Ancient Israel: What Do We Know and How Do We Know It? - by Lester L Grabbe (Paperback)

About the Book

"In this updated edition of his much praised volume Lester L. Grabbe takes readers through the earliest history of Israel paying close attention to the most recent sources and data"--

Book Synopsis

In Ancient Israel Lester L. Grabbe sets out to summarize what we know through a survey of sources and how we know it by a discussion of methodology and by evaluating the evidence. The most basic question about the history of ancient Israel, how do we know what we know, leads to the fundamental questions of Grabbe's work: what are the sources for the history of Israel and how do we evaluate them? How do we make them 'speak' to us through the fog of centuries?

Grabbe focuses on original sources, including inscriptions, papyri, and archaeology. He examines the problems involved in historical methodology and deals with the major issues surrounding the use of the biblical text when writing a history of this period. Ancient Israel provides an enlightening overview and critique of current scholarly debate. It can therefore serve as a 'handbook' or reference-point for those wanting a catalogue of original sources, scholarship, and secondary studies. Grabbe's clarity of style makes this book eminently accessible not only to students of biblical studies and ancient history but also to the interested lay reader.

For this new edition the entire text has been reworked to take account of new archaeological discoveries and theories. There is a major expansion to include a comprehensive coverage of David and Solomon and more detailed information on specific kings of Israel throughout. Grabbe has also added material on the historicity of the Exodus, and provided a thorough update of the material on the later bronze age.

Review Quotes

"Grabbe's book provides the scholar and teacher with a useful resource for understanding not only the primary sources for the history of ancient Israel, but the major issues and debates facing contemporary scholarship. All of this is presented in a highly organized and accessible volume complete with an enormous bibliography (seventy pages) and a helpful index to biblical and non-biblical texts and inscriptions ... Ancient Israel is an indispensable tool for anyone teaching a course on ancient Israel and its environs or the Hebrew Bible." - Reading Religion

About the Author

Lester L. Grabbe is Professor Emeritus of Biblical Studies at the University of Hull, UK.