John Walton, Ph.D.

I was raised in a Christian home and from my earliest memories had an interest in Old Testament. Nevertheless, I was not aware of any vocational path connected to Old Testament and therefore in college pursued a business degree. It was in my junior year that I encountered a book by Joseph Free, a former Wheaton professor, called Archaeology and Bible History. It was apologetic in focus, but brought to my attention the tremendous impact that archaeology and cultural background studies could have on our understanding of the Old Testament. It was in the very year that I read that book that I made the decision to pursue Old Testament studies as a vocational discipline. Instead of training to be an archaeologist, I determined to focus my attention on studies comparing the culture and literature of the Bible and the ancient Near East. I have never lost my fascination with this subject. But comparative studies only provide one of the means by which I try to get people excited about the Old Testament.

I am saddened by how little exposure to and understanding of the Old Testament many Christians have, but I am passionate in doing whatever I can do to remedy this spiritual and theological loss. As I have taught high school Bible studies, adult education classes, introduction to doctrine for sixth graders, or Bible stories to four-year olds, I have been driven by the desire to offer people a greater familiarity with God's Word and a greater confidence in understanding God's revelation of himself in its pages.

I came to Wheaton after twenty years of teaching at Moody Bible Institute. I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity I had to train students for ministry and am no less enthusiastic about the interaction with students here. Whether in teaching or writing, I am constantly challenged in my own life; the material that I am presenting stretches me as much as it stretches my students or readers. Whatever I am writing or teaching also has a way of infiltrating my family. My wife, Kim, was trained as a biochemist, which has made for interesting dinner conversations—especially when I was working on my Genesis commentary. My three children are all grown and married, and are an “academically intense” group.

I am available for speaking engagements around the world in churches, academic institutions, or conferences. I have had the privilege of speaking in over thirty countries and have enjoyed doing seminars in dozens of universities, Christian schools, seminaries, and churches, both domestically and internationally. I enjoy the interaction of podcasts and have been a guest on well over a hundred of them. I am delighted that my books have been translated into almost twenty languages as they provide for my ideas to be considered by a variety of audiences. My goal in all this public activity is not to persuade my audiences to think the same way I do or to come to the same conclusions. I am content to be engaged in putting new information on the table that people may have never heard before so that they can consider whether it is helpful for them.

Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion
Ph.D., Hebrew and Cognate Studies, 1981

Wheaton Graduate School
M.A., Biblical Studies: Old Testament, 1975

Muhlenberg College
A.B., Economics/Accounting, 1974

• The Old Testament and the Ancient Near East
• Old Testament Theology
• Science and Faith
• Genesis
• Job
• Daniel

Recent research has focused on comparative studies between the Old Testament and the ancient Near East. In biblical studies, my particular interest is in Genesis. I am currently working on a commentary on Daniel for the New International Commentary on the Old Testament (Eerdmans).

• Old Testament Lit and Interpretation
• OT Book Studies: Genesis, Deuteronomy, Psalms, Isaiah, Daniel, Jeremiah, Ezekiel
• Minor Prophets
• Pentateuch
• OT Historical Literature I
• OT Historical Literature II
• OT Historical Literature III
• Old Testament Wisdom Literature
• Hebrew Grammar
• Hebrew Exegesis
• Introduction to Biblical Archaeology
• Introduction to Old Testament Exegesis
• History of the Ancient Near East
• Ancient Near Eastern Backgrounds
• Old Testament Criticism
• Bible Introduction
• Senior Seminar (Capstone course)
• Theories of Origins

• Who's Who in Biblical Studies and Archaeology
• Moody Alumni Faculty Citation Award (1996)
• Wheaton College Senior Scholarship Achievement Award (2005)
• Hebrew Union College Founders Medallion for Distinguished Alumnus
• Hebrew Union College Alumnus-in-Residence (2007-8)
• ECPA Book Award for Bible Reference, Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary (2011)
• Readers’ Choice Honorable Mention, IVP, Lost World of Scripture (2014)
• Christianity Today Award of Merit, Biblical Studies, Lost World of Adam and Eve (2016)
• ECPA Book of the Year in Bibles category, NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible (2017)
• International Book of the Year in “Religion-Christianity” category, NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible (2017)
• Honored with a festschrift featuring essays by 23 former students, For Us but Not to Us: Essays on Creation, Covenant, and Context in Honor of John H. Walton (Eugene, OR: Pickwick, 2020).

• The New International Dictionary of Old Testament Theology and Exegesis (Zondervan)
• The NIV Application Commentary (Zondervan)
• Teach the Text Commentary Series (Baker) General Editor, Old Testament; 19 volumes
• Holy Post Pundits
• General Editor, Ancient Literature for Old Testament Studies, 16 volumes, Zondervan
  

• The New Living Translation, Isaiah Revision Team (Tyndale House)
• The New Century Version, 1 & 2 Samuel (Word)
• The Message, 1 & 2 Samuel (NavPress)

• The Bible in 90 Days (Zondervan, 2005)
• Logos Software Mobile Ed: Genesis 1 – 3 (2013); Old Testament Genres (2013); Genesis 2014)
• Survey of the Old Testament, part 1, Ridley College
• Survey of the Old Testament, Zondervan (with Andrew Hill)
• Edinburgh University (Comparative Studies, Genesis 1-2)
• Job (biblicalelearnnig.org, Ted Hildebrandt)
• Books of the Bible DVD study through the Old Testament (Zondervan)
• Lost World of Genesis One (Seminary Now)
• IVP Bible Backgrounds Commentary: Old Testament (SeminaryNow)
• Campus Evangelical Fellowship, Taiwan 

• Culture Matters (contracted with Zondervan, projected 2028)
• Crisis of Biblical Authority: Interpreting Scripture Responsibly When Christians Disagree
• Daniel 7 – 12
• Daniel 1 - 6
• New Explorations in the Lost World of Genesis: Advances in the Origins Debate
• Lost World of the Prophets: Old Testament Prophesy and Apocalyptic Literature in Ancient Contexts
• Wisdom for Faithful Reading: Principles and Practices for Old Testament Interpretation
• The Lost World of Adam and Eve: Genesis 2-3 and the Human Origins Debate
• The Lost World of Scripture: Ancient Literary Culture and Biblical Authority
• Job (The NIV Application Commentary)
• Genesis 1 as Ancient Cosmology
• Genesis (Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary)
• The Lost World of Genesis One: Ancient Cosmology and the Origins Debate
• Chronological and Background Charts of the Old Testament
• Ancient Israelite Literature in Its Cultural Context: A Survey of parallels between biblical and ancient Near Eastern texts
• A Survey of the Old Testament
• Covenant: God's Purpose, God's Plan
• IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament
• Genesis, New International Version Application Commentary
• Old Testament Today
• Essential Bible Companion
• Ancient Near Eastern Thought and the Old Testament: Introducing the Conceptual World of the Hebrew Bible
• Jonah (Expositor’s Bible Commentary)
• The Lost World of Genesis One: Ancient Cosmology and the Origins Debate
• Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary: Old Testament
• Bible Story Handbook
• Genesis 1 as Ancient Cosmology
• Job, New International Version Application Commentary
• The Lost World of Scripture
• The Lost World of Adam and Eve
• How to Read Job
• NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible
• Lost World of the Israelite Conquest
• Old Testament Theology for Christians
• Lost World of the Flood
• Understanding Scientific Theories of Origins
• Lost World of Torah
• Demons and Spirits

“Christological Readings and Biblical Authority,” in Looking for Jesus in the Old Testament, ed. Daniel Fredericks (Wheaton, IL: Hendrickson, 2027), XXX-XX.

“The Relationship between Torah and Wisdom based on Comparative Studies.” In Torah: Treaty, law, and ritual in the Old Testament and its ancient Near Eastern context (Zaphon, 2027), XXX-XX.

“Battling Chaos Creatures: Monsters and Metaphors in Tolkien, Lewis, Daniel, and Life” response in C. S. Lewis and the End of the World, Aubrey E. Buster (Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 2027), XXX-XX.

“‘God of the Fathers’ in Genesis Considered in Its Cognitive Environment.” In God of the Fathers: Conceptualizations of Divinity in Genesis and Deuteronomy, A Festschrift for Bill T. Arnold. Edited by David B. Schreiner, Mark A. Awabdy, and Drew S. Holland (Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz Verlag, 2026), 13-29.

“Ancient Near Eastern Hermeneutics.” In Handbook on Postconservative Theological Interpretation. Ed. Ronald T. Michener and Mark A. Lamport (Eugene, OR: Cascade, 2024), 557-71.

“Genesis and the Conceptual World of the Ancient Near East.” In Cambridge Companion to Genesis. Ed. B. Arnold. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2022, 148-67.

“No Books, No Authors: Literary Production in a Hearing-Dominant Culture.” In Write That They May Read. Ed.Daniel I Block, David C. Deuel, Paul J. N. Lawrence, and Jack Collins. Eugene, OR: Cascade, 2020, 265-79.

“Creation, New Creation, and the So-Called Mission of God.” In Creation and Doxology. Ed. Gerald Hiestand and Todd Wilson. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 2018.

“Hermeneutics,” “Cosmic Origins,” “Flood,” and “Human Origins.” In Understanding Scientific Theories of Origins. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 2018.

“Interactions in the Ancient Cognitive Environment.” In Behind the Scenes of the Old Testament. Ed. J. Greer, J. Hilber and J. Walton. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2018, 333-339.

“The Temple in Context.” In Behind the Scenes of the Old Testament. Ed. J. Greer, J. Hilber and J. Walton. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2018, 349-354.

“Origins in Genesis: Claims of an Ancient Text in a Modern Scientific World.” In Knowing Creation. Ed. Andrew Torrance. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2018.

“The Tower of Babel and the Covenant: Rhetorical Strategy in Genesis Based on Theological and Comparative Analysis.” In Evangelical Scholarship, Retrospects and Prospects. Ed. Dirk R. Buursma, Katya Covrett, and Verlyn D. Verbrugge. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2017.

“Biblical Interpretation: What is the Nature of Biblical Authority?” In Old Earth or Evolutionary Creation?: Discussing Origins with Reasons to Believe and BioLogos. Ed. Kenneth Keathley, J. B. Stump and Joe Aguirre Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2017, 27-48.

“Demons in Mesopotamia and Israel: Exploring the Category of Non-Divine but Supernatural Entities.” In Windows to the Ancient World of the Bible. Ed. B. T. Arnold, N. Erickson and J. H. Walton. Winona Lake, IN: Eisenbrauns, 2014,229-46.

“Adam and Eve as Archetypal Humans.” In Four Views of Adam. Ed. A. Canaday and M. Barrett. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2013.

“Reading Genesis 1 as Ancient Cosmology.” In Reading Genesis 1-2. Ed. D. Charles. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 2013.

“The Decalogue Structure of Deuteronomic Law.” In Interpreting Deuteronomy. Ed. D. Firth and P. Johnston Nottingham: InterVarsity, 2012, 93-117.

“The Ancient Near Eastern Background of the Spirit of the Lord in the Old Testament.” In Presence, Power and Promise: The Role of the Spirit of God in the Old Testament. Ed. D. Firth and P. Wegner Nottingham: InterVarsity, 2011, 38-67.

“Interpreting the Bible as an Ancient Near Eastern Document.” In Israel—Ancient Kingdom or Late Invention? Archaeology, Ancient Civilizations, and the Bible. Ed. D. Block. Nashville, TN: Broadman/Holman, 2008, 298-327.

“The Anzu Myth as relevant Background for Daniel 7?” In The Book of Daniel: Composition and Reception, Vetus Testament Supplement, FIOTL 2, Ed. John Collins and Peter Flint. Leiden: Brill, 2001, 1:69-89.

“Joshua 10:12-14 and Celestial Omens of the Ancient Near East.” In Faith, Tradition, History: Essays on Old Testament Historiography in its Near Eastern Context. Ed. A. Millard, J. Hoffmeier, D. Baker. Winona Lake, IN: Eisenbrauns, 1994, 181-190.

“The Sons of God in Genesis 6:1-4.” In The Genesis Debate. Ed. R. Youngblood. Nashville, TN: Nelson,1986; Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 1991, 184-209.

“Daniel Four and the Cultural Schema of the Akītu-Festival,” Vetus Testamentum 75 (2025): 317-334. https://doi.org/10.1163/15685330-bja10171(co-authored with Aubrey E. Buster).

“Babel’s Invitation,” Christianity Today (March, 2023): 73-77.

“Understanding Torah: Ancient Legal Text, Covenant Stipulation, and Christian Scripture” Bulletin for Biblical Research 29.1 (2019): 1-18.

“Current Hot Topics in Old Testament: Joshua’s Conquest” Didaktikos 2.1 (2018): 41-42.

“Abraham’s Troubling Test,” Bible Study Magazine (July/August 2017): 12-13.

“Hermeneutical Humility and Origins in Genesis,” Cultural Encounters 12.2 (2017): 34-43.

“An Expanded View of Biblical Authority: A Response to Van Kuiken,” JETS 58 (2015): 693-695. With Brent Sandy

“Response to Richard Averbeck (“The Lost World of Adam and Eve: A Review Essay”),” Themelios 40 (2015): 240-242.

“Human Origins and the Bible,” Zygon 47 (2012): 875-89.

“Creation in Genesis 1:1 - 2:3 and the Ancient Near East: Order out of Disorder after Chaoskampf,” CTJ 43 (2008): 48-63.

“The Imagery of the Substitute King Ritual in Isaiah’s Fourth Servant Song” Journal of Biblical Literature 122 (2003): 734-743.

“Inspired Subjectivity and Hermeneutical Objectivity” The Master’s Seminary Journal 13/1 (2002) 65-77.

“Equilibrium and the Sacred Compass: The Structure of Leviticus” Bulletin for Biblical Research 11.2 (2001): 293-304.

“Recovering the Vitality of the Old Testament in Preaching” PreachingToday.com (2001)

“The Mesopotamian Background of the Tower of Babel and Its Implications” Bulletin for Biblical Research 5 (1995) 155-175.  Reprinted in Bible and Spade 9.3 (1996): 77-96.

“Bible-based Curricula and the Crisis of Scriptural Authority” Christian Education Journal 13.3 (1993): 83-94.

“The Object Lesson of Jonah 4:5-7 and the Purpose of the Book of Jonah” Bulletin for Biblical Research 2 (1992): 47-57.

“The Place of the Hutqattel Within the D-stem Group and its Implications in Deuteronomy 24:4”Hebrew Studies 32 (1991): 7-17.

“Psalms: Cantata About the Davidic Covenant” Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 34 (1991): 21-31.

“Vision Narrative Wordplay and Jeremiah xxiv” Vetus Testamentum 39 (1989): 508-9

“The Decree of Darius the Mede in Daniel 6” Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 31 (1988): 279-86.

“Isaiah 7:14—What Is In a Name?”Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 30 (1987): 289-306.

“Deuteronomy: An Exposition of the Spirit of the Law” Grace Theological Journal 8 (1987): 213-225.

“Daniel's Four Kingdoms” Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 29/1 (1986): 25-36.

“New Observations on the Date of Isaiah” Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 28 (1985): 129-132.

“Genesis 5 and the Antediluvian Section of the Sumerian King List” Biblical Archaeologist 44 (1981): 207-8.

“The Problem with Ziggurats: Reconsidering the Story of the Tower of Babel (Gen 11:1-9)” The Torah.com, 2026

“The Waters Above the Firmament (Gen 1:6-8)” BioLogos 2026

“Does the Bible Teach that the World is Flat?” BioLogos 2025 Does the Bible Teach that the Earth is Flat? - Article - BioLogos

“Science and the Kingdom of God: Reflections on the Beatitudes” BioLogos 2025 Science and the Kingdom of God: Reflections on the Beatitudes - Post - BioLogos

“Interpreting the Bible: Common Mistakes,” BioLogos 2024 Interpreting the Bible: Common Mistakes - Post - BioLogos

“How did the world begin?” BioLogos 2021 How Did the World Begin? - Article - BioLogos

“The Role of the Ancient Near East and Modern Science in Interpretation,” The City (Dec 2, 2016) https://www.hbu.edu/news-and-events/2016/12/02/the-role-of-the-ancient-near-east-and-modern-science-in-interpretation/

Faith in Action (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2005), contributor.

Quest Study Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), contributor.

Essentials Study Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2013), contributor.

Cultural Background Study Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2016), General Editor, Old Testament.

NIV Application Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2025), consulting editor, contributor.