Growing up in Montana, Neal’s childhood prepared him to appreciate outdoor spaces everywhere as opportunities for contemplation and means of grace. He enjoys walks and hikes with his college sweetheart, especially beachcombing. She and he also love spending time with their adult children and grandchildren. With eclectic interests, Neal’s research and writing spans both Testaments, with specific foci on the Pentateuch, ancient legal materials, as well as ancient wisdom and poetry. He is particularly interested in more fully understanding the ancient Near Eastern world of the First Testament. His published writings include a number of essays regarding ancient Near Eastern treaty traditions, a few essays regarding the role of geography in wisdom and poetry, along with a smattering of forthcoming materials. As for praxis, Neal has taught in both the academy and the church for many years as a way of bridging the gap between them. He is delighted to see the learner understanding and appreciating the real people and places of Scripture, people like themselves, through guidance into the multifaceted realms of the text.