The Old Testament comes from this general geographical region. It recounts Israel’s beginnings from the patriarchal age (C. 2000–1300 B.C.) through the prophets of the eighth to sixth century B.C. and possibly beyond.2 This body of literature spans over one thousand years of history and involves at least thirty different authors. It is an indispensable source for understanding the New Testament and the emergence of the early church because of the historical and theological background that it provides.