Beginning theological students are frequently overwhelmed by the proliferation of volumes dealing with Old Testament theology, to say nothing of the variety of approaches used in these works. Each of the three sections in this volume--designed to ease entry into the field--is introduced by one of the editors in a survey essay that provides the necessary background for theological students.

The first section of this textbook contains, for the first time in English, two influential essays by Otto Eissfeldt and Walther Eichrodt. The second, main section provides two selections from the works of fourteen major Old Testament theologians of the twentieth century. The first excerpt details the theologian's methodology of doing Old Testament theology; the second provides an example of interpretation based upon this methodology. In addition to these excerpts (usually around twenty pages), the editors provide a short introduction and pertinent bibliography for each of the following theologians: Brevard S. Childs, Ronald E. Clements, Walther Eichrodt, Paul D. Hanson, Edmond Jacob, Walter C. Kaiser Jr., John L. McKenzie, Elmer A. Martens, Gerhard von Rad, Samuel Lucien Terrien, Theodorus C. Vriezen, Claus Westermann, George Ernest Wright, Walther Zimmerli.

The third and final section contains excerpts from five contemporary theologians: Walter Brueggemann, Hartmut Gese, Rolf Knierim, Jon D. Levenson, Phyllis Trible.

An appendix contains Johann P. Gabler's 1787 seminal essay on biblical theology. An extensive bibliography and indexes of topics, authorities, and Scripture references conclude the volume.