Ancient Israel's neighbors / Brian R. Doak.

9780190690632 (electronic book)

New York : Oxford University Press, 2020.

English

1 online resource (176 pages).

BS1197 .D593 2020

221.95

The purpose of this book is to tell the story of Israel's nearest neighbors - not only discovering what the Bible has to say about them but also what we can know from archaeology, ancient inscriptions, and other sources. The Bible itself presents these neighbors in nuanced and conflicting ways; sometimes they are friends, and sometimes they are enemies, spoken of as though they must die in order for Israel to live. This book explores both the biblical portrayal of the smaller groups surrounding Israel and what people can know about these groups through their own literature, archaeology, and other sources. By uncovering the identity of the Philistines as settlers along the coast at the same time that early Israel carved out their place in the land, for example, one can better understand the social turmoil and political maneuvering that lies just beneath the surface of the biblical narrative.

The purpose of this book is to tell the story of Israel's nearest neighbors - not only discovering what the Bible has to say about them but also what we can know from archaeology, ancient inscriptions, and other sources. The Bible itself presents these neighbors in nuanced and conflicting ways; sometimes they are friends, and sometimes they are enemies, spoken of as though they must die in order for Israel to live. This book explores both the biblical portrayal of the smaller groups surrounding Israel and what people can know about these groups through their own literature, archaeology, and other sources. By uncovering the identity of the Philistines as settlers along the coast at the same time that early Israel carved out their place in the land, for example, one can better understand the social turmoil and political maneuvering that lies just beneath the surface of the biblical narrative.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Access limited to authorized users.

Description based on online resource; title from home page (viewed on June 4, 2020).

Essentials of biblical studies.
Oxford scholarship online.

Print version: 9780190690595

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