Israelite Religions: An Archaeological And Biblical Survey

Book Summary

???Having dedicated the last fifty years, full-time, to the study of the Bible and archaeology, I found Richard Hess??'s "Israelite Religions" a veritable tour de force. Not only is it a remarkably inclusive review of major issues in our field but it also presents a well-informed critique of these matters. This comprehensive study attests to the broad erudition of the author and his unusual ability to communicate recondite material in an intelligible manner. This book will serve as an extraordinary resource for a long time; the bibliography alone makes it invaluable. Hess??'s control of both ancient and modern languages, as well as anthropology and archaeology, enhances the value of his lucid presentation.??????Philip J. King, professor emeritus of biblical studies, Boston College ???This new study by Richard Hess is a scrupulously detailed analysis of the most relevant research on the history of ancient Israel. The author has given ample attention to the main views and approaches to the subject. However, this is more than a review of the current state of the art. Professor Hess gives his own interpretation of the evidence, literary and archaeological. The result is a balanced, thoughtful presentation of the religion(s) of ancient Israel as he sees it (them). Every scholar and advanced student will want to use this erudite but clearly written essay on the religion of ancient Israel.??????Anson F. Rainey, emeritus professor of ancient Near Eastern cultures and Semitic linguistics, Tel Aviv University; adjunct professor of historical geography, Bar Ilan University ???Writing from a tradition with high regard for what the Bible knows about ancient Israel, Richard Hess puts Scripture indialogue with the full range of evidence for Israel??'s religious life. In a lucid, accessible text for students, Hess also pushes forward a crucial conversation among scholars about the Bible and the ancient world.??????Daniel E. Fleming, professor of Hebraic and Judaic Studies, New York University Archaeological excavation in the Holy Land has exploded with the resurgence of interest in the historical roots of the biblical Israelites. "Israelite Religions" offers Bible students and interested lay leaders a survey of the major issues and approaches that constitute the study of ancient Israelite religion. Unique among other books on the subject, "Israelite Religions" takes the Bible seriously as a historical source, balancing the biblical material with relevant evidence from archaeological finds.

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