Prof. John H. Walton is Professor of Old Testament Emeritus at Wheaton College and Graduate School. He holds a Ph.D. from Hebrew Union College. He was the Old Testament general editor for the Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible (NIV, NKJV, NRSV) and is the author of the “Lost World” books (including The Lost World of Genesis One, The Lost World of Adam and Eve, Lost World of the Flood, and his recent New Explorations in the Lost World of Genesis). His research interests include the importance of the ancient Near East for interpreting the Bible as well as the dialogue between science and faith. He has most recently co-authored a two-volume commentary on the book of Daniel. He was the general editor for the five-volume reference set, The Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary on the Old Testament and is currently serving as the general editor for the forthcoming sixteen-volume series, Ancient Literature for Old Testament Studies, a comprehensive introduction to the vast literature that informs us of the cultural context of ancient Israel.
Last Updated
October 19, 2026
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After Eden, YHWH no longer dwells among humans. The flood reverses creation, but YHWH still does not restore His presence. The builders of the Tower of Babel—a ziggurat with “its top in the heavens”—seek to bring YHWH down its stairway to inhabit the temple, but YHWH rejects their attempt to establish His presence on their own terms. Instead, YHWH chooses to come down to Jacob via the stairway of Bethel and later to Israel at Sinai, establishing His presence through His covenant with Israel and bringing order through the torah.
After Eden, YHWH no longer dwells among humans. The flood reverses creation, but YHWH still does not restore His presence. The builders of the Tower of Babel—a ziggurat with “its top in the heavens”—seek to bring YHWH down its stairway to inhabit the temple, but YHWH rejects their attempt to establish His presence on their own terms. Instead, YHWH chooses to come down to Jacob via the stairway of Bethel and later to Israel at Sinai, establishing His presence through His covenant with Israel and bringing order through the torah.
