there will also inevitably be times where the author's make definitive claims about very complex parts of the OT canon without much justification. You'll wish they submerged a little deeper in that text you are scratching your head about. But I'm not sure that this is a problem with this volume, more the practice of survey in general. Still worth your time - and easy to read, albeit long. The historical artifacts and art were a major plus for me. 1st time read. 3/5.

[Kyle "Bapo" Roque · Rating 5 out of 5]

I told my professor that this is one of my favorite OT Survey books I have ever read. I have read a couple, and this was by far the clearest and simplest explanation of the story of the OT. I loved how they focused on the 12 Minor prophets as one message and taught to read it as one book. It was very insightful and a book I would use to train and develop members of the church I serve by reading the OT and seeing the unified message of it—a must-have for all lovers of God's word and theologians.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

We certainly did not need another OT survey in this house but it was the textbook for the OT course I have been moderating.

I like how the author has a summary at the beginning of each section with highlights. The book is not long or technical and easy to read.

[Nathan Pettit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful overview of the Bible. I would highly recommend having this book to reference. It simplifies Old Testament books and puts them in their context well. It makes the Old Testament more enjoyable to read!

[Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

FANTASTIC overview of the Old Testament and the overarching metanarrative of Scripture.

[Oladejo Oyewumi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fulfilling and In-depth.

[Benjamin Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book for learning the OT

[Ron Thibeault · Rating 5 out of 5]

DNF, I am really enjoying this book, but I am not going to be able to finish reading it. I am going to continue studying it for next year. I just won’t be able to finish it this year

[Allan Burns · Rating 5 out of 5]

It a great book if you want an overview of the Old Testament

[John Kight · Rating 5 out of 5]

This second edition of the widely used and broadly praised Old Testament Survey by Paul R. House offers an up-to-date, revised and expanded exploration of the Old Testament with the assistance of Eric Mitchell. Mitchell is Associate Professor of Old Testament and Archeology at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and his involvement is observed throughout with the newfound emphasis on historical and geographical topics.

House and Mitchell complement each other well in this volume. House is particularly strong in the literature and narratival structure of the Old Testament, and Mitchell is exceptionally strong in the historical and geographical background of the Old Testament. The result is one of the finest, most versatile undergraduate-level Old Testament surveys on the market today.

Old Testament Survey is divided into four major sections: (1) The Pentateuch, (2) The Former Prophets, (3) The Prophets, and (4) The Writings. The structure of the book follows the order of the Hebrew Bible, and it does so purposely to encourage the readers understanding of the Old Testament. As House and Mitchell explain, “the Hebrew Bible’s sequence shows what happened to Israel, why it happened, and how believers responded to both” (p. 3). In other words, the order of the Hebrew Bible, and thus, the order of the present book is most appropriately positioned for guiding new readers through the Old Testament.

Throughout the volume readers will find improved and more detailed maps, revised charts, and additional excursus-like material on historical and geographical issues. There is also a number of full-color maps included in the rear of the volume. As to be expected, the volume is theologically conservative in its conclusions but does not shy away from dealing with critical issues. Overall, House and Mitchell are balanced in all the right places, and yet they likewise leave room for ambiguity if uncertainty the consensus. That said, this volume is intended as an undergraduate-level (freshman-level) textbook for those with little or no background in the Old Testament, and thus detail is lacking at times.

Old Testament Survey by Paul R. House and Eric Mitchell is the textbook that I wish was used when I was an undergraduate Old Testament student. It is both informative and intentionally presented to allow the student to enter into the exhilarating world of the Old Testament. This is a book that will quickly ignite a passion and excite an understanding for the Old Testament. If you are an incoming Old Testament student or simply an interested layman, Old Testament Survey by Paul R. House and Eric Mitchell is a book to have nearby. It comes highly recommended!

[Alexis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had to read this textbook for my Old Testament class and I enjoyed it a lot more that I thought I would. I learned some things about the Old Testament that I previously didn’t know and the book does a good job at summarizing the books of the Old Testament.

[Andrew Crawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good survey...

The old testament can be hard to understand in context within the biblical narrative as a whole. Definitely recommended to those who want to study and understand the Old Testament.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kindle edition

04102015 : Using this as a companion book as I read through the OT. It's concise, as a one-volume OT commentary must be, but it's sufficiently detailed to help me gain an overview of the OT sections I'm reading. I like it.

[Daniel Alvers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good survey book.... As much as one can enjoy a survey book.... Full of good information that is very useful and needed.

[Caleb Gibson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read it for and ORU class. This is a really good overview of the Old Testament! Helped me a lot!

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I used this book for my OT Survey class and I really felt like it was a great introduction.