Ancient Israel arose in the midst of an ancient Near Eastern world whose cultural legacy changed human civilization, and yet its history and literature were largely forgotten for centuries in the West. Now recovered, ancient Near Eastern texts are read as literary classics and as indispensable witnesses to the environment in which the Old Testament took shape.

Knowing the languages and literatures of these ancient cultures fosters a deeper understanding of the Bible and its cultural context. At Fuller, you will have the opportunity to study languages such as Aramaic, Ugaritic, and Akkadian, enabling you to interpret the Hebrew text of the Old Testament with greater insight. Other courses survey the history and religions of the ancient Near East, or even integrate travel and archaeological excavation in Israel with academic study.

How will you use knowledge of the past to change the future?

Want to focus more on the history and languages of the Old Testament than on its surroundings? Read about the Ancient Context of the Old Testament emphasis.