Ancient Israel's History: An Introduction to Issues and Sources by Bill T. Arnold

Ancient Israel's History: An Introduction to Issues and Sources Reviews

• 
  Benjamin

  This book is similar in design and layout to the 1977 volume Israelite and Judaean History, edited by John Hayes and J. M. Miller, with two exceptions. First, it is forty years newer. Second, its perspective on the data is generally evangelical. It begins with the Genesis material and ends with the Hellenistic period, just prior to Rome's extension of its empire to include the territory of Judea. Each of the fourteen chapters includes a survey of the relevant biblical material and the archaeological and epigraphic data. The later chapters also include the relevant information from non-biblical historical sources, such as Josephus and Herodotus. The chapters are heavily footnoted, and present alternative views on the data to those taken by the author of the essay. The book concludes with an extensive bibliography (60 pages), and includes author, scripture, and subject indexes. This is not a continuous history of Israel, but a series of background studies, the review of which would provide the basis for a history of Israel. Though the reader will not agree with all of the positions espoused, this is a valuable resource for the advanced student and the scholar whose expertise does not lie in these areas.
• 
  Rachel Schoenberger

  An informative guide to ancient Israelite history! Each of the fourteen chapters is focused on a specific time period from the patriarchs to the Hellenistic era. This is a great resource for learning more about the background of the Old Testament and how that story fits into the history of the ANE. Highly recommend!
• 
  Taylor Diehl

  This is a great book on ancient Israel's history. Each chapter is written by a different historian who is equipped to write on that particular time period. In this way the book pulls from various scholars in order to present a well-rounded historical account. The authors of this book take the biblical accounts seriously, but also take archeology and other historical writings seriously as well, using all of these sources to create a broader historical context for the world in which the Hebrew scriptures were written. A very helpful resource.
• 
  Rocky Woolery

  Very good material on the background of history of the Bible.
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  Ronald J. Pauleus

  Enriching history and good insights into Israel!
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  Rolph Payet

  A very dense multi-author book brings to the readership an updated perspective from recent archaeological finds. The authors also challenges some of early 19th/20th century interpretations on the history of the people of Israel, which in some way tries to bring into context the circumstance surrounding the Israelite exodus, the entry into Canaan, the United Kingdom, the divided Kingdom, the judges and prophets, right up to the Maccabean revolt. Under each theme, the authors first look at the biblical evidence, then independently the archaeological evidence before critically analyzing various interpretations and viewpoints.
  Whilst the book expertly tackles a number of issues, misconceptions, misinterpretations and conclusions often designed to undermine the biblical narrative, it lacks the glue that is needed in a multi-authored book. In my view, what is documented as the emergence, development, rise and challenges of the Israelite religion from extra-biblical evidence such as archaeology and literary works, whilst sparse, do not deny the existence of the Israelite people, its religion and traditions. Each of the authors present well researched archaeological findings which demonstrate that such a society existed and remained irrevocably part or the historiography of the Near East Region for over 18 centuries before the birth of Christ. Lack of definitive evidence over such a long period and vast region is not sufficient to justify a 'fictional' biblical narrative as it would certainly likewise be in dissonance with the thousands of years of Jewish traditions and the large body of extra-biblical Hebrew and Aramaic writings on stele and cuneiform which persist to this day. Moreover, the question begs itself, as to how the Israelite people managed to build and subsequently rebuild the city of Jerusalem and its temple, if it were not a prime mover in the region with the ability to read, write and master engineering. This is in sharp contrast to some recent scholars describing them as an inerrant group of semi-pastoralists writing imaginative stories to give importance to their culture. In my view, evidence from the economic and literary development of the Israelite culture points to carefully transferred writings by an order of methodological scribes educated in complex oral-literary skills admired by even atheist scholars to this day. This confirms the presence of some form of organisation and education, at a complex level, especially in an area of intense political dynamism and warring geo-politics. Finally, the pressure by Greek philosophers and the Roman empire to de-construct Judaism starting in the late fifth century BC is evidence of a persistent, albeit exclusivist, threatening religious belief, practice and ideology in need of disruption.
• 
  Chris

  I’m really out of depth when it comes to the Old Testament, however I am keen to grow in this area, and thus wanted to read this book to help me grow in my understanding of the Old Testament especially of it’s historical context.
  
  This reference material therefore comes as a very helpful tool in this pursuit. To be frank, having very little exposure to the current research of the Old Testament, this book seemed at first to be an insurmountable task, this was not helped by the introduction which was slightly technical.
  
  However, as I ploughed through the various chapters I found them to be very readable and informative. The authors reviews several scholars on the various books of the bible, bringing to the readers a summary and history of what has been discuss in the scholastic world. Each book of the bible is given an in-depth review and also contains many helpful side-notes that help illuminates various topics that are relevant to the biblical book (e.g. the ANE city of Alalakh in Genesis or the Role the Sinaitic Covenant played in Israel). What was very helpful was also the fact that each chapter aims to give a rough guide to the whole biblical book instead of just providing the background materials. So as one reads through Genesis, one will be given additional information on the various events in Genesis as it progresses along.
  
  Although it has been very helpful, I do find that this book is meant for Old Testament scholars or seminary students. Lay persons will benefit from this, but will need to be prepared to work through the materials. For pastors who intends to do a preaching series on the Old Testament, they can consider to consult the chapter on the book they are going to preach. As it stands, the book is around 460 pages (not counting the 100 pages of references material) which can be daunting for many. But, for those who really want to grow in their understanding of the Old Testament, or are pursuing a research topic in the Old Testament, it book will be of much value too them.
  
  Rating: 4.25 / 5
  
  Disclaimer: I was given this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
• 
  Troy Davis

  I received a copy form the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I have several bookshelves filled with tomes related to this one. Why buy another? The answer becomes apparent within the first chapter. Because it's good! The book is loaded with giants in the field: my favorites being deSilva, Hoffmeier, and Lemaire. The book is technical, but easy to read. A background on the subject is helpful but not required. It had a 'Festschrift' vibe to it--but didn't feel silted. I am sure it will become a 'required text' for many seminary/university courses on the subject.