Articles
18 background articles
Articles
Background articles to help you understand the world of the Bible — how it came to us, who its peoples were, and how they lived.
How We Got the Bible
The World of the Old Testament
- The Ancient World: Peoples, Powers, and Politics10 min read
- From Joshua to the Exile: The People of Israel in the Promised Land16 min read
- After the Exile: God's People Return to Judea8 min read
- Prophets and Prophecy8 min read
- People of the Law: The Religion of Israel22 min read
- Trade and Travel32 min read
- Ancient Warfare41 min read
The World of the New Testament
- The World of Jesus: Peoples, Powers, and Politics20 min read
- How People Made a Living in the Time of Jesus14 min read
- Religions and Philosophies in Bible Times17 min read
- Miracles, Magic, and Medicine9 min read
- The Geography and Climate of the Holy Land25 min read
- The Culture of the Hellenistic World37 min read
Also explore
Browse all 270 mini-articles
Short callouts woven into the scripture text — extra background, history, and context for specific passages.