Ancient Israel: What Do We Know and How Do We Know It?: Revised Edition (Inglês) Capa Comum – 23 fev 2017

This is basically a scholarly work full of citings and other heavy academic formatting, which makes it unenjoyable for casual reading. It's probably a great reference book but would not recommend as something you can simply sit down with and learn something new from.

Lester Grabbe is not a household name in the Western hemisphere. However, in Europe, he is a highly respected scholar of Ancient Israel and Second Temple Judaism. He is a brilliant and disciplined historian and a noted textual critic. In the mid-nineteen nineties, he founded the European Seminar on Methodology in an attempt to foster academic consensus in this contentious area of scholarship. Under Grabbe's leadership, this Seminar has been very productive, and its work well received. And, by his own admission, it has failed to bring about the consensus that he sought. Members of the Seminar represent a variety of scholarly opinions from conservative to minimalist. Biblical literalists have chosen not to join this group, however, over time they have become less and less a factor in the academy. Commendably, Grabbe in this work considers all positions from those of William Albright in archaeology and John Bright in history to those of Niels P. Lemche and Thomas L. Thompson.

The book is arranged in three sections, an introduction to methodology, historical investigations, and a conclusion. Also, included is a massive bibliography heavily weighted to archaeological studies as well as three indexes which cover ancient sources, modern authors, and subjects. It should be noted that the author's working title for this project was "Prolegomena to a History of ancient Israel..." Therefore, this is but a prelude to the writing of a history of ancient Israel. This is a reference and analytical work covering all the currently known sources of information on the topic. Primary sources contemporary with the actual events are considered paramount followed in importance by secondary sources, such as the Bible, from antiquity, and then lastly modern scholarly works. However, any future scholar who might wish to disregard this work would do so at his own peril. The author's exposition of what we know at present coupled with his analysis of this material acts as a massive delimiter on any future history of ancient Israel barring new discoveries of primary and/or secondary sources.

Chapter one is a prolonged discussion of "Principles and Methods." This is primer on how history is done. It also discusses some of the particular problems facing the historian of ancient Israel including high versus low chronologies, forged artifacts, and ideology. On one hand, Grabbe finds very little common ground with the American schools of Biblical archaeology and Biblical history epitomized by Albright and Bright and their successors. But on the other hand, he is critical of the minimalists. And, he loathes the general lack of methodological rigor displayed in far too much of what passes for scholarly production coming out of religious studies programs and schools of theology. Furthermore, Grabbe especially decries the shallow imposition of social science methodologies and models on ancient history which is so prevalent in much of modern liberal scholarship.

The historical investigation section is divided by chronology into chapters and displays an evenhanded approach towards both the sources and previous scholarship. In short, Grabbe finds no verification of the patriarchal narratives, and that there may be some basis for the exodus story which is currently unknowable. The traditions of Saul, David, and Solomon have historical value but not in the form presented in the Old Testament, and there is no support in the sources for the unified monarchy or the Solomonic empire. It is only with the advent of the Omri dynasty in Israel around 850 BCE that our knowledge of some events becomes verifiable. Our knowledge of Judah based on the primary sources is even later and dates to the mid-eighth century BCE at the earliest. However, as one approaches 586 BCE the terminus of the history of ancient Israel, we know more and more about Judah. And, much of this can be cross referenced into the Biblical accounts with confidence. The synthesis section at the end of each chapter compliments the facts and the analysis preceding them. The conclusion is but a short synopsis of the synthesis materials. If you are anything but a most advanced scholar of the history of ancient Israel, I commend this book to your attention. There is much to learn here regardless of your theological predilections.

Absolutely required for all students of ancient Israel. Balanced, thoughtful, wide-ranging and interdisciplinary survey of various academic viewpoints; exhaustively referenced, and with emphasis on primary sources. Grabbe arranges his conclusions carefully without falling into the trap of hyper-minimalism, but with no whiff of credulousness as far as the biblical text is concerned.

Excellent product. Exactly what I wanted. Prompt service.

Excellent read!!