Many believe that to properly understand biblical narrative one must “become” the author of the narrative by gathering as much historical background information as possible in order to provide a context for the passage in view. John Sailhamer addresses the issue of biblical narrative and historical background information in his book The Meaning of the Pentateuch.

If we grant the importance or necessity of historical background information in understanding the author’s setting, should we also grant for understanding the life setting of the central characters and events of the narrative? Many biblical theologians see no difference between the historical setting of the author of a biblical book, such as Moses would have written, and the historical setting of the lives of the biblical characters recorded in those books. Important questions of authorship, interpretation and history turn on such seemingly insignificant matters. Continue Reading…