Walter C Kaiser jr_ - A History of Israel

This fascinating, highly readable book will enrich anyones understanding of the Old Testament because it calls on a vast wealth of historical material from nations and cultures surrounding Israel to paint a vivid background picture against which to read each section of the Old Testament, all the while upholding the complete truthfulness and historical accuracy of the biblical text.

Wayne Grudem, research professor of theology and biblical studies, Phoenix Seminary

Christianity and Judaism are historically-grounded religions. The fact that God chose specific places and times to reveal truth to human beings means that we must take those times and places very seriously. This update to Walt Kaisers text walks the reader not only through the lands, cultures, and events of the Old Testament world, but also through contemporary discussions on Old Testament history and historiography. It is highly recommended for anyone who wants to hear the Old Testament speak more clearly.

George H. Guthrie, Benjamin W. Perry Professor of Bible, Union University

Walter Kaiser's A History of Israel has been an evangelical standard since its publication in 1998, judiciously reconstructing the history of Israel both from literary sources (biblical and otherwise) and archaeological evidence, all the while affirming the priority of the Bible's witness to Israel's history. This helpful update by Paul Wegner continues in this tradition. I highly recommend this volume.

David M. Howard, Jr., professor of Old Testament, Bethel Seminary (Bethel University)

In the almost 20 years since the initial publication of Walter Kaisers A History of Israel, fresh discoveries and animated debates have continued in several fields pertaining to the history of Israel in biblical times. From archaeology to epistemology, from hermeneutics to historical method, from literary theory to theological construction, the field of Old Testament studies continues in a state of ferment. Into this context, this fresh edition of Kaisers work, fully revised and augmented in the capable hands of Paul Wegner, is very welcome. Expansive in its scope, this work is exemplary in its clarity and brevity, making it a useful resource for anyone interested in the history of Gods ancient people.

V. Philips Long, Professor of Old Testament, Regent College

The history of the core events of the Old Testament is under question these days. Many scholars argue that the account of the patriarchs, the Exodus, the Conquest and other important stories of the Old Testament did not take place. Walter Kaiser and Paul Wegner render the important service not only of defending the historicity of Scripture, but also of situating the redemptive history of the Old Testament in its broader ancient Near Eastern setting. I recommend this book to all serious students of the Bible.

Tremper Longman III, Robert H. Gundry Professor of Biblical Studies, Westmont College

In this thorough revision of A History of Israel, Walter Kaiser and Paul Wegner clearly and skillfully introduce readers to significant biblical history and background. These two gifted, faithful, and conservative Old Testament scholars have produced a volume that is accessible, well organized, and helpful to students, pastors, and informed church leaders. The maps, pictures, and illustrations make Israels history come alive.

Christopher W. Morgan, dean and professor of theology, School of Christian Ministries, California Baptist University

This revision freshens up Kaisers 1998 A History of Israel with new pictures, charts, boxes, figure, and maps, new perspectives from recent historians, new organizational features, new paragraphs on the political situation in each era, plus additional ANE cultural and religious background material.... it presents the current state of the argument, while defending the reliability of the biblical presentation of historical events based on the interrelationship between biblical claims, archaeological evidence, and ANE literature and documents.

Gary V. Smith, part-time professor of Old Testament, Bethel Seminary

A History of Israel, Revised Edition

Copyright 2016 by Walter C. Kaiser Jr. and Paul Wegner

Published by B&H Academic

Nashville, Tennessee

All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-1-4336-4317-0

Dewey Decimal Classification: 933

Subject Heading: ISRAEL \ JEWSISRAEL

Library of Congress Catalog Number: 97-9718

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible, Copyright 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible, Holman CSB, and HCSB are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

Front cover photos:

Shekels, Herodian Jerusalem, c.66-70 AD (silver), Jewish School, (1st century AD) / Private Collection Photo Zev Radovan / Bridgeman Images

Figurine of a Female Tambourine Player from Shikmona on the Northern Coast of Israel, 9th-8th century BC (ceramic), Phoenician / Private Collection Photo Zev Radovan / Bridgeman Images

Scenic Memorial (stone tablet with Hebrew writing, Image #:170875796) Photo Ilan Shacham / Getty Images

Code of Hammurabi, http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Milkau_Oberer_Teil_der_Stele_mit_dem_Text_von_Hammurapis_Gesetzescode_369-2.png

Hittite Treaty, http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kadesh.jpg

Pyramids of Giza: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:All_Gizah_Pyramids.jpg

Design and typesetting by 2K/DENMARK A/S, Hjbjerg, Denmark

First printing in 2017

To Cyrus H. Gordon

With deep appreciation

for a mentor, longtime friend, teacher of teachers,

and a second Cyrus to scores of fellow students

and to

Dr. Walter C. Kaiser Jr.,

an inspiring teacher and friend,

who always adds a little humor with the distasteful medicine

Every tablet, every little scarab, is a portion of life solidified.... When we look closely into the work we seem almost to watch the hand that did it; this stone is a day, a week, of the life of some living man. I know his mind, his feeling, by what he has thought and done on this stone. I live with him in looking into his work, and admiring, and valuing it.

W. M. Flinders Petrie (18531942), British archaeologist, a pioneer of modern archaeology

I t is perhaps presumptuous to assume any person could adequately digest and evaluate the expanse of data, events, issues, and complexities involved in a history of Israel. Nevertheless, each generation must consider its own understanding of these issues through fresh eyes. By the grace of God, we have endeavored to give as accurate an accounting in these matters as possible.

George Santayanas salient words are just as true today as when they were written over a century ago: Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. However, this is the best and the worst of all times to attempt such a project as this. Rarely in the history of reconstructing Israels past has there been such great skepticism about the usefulness, much less the possibility, of this task. But this must not be a reason for silence or reticence; another generation has arisen that wants to make up its own mind regarding these matters without having the issue prejudged for them.

Contrary to some modern scholarship, we do not believe the Old Testament (hereafter OT) is off limits merely because it is considered sacred history. In fact, Richard Hess has argued that the history in the Hebrew Bible forms the foundation for the development of much of Western history and thought. Therefore, The study of the history of ancient Israel is not merely a footnote in the great collection of all human knowledge. Rather, it is the essential starting point for discerning more than two thousand years of human culture and history. This is not judged to be a proper move for serious scholarship by some contemporary scholars; however, many still find it acceptable. Christians have attempted to do this from the faiths earliest stages, as noted by John H. Hayes: