OLD TESTAMENT: HOW TO USE THIS BOOK
Much of the following will be familiar to you if you have already
read the "How to use Barron's Book Notes" section on this disk. We
have included this information individually here because there are
many unique things you should be aware of when using Barron's Book
Notes for the Old Testament.
The Old Testament is a monument in the development of theology,
morality, and law, the foundation stone of three of the world's great
religions--Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Moreover, it is an
important documentary record, used by historians and archaeologists
to understand the growth of civilization in the ancient world. But
the Old Testament can also be read as a pageant of poetry and
prophecy, of lyrical beauty and high drama--in other words, as one of
the world's great works of literature.
You have to know how to approach literature in order to get the most
out of it. This Barron's Book Notes volume follows a plan based on
methods used by some of the best students to read a work of
literature.
Begin with the guide's section on the Old Testament and its times.
As you read, try to form a clear picture of the life and thought of
the ancient people of Israel. The background should make it easier
for you to understand the Bible's view of God, the world, and
humanity's role in it.
Then go over the rest of the introductory materials--such sections as
those on theology, personalities, setting, themes, style, and form of
the work. Underline, or write down in your notebook, particular
things to watch for, such as contrasts between peoples and
personalities, key concepts of morals and law, and repeated literary
devices. At this point, you may want to develop a system of symbols
to use in marking your Bible text as you read. (Of course, you
should only mark up a plain study Bible you own, not a fine
collector's edition or a Bible that belongs to another person, to
your school, or to your house of worship.) Perhaps you will want to
use a different letter for each major theme of the book, a different
number for each important literary device, a special color to signal
important historical events. Put your marks in the margins so that
you can find them again easily.
Now comes the moment you've been waiting for--the time to start
reading the biblical text. You may want to put aside your Barron's
Book Notes volume until you've completed the assigned reading. Or
you may want to alternate, consulting the Book Notes analysis of each
section as soon as you have finished reading the corresponding part
of the original. Before you move on, reread crucial passages you
don't understand. (Don't take this guide's analysis for
