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1. General 1.1. Term The term “sociohistorical exegesis” covers various sociologically oriented analyses of the literary sources of the OT and NT. Biblical categories of sources and text types can usually be put in different religious-social, sociopolitical, and cultural groups and movements that may differ locally, regionally, and also in time. 1.2. History This type of exegesis involves several types of research. Social history plays a large part in recent international study. Economic history is a central ¶ theme in the study of the ancient Near East, of classical antiquity, and of Hellenism. Since the 19th century the various disciplines have paid more and more attention methodologically to social, economic, and cultural history, for example, in biblical archaeology or in the study of the country and period (Exegesis, Biblical; Archaeology 1; History, Auxiliary Sciences to). Much information had been gathered on Hebrew archaeology by the 19th century, with information on the country, the culture, and religious history (J. Benzinger). The first comprehensive sociohistorical surveys appeared in 1920 (M. Weber) and 1937 (Antonin Causse). Liberation theology is one of the more recent theological streams influencing sociohistorical exegesis. We are indebted especially to F. Belo and N. K. Gottwald for information on historical and cultural material influences. 1.3. Method Sociohistorical exegesis uses literary and sociological methods that specify source category, types of texts, and normative cultural assumptions. One must differentiate the historical,…