The Old Testament is not only significant as the holy scripture of Jews and Christians, but it is also a foundational text of Western culture. Many works of visual art, music, and literature are incomprehensible without biblical knowledge. Therefore, every religious thinker or culturally interested person should be familiar with at least a basic selection of texts from the Old Testament. The aim of this book is to provide such an overview. It presents a representative selection of biblical stories, speeches, songs, etc., which are mostly briefly explained and commented on. Additionally, there are some thematic articles. The approximately 150 biblical passages and their interpretations reveal essential foundations of the Jewish-Christian faith. They can still be beneficial today in personal quests for meaning and faith.