Problem
Textbook: Hidden Riches- A Sourcebook for the Comparative Study of the Hebrew Bible and Ancient Near East By Christopher B. Hays.
Chapter 1 of Hidden Riches raises the question "Why compare?" What do you consider to be the purpose of comparative studies of the Old Testament or Hebrew Bible? Have you thought about what the context of the Bible is/should be? What are some potential outcomes of comparative work with biblical texts?