This past summer I had the privilege of developing an Introduction to the Old Testament course that I taught three times in the the fall semester (2024). Along with any new course comes the search for a textbook. After examining the leading options, I chose A Survey of the Old Testament without reservation.

Andrew E. Hill and John H. Walton have created an exceptional resource for undergraduate students or even pastors who are looking for a quick reference guide to the Old Testament. At over 500 full-colour pages, this hefty tome provides all the information required for an intelligent reading of each book in the Old Testament. In addition to chapters on all the Old Testament books, there are also essays on topics like the geography, archeology, and introductions to the various genres.

This textbook stands out for its detailed yet clear presentation of the culture of the ancient Near East. Photographs of cultural relics, geographic locations, along with maps and charts bring clarity to the ancient world.

Written from a Christian perspective, this survey follows the Old Testament order of the Hebrew books. The final chapter is entitled, “The Journey to Jesus.” After walking through the entire Old Testament narrative, the life of Jesus comes into focus with more clarity than ever before.

I would highly recommend this book for any undergraduate student who needs to understand the Old Testament. It’s also a helpful book for pastors or thoughtful Christians. In a few short pages, readers can gain all the tools they need to faithfully read, interpret, and teach each of the ancient documents that together we call the Old Testament.

Hill, Andrew E. and John H. Walton. A Survey of the Old Testament. 4th edition. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Academic, 2023.