Bible
Grounded Theology in the Hebrew Bible Exploring the Cultural Context That Formed Ancient Israel Elizabeth Backfish and Cynthia Shafer-Elliott
Many books focus on either the cultural contexts of ancient Israel or the theology of the Hebrew Scriptures. This unique and insightful work, coauthored by a biblical scholar with expertise in archaeology and a biblical theologian, bridges the gap between these two dis- ciplines. This book shows readers how the everyday life of ancient Israelites shaped their relationship with God and how understand- ing their cultural context illuminates the profound connections between their world and their faith. Grounded Theology in the Hebrew Bible explores topics such as households, food, marriage negotiations, covenants, warfare, and more. Each chapter begins by examining archaeological insights into the everyday practices and beliefs of ancient Israelites, shedding light on how these inform the theology that develops throughout Scripture. This approach enhances our understanding of ancient Israel’s theologies. This volume is an invitation to dig deeper into the cultural back- ground and theology of the Hebrew Bible. It includes suggestions for further reading, images, figures, and discussion questions. “Reading the Bible is a cross-cultural experience. Grounded Theology in the Hebrew Bible makes the ancient context accessible and understandable. My own students will benefit from the book’s clear organization and orientation to key aspects of culture on display in the Hebrew Bible. Bravo!” —Carmen Joy Imes, Talbot School of Theology “This helpful volume examines how Israel’s cultural contexts can enrich our understanding of Israel’s theologies. A valuable resource for those interested in a deeper understanding of the Old Testament.” —May Young, Taylor University “Backfish and Shafer-Elliott offer readers a rare gift: the ability to see. They serve as interpretive optometrists, helping us to perceive how various aspects of Israel’s cultural and material context illuminate the theology of the Hebrew Bible.” —Christopher Ansberry, Grove City College “A one-of-a-kind resource. This eminently readable introduction will serve students for years to come.” —Jonathan S. Greer, Grand Valley State University
OCTOBER 2025 • 288 pages • $29.99 • paper • 9781540962539
Elizabeth Backfish (PhD, Trinity International University) is associate professor of biblical studies at William Jessup University. She is the author of Hebrew Wordplay and Septuagint Translation Technique in the Fourth Book of the Psalter and serves as theologian in residence at Granite Springs Church in Lincoln, California. Cynthia Shafer-Elliott (PhD, University of Sheffield) is associate professor of Hebrew Bible / Old Testament at Baylor University. She is the author of numerous publications, including the book Food in Ancient Judah , and she is an experienced field archaeologist in Israel.
1
Made with FlippingBook. PDF to flipbook with ease