Naked Bible 020: Taking the Bible’s Own Context Seriously, Part 5: Books for ANE and OT Study

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Jan 22, 2015

Dive into the fascinating world of the ancient Near East as the discussion highlights essential texts that unlock the cultural and religious practices of biblical times. Learn why understanding these civilizations is crucial for interpreting the Old Testament. The emphasis is on key resources that illuminate societal structures and legal systems of the era. Recommended readings bring to life the complexities of the context in which biblical writers operated, paving the way for a deeper appreciation of biblical narratives.

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ADVICE

Top ANE Reference Set

Use the reference set "Civilizations of the Ancient Near East" edited by Jack Sasson for comprehensive coverage of ANE topics.
It includes religion, culture, history, poetry, science, and more, all in one set.

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IVP Old Testament Dictionaries

Use the InterVarsity Press Dictionary of the Old Testament series for detailed Old Testament topics.
These volumes emphasize the ANE worldview embedded in the Old Testament.

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Dictionary of Deities and Demons

Consult the Dictionary of Deities and Demons in the Bible for detailed entries on divine beings.
Each article uses an ANE context to explain gods, angels, and spiritual beings in the Old Testament.

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Essential Resources for Ancient Near East and Old Testament Studies

02:47 • 18min

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Exploring Ancient Near Eastern Context through Recommended Texts

21:09 • 2min

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Everyday Life in Ancient Rome

Lionel Kasson

Dictionary of Deities and Demons in the Bible

Pieter W. van der Horst

This dictionary is a major work of reference that discusses all the gods and demons whose names are found in the Hebrew Bible, Septuagint, Apocrypha, and New Testament. It includes entries on divine names recognized by biblical authors, theophoric toponyms and anthroponyms, secular terms used as divine names in neighboring civilizations, and humans who acquired a semi-divine status in tradition. Each entry provides a discussion of the name, its meaning, religio-historical background, relevant biblical passages, and an up-to-date bibliography. The work is the result of a collaborative effort by over a hundred international scholars from various traditions.

History of Ancient Egypt

Mark van de Mieroop

Religion and ritual in ancient Egypt

Emily Teeter

Emily Teeter's "Religion and Ritual in Ancient Egypt" offers a detailed examination of the religious practices and beliefs of ancient Egypt. The book explores the various rituals, festivals, and ceremonies that formed an integral part of Egyptian life. Teeter analyzes the role of temples, priests, and pharaohs in maintaining religious order. She examines the significance of funerary rituals and beliefs about the afterlife. The book provides a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted nature of ancient Egyptian religion and its impact on society.

Civilizations of the Ancient Near East

Jack Sasson

Women and the Religion of Ancient Israel

Susan Ackerman

Gods, Demons and Symbols of Ancient Mesopotamia: An Illustrated Dictionary

Jeremy Black

A History of the Ancient Near East

Marc Van De Mieroop

The Treasures of Darkness

Thorkild Jakobsen

The Lost World of Genesis 1

Ancient Cosmology and the Origins Debate

George Orwell

John Walton's "The Lost World of Genesis 1" offers a fresh perspective on the book of Genesis, challenging traditional interpretations. Walton argues that the creation account in Genesis 1 should not be understood as a scientific or historical narrative but rather as a literary work conveying theological truths about God's relationship with humanity. He emphasizes the ancient Near Eastern cultural context of Genesis, suggesting that the text's primary purpose was to establish God's kingship and covenant relationship with Israel. Walton's work encourages readers to appreciate the literary and theological richness of Genesis 1, moving beyond simplistic literal interpretations. The book has sparked significant debate among biblical scholars and theologians, prompting a re-evaluation of traditional approaches to Genesis.

The Early History of God

Yahweh and the Other Deities in Ancient Israel

Mark S. Smith

This book explores how Israel's religion evolved from a cult of Yahweh among many deities to a fully defined monotheistic faith. It argues that Israelite religion developed from Canaanite roots, incorporating elements from other deities like El, Asherah, and Baal into Yahweh. The book challenges traditional views of Israel's cultural and religious distinctiveness from its neighbors.

Ancient Near Eastern Thought and the Old Testament

Introducing the Conceptual World of the Hebrew Bible

John Walton

The Ancient Orient: An Introduction to the Study of the Ancient Near East

Wolfgang von Soden

Women's Lives in Biblical Times

J. Cheryl Exum Ebeling

Egyptian Mythology A to Z

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Geraldine Pinch

Egyptian myth

A Very Short Introduction

Geraldine Pinch

In Search of God: The Meaning and Message of the Everlasting Names

Torleif G. Mettinger

Handbook to Life in Ancient Mesopotamia

Stephen Bertman

Ancient Egyptian religion

Stephen Quirke

Everyday Law in Biblical Israel: An Introduction

Bruce Wells

Red Land, Black Land

Daily Life in Ancient Egypt

Barbara Mertz

Ancient Israel, its life and institutions

Roland de Vaux

Israelite Religions

An Archaeological and Biblical Survey

Richard S. Hess

The Lives of Ordinary People in Ancient Israel: When Archaeology and the Bible Intersect

William G. Dever

Peoples of the Old Testament World

Albrecht Hoerth

Edwin Yamauchi

David Mattingly

We’ve talked in previous episodes about how the best way to understood the original context of the biblical writers is to immerse yourself in the worldview of the civilizations with which the biblical writers had regular contact. We’ve already spent several episodes on my recommendations for accessing the texts of the ancient Near East and Second Temple period – the intellectual output of the civilizations and cultures that form the original contexts of the Old and New Testaments. In this episode and the next, I want to recommend the best books and reference sources for understanding the religion and culture of the ANE and Second Temple period. Scholars who are steeped in this material have produced many essays explaining the worldview of these civilizations and how that worldview matters for biblical study and interpretation. My goal is to direct you to the best of those resources. As is our pattern, we’ll devote this episode to the ANE, the context for the OT, before moving to the Second Temple period, the context for the NT, in the next episode of the podcast.

Books and Reference Works on Ancient Near Eastern Texts and Worldview

Most Recommended Reference Works for OT Study in Ancient Near Eastern Context

Sasson (ed.), Civilizations of the Ancient Near East/4 Volumes Bound in 2 Books (v. 1 & 2)

Baker (ed.), Dictionary of the Old Testament: Pentateuch (The IVP Bible Dictionary Series)

digital version

Williamson (ed.), Dictionary of the Old Testament: Historical Books (The IVP Bible Dictionary Series)

digital version

Enns (ed.), Dictionary of the Old Testament: Wisdom, Poetry & Writings (The IVP Bible Dictionary Series)

Boda (ed.), Dictionary of the Old Testament: Prophets (IVP Bible Dictionary)

van der Toorn, Dictionary of Deities and Demons in the Bible, Second Edition

digital version

Monographs