The work examines the approach of the Antioch Fathers to the Old Testament. If they shared an ignorance of the original language with the Fathers generally, their form of the Greek Bible was distinctive, as was their style of commentary and in particular their accent on the factual and historical character of the authors' message.

Robert Charles Hill gained his early education and teaching qualifications in New Zealand and Australia, and his theological and biblical education in Rome (STD, LSS). After teaching at the Australian Catholic University and the University of Sydney, he is now an Honorary Fellow and Adjunct Professor at the former institution. In addition to his works on the Bible and theology, he has published English translations of all the Old Testament works of the Antioch Fathers, moving now to the Fathers of Alexandria.