The Religions of Ancient Israel: A Synthesis of Parallactic Approaches - Hardcover

Zevit, Z.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0826447287 ISBN 13: 9780826447289

Publisher: Frances Pinter Publishers Ltd, 2001

Synopsis

A far-reaching interdisciplinary investigation into the religion of ancient Israel. The author draws on textual readings, archaeological and historical data and epigraphy to determine what is known about the Israelite religions during the Iron Age (1200-586 BCE). The evidence is synthesized within the structure of an Israelite worldview and ethos involving kin, tribes, land, traditional ways and places of worship, and a national deity. This interpretive matrix has originated through insights, ideas, and models developed in the academic study of religion and history within the context of the humanities. The author shows how much of the Psalter was composed in praise of deities other than Yahweh. Through his book, the author encourages dialogue and co-operative study between all ancient historians and archaeologists, but particularly between Iron Age archaeologists and biblical scholars. The work challenges many conclusions of previous scholarship about the nature of the Israelites' religion.

About this title

About the Author

Ziony Zevit is Distinguished Professor of Bible Northwest Semitic Languages at the American Jewish University, USA. He has published numerous works including Solving Riddles and the Anterior Construction in Classical Hebrew. The editor of Hebrew Studies, he is also on the editorial board of The Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research.

Edition details

• Publisher: Frances Pinter Publishers Ltd
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 0826447287
• ISBN 13: 9780826447289
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 640