Book Description:
Covering the period of the thirteenth century b.c.e. to the fall of Jerusalem in 586 b.c.e., Isserlin, a senior scholar, synthesizes the social, historical, geographical, and archaeological materials relevant to studying ancient Israel in its ancient Near Eastern context. Isserlin has an accessible style and brings the latest in biblical research to students and general readers. The stunning array of 85 photographs plus maps, line drawings, and charts make this a rich resource for scholars as well. 'The Israelites has many strengths. Chief among these is the breadth of its coverage. . . . Isserlin makes more use of archaeological data than any comparable work I know. . . . Isserlin s narrative flows along in an accessible, even popular style. . . . Yet the discussion seems to encompass almost effortlessly the latest and best scholarship. The extensive and updated bibliography will lead the serious reader to all the necessary documentation. If the average reader of BAR . . . wants to purchase a single reference work, it should probably be Isserlin s The Israelites.' William G. Dever, Biblical Archaeology Review Contents: Introduction Part One: The Stage and the Players Geography: The Land and Its Resources Origins and Affinities of the Israelites History Social Structure, Constitutional Ideas, and Government Part Two: The Material Culture Towns and Villages: Planning and Architecture Agriculture Industries and Crafts Trade and the Economic System Warfare Part Three: The World of the Spirit Language, Writing, and Texts Religion Israelite Art
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