Eric Mitchell
Eric Mitchell (PhD, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) is professor of Old Testament and biblical backgrounds at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
View Author's PageThis updated third edition of Old Testament Survey revises the original edition and greatly expands its attention to historical, methodological, and geographical topics. These are combined with the second edition’s focus on literature and narrative, and an increased number of improved maps are also included. In all, the book charts every major element that unifies the Old Testament, making it an excellent companion for Bible reading, college/seminary classes, and pastoral research.
Acknowledgments
Maps
Illustrations
Images
Beginning the Study
Part I: The Law (Torah)
Chapter 1: Genesis: Creation, Corruption, and Covenant
Genesis 1:1–11:9: Creation, Corruption, and Covenant
Genesis 11:10–50:26: God’s Redemptive Plans through Abraham’s Family
Chapter 2: Exodus–Leviticus: Covenant and Community
Exodus 1–4: Israel’s Enslavement and Moses’s Call
Exodus 5–19: Israel’s Exodus
Exodus 20–24: The Heart of God’s Covenant with Israel
Exodus 25–31: Instructions Concerning the Tabernacle and the Priests
Exodus 32–34: Covenant Breaking and Covenant Renewal
Exodus 35–40: Building the Tabernacle
Leviticus 1–7: Sacrifices for Forgiving Sins
Leviticus 8–10: Priests for Covenant Worship
Leviticus 11–15: Clean and Unclean
Leviticus 16: The Comprehensive Sacrifice
Leviticus 17–26: Becoming a Holy People
Leviticus 27: Devotion to Yahweh
Chapter 3: Numbers–Deuteronomy: The Land Promise Delayed
Numbers 1–10: Departure from Sinai
Numbers 11–20: Rejecting the Land Promise
Numbers 21–36: A New People for the Land
Deuteronomy 1–4: The Land and God’s Past Relationship with Israel
Deuteronomy 5–11: Basic Rules for Possessing the Land
Deuteronomy 12–26: Specific Rules for Possessing the Land
Deuteronomy 27–28: Covenant Benefits and Consequences
Deuteronomy 29–33: Accepting the Covenant
Deuteronomy 34: The Death of Moses
Part II: The Former Prophets
Chapter 4: Joshua: God Gives the Land
Joshua 1–12: The Promised Land Conquered
Joshua 13–22: The Promised Land Divided
Joshua 23–24: Renewing the Covenant
Chapter 5: Judges: Chaos in the Promised Land
Judges 1:1–2:5: The Roots of Chaos
Judges 2:6–16:31: Choosing to Live in Chaos
Judges 17–21: The Consequences of Living in Chaos
Chapter 6: 1 and 2 Samuel: A Kingdom in the Promised Land
1 Samuel 1–7: Samuel’s Ministry
1 Samuel 8–15: Saul, the First King
1 Samuel 16–31: The Rise of a New King
2 Samuel 1–10: David Builds a Kingdom
2 Samuel 11–19: David’s Sin and Its Consequences
2 Samuel 20–24: David’s Last Years
Chapter 7: 1 and 2 Kings: Losing the Land
1 Kings 1:1–12:24: The Rise and Fall of Solomon
1 Kings 12:25–15:34: The Rise and Fall of Jeroboam’s Family
1 Kings 16:1–2 Kings 10:36: The Rise and Fall of Omri’s Family
2 Kings 11–17: Israel’s Decline and Fall
2 Kings 18–25: Judah’s Decline and Fall
Part III: The Latter Prophets
Chapter 8: Isaiah: Prophet of Sin and Salvation
Isaiah 1–4: The Wicked City and Glorious Zion
Isaiah 5–12: The Spoiled Vineyard and the Wells of Salvation
Isaiah 13–27: The Wicked Nations and the Resurrected Peoples
Isaiah 28–35: Proud Ephraim and the Rejoicing Remnant
Isaiah 36:1–56:8: Foreign Invaders and Foreign Worshippers
Isaiah 56:9–62:12: Blind Watchmen and the Redeemed in Zion
Isaiah 63:1–66:24: No One to Help and Servants of Yahweh
Chapter 9: Jeremiah: Prophet of Punishment and the New Covenant
Jeremiah 1: An Introduction
Jeremiah 2–29: Rebellion against God
Jeremiah 30–33: Restoration and a New Covenant
Jeremiah 34–51: Punishment of Judah and the Nations
Jeremiah 52: Jerusalem in Ruins
Chapter 10: Ezekiel: Prophet of God’s Presence and Israel’s Restoration
Ezekiel 1–3: The Prophet’s Call and Yahweh’s Universal Presence
Ezekiel 4–24: Messages about Judah
Ezekiel 25–32: Doom for the Nations
Ezekiel 33–48: Visions of Restoration
Chapter 11: The Book of the Twelve: Prophecy in Concert
Hosea: Israel’s Covenant Adultery
Joel: The Urgent Need for Repentance
Amos: Prophet of Justice
Obadiah: Edom’s Animosity against Judah
Jonah: Israel’s Animosity and God’s Love for Assyria
Micah: Failing to Hear and Obey
Nahum: Nineveh and Assyria’s Punishment
Habakkuk: Judgment for Judah and Babylon
Zephaniah: Judgment for All Nations
Haggai: Restoration of the Temple
Zechariah: Restoration of Jerusalem
Malachi: Restoration of the People
Part IV: The Writings
Chapter 12: Psalms: How to Worship the Living God
Psalms 1–41: Worshipping God When Enemies Attack
Psalms 42–72: Worship and the Next Generation
Psalms 73–89: The Consequences of Later Generations Rejecting a Godly Worship Heritage
Psalms 90–106: Worship and Patient Endurance
Psalms 107–150: Worship and Restoration
Chapter 13: Job: How to Struggle with Life’s Tests and Doubts
Job 1–2: The Testing of Job
Job 3–31: Job’s Dialogues with Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar
Job 32–37: Elihu’s Monologue
Job 38:1–42:6: God’s Answer
Job 42:7–17: Reconciliation, Healing, and Restoration
Chapter 14: Proverbs: How to Grow in Wisdom
Proverbs 1–9: Choosing Wisdom, Avoiding Foolishness
Proverbs 10:1–22:16: Becoming a Righteous “Child”
Proverbs 22:17–24:34: Sustaining Wisdom and Righteousness
Proverbs 25–29: Becoming a Wise and Righteous Leader
Proverbs 30: The Danger to Wisdom That Pride Creates
Proverbs 31: Choosing a Wise Life Partner
Chapter 15: Ruth: How to Overcome Personal Difficulties
Ruth 1: Naomi’s Grief
Ruth 2: Glimpses of Hope
Ruth 3:1–4:17: The Kinsman Redeemer and the Welcoming Community
Ruth 4:18–22: David’s Ancestors
Chapter 16: Song of Songs: How to Celebrate Love
Song of Songs 1:1–2:2: First Expressions of Love
Song of Songs 2:3–3:11: The Desire to Be Together
Song of Songs 4:1–5:1: More Statements of Affection
Song of Songs 5:2–6:3: Further Longing for Love
Song of Songs 6:4–7:9: Final Praises for Her Beauty
Song of Songs 7:10–8:14: The Desire to Be Together Permanently
Chapter 17: Ecclesiastes: How to Find Meaning in Life
Ecclesiastes 1–6: Revere God and Savor God’s Good Gifts
Ecclesiastes 7:1–12:8: Wisdom Is Better Than Foolishness
Ecclesiastes 12:9–14: Words of Truth
Chapter 18: Lamentations: How to Mourn and Repent
Lamentations 1: Jerusalem’s Lonesome Sorrow
Lamentations 2: God’s Justified Wrath
Lamentations 3: God’s Constant Faithfulness
Lamentations 4: The Holy Stones Lie Scattered
Lamentations 5: Yahweh, Restore Us
Chapter 19: Esther: How to Survive in Exile
Esther 1:1–2:20: Esther Becomes Queen
Esther 2:21–7:10: Mordecai’s Battles with Haman
Esther 8:1–9:32: Deliverance and the Feast of Purim
Esther 10:1–3: Peace and Prosperity
Chapter 20: Daniel: How to Maintain Distinctive Faith in Exile
Daniel 1–6: Maintaining Distinctive Faith in Exile
Daniel 7–12: Visions of Future Pain and Triumph
Chapter 21: Ezra–Nehemiah: How to Rebuild
Ezra 1–6: Return and Early Rebuilding Efforts
Ezra 7–10: Rebuilding Israel’s Spiritual Life
Nehemiah 1–7: Rebuilding Jerusalem
Nehemiah 8–13: Rebuilding Israel’s Covenant with God
Chapter 21: Ezra–Nehemiah: How to Rebuild 471
Ezra 1–6: Return and Early Rebuilding Efforts 476
Ezra 7–10: Rebuilding Israel’s Spiritual Life 478
Nehemiah 1–7: Rebuilding Jerusalem 481
Nehemiah 8–13: Rebuilding Israel’s Covenant with God 484
Chapter 22: Chronicles: How to Understand and Apply God’s Word for Renewal
1 Chronicles 1–9: God’s Reign Over History from Creation to Saul
1 Chronicles 10–29: David’s Reign and God’s Promises to David
2 Chronicles 1–9: Solomon’s Reign
2 Chronicles 10–36: Division, Fall, and Renewal
Name Index
Subject Index
Scripture Index
This updated third edition of Old Testament Survey revises the original edition and greatly expands its attention to historical, methodological, and geographical topics. These are combined with the second edition’s focus on literature and narrative, and an increased number of improved maps are also included. In all, the book charts every major element that unifies the Old Testament, making it an excellent companion for Bible reading, college/seminary classes, and pastoral research.