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

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0801039304 ISBN 13: 9780801039300

Publisher: Baker Academic, Div of Baker Publishing Group, 2014

Synopsis

The history of Israel is a much-debated topic in Old Testament studies. On one side are minimalists who find little of historical value in the Hebrew Bible. On the other side are those who assume the biblical text is a precise historical record. Many serious students of the Bible find themselves between these two positions and would benefit from a careful exploration of issues in Israelite history.

This substantive history of Israel textbook values the Bible's historical contribution without overlooking critical issues and challenges. Featuring the latest scholarship, the book introduces students to the current state of research on issues relevant to the study of ancient Israel. The editors and contributors, all top biblical scholars and historians, discuss historical evidence in a readable manner, using both canonical and chronological lenses to explore Israelite history.

Illustrative items, such as maps and images, visually support the book's content. Tables and sidebars are also included.

About this title

About the Authors

Bill T. Arnold (PhD, Hebrew Union College) is Paul S. Amos Professor of Old Testament Interpretation at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky. He is the author or editor of more than a dozen books, including Ancient Israel's History, Who Were the Babylonians?, Encountering the Old Testament, Encountering the Book of Genesis, Dictionary of the Old Testament: Historical Books, A Guide to Biblical Hebrew Syntax, and a commentary on 1 and 2 Samuel.

Richard S. Hess (PhD, Hebrew Union College) is distinguished professor of Old Testament at Denver Seminary in Littleton, Colorado, and editor of the Denver Journal. He is the author or editor of more than forty books, including Ancient Israel's History, Israelite Religions, Song of Songs in the Baker Commentary on the Old Testament Wisdom and Psalms, and the commentary on Joshua in the Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries series.

From the Back Cover

"An excellent resource for those interested in taking seriously all the evidence, both biblical and extrabiblical, bearing on the history of ancient Israel and in thinking carefully about how to weigh that evidence and integrate it into a coherent account."
--Iain Provan, Regent College, Vancouver

"An engaging examination of the current state of research, Ancient Israel's History finely balances the biblical text and extrabiblical sources while exploring critical interpretive issues and methodological questions. It is comprehensive and readable and will be a valuable addition to the library of students and researchers alike. This volume will be part of my students' curriculum."
--Lissa M. Wray Beal, Providence University College and Theological Seminary

"In this incredibly thorough volume, an international and esteemed team of contributors offer us exactly what was promised: a state-of-the-art review of research relating to the history of ancient Israel. This book picks its way between the Scylla of overwrought skepticism and the Charybdis of naïve fideism. The result is a copiously documented, user-friendly, and up-to-date treatment that will prove to be a most useful textbook for both introductory students and seasoned teachers alike."
--Brent A. Strawn, Emory University

"A superb collection orienting readers to historical data and debates relevant to ancient Israel--judiciously weighed, accessibly presented."
--Mark J. Boda, McMaster Divinity College and McMaster University

"Debates surrounding the history of ancient Israel are lively these days, making this volume most welcome. Substantive essays penned by leading authorities in their respective subject areas not only provide convenient summaries of available evidence but also offer mature reflections on what all this evidence means for the historian. The attractiveness of the volume is enhanced by the inclusion of numerous charts, maps, photos, and sidebars. To have so much learning and sensible analysis collected in one volume is a significant achievement. I shall be recommending this book!"
--V. Philips Long, Regent College, Vancouver

"This is an outstanding work that will provide students and scholars alike with a fine introduction to the multifaceted issues and sources that are crucial to interpreting and reconstructing a history of ancient Israel. This is achieved through an impressive cadre of scholars contributing their individual expertise."
--K. Lawson Younger Jr., Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

Edition details

• Publisher: Baker Academic, Div of Baker Publishing Group
• Publication date: 2014
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0801039304
• ISBN 13: 9780801039300
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 560
• Editor: Arnold Bill T., Hess Richard S.