This comprehensive, introductory textbook is unique in exploring the emergence of the Hebrew Bible in the broader context of world history. It particularly focuses on the influence of pre-Roman empires, empowering students with a richer understanding of Old Testament historiography. * Provides a historical context for students learning about the development and changing interpretations of biblical texts * Examines how these early stories were variously shaped by interaction with the Mesopotamian and Egyptian, Assyrian, Babylonian, Persian, and Hellenistic empires * Incorporates recent research on the formation of the Pentateuch * Reveals how key biblical texts came to be interpreted by Jewish, Christian, and Muslim faiths * Includes numerous student-friendly features, such as study questions, review sections, bibliographies, timelines, and illustrations and photos