The last several decades have witnessed important discoveries of
archaeological and documentary materials from the ancient Near East
that shed light on ancient Israel and its religious practices. These
extrabiblical materials have had a significant impact on scholarly
debates regarding the religion of Israel and the interpretation of the
Bible. Until now, however, there have been few introductions that
juxtapose these contemporary discoveries with the biblical narrative to
help students understand ancient Israelite religions.
Richard Hess provides just that in this accessible account of the
discovery of archaeological and textual materials and the debates that
have arisen over their importance for biblical studies. After a general
introduction to the study of religion, he surveys the field with regard
to ancient Israelite and pre-Israelite western Semitic religious
traditions. Hess then turns to consider the biblical literature and how
other documentary evidence might enlarge our understanding of ancient
Israelite religious practices and beliefs. One of the central scholarly
debates concerns the question of when the Israelites developed their
monotheistic impulse. After examining the evidence, Hess argues for the
early establishment of the monotheistic tradition in ancient Israel.
Hess brings a wealth of knowledge to this study, and scholars,
students, and clergy interested in the contemporary study of the
ancient Near East and the Old Testament will welcome the expert
guidance provided in this illustrated volume.
Product Description
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.
From the Inside Flap
"Richard S. Hess, well known for his
numerous studies in biblical and ancient Near Eastern topics, now
brings his extensive knowledge to bear on 'Israelite religions.' The
plural form of the title is decisive: everywhere the accent is on the
pluriformity and complexity of Israelite religion(s) in various periods
and locales. The subtitle is equally critical: Hess surveys an immense
array of biblical and archaeological data both judiciously and
economically. Throughout the book, Hess's attention to what may be
unique or distinctive about Israelite religion(s) vis-à-vis its
cultural congeners is instructive. Moreover, his care to define key
terms, his correlation of textual and artifactual material, his
awareness of the relationship of Israelite religion to biblical
theology, as well as his trademark skill in onomastics--not to mention
the useful and extensive bibliography--are among the aspects that make
the present book not only welcome but also essential reading on the
subject."--Brent A. Strawn, associate professor of Old Testament, Candler School of Theology and Graduate Division of Religion, Emory University"Richard
Hess's book on Israelite religions displays impressive knowledge of
their archaeological and ancient Near Eastern background as well as of
the modern scholarly literature (over one thousand items in the
bibliography!). Even those who will question some of Hess's more
conservative conclusions will learn much from this fascinating
volume."--John Day, professor of Old Testament studies, Oxford University
"Echoing
the works of William Foxwell Albright and Cyrus Gordon, Richard Hess's
new book on Israelite religion offers a survey of Israelite religion
fundamentally based on the framework and claims of the Bible and
informed by archaeological evidence and extrabiblical texts. The book
provides a clear, conservative treatment of this material from the
Middle and Late Bronze Age down through the demise of Judah in 586. To
the scholarly discussion of these sources, Hess adds his own expertise,
particularly in Bronze Age texts. The field now has a general treatment
of Israelite religion produced by a scholar with a strong faith in the
Bible's veracity. Even if readers do not share Hess's strong trust in
either the Bible's historical claims or his high dating for many
biblical texts and traditions, this volume nonetheless presents a good
listing of research."--Mark S. Smith, Skirball Professor of Bible and Ancient Near Eastern Studies, New York University
Endorsements
"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 in dialogue 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
This product was added to our catalog on Wednesday 16 April, 2008.
