New Book by NBTS Professor Brings the Hebrew Bible’s World to Life

February 9, 2026

New Brunswick Theological Seminary (NBTS) is pleased to announce the release of Ancient Israel and Judah: Why History and Cultural Context Matter for Reading the Hebrew Bible, a new book by the Rev. Beth LaNeel Tanner, Ph.D., Norman and Mary Kansfield Chair of Old Testament. The book offers an accessible and richly contextual introduction to the Hebrew Bible, connecting Scripture to the historical and cultural worlds in which it emerged.

Designed for students, clergy, and thoughtful readers alike, Ancient Israel and Judah bridges the gap between academic biblical scholarship and faith-based reading. From the origins of the Genesis narratives through the Maccabean period, Tanner guides readers through centuries of history, helping them understand how context, culture, and lived experience shape the biblical text. With clarity and approachability, the book introduces historical criticism and literary paradigms while addressing common misconceptions about biblical history.

“This book exemplifies the kind of scholarship that advances our mission,” said Dr. Micah L. McCreary, President of New Brunswick Theological Seminary. “Faculty scholarship is mission-critical at NBTS. It strengthens the church, deepens theological conversation, and equips leaders to engage Scripture with both rigor and faith.”

In addition to its narrative approach, Ancient Israel and Judah includes charts, maps, and a glossary to support learning across experience levels. Its inclusion of the often-overlooked late historical period (1000–33 BCE) provides essential context for readers seeking a deeper understanding of the New Testament world.

The Rev. Beth LaNeel Tanner, Ph.D., is the Norman and Mary Kansfield Chair of Old Testament at NBTS and a widely respected scholar and educator. Her work is known for making complex biblical history accessible without sacrificing theological depth, serving both the academy and the church.

Order Your Copy: Ancient Israel and Judah: Why History and Cultural Context Matter for Reading the Hebrew Bible, published by Westminster John Knox Press

 

For more information about faculty scholarship at New Brunswick Theological Seminary, visit nbts.edu.