Historical Dictionary of Ancient Israel

This reference examines sources in the Old Testament and surveys the findings of recent archaeological research. It includes entries on the significant persons, places and events; covers the Kingdoms of Israel and Judah and what role they played in the ancient world; and defines them as closely as possible according to the latest data. Readers will find that, while the results may differ from traditional views, they are essential correctives.

Of the many ancient civilizations we are aware of, few are smaller than the ancient Kingdom of Israel. Small both in geographical area and population, it was barely noticed by the major civilizations of the time in Egypt, Mesopotamia and elsewhere, which either ignored or crushed it. Yet, several millennia later, Israel is the civilization we remember most acutely, which we know D or think we know D the most about, and which has even been revised after a manner. Alas, what we know D or think we know D about Israel comes partly from the Old Testament and partly from fragmentary and sometimes distorted bits of historical evidence. For these very reasons, because Ancient Israel means so much to us and because we actually know so little for sure, this Dictionary is particularly important. It examines the usual sources in the Old Testament and surveys the findings of more recent archaeological research to help us determine just what happened and when, a far from simple task. It includes entries on most of the persons, places, and events which are generally considered, and shows more broadly what the Kingdoms of Israel and Judah were like and what role they played in the ancient world, but it also defines them as closely as possible according to the latest data. While the results may differ from traditional views, they are essential correctives.

Chapter 1 Editor's Foreword
Chapter 2 Reader's Notes
Chapter 3 Preface: How to Read the Old Testament Historically ? How to Read This Dictionary
Chapter 4 Chronology
Chapter 5 Abbreviations
Chapter 6 THE DICTIONARY
Chapter 7 Bibliography
Chapter 8 About the Author