A general survey of the history of the Ancient Near East as it pertains to the background out of which the Tanach was written, giving the student the ability to understand the history of ancient Israel within a historical framework.
The World of the Tanakh explores the history, culture, and religions of the nations of the ancient Near East, which have influenced or have affected ancient Israel as recorded in the Tanakh. The time period will extend from approximately 3000 bce to the fall of the First Temple. It will not include the return of the Jewish exiles from Babylon in the early Second Temple period.
Topics Covered: Arameans, Ammonites, Moav, Edom, Neo-Assyrians, Babylonians, Medes and Persians, Handwriting in the ANE
Please note, textbooks are NOT included but can be purchased online using the links below.
- Hoerth, Alfred J., Mattingly, Gerald L. and Yamauchi, Edwin M., eds. Peoples of the Old Testament World. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1994.
Note: Students who are strongly interested in this subject are encouraged to subscribe to Bible and Spade magazine at the following website. This is not required reading, however:
