Ancient Israel : what do we know and how do we know it? / Lester L. Grabbe. [print]

Part I: Introduction

Chapter 1: The Principles and Methods of Investigating the History of Ancient Israel

Part II: Historical Investigations

Chapter 2: Second Millennium: Middle and Late Bronze Ages (2000-1300 BCE)

Chapter 3: Late Bronze to Iron IIA (circa 1300-900 BCE): From Settlement to Statehood

Chapter 4: Iron IIB (900-720): Rise and Fall of the Northern Kingdom

Chapter 5: Iron IIC (720-539 BCe): Peak and Decline of Judah

Part III: Conclusions

Chapter 6: 'The End of the Matter': What Can We Say About Israelite and Judahite History?

Aims Concepts and Complications The Question of Sources and Methods The Place of the Social Sciences The Longue Duree The Model and Method of Classical Studies Using Archaeology as a Source General Comments Terminology of Archaeological Periods Use of Survey Data The Debate Over the 'Low Chronology' ; Estimating Population The Stratigraphy of Samaria Reinterpretation of the Jochan Seal Problems with Forgeries Ethnicity Ideology and Neo-Fundamentalism ; 'Maximalists', 'Minimialists' and the ad hominem Argument The Contemporary Practice of Writing Israel's History Developments in General Historiography Forty Years of Debate Among Biblical Scholars Principles of Historical Method Used in this Book

Sources Archaeology Egyptian Texts Execration Texts Amarna Letters The Story of Sinuhe Ugaritic Texts Mespotamian Texts Biblical Text Analysis Peoples/Ethnic and Social Groups Hyksos Amorites (Amurru) ; 'Apiru/Haberu Shasu (Shosu, S3sw, Sutu) ; Canaanites Question of the Patriarchs Synthesis First Part of Second Millenium (circa 2000-1600/1500 BCE) ; Egypt Old Assyrian Period (circa 2000-1750) ; Old Babylonian Period (2000-1600) ; Hittites Northern Syria Second Part of the Second Millennium (1600/1500-1200 BCE) ; Egypt Mesopotamia Hittite Empire (circa 1400-1200 BCE) ; Mitanni Kingdom (circa 1600-1350 BCE) ; Ugarit Palestine

Sources Archaeology Analysis Merenptah Stela Medinet Habu and Related Inscriptions Report of Wenamun Shoshenq I's Palestinian Inscription Biblical Text Pentateuch Deuteronomistic History (DtrH) ; Analysis The Question of the Exodus The Sea Peoples and the Philistines The Coming of the Sea Peoples The Development of the Philistines Transjordan From Settlement to Statehood Joshua and Judges The Settlement ; 'Tribes' and 'Nomads' ; Anthropological Models of Statehood The Early Monarchy: Saul, Samuel, David, and Solomon Traditions Writing, Literacy and Bureaucracy Synthesis

Sources Archaeology Hebrew Inscriptions Aramaic Inscriptions Tel Dan Melqart Inscription Zakkur Inscription Mesha Stela Assyrian Sources Phoenician History of Menander of Ephesus Biblical Text 1 Kings 16.15-2 Kings 17.41 (2 Chronicles 18-28): Outline of the Contents Analysis Dividing of the Kingdom (1 Kings 12-14) ; Rulers of Judah and Israel to Omri (1 Kings 15.1-16.20) ; Ahab Israel and Moab The Aramaeans From Jehu to the End of the Northern Kingdom (2 Kings 9-16) ; Fall of Samaria Development of Religion The God of Yhwh Other Deities and Worship Temple Religion versus 'Popular'/'Folk'/'Family' Religion Development of Monotheism Synthesis Biblical Date Confirmed Biblical Data Not Confirmed, Though They May Be Correct Biblical Picture Incorrect Biblical Picture Omits/has Gaps

Sources Archaeology Conclusions with Regard to Archaeology Palestinian Inscriptions The Adon Papyrus Mesad Hashavyahu Arad Ostraca Lachish Letters The Ashyahu Ostracon Seals and Bullae Assyrian Soruces Sargon II (721-705 BCE) ; Sennacherib (705-681 BCE) ; Esarhaddon (681-669 BCE) ; Ashurbanipal (669-627 BCE) ; Babylonian Sources Nabopolassar (626-605 BCE) ; Nebuchadnezzar II (605-562 BCE) ; Jehoiachin Documents Texts from al-Yahudu and Nasar Egyptian Source: Psammetichus and Inscription The Biblical Story: 2 Kings 21-25 and Parallels 2 Kings//2 Chronicles Jeremeiah Ezekiel Ezra Daniel Analysis of the Text Analysis Hezekiah Manasseh Amon Josiah Jehoahaz - Jehoiakim Jehoiachin Zedekiah The Case of Jeremiah The Case of Nebuchadnezzar The 'Exile' ; Synthesis Biblical Data Confirmed Biblical Data Not Confirmed, Though They May Be Correct Biblical Picture is Most Likely Incorrect Biblical Picture Omits/Has Gaps

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. 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 Solmon 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.

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