The Old Testament in Archaeology and History
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One hundred and fifty years of sustained archaeological investigation has yielded a more complete picture of the ancient Near East. The Old Testament in Archaeology and History combines the most significant of these archaeological findings with those of modern historical and literary analysis of the Bible to recount the history of ancient Israel and its neighboring nations and empires. Eighteen international authorities contribute chapters to this introductory volume. After exploring the history of modern archaeological research in the Near East and the evolution of "biblical archaeology" as a discipline, this textbook follows the Old Testament's general chronological order, covering such key aspects as the exodus from Egypt, Israel's settlement in Canaan, the rise of the monarchy under David and Solomon, the period of the two kingdoms and their encounters with Assyrian power, the kingdoms' ultimate demise, the exile of Judahites to Babylonia, and the Judahites' return to Jerusalem under the Persians along with the advent of "Jewish" identity. Each chapter is tailored for an audience new to the history of ancient Israel in its biblical and ancient Near Eastern setting. The end result is an introduction to ancient Israel combined with and illuminated by more than a century of archaeological research. The volume brings together the strongest results of modern research into the biblical text and narrative with archaeological and historical analysis to create an understanding of ancient Israel as a political and religious entity based on the broadest foundation of evidence. This combination of literary and archaeological data provides new insights into the complex reality experienced by the peoples reflected in the biblical narratives.
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PrefaceArchaeological AgesHistorical TimelineAncient JerusalemList of MapsList of FiguresList of AbbreviationsIntroductionPart I. Archaeology, the Bible, and Epigraphy: Discovery, Techniques, and Development1. Introduction to the Geography and Archaeology of the Ancient Near East, by Gary P. Arbino2. Introduction to the Old Testament and Its Character as Historical Evidence, by Mark Elliott, with Paul V. M. Flesher3. The West's Rediscovery of the Holy Land, by Victor H. Matthews4. "Bible Lands Archaeology" and "Biblical Archaeology" in the Nineteenth and Early Twentieth Centuries, by Rachel Hallote5. A Critique of Biblical Archaeology History and Interpretation, by William G. DeverPart II. Israel before Settling in the Land6. In the Beginning, Archaeologically Speaking: Archaeology to the Bronze Ages in Canaan, by K. L. Noll7. Archaeology and the Canaanites, by Jill Baker8. The Book of Genesis and Israel's Ancestral Traditions, by Mark Elliott and J. Edward Wright9. Israel in and out of Egypt, by J. Edward Wright, Mark Elliott, and Paul V. M. FlesherPart III. Israel Settles in the Land of Canaan10. Looking for the Israelites: The Archaeology of Iron Age I, by J. P. Dessel11. Looking for the Israelites: The Evidence of the Biblical Text, by Paul V. M. Flesher12. The Philistines during the Period of the Judges, by Ann E. KillebrewPart IV. The Kingdoms of the People Israel13. The United Monarchy: David between Saul and Solomon, by Baruch Halpern14. Israel: The Prosperous Northern Kingdom, by Randall W. Younker15. The Southern Kingdom of Judah: Surrounded by Enemies, by Aren M. Maeir16. Daily Life in Iron Age Israel and Judah, by Jennie Ebeling17. Israel and Judah under Assyria's Thumb, by J. Edward Wright and Mark Elliott18. The Religions of the People Israel and Their Neighbors, by Richard S. HessPart V. Judah as a Province: From the Babylonians to the Persians19. Destruction and Exile: Israel and the Babylonian Empire, by Bob Becking20. Persia and Yehud, by Charles David IsbellGlossaryBibliographyGazetteerIndex of Biblical and Ancient ReferencesGeneral IndexContributors
