Can the Bible be understood without the Context of Ancient Near Eastern Texts?

While some insights may be gained by studying Scripture’s text alone, it will never be understood in the context of the original audience without knowing the Ancient Near Eastern culture and texts. God wrote to an audience that lived in a different time and culture than believers do today. Walton states that there are “many occasions in which the core meaning of the text is misinterpreted for lack of assistance from the ancient Near East” (30). So, if interpretation is sought, it must be done with the original audience in mind. This is because a lack of context leads to bad interpretation. A bad interpretation will always lead to a bad application. If believers desire to accurately and carefully handle Scripture, they must do so in light of the ANE context with which it was written.

Comparative studies can aid in one’s understanding of the biblical background. This is accomplished through observing both the similarities and differences in the Bible and Ancient Near Eastern texts/artifacts. Passages such as 1 Kings 4:29–31 which states: “Now God gave Solomon wisdom and very great discernment and breadth of mind, like the sand that is on the seashore. Solomon’s wisdom surpassed the wisdom of all the sons of the east and all the wisdom of Egypt. For he was wiser than all men, than Ethan the Ezrahite, Heman, Calcol and Darda, the sons of Mahol; and his fame was known in all the surrounding nations” (NASB). A cultural study of these other ancient texts referenced in Scripture shows that wisdom writings such as Babylon’s Amenemope were common among Ancient Near Eastern cultures. Observing examples like this one helps bring readers’ attention to the significance wisdom writings had in Israel and the Ancient Near East. The differences of the texts help readers to see what motivated each nation’s pursuit of wisdom. In Israel, everything was understood in context to one’s relationship with YHWH. In Babylon, the goal was to “[k]now your proper place within your clan and family, and honor the traditions” (Walton 290). Similarities and differences like these can only be found with comparative studies.

If comparative studies can be considered vital to scriptural interpretation, then the question must be asked: can Scripture be understood apart from comparative studies? Not every believer can dedicate their lives to understanding the background of the biblical text in light of Ancient Near Eastern cultures. While many resources make this task easier, believers must recognize that they can come to know (to an extent) Scripture without the use of comparative studies. This is because the primary factors of Israel’s beliefs (and arguably their culture) that set them apart were their God and their experiences (Johnston 238). God called the Israelites to be a nation that was consecrated for His purposes. This nation had a major role in God’s plan for mankind’s redemption. Deuteronomy 18:9-14 says: “‘When you enter the land which the Lord your God gives you, you shall not learn to imitate the detestable things of those nations . . . For those nations, which you shall dispossess, listen to those who practice witchcraft and to diviners, but as for you, the Lord your God has not allowed you to do so.” A full understanding of passages may not be gained without the use of comparative studies; however, God’s Word has been given to believers today as the only resources needed for salvation and to guide one in godly living.

Understanding Scripture in its fullest context cannot be accomplished without comparative studies; however, salvation is not based on one’s full understanding of the cultural significance of Jesus’s death, resurrection, and place at God’s right hand. Paul writes in “that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Rom. 10:9). There is nothing else required for salvation. While many passages are misinterpreted due to a lack of comparative studies, it must be understood that many will correctly understand much of Scripture without any additional background studies. Duvall and Hays envision the cultural and time differences between believers today and the original audience like a river. “The width of the river [will vary] from passage to passage. Sometimes it is extremely wide, requiring a long, substantial bridge for crossing. Other times, however, it is a narrow creek that we can easily hop over” (Duvall and Hays 42–43). Comparative studies benefit from measuring the width of the river; however, believers must keep in mind that understanding passages in light of their surrounding context is also a vital practice. This is because Scripture interprets Scripture. If believers seek to understand a passage, they must do so in light of the Ancient Near Eastern context. However, if resources for this kind of study are not available, it seems that careful observation of the surrounding passages usually clarifies any verse(s) that may seem confusing at first.

Comparative study is beneficial to Scripture; however, believers cannot forget that in many ways God set the Israelites apart from the common culture of the day. Misinterpretation can happen if one attempts to look for similarities between Israel and Ancient Near Eastern cultures that do not exist. As with every method for biblical interpretation, believers must start with prayer and understand the importance of using each method in a balanced manner. To rely too heavily on one method can lead one to make false observations about the text. And as stated above, believers must be careful to accurately interpret scripture since a bad interpretation always leads to a bad application. When studying scripture, believers must remember that it was written “so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:17).

Works Cited

Duvall, J. Scott, et al. Grasping God’s Word: A Hands-On Approach to Reading, Interpreting, and Applying the Bible. 3rd ed., Zondervan, 2012.

Johnston, Philip S., Shades of Sheol. IVP, 2002, pp. 219-39.

NASB. New American Standard Version. The Holy Bible. Lockman, 2013.

Walton, John H. Ancient Near Eastern Background Thought and the Old Testament. 2nd ed., Baker Academic, 2018.

This article was originally written for Assignment 8-3 of Ancient Near Eastern Backgrounds taught by Professor Greg Stephens (Moody Distance Learning)