"An excellent, comprehensive, student-oriented textbook"This substantially updated edition provides readers with an accessible introduction to the literature, history, and social context of the Old Testament."This classic, now in its fourth edition, introduces readers to both the nature of the Old Testament and its reflection of the ancient Near Eastern world. It is packed with information, including beautiful maps, insets, figures, study questions, a glossary, and indices. Many parts of the work have been expanded, updated, and revised to make it even more readable and helpful for undergraduates and seminarians encountering the Old Testament for the first time."--Mark Sneed, Lubbock Christian University"The Old Testament: Text and Context is a guide for students in that important first class in the Old Testament. Matthews and Moyer--repeatedly recognized by their colleagues as skilled teachers--show how archaeology, anthropology, sociology, and literary criticism contribute to our understanding and appreciation of the enduring biblical traditions. This fourth edition is a testimony from all instructors and their students who have found the previous editions to be a valuable resource."--Don C. Benjamin, Arizona State University"Matthews and Moyer have produced an excellent, comprehensive, student-oriented textbook that provides first-time readers of the Hebrew Bible an entrance into the texts, their historical background, and scholarly interpretations. Teachers and students will find readable introductions to the books of the Hebrew Bible and the Apocrypha, with valuable sidebar discussions of important issues, organized around the historical context. Special discussions of interest, such as modern methods of biblical research, advice about translations, online resources, and an extensive glossary, add to the book's value for the reader."--John T. Strong, Missouri State University"Two of my very best teachers have taken an already-excellent textbook and made it even better. This new edition is clearer, richer, and more relevant for students, and it allows instructors to pivot in many different directions for teaching. This book remains one of my gold standards for introducing students to the Old Testament."--Brian R. Doak, George Fox University