Canaan and Israel in Antiquity: A Textbook on History and Religion: Second Edition

Description

This comprehensive classic textbook represents the most recent approaches to the biblical world by surveying Palestine's social, political, economic, religious and ecological changes from Palaeolithic to Roman eras. Designed for beginners with little knowledge of the ancient world, and with copious illustrations and charts, it explains how and why academic study of the past is undertaken, as well as the differences between historical and theological scholarship and the differences between ancient and modern genres of history writing. Classroom tested chapters emphasize the authenticity of the Bible as a product of an ancient culture, and the many problems with the biblical narrative as a historical source. Neither "maximalist" nor "minimalist'" it is sufficiently general to avoid confusion and to allow the assignment of supplementary readings such as biblical narratives and ancient Near Eastern texts. This new edition has been fully revised, incorporating new graphics and English translations of Near Eastern inscriptions. New material on the religiously diverse environment of Ancient Israel taking into account the latest archaeological discussions brings this book right up to date.

K. L. Noll, Ph.D., is Associate Professor of Religion at Brandon University, Brandon, Manitoba, Canada. His publications include 'The Faces of David' (1996).

This book delivers what it promises. In clear prose, Dr Noll offers an introduction in the art of history-writing and applies his theoretical insights to the evidence on past events in Canaan and Israel in Antiquity. His non-prejudiced position functions as an oasis amidst the heated and at times over-ideological debate on the (re)construction of Israel's past. This second edition is not just a reprint of his earlier book. Noll has included new insights as well as recently discovered archaeological and epigraphic evidence in his inquiry of the past. I am looking to use this text-book in my undergraduate class soon. -- Bob Becking, Utrecht University, The Netherlands Though a textbook addressed to students, this is an important book for biblical studies as a whole. After more than 40 years of crisis and debate, Noll presents here a history of ancient Canaan and Israel which is both sound and balanced. I would recommend it to all teachers in the field without reservation. -- Thomas L. Thompson The strength of the book is not that Dr Noll has given the answer to the many questions he asks but that he has examined each question and each topic in detail and from every side, considering the possible solutions and the strengths and weaknesses of each. Both students and teachers will appreciate the detailed information and the challenging questions and guidance of this welcome textbook -- Lester L. Grabbe, Professor Emeritus of Hebrew Bible and Early Judaism at the University of Hull, UK