In Search of Pre-Exilic Israel

Description

In recent years there has been a tendency among certain scholars to claim that little can be known about pre-exilic Israel, because the Old Testament was only compiled in the post-exilic period (for example Philip Davies, Thomas Thompson, Neils Peter Lemche). One scholar (Lemche) has even claimed that the Old Testament is a Hellenistic work. The purpose of this book is to argue that this is an extreme and untenable position and that, though much of the Old Testament was indeed edited in the exilic or post-exilic period, many of the underlying sources used go back to the pre-exilic period. When critically analyzed these sources can shed much light on the pre-exilic period. This important work is the product of a team of seventeen international scholars, no fewer than five of whom are Fellows of the British Academy. None of the chapters has previously been published.

John Day is Professor of Old Testament Studies in the University of Oxford, and Fellow & Tutor of Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford. He has written or edited numerous books and articles, and in 2014 is President of the Society for Old Testament Study.

'Taken together, these papers make a good case against the minimalist and reaffirm the evidence of pre-exilic Israel.' ~ International Review of Biblical Studies, vol 51, 2004/05 "the reaction is measured and convincing" "this is an important work and is a significant contribution to the debate" Theological Book Review vol;19 no.2 2007 -- Robin B Salters Upper-level graduate students cannot afford to be without this magnificent work -- Joseph Cathey * RBL * 'This is a valuable collecion that brings together a good deal of recent scholarship, especially from the United Kingdom, and will serve as a "state of scholarship" survey.' 'John Day must be congratulated on the fine job of editing and shepherding the papers to full fruition for readers to enjoy. Most helpful are the copious bibiliographies appended at the end of each article.' -- Joesph Cathey * RBL * 'a superb contribution to the debate...an excellent resource' -- Ann Jeffers * Theology *