Grounded Theology in the Hebrew Bible

Exploring the Cultural Context That Formed Ancient Israel

Elizabeth Backfish (Author), Cynthia Shafer-Elliott (Author) Release Date: 10/14/25

Overview

Many books focus on either the cultural contexts of ancient Israel or the theology of the Hebrew Scriptures. This unique and insightful work, coauthored by a biblical scholar with expertise in archaeology and a biblical theologian, bridges the gap between these two disciplines. The goal of this book is to show readers how understanding Israel's cultural context and daily life deepens our insight into their views on God and the practice of their faith.

Grounded Theology in the Hebrew Bible explores topics such as households, food, marriage negotiations, covenants, warfare, and more. Each chapter begins by examining archaeological insights into the everyday practices and beliefs of ancient Israelites, shedding light on how these inform the theology that develops through Scripture. This approach enhances our understanding of ancient Israel's theologies.

For the Bible student, pastor, or serious lay reader, this volume is an invitation to dig deeper into the cultural background and theology of the Hebrew Bible. The book includes suggestions for further reading, images, figures, and discussion questions.

Introduction: Planning the Dig
1. Households: The Relationship of God
2. Covenant: The Loyalty of God
3. Land: The Presence of God
4. Holiness and Purity: The Sanctity of God
5. Worship: The Grace of God
6. Images of God: The Reflection of God in Humanity
7. Kingship and Politics: The Sovereignty of God
8. Law and Wisdom: The Guidance of God
9. Warfare and Peace: The Shalom of God
10. Food, Feasting, and Hospitality: The Generosity of God
Conclusion: Sifting the Data
Indexes
Indexes

Endorsements

“Reading the Bible is a cross-cultural experience. Grounded Theology in the Hebrew Bible makes the ancient context accessible and understandable, helping students and adult learners understand what they are reading and why it matters. My own students will benefit from the book’s clear organization and orientation to key aspects of culture on display in the Hebrew Bible. Backfish and Shafer-Elliott prove able guides to the ancient context and its implications for the Bible’s message. Bravo!”

Carmen Joy Imes, associate professor of Old Testament, Talbot School of Theology

“Reading the Old Testament can be confusing if we don’t understand the various contexts in which the people in Israel lived, ate, married, worshiped, engaged in warfare, and viewed kingship, etc. This helpful volume by Dr. Elizabeth Backfish and Dr. Cynthia Shafer-Elliott examines how Israel’s cultural contexts can enrich our understanding of Israel’s theologies. The thoughtful trajectory of each chapter moves from an insightful archaeological discussion of Israel’s cultural context to an exploration of how that understanding affects our theology of the Hebrew Bible. It is a valuable resource for those interested in a deeper understanding of the Old Testament.”

May Young, associate professor of biblical studies/Old Testament and Department Chair for Biblical Studies, Christian Ministries, Intercultural Studies, and Philosophy, Taylor University

“Backfish and Shafer-Elliott offer readers a rare gift: the ability to see. They serve as interpretive optometrists, helping us to perceive how various aspects of Israel’s cultural and material context illuminate the theology of the Hebrew Bible. From households and covenant to worship and warfare, they connect the ground to God. Prepare to look down and then to look up to discern the depths of divine accommodation through the interconnectedness of culture and theology.”

Christopher Ansberry, associate professor of biblical and theological studies, Grove City College

“Backfish and Shafer-Elliott bring their respective expertise in biblical theology and archaeology complemented by years of classroom teaching experience to this one-of-a-kind resource that, quite literally, ‘grounds’ theological inquiry in the Hebrew Bible. Cautioning against typical approaches that impose modern strictures on ancient texts, Backfish and Shafer-Elliott astutely derive their thematic categories from the cultural contexts of ancient Israel gleaned from archaeology and comparative explorations of ancient Near Eastern texts to engage relevant but oft-neglected topics including ancient conceptions of households, kingship, food, and hospitality, among others, in this eminently readable introduction that will serve students for years to come.”

Jonathan S. Greer, Grand Valley State University

Authors

Elizabeth Backfish

Elizabeth Backfish (PhD, Trinity International University) is associate professor of biblical studies at William Jessup University. She is the author of Hebrew Wordplay and Septuagint Translation Technique in the Fourth Book of the Psalter and serves as theologian in residence at Granite Springs Church in Lincoln, California.

Cynthia Shafer-Elliott