The Bible is the cornerstone of both Hebrew and Western culture. As its name (from the Greek word biblia, “books”) suggests, it is not a single work, but rather an anthology of writings of different types that were composed over many generations and in different historical contexts. The first part of the Introduction will focus on the question of the composition of the Pentateuch and the books of Former Prophets. The second part of the course will be devoted to the books of latter Prophets and to Writings (Ktuvim). We will analyze the variety of works and genres that were integrated into the biblical collection—early and late historiography, the laws and narratives of the Pentateuch, prophetic writings, psalmic poetry and wisdom literature—and examine them against the background of the variety of literary forms, social contexts, and historical developments that emerged in the ancient Near East.