Ancient Canaan and Israel: An Introduction

Front Cover
OUP USA, 2009 M05 21 - 413 pages
Where did the Israelites originate? What was the fate of the Canaanites? In this revealing introduction, Jonathan M. Golden tackles these and other hotly debated questions. Drawing on the extensive and often surprising archeological record, he looks at daily life in antiquity, providing rich portraits of the role of women, craft production, metallurgy, technology, political and social organization, trade, and religious practices. Golden traces the great religious traditions that emerged in this region back to their most ancient roots, drawing on the evidence of scriptures and other texts as well as the archeological record. Though the scriptures stress the primacy of Israel, the author considers the Canaanites and Philistines as well, examining the differences between highland and coastal cultures and the cross-fertilization between societies. He offers a clear, objective look at the evidence for the historical accuracy of the biblical narrative, based on the latest thinking among archeologists worldwide.
 

Contents

CANAANITE AND ISRAELITE CIVILIZATION
13
CURRENT ASSESSMENTS
261
Glossary
279
Chronology
299
Resources for Further Study
303
Index
379
Copyright

Other editions - View all

Common terms and phrases

About the author (2009)

Jonathan M. Golden is Assistant Professor of Religious Studies and Associate Director of the Caspersen Centers at Drew University.

Bibliographic information