Many readers today find the Old Testament a closed book. The cultural issues seem insurmountable and they are easily baffled by that which seems obscure. Furthermore, without knowledge of the ancient culture, we can easily impose our own culture on the text, potentially distorting it. The Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary invites you to enter the Old Testament with a company of guides, experts that will give new insights into these cherished writings. Genesis features include: * Numerous photographs, drawings, maps, diagrams and charts provide a visual feast that breathes fresh life into the text. * Passage-by-passage commentary presenting archaeological findings, historical explanations, geographic insights, notes on manners and customs, and more. * Analysis into the literature of the ancient Near East that will open your eyes to new depths of understanding both familiar and unfamiliar passages.