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Cover of Studying the Ancient Israelites

Studying the Ancient Israelites

  • Biblical Studies & Commentaries
  • Publisher: Baker Academic (Baker Publishing Group)
  • Published: 2007

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Publisher's Description

Archaeology won't prove or disprove the Bible's truth claims. But archaeology, combined with other bodies of evidence like historical geography, extrabiblical texts, anthropological insights, and careful study of the writings of ancient Israel, allow us to reconstruct a reasonable picture of the ancient Israelites: how they lived, what they thought, and what their Scriptures mean. In Studying the Ancient Israelites, a seasoned professor uses accessible writing and an inviting page design to introduce students and serious readers to the foundations of our understanding of the people of the Old Testament.


Endorsements (2)

“Not only does Matthews write with the authority of a scholar with years of experience in the cultures of Israel and the ancient Near East, he also writes to bring the material to the educated layperson. This is an excellent background work, thus I would encourage all to read it as a prelude to any study of Israel. Studying the Ancient Israelites is full of practical, sensible help in understanding ancient Israel. The work contains specific examples concerning the various disciplines that have been used to study ancient Israel: archaeology, sociology, historical geography, historiography, and literary approaches.”

Mark W. Chavalas

“Matthews is a sure-footed guide for students looking for help in sorting out the claims and counterclaims of scholars. This concise volume clearly introduces readers to the various issues surrounding the study of the ancient Israelites, offering insightful comments on the methods used in the investigation and why they are important.”

J. Andrew Dearman

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