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Although scholars have studied ancient Israel for centuries, their interest--for obvious reasons--has for much of that time been primarily to illuminate and clarify the biblical story. In Biblical History and Israel's Past: The Changing Study of the Bible and History Megan Bishop Moore and Brad E. Kelle describe how scholars have increasingly begun in recent years to tell the story of ancient Israel and its neighbors on its own terms, using both biblical and extrabiblical sources without privileging the biblical narratives but rather relying on a global evidential perspective.
Moore and Kelle provide a comprehensive yet accessible survey of the ways in which the study of the Old Testament and Israel's past have progressed since the middle of the twentieth century--trends that have till now been difficult for nonspecialists to access and follow. Beginning with the patriarchs and matriarchs, Moore and Kelle summarize major scholars, viewpoints, issues, and developments in the field of study for each major epoch of Israel's early history. Each chapter includes pull-boxes explaining key terms and concepts, discussion questions to deepen understanding, and suggestions for further reading.
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