The Hebrew Bible and History ― Critical Readings

These critical readings present the history of ancient Israel, from the Late Bronze Age to the Persian period, as it relates to the Bible. There material is divided into five sections, each with an introduction by the editor. A final chapter summarizes some the historical principles that emerge in the course of studying Israelite history. Finally, an annotated bibliography points researchers towards further readings and engagements with these key themes.

The volume's first section is on general methodological principles, the others then follow the chronology of Israel's earliest history, including two sections on specific cases studies (the reforms of Josiah and the wall of Nehemiah). Selected by one of the world's leading scholars of biblical history, these critical readings are taken from writings by a range of highly respected international scholars, from a variety of historical and religious perspectives, thus presenting the key voices in the debate in one convenient volume.