history of biblical Israel, A
Book Description
Ernst Axel Knauf presents a thought-provoking exploration of how ancient narratives shape our understanding of the past in this scholarly examination of biblical history. Drawing from decades of teaching biblical studies and archaeological research, the author investigates how "Biblical Israel" emerged as a constructed narrative, primarily developed in the Persian-era province of Yehud to create a collective memory for Jerusalem's temple elite.
This work challenges readers to consider how historical accounts reflect the cultural contexts and perspectives of their creators, even within scientific historical inquiry. Knauf demonstrates how the grand biblical narrative was crafted by mining earlier archives from the kingdoms of Israel and Judah, transforming their stories into a foundational pre-history for what became known as "Biblical Israel."
The book traces this narrative construction through significant historical periods, following the fragmentation during Hellenistic and Roman times until the crushing of Simeon Bar-Kosiba's revolt in 136 CE. For those interested in understanding how sacred texts and historical memory intersect, this volume offers valuable insights into the complex relationship between archaeological evidence, textual interpretation, and the formation of religious identity.
Readers seeking to deepen their appreciation for how spiritual traditions develop and preserve their foundational stories will find this academic yet accessible work illuminating. Knauf's approach reveals the sophisticated process through which ancient communities created meaning from their past to guide their present.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~7 hours)
📄 Length: 266 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Palestine, history
- ✓ Study Bible from spiritual perspective
- ✓ Explore Historiography
- ✓ Explore Criticism, interpretation
- ✓ Explore Bible
- ✓ Explore History of Biblical events
- ✓ Explore History
- ✓ Explore Antiquities
