Introduction: Foundations for a History of IsraelÂ€Â€Â€Â€1 RichardÂ€S. ESV Text Edition: 2007 Scripture quotations labeled NJPS are from the New Jewish Publication Society Version ©Â€1985 by The Jewish Publication Society. Scripture quotations labeled ESV are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright ©Â€2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. BS1197.A6195 2014 221.95-dc23Ă014026186 Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright ©Â€1989, by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Old Testament-Criticism, interpretation, etc. Old Testament-History of Biblical events. Summary: “Leading experts offer a substantive history of Israel textbook that values the Bible’s historical contribution without overlooking critical issues and challenges”- Provided by publisher. pages cm Includes bibliographical references and index. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Ancient Israel’s history : an introduction to issues and sources / edited by BillÂ€T. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means-for example, electronic, photocopy, recording-without the prior written permission of the publisher. Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287 Printed in the United States of America All rights reserved. Hess Published by Baker Academic a division of Baker Publishing Group P.O. HISTORY An Introduction to Issues and Sources

Illustrative items, such as maps and images, visually support the books content. The editors and contributors, all top biblical scholars and historians, discuss historical evidence in a readable manner, using both canonical and chronological lenses to explore Israelite history. Featuring the latest scholarship, the book introduces students to the current state of research on issues relevant to the study of ancient Israel.

This substantive history of Israel textbook values the Bibles historical contribution without overlooking critical issues and challenges. Many serious students of the Bible find themselves between these two positions and would benefit from a careful exploration of issues in Israelite history.

On the other side are those who assume the biblical text is a precise historical record. On one side are minimalists who find little of historical value in the Hebrew Bible. The history of Israel is a much-debated topic in Old Testament studies.

Beyond the Grave by Jude Watson