As a collection of ancient texts, written more than 2,000 years ago, and as Holy Scripture in both Judaism and Christianity, the Old Testament/Hebrew Bible requires scientific study. Old Testament Studies takes on this task, usually in the context of theology for the German-speaking realm and (Ancient) Near Eastern Studies for the English-speaking realm.

The broad field that makes up Old Testament Studies and the vast variety of related subjects have led to different sub-disciplines over time: Semitic and especially Hebrew philology; biblical archeology and history of Israel; “introduction” with a focus on the formation of the Old Testament writings (literary history); exegesis; theology; religious history and ethics of the Old Testament as well as reception history and hermeneutics.