Description
Book SynopsisLester L. Grabbe is Professor Emeritus of Hebrew Bible and Early Judaism at the University of Hull, UK. He is founder and convenor of the European Seminar in Historical Methodology. He is also Series Editor of our own Library of Second Temple Studies Series.
Trade ReviewLester Grabbe has once again provided us with a well-researched and judiciously argued volume, this time laying out for us an excellent summary of the cultural backgrounds for the rise of 'Israel'. Masterfully weaving together historical, biblical and archaeological sources, Prof. Grabbe presents an overview of the cultural and historical background of 2nd millennium BCE Canaan and its environs, the region in which biblical Israel and Judah formed during the early Iron Age. Advanced students of archaeology, Bible and ancient Near Eastern Studies will find this an excellent resource to understand the genesis of Israel and Judah. Highly recommended! * Professor Aren Maeir, Bar-Ilan University, Israel *
Lester Grabbe worked through the History of Ancient Israel like an archaeologist, from the top strata down. Three volumes on the Persian and Hellenistic periods were followed by a by a magisterial study of the Iron Age monarchies, and now, finally, on Israel’s beginnings in the Late Bronze Age. Both YHWH and Israel are first attested in this period. This fact is undeniable and calls for proper consideration, which it amply receives in the sober and comprehensive manner which we learnt to appreciate in Grabbe’s previous books. * Ernst Axel Knauf, University of Bern, Switzerland *
[Grabbe] enriches us with a seasoned, post-enlightenment history. * The Society for Old Testament Study Book List *
Table of ContentsAbbreviations Preface Part I: Introduction Chapter 1: Introduction Chapter 2: The Third Millennium Context
Part II: Middle Bronze Age (c. 2000-1600 BCE) Chapter 3: Ancient Near Eastern Context Chapter 4: Syria and Palestine
Part III: Late Bronze Age (c. 1600-1200 BCE) Chapter 5: Ancient Near Eastern Context, Including Syria Chapter 6: Palestine/Canaan
Part IV: Early Iron Age (c. 1200-900 BCE) Chapter 7: Ancient Near Eastern Context, Including Syria and Transjordan (1200-900 BCE) Chapter 8: Palestine (1200-900 BCE)
Part V: Conclusions Chapter 9: The Origins of Israel - A Holistic Approach
Bibliography Index
