"Finally, a handy, accessible history book written for students encountering the academic study of the Bible for the first time! Beth LaNeel Tanner's textbook is more than a primer; it is a rich and thought-provoking review of the historical and cultural issues that any seminary student must face in an introductory course. Developed and refined from her many years of teaching, Tanner proves to be an eminently reliable guide, both sensitive and challenging. Her textbook serves as the ideal invitation to delve deeply into the world behind the biblical text with an eye toward what lies beyond."

—William P. Brown, William Marcellus McPheeters Professor of Old Testament, Columbia Theological Seminary

"Studying the history behind the Bible can be perplexing, unsettling, and theologically challenging, especially for new students. With more than two decades of experience teaching, Tanner knows the most pressing questions, concerns, misconceptions, and biases that readers are sure to bring. More importantly, she knows how to address them. In this book, Tanner brings together established scholarship, new discoveries, her awareness of the limits of historical inquiry, and the contentions in charged debates about the history behind the Old Testament. Thankfully, she packages it in a way that is sensitive to students and to the real people who lived in the ancient world. One could not hope for a better balance of critical investigation and compassion."

—Justin Michael Reed, Associate Professor of Old Testament, Louisville Seminary

"Providing a succinct outline of the major historical events and cultural issues that undergird the Hebrew Bible, Tanner's compact and readable book brings to life the stories in the Hebrew text. As such, Tanner's work offers an accessible and engaging introduction to the study of the Hebrew Scriptures."

—Song-Mi Suzie Park, Associate Professor of Old Testament, Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary

"Tanner's work fills a need for an introduction to the critical study of the Hebrew Bible for undergraduates and seminary students by focusing on the political, social, and material cultures that helped to shape these texts. Her prose reflects an engaging style, deals with foundational issues honestly, and reflects an erudite synthesis of the cultural milieus of the ancient world."

—James Nogalski, W. Marshall and Lulie Craig Professor of Hebrew Bible, Baylor University

"In Ancient Israel and Judah, Tanner expertly guides the reader through complex issues in biblical scholarship while thoughtfully and conscientiously bridging the gap between faith-based, application-oriented approaches that tend to center the contemporary reader and contextualizing methods that biblical scholars use. The result is an accessible introduction to the history and culture of the Hebrew Bible that is both rich and engaging! Maps, charts, and images significantly enhance the presentation and clarity of the book."

—Rebecca Harris, Associate Professor of Bible, Messiah University

"It's often said that 'a text without a context is a pretext.' Finally, we have a book that presents the historical and cultural contexts of the Old Testament/Hebrew Bible with sensitivity, clarity, and expertise. Students and teachers alike will welcome this volume, and I predict that pretexts will become less common as a result."

—Carol M. Bechtel, retired Professor of Old Testament, Western Theological Seminary