What if every book of the Old Testament came with a trusted guide who could explain its world, purpose, message, and significance before you began reading?The Old Testament is one of the most influential collections of writings in human history. It is also one of the most difficult. Its books emerged from cultures separated from us by thousands of years. They were written in different genres, across different centuries, for audiences living in worlds shaped by empires, covenants, temples, kings, prophets, exile, and restoration.
Many readers know the stories. Fewer understand the world behind them.
An Introduction to Each Old Testament Book serves as a guide to all thirty-nine books of the Old Testament, helping readers understand what each book is, why it was written, how it fits into the larger biblical story, and what it reveals about God and His covenant relationship with humanity.
Each chapter provides a clear introduction to an individual Old Testament book, exploring:
- Historical and cultural setting
- Authorship and composition
- Literary structure and artistry
- Major theological themes
- Ancient Near Eastern background and context
- Connections to the Book of Mormon and the Restoration
- Why the book matters today
Inside you'll discover:
- How Genesis responds to the creation stories of the ancient world
- Why Exodus became the defining story of Israel's identity
- How Leviticus teaches holiness, covenant, and divine presence
- What Numbers reveals about faith, leadership, and wilderness discipleship
- Why Deuteronomy stands at the center of biblical covenant theology
- How the prophets challenged kings, nations, and covenant communities
- Why wisdom books such as Job, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes still speak powerfully to modern readers
- How exile, restoration, and covenant hope shape the final books of the Old Testament
Drawing on biblical scholarship, archaeology, Ancient Near Eastern studies, literary analysis, and Restoration scripture, Taylor Halverson, Ph.D. helps readers hear each biblical book in its own voice and within its own world. Rather than imposing modern assumptions onto ancient texts, this book invites readers to listen carefully to what the biblical authors were trying to communicate to their original audiences and then discover how those messages continue to illuminate faith today.
This volume covers:
- Genesis through Deuteronomy
- Joshua through Esther
- Job through Song of Songs
- Isaiah through Malachi
- Historical books
- Wisdom literature
- Major prophets
- Minor prophets
- Covenant theology across the entire Old Testament
Written for Latter-day Saints, Bible students, teachers, seminary and institute students, Come Follow Me learners, and anyone seeking a deeper understanding of scripture, this book provides the historical, literary, and theological foundation needed to read the Old Testament with confidence.
The goal is simple: To help readers see the Old Testament as its original audience would have understood it, and then discover how its message continues to speak across the centuries. The Old Testament is not a collection of disconnected stories. It is a unified covenant narrative revealing who God is, what He asks of His people, and how He works through history to bless the world.
