Just as important as learning about the cultural context, understanding the historical and geographical contextcan bring much clarity to the passage.
Great civilizations with significant geo-political influences rose and fell during the period that the Bible was written. Get the big picture.
What role did geography play? What was happening politically during that time?
Skill Builder examples:
Topheth: beating drums in the Valley of Ben-Hinnom
The Basic Geography of Jesus' Ministry (J. C. Laney)
Introduction to Baker's Concise Bible Atlas
Foreword to Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties
About the NIV Archaeological Study Bible