A Survey of the Old Testament

Fourth Edition

By: Andrew E. Hill, John H. Walton

Narrated by: Christopher Ragland

An indispensable guide for exploring the literary, historical, and theological issues behind the Old Testament.

The purpose of studying the Old Testament is to understand God and his redemptive work more fully. However, this goal is complicated by the fact that it was transmitted through a very different language and culture from our own. A Survey of the Old Testament addresses background information, purpose, message, structure, and major themes of the Old Testament to help readers understand its message and relevance.

Chapters introducing each major section of the Old Testament are included, as are chapters dealing with issues of interpretation, hermeneutics, theology, geography, archaeology, history, formation of the Old Testament canon, and the Old Testament's relationship to the New Testament. The fourth edition features a renewed focus on purpose, theology, and message while also providing a more succinct textbook less intimidating to students.

Features included for each book of the Old Testament:

• Writing of the Book
• Background
• Outline of the Book
• Purpose and Message
• Structure and Organization
• Major Themes
• Questions for Further Study and Discussion
• Further Reading

Complete with updated full-color maps, photos, timelines, and charts, the latest edition of this widely acclaimed textbook is a useful and readable tool for students and other readers who wish to better understand the Old Testament and God's redemptive work.

Photos, maps, timelines, charts, figures, outlines, further reading, study questions, and a glossary are included in the audiobook companion PDF download.

Difficult to listen to

General rhythm and Americanized pronunciation and unapologetic mispronunciation of names of people and places are very distracting and made the whole thing difficult to listen to

Organized. Useful reference.

1. The book is highly organized and patterned in its content presentation. It is imo thus very useful as a recall-refreshing reference when pondering aspects of an Old Testament book or books i.e. theme, origin, context, audience, messages, etc
2. I intend to refer to it again and in full, chapter by chapter, as I read each Old Testament book throughout 2026.
3. It approaches a level of erudition which is less than it seems to aspire to. By that I note for example,

a. The content and language is largely descriptive yet occasionally wanders into “we should not” or “we should” language.
b. While giving account of for example historical critical method and theories as well as other interpretive models, the authors invariably conclude on a model which observes the divine origin of the message (however the text may have come to be what it is). This comment is not meant to critique that position only to describe this work.
c. What one may learn from this work about scripture using an historical critical method is quite consistent with other works which are more rigorous in their adherence to that method.

4. But this (point 3) is not unexpected given the faith orientation of its authors and their noble integrity toward it.
5. The faith tradition underlying these author’s core orientation differs from my own (known before hand). It has thus been informative and interesting to note and learn from differences (so much of what one may learn is by observing difference). For example, “ sovereign” as a characteristic of God seems to overwhelmingly affect much of the authors’ view and presentation. Huh. Sovereignty as a Divine characteristic is something I’ve not previously thought much about. [See note below.]
6. The last 3 chapters provide a thoughtful “summary.” By it the author’s interpretive orientation is unapologetically confirmed. I characterize it (their interpretive preference) as adherent to ancient interpretation (as used by John Kugel). Occasionally their net preference leans toward modern biblical scholarship. My intent in reading has been / is neutral.
7. “Summary” is perhaps inaccurate. Concluding sermon may be more fitting.
8. These last chapters seem also to more effectively describe God as put forward in the Old Testament i.e. they provide a more representative description of His character and attributes.