This volume features an impressive array of leading biblical scholars and presents an illuminating and lively cross-section of this traditional field of study. Treating core topics and changing methodologies within twenty-three comprehensive chapters, this Companion provides an outstanding introduction to the historical origins and literary character of the canonical literature.

Part I. Text and Canon: 1. Texts, titles, and translations James C. VanderKam; 2. Collections, canons, and communities Stephen B. Chapman; Part II. Historical Background: 3. The ancient Near Eastern context Kenton L. Sparks; 4. The history of Israelite religion Brent A. Strawn; 5. The Hebrew Bible and history Marc Zvi Brettler; Part III. Methods and Approaches: 6. Historical-critical methods John J. Collins; 7. Social science models Victor H. Matthews; 8. Literary approaches to the Hebrew Bible Adele Berlin; Part IV. Subcollections and Genres: 9. The Pentateuch and Israelite law Thomas B. Dozeman; 10. The former prophets and historiography Richard D. Nelson; 11. The latter prophets and prophecy Marvin A. Sweeney; 12. The Psalms and Hebrew poetry William P. Brown; 13. Wisdom Samuel E. Balentine; 14. Late historical books and rewritten history Ehud Ben Zvi; 15. The biblical short story Lawrence M. Wills; 16. Apocalyptic writings Stephen L. Cook; 17. Deuterocanonical/apocryphal books Sharon Pace; Part V. Reception and Use: 18. The Hebrew Bible in Judaism Frederick E. Greenspahn; 19. The Old Testament in Christianity R. W. L. Moberly; 20. The Hebrew Bible in Islam Walid A. Saleh; 21. The Hebrew Bible in art and literature David Lyle Jeffrey; 22. The Old Testament in public: the Ten Commandments, evolution, and Sabbath closing laws Nancy J. Duff; 23. The theology of the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament John Goldingay.