#if you do nothing else then read the nrsvue alongside collins' textbook

[eesirachs]

references for reading and studying the hebrew bible (named the old testament for some, the tanakh for others)—

biblegateway makes available most translations. ethical, responsible versions used in academia include the nrsvue (here with commentary) and the jps (here, on sefaria, with hebrew notations). software like accordance is helpful for those familiar with languages.

on languages—here is more on learning biblical hebrew. here are my recs on hittite, sumerian, akkadian (huehnergard, caplice), ugaritic, and aramaic.

holding the narrative alongside introductory material is meaningful—here is a list of many, and here is the book assigned in most syllabi.

finally, oxford offers entries on heuristics and methods that might help move religious study further in meaning. here are recs for my method