Ancient Israel's History - by Bill T Arnold & Richard S Hess (Paperback)

About the Book

Leading experts offer a substantive history of Israel textbook that values the historical contribution of the Bible without overlooking critical issues and challenges.

Book Synopsis

The history of Israel is a much-debated topic in Old Testament studies. On one side are minimalists who find little of historical value in the Hebrew Bible. On the other side are those who assume the biblical text is a precise historical record. Many serious students of the Bible find themselves between these two positions and would benefit from a careful exploration of issues in Israelite history.

This substantive history of Israel textbook values the Bible's historical contribution without overlooking critical issues and challenges. Featuring the latest scholarship, the book introduces students to the current state of research on issues relevant to the study of ancient Israel. The editors and contributors, all top biblical scholars and historians, discuss historical evidence in a readable manner, using both canonical and chronological lenses to explore Israelite history.

Illustrative items, such as maps and images, visually support the book's content. Tables and sidebars are also included.

From the Back Cover

"An excellent resource for those interested in taking seriously all the evidence, both biblical and extrabiblical, bearing on the history of ancient Israel and in thinking carefully about how to weigh that evidence and integrate it into a coherent account."
--Iain Provan, Regent College, Vancouver

"An engaging examination of the current state of research, Ancient Israel's History finely balances the biblical text and extrabiblical sources while exploring critical interpretive issues and methodological questions. It is comprehensive and readable and will be a valuable addition to the library of students and researchers alike. This volume will be part of my students' curriculum."
--Lissa M. Wray Beal, Providence University College and Theological Seminary

"In this incredibly thorough volume, an international and esteemed team of contributors offer us exactly what was promised: a state-of-the-art review of research relating to the history of ancient Israel. This book picks its way between the Scylla of overwrought skepticism and the Charybdis of naïve fideism. The result is a copiously documented, user-friendly, and up-to-date treatment that will prove to be a most useful textbook for both introductory students and seasoned teachers alike."
--Brent A. Strawn, Emory University

"A superb collection orienting readers to historical data and debates relevant to ancient Israel--judiciously weighed, accessibly presented."
--Mark J. Boda, McMaster Divinity College and McMaster University

"Debates surrounding the history of ancient Israel are lively these days, making this volume most welcome. Substantive essays penned by leading authorities in their respective subject areas not only provide convenient summaries of available evidence but also offer mature reflections on what all this evidence means for the historian. The attractiveness of the volume is enhanced by the inclusion of numerous charts, maps, photos, and sidebars. To have so much learning and sensible analysis collected in one volume is a significant achievement. I shall be recommending this book!"
--V. Philips Long, Regent College, Vancouver

"This is an outstanding work that will provide students and scholars alike with a fine introduction to the multifaceted issues and sources that are crucial to interpreting and reconstructing a history of ancient Israel. This is achieved through an impressive cadre of scholars contributing their individual expertise."
--K. Lawson Younger Jr., Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

About the Author

Bill T. Arnold (PhD, Hebrew Union College) is Paul S. Amos Professor of Old Testament Interpretation at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky. He is the author or editor of nine books and coauthor (with Bryan E. Beyer) of Encountering the Old Testament. Richard S. Hess (PhD, Hebrew Union College) is Earl S. Kalland Professor of Old Testament and Semitic Languages at Denver Seminary in Littleton, Colorado, and editor of the Denver Journal. He is the author or editor of more than twenty-five books, including Israelite Religions and Song of Songs in the Baker Commentary on the Old Testament Wisdom and Psalms.