OT101 Introducing the Old Testament: Its Structure and Story
OT102 Introducing the Old Testament: Its Poetry and Prophecy
OT291 The Jewish Trinity: How the Old Testament Reveals the Christian Godhead
OT355 Book Study: Isaiah: God’s Salvation for Israel and the Ends of the Earth
OT366 Book Study: Daniel and Its Literary and Historical Contexts
Join David W. Baker on a whirlwind tour, looking at the Old Testament from many different angles and at how it relates to ancient Near Eastern literature. From creation accounts and stories of destruction to Wisdom literature, discover different biblical literary genres that have parallels in ancient Near Eastern literature. Explore extrabiblical historical texts that mention key events and figures from the Old Testament. Understand how Israel fits into and is impacted by its ancient Near Eastern environment, but also how it is separate and unique, mainly on a theological level, but also by its distinct worldview.
Introducing the Speaker and the Course
Peoples and Places in the Old Testament
Influences of Multiculturalism
Ancient Near Eastern Literacy
Writing and Authorship
Ancient Writing Materials and Extant Biblical Texts
Ancient Writing and Copying Practices
Value of Ancient Near Eastern Texts
Biblical Views of Creation
The Enuma Elish Creation Epic
Comparing Creation Accounts in Genesis and Enuma Elish
Comparing Humanity’s Role in Creation
Creation in Egypt and Canaan
Creative Order
Sibling Rivalry, Eternal Life
Mesopotamian Flood Stories
Comparing the Genesis and Mesopotamian Floods
Considering Parallel Flood Accounts
An Egyptian Account of the Destruction of Humankind
Confusion of Languages, Parallel Customs
Nuzi Legal Documents
Shepherding Laws
Egyptian Elements in Joseph’s Story
Moses and the Legend of Sargon
The Exodus and Ancient Migrations
Ancient Near Eastern Treaties
The Old Testament and Ancient Near Eastern Treaties
Ancient Law Codes
Israel’s Laws and Ancient Near Eastern Laws
Legal Penalties in the Ancient Near East
Ancient Near Eastern Rituals
Israel and the Stele of Merneptah
Balaam and the Fragment at Deir Alla
Ancient Near East Temple History
Ancient Near East Cyclical Views of History
Shaping Historical Events
Determining Historical Accuracy
Resources for Reconstructing History
The El-Amarna Letters
The Sea Peoples
Dating Ancient Near East Events
Inscriptions of Shishak and Shalmaneser III
Inscriptions of Hazael and Mesha
Inscriptions of Tiglath-Pileser III and Sargon II
Sennacherib’s Third Campaign
Inscription at Hezekiah’s Tunnel
Nebuchadnezzar, Evil-Merodach, and Cyrus
Hebrew Seal Inscriptions
Divine Communication in the Ancient Near East
Prophecy and Omens in the Ancient Near East
Comparing Diviners and Prophets
Poetry and Songs in the Ancient Near East
Personal Hymns and Prayers in the Ancient Near East
The Book of Job and Ancient Near Eastern Parallels
Job and the Song of Solomon and Ancient Near Eastern Parallels
Proverbs and Ancient Near East Parallels
Course Summary
Details
Video hours: 6
David W. Baker is a professor of Old Testament and Semitic languages at Ashland Theological Seminary in Ohio, where he’s taught since 1986, following teaching assignments at the University of Durban-Westville and the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa. He’s also lectured in Argentina, Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.
Dr. Baker has a particular interest in pedagogy, constantly exploring new means and media to enhance the learning and teaching experience for both the instructor and the student. He has contributed to, edited, or written over 40 books, including Isaiah in the Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary, The NIV Application Commentary: Joel, Obadiah, Malachi, and Dictionary of the Old Testament: Pentateuch. Forthcoming books include Genesis 37–50: A Handbook on the Hebrew Text in the Baylor Handbook on the Hebrew Bible Series, 1 & 2 Kings in the Teach the Text Commentary Series, Genesis in the Apollos Old Testament Commentary Series, and 1 & 2 Samuel in the Believers Church Bible Commentary Series.
He’s blessed with a wife, Morven, who immigrated to Canada from Scotland—a start that prepared her to support Dr. Baker in his geographical wanderings. Morven is a counselor specializing in women’s issues, specifically sexual abuse and domestic violence. Together, they have two children and three granddaughters.