“How the ANE Cultural Context Contributes to OT Interpretation: The Tower of Babel”

This presentation will demonstrate how biblical interpretation is enhanced by a knowledge of the ANE cultural context. The specific text examined will be Genesis 11:1-9, the Tower of Babel.

Dr. John Walton

Dr. John H. Walton (Ph.D. Hebrew Union College) is Professor of Old Testament at Wheaton College and Graduate School. Dr. Walton has published about 30 books, among them commentaries, reference works, textbooks, scholarly monographs, and popular academic works. He was the Old Testament general editor for the Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible (NIV, NKJV, NRSV), and is perhaps most widely known for the “Lost World” books (including The Lost World of Genesis One, The Lost World of Adam and Eve, and The Lost World of the Flood). His areas of expertise include the importance of the ancient Near East for interpreting the Old Testament, as well as the dialogue between science and faith.