A Brief Introduction to the Old Testament: The Hebrew Bible in Its Context

by Michael D. Coogan

Engaging and accessible to students from all backgrounds, "A Brief Introduction to the Old Testament: The Hebrew Bible in Its Context" is an updated, concise, and more pedagogical version of Michael D. Coogan's best-selling "The Old Testament: A Historical and Literary Introduction to the Hebrew Scriptures" (OUP, 2005).

Focuses on Historical Content while also Addressing Other Interpretive Approaches

Retaining the historical and literary perspective of the longer text, this concise edition is enhanced by two new introductory chapters that provide students with the context necessary to analyze the biblical texts — one on the composition of the Old Testament and one on the history and geography of the ancient Near East and how it influenced the Hebrew Bible. Relying on internal evidence, scholarly consensus, and current research, Coogan deals in detail with ancient Near Eastern sources and archaeological data. He works from a primarily historical and critical methodology but also introduces students to literary analysis and other interpretive strategies. Offering the most balanced and comprehensive introduction available, Coogan examines all the books of the Hebrew Bible and also considers additional writings from the ancient Near East. The Apocryphal / Deuterocanonical books are
included in an appendix.

"A Brief Introduction to the Old Testament: The Hebrew Bible in Its Context" is enhanced:
• Chapter introductions connecting each chapter to the preceding material and previewing the material to come
• Chapter summaries that highlight key points and link each chapter to the rest of the book
• Important terms, boldfaced at their first appearance and defined in a glossary of more than 100 words
• Numerous strategically placed text boxes — some new to this concise edition — that offer interesting and useful supplementary information
• Timelines, photos, illustrations, maps, and a four-color insert on Jerusalem in biblical times
• Review questions, suggestions for further reading, annotated bibliographies at the end of each chapter, and a general bibliography
• An Instructor's Manual (in both print and CD formats) and a Companion Website that contains resources for both students and instructors
• A FREE 6-month subscription to Oxford Biblical Studies Online — a $180 value —with the purchase of every new copy of this text!

Providing a nondenominational and nondoctrinal treatment, "A Brief Introduction to the Old Testament" offers a unique and captivating introduction to the Hebrew scriptures themselves and to how they have been — and can be — interpreted.

Genres: Religion, Nonfiction, Theology, Biblical Studies, Reference, Old Testament

464 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2008

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

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great survey of the Old Testament. Coogan walks the readers through each book of the Hebrew Scriptures, as well as apocryphal and deuterocanonical books and ANE writings, in an accessible, interesting way, including sidebars on various related topics, maps, timelines, and other supplementary material. Though this introduction is a "nondenominational and nondoctrinal treatment," sensitive readers who prefer to approach the biblical text from a conservative hermeneutic should be aware that Coogan uses a variety of interpretive strategies including historical, critical, and literary analyses. An engaging read with helpful chapter-by-chapter bibliographies for further research.

[Carson Harraman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Coogan oftentimes betrays his bias, often uncritically accepting the conclusions of modern scholarship. There is an occasional "historical snobbery" here, an assumption that the Biblical authors weren't all that intelligent, and didn't craft their books in a certain way on purpose. Besides that, the book is excellent. Provides a sweeping survey of the background material and the Ancient Near Eastern context of the Hebrew Bible. Coogan, while clearly not bound to the text in any authoritative manner, for the most part does a fair and thorough job, and his writing is enjoyable.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Organization was rough, my students struggled with the sections on the Deuteronomic history. I think I'd prefer to teach from a textbook that takes one biblical book per chapter. Will consider Collins' textbook next time I teach HB.

[Grant Showalter-Swanson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coogan, it has been a fabulous read. You have utterly transformed, challenged and strengthened my reading of the Hebrew/Old Testament!

[Marc Bulck · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best textbooks about the Old Testament I have read. Michael Coogan is a master scholar. I'm very eager to read his book about the Ten Commandments.

[Ben · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too much emphasis on source criticism as a framing device for reading OT literature, doesn’t reflect the current state of OT studies which has largely moved away from this emphasis.

[Dave Herman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick and helpful overview of recent scholarship on the OT. It leaves me wanting to learn more, but covers much as an introduction.

[John Kight · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michael D. Coogan is Lecturer of Hebrew Bible/Old Testament at Harvard Divinity School, Director of Publications for the Harvard Semitic Museum, Editor-in-Chief of Oxford Biblical Studies Online, and Professor Emeritus of Religious Studies at Stonehill College. Coogan is a respected and accomplished author of numerous scholarly publications and General Editor of The New Oxford Annotated Bible (4th ed.). Most recently, Coogan released an updated and revised edition of his well-known Old Testament textbook—an introductory textbook that is commonplace among undergraduate classrooms.

A Brief Introduction to the Old Testament: The Hebrew Bible in Its Context (3rd ed.) is largely a more condensed rendering of The Old Testament: A Historical and Literary Introduction to the Hebrew Scriptures (3rd ed.). The latter being more technical and detail than the former. For this updated and revised edition Coogan invited a collaborator, Cynthia R. Chapman of Oberlin College, to provide fresh insight and perspective. However, as Coogan explains in the preface, “She brought to the revision not just a fresh perspective, but also expertise in gender theory and anthropological approaches to the study of the Bible” (xix).

Coogan and Chapman have sought to provide updates and revisions throughout the volume that present the most recent scholarship with clarity, accuracy, and accessibility (xx). Moreover, the sections of the volume that deal with women have been more fully integrated into the context of the specific section rather than marginalized into subsections. Likewise, many interested readers will celebrate Coogan’s decision to decrease previous emphasis on the Documentary Hypothesis, and increase discussion of other interpretive strategies and methodologies of the Torah. These changes alone make this edition a welcomed and more balanced experienced.

Those familiar with the previous editions will recognize and rejoice in the overall layout of the volume. Each chapter begins with a short introduction that connects the previous section to the coming material, and closes with a summary section to review the material discussed. Within this framework Coogan has highlighted important names and terms, provided a list of curated review questions, and offered the readers a brief bibliography for further study. At the end of the book the reader will find a general bibliography organized topically for ease of use, a glossary of all the highlighted words for quick reference, and an index for ease of navigation.

A Brief Introduction to the Old Testament: The Hebrew Bible in Its Context (3rd ed.) by Michael D. Coogan and Cynthia R. Chapman provides a welcomed revision to an already well-known and well-received classic. Everything previously praised about this volume remains, and what has changed should only warrant additional adoration. While much of the content in this volume will come with criticism and disagreement from more conservative readers, Coogan has offered an introduction worth engaging for readers with a keen awareness of the underlying issues. This is an Old Testament introduction that you will want on your shelf. Who knows you may even need it for class one day. It comes highly recommended!

I received a review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

[Sean Watkins · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good academic book addressing the Old Testament. The author, however, does not believe in the Scriptures to which he writes, which is slightly confusing. There is tremendous input, data, and study provided and an excellent resource for any Christian desiring to learn the academic arguments against the authority of Scripture and/or the existence of God.

[Vanessa Siemens · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn't agree with everything the author wrote about, but he provides some great perspectives and things to think about in regards to the Old Testament and provides insights into the social culture of that day.