历史批判（英语：Historical criticism，或译历史批评），又称历史批判方法（the historical-critical method）、高等批判（higher criticism，或译为高等批评），是文学批判的分支，研究历史文献的起源，透过历史文献，来了解文献背后的世界。

历史批判方法的基本目的，在于确定文本（text）在它存在的原始历史脉络中，最初或最原始的意义，它在文学上的意含，或是历史上的文学感（拉丁语：sensus literalis historicus）。次要的目的，则是以历史文献，来重建出其作者，以及文本接受者，他们身处的历史环境。

Historical criticism, also known as the historical-critical method or higher criticism, is a branch of literary criticism that investigates the origins of ancient text in order to understand "the world behind the text".

The primary goal of historical criticism is to discover the text's primitive or original meaning in its original historical context and its literal sense or sensus literalis historicus. The secondary goal seeks to establish a reconstruction of the historical situation of the author and recipients of the text. This may be accomplished by reconstructing the true nature of the events which the text describes. An ancient text may also serve as a document, record or source for reconstructing the ancient past which may also serve as a chief interest to the historical critic. In regard to Semitic biblical interpretation, the historical critic would be able to interpret the literature of Israel as well as the history of Israel.