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Survey of Israel's History, A
Since its first publication in 1970, A Survey of Israel’s History has established itself as a popular and useful text in Bible colleges and seminaries. This revision by David O’Brien, which brings A Survey of Israel’s History up to date, is certain to add to its value and continue its popularity. A chapter on the Intertestamental Period has been added. Numerous line-maps, charts, and diagrams help to clarity details. An extensive chronological chart provides an overall summary of names and dates. Authoritative, thoroughly biblical, factually sound, and movingly human -- A Survey of Israel’s History will prove enormously helpful to the student of the Bible, and to anyone in search of a definitive history of the chosen people.
434 pages, Hardcover
First published October 11, 1986
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143 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
December 13, 2025
Original Review: 3.5⭐️
Final Review: finally finished this for college. Why did I give it 3.5 stars the first time?!? It’s going down to two.
Final Review: finally finished this for college. Why did I give it 3.5 stars the first time?!? It’s going down to two.
February 18, 2018
A Survey of Israel's History by Leon Wood is an overview of Old Testament biblical history. It is written with good scholarship and lucidity. Some of the information in it is a bit dated, as it was last updated in 1986, but overall it stands as a good summary of the history of God's people in ancient times.
The opening chapter sets things up very well, and gives some good historical and archaeological background to the book. The following chapters on the patriarchs are adequate, but they really do little more than summarize the stories in the Bible. It does a little, but only a little to place the patriarchs in their historical and cultural situation. With the wealth of archaeological information about time period, Wood could have done a lot more here.
There is an entire chapter devoted to that dating of the Exodus. Wood argues for an early date (1446/1447) rather than a late date (1250). Even a few decades later this is still solid stuff. His discussion on the identity of the habiru is a bit dated, but otherwise this would be a good introduction to the issues surrounding the dating of the exodus.
The life in Egypt chapter is very good, and I think offers a plausible fitting of the exodus story within Egyptian history. That said, there are no absolute, agreed upon dates for Egyptian rulers (Egyptian chronology is notoriously hard to pin down absolutely), but rather higher and lower chronologies. It isn’t necessary for us to dogmatically assert exactly who the pharaoh was during the time of the exodus. For example, Hatshepsut is not necessarily the princess who pulled Moses from the river. The quest to find the pharaoh of the exodus or the pharaoh of Joseph’s day or even to exactly correlate Biblical and Egyptian history must be pursued with caution and without being too dogmatic. Also most scholars today disagree that Thutmose III harbored bitterness for Hatshepsut and see other cultural reasons for his effacing of her name from monuments.
The chapters on the wilderness wanderings and the conquest are adequate, but feel a little rushed overall. Chapter on the judges period is very good on the whole. My only quibble is that he calls the government at this time a theocracy in contrast to the future monarchy. This is a false dichotomy as both are clearly intended as theocracies in Scripture.
The chapters from here on in the book, covering the history of the Northern and Southern Kingdoms, the captivity, and the intertestamental period are excellent! They are informative without being too pedantic, and thoroughly cover the historical, cultural and biblical info.
Overall, if an updated version were produced, this would make a good textbook for ages 11-12th grade or a college undergrad course.
The opening chapter sets things up very well, and gives some good historical and archaeological background to the book. The following chapters on the patriarchs are adequate, but they really do little more than summarize the stories in the Bible. It does a little, but only a little to place the patriarchs in their historical and cultural situation. With the wealth of archaeological information about time period, Wood could have done a lot more here.
There is an entire chapter devoted to that dating of the Exodus. Wood argues for an early date (1446/1447) rather than a late date (1250). Even a few decades later this is still solid stuff. His discussion on the identity of the habiru is a bit dated, but otherwise this would be a good introduction to the issues surrounding the dating of the exodus.
The life in Egypt chapter is very good, and I think offers a plausible fitting of the exodus story within Egyptian history. That said, there are no absolute, agreed upon dates for Egyptian rulers (Egyptian chronology is notoriously hard to pin down absolutely), but rather higher and lower chronologies. It isn’t necessary for us to dogmatically assert exactly who the pharaoh was during the time of the exodus. For example, Hatshepsut is not necessarily the princess who pulled Moses from the river. The quest to find the pharaoh of the exodus or the pharaoh of Joseph’s day or even to exactly correlate Biblical and Egyptian history must be pursued with caution and without being too dogmatic. Also most scholars today disagree that Thutmose III harbored bitterness for Hatshepsut and see other cultural reasons for his effacing of her name from monuments.
The chapters on the wilderness wanderings and the conquest are adequate, but feel a little rushed overall. Chapter on the judges period is very good on the whole. My only quibble is that he calls the government at this time a theocracy in contrast to the future monarchy. This is a false dichotomy as both are clearly intended as theocracies in Scripture.
The chapters from here on in the book, covering the history of the Northern and Southern Kingdoms, the captivity, and the intertestamental period are excellent! They are informative without being too pedantic, and thoroughly cover the historical, cultural and biblical info.
Overall, if an updated version were produced, this would make a good textbook for ages 11-12th grade or a college undergrad course.
February 3, 2025
Fantastic book covering the history of Israel in the Old Testament. This is the best "survey book" I've ever read about Israel in the Old Testament. Beginning with Abraham through the kings, and ending up with the prophets, Wood does an excellent job teaching Israel's past. While in Bible college and seminary, I was assigned many Old Testament books to read, but this is the best one by far. The other books put a strain because the reader would have to be familiar with Hebrew, but not Wood's book. It's an easy read but very, very informative. Highly recommend.
December 4, 2011
Wood writes in such a way that the people involved come into sharper focus. Their relationships and motives are brought into closer focus and are more easily apprehended. I can say that I am definitely grateful for having read this book. There were a number of things I learned, and I'm sure it has helped me to understand the Bible better. I will always keep it close by as a companion to reading the Bible.
December 28, 2017
I enjoyed this book and found it to be a good balance between academic information and readability. It spends a lot of time on the patriarchs and Abraham, giving the most cultural and historical details for this section. Then it picks up to a rapid pace for the period of the kings. The book flies from the united monarchy to the Exile, giving little more than a summary of the biblical account. Finally, it covers the return of Israel and concludes at the end of the Old Testament.
Regarding dates, Wood places the Exodus at the traditional 1446 BCE. This comes from both biblical and extra-biblical evidence: the 480 year time-frame between the Exodus and Solomon’s temple, Jephthah’s comment Israel had been in the land 300 years, the necessary duration of Judges, and the best alignment with Egyptian history. Wood places Abraham’s birth at 2166 BCE. He argues the conditions in Canaan (sparse overall population but vigorous population in the region of Sodom Gomorrah) fits best between 2100 and 1900 BCE. Similarly, he argues the conditions in Egypt favor the same date (free travel between Canaan and Egypt; a Pharaoh who did not know Joseph; prediction of 400 years of affliction).
One great thing about the book was its many small points of interest. Wood theorizes Abraham’s lengthy stop at Haran was essentially hospice for his ailing father. And that the potential reason for such a long gap in allotting the land in Joshua 17 was the remaining tribes began to show a lack of interest in receiving their portions. That Jephthah’s vow was more likely devoting her as a virgin to the service of God, rather than the human sacrifice many interpret this to be. He says the Mosaic Law is clearly against sacrifice, no priest would have been willing to officiate, this explains the bewailing of her virginity, and his language “it shall be Yahweh’s and I will offer it up” can be translated with the conjunction “or”. Wood points out many of the judges of Israel overlapped in their leadership, often in different areas of the country. It was also common practice, particularly in Judah, for the kings to co-reign father and son for extended periods. A son would be the secondary king with his father, reign solo often or only a brief time such as a decade, then introduce his son as a secondary king. That Goliath’s challenge of Israel may have been a reflection and retaliatory gesture for the Philistine’s humiliation at Israel’s champion Samson. Wood remarks Saul did little to unite the country, David united it brilliantly, and Solomon seems to have gone overboard with the size of government and level of building projects, sowing the tension which broke the kingdom in two. I also enjoyed his comments on the capability and timelines of the Babylonian and Persian rulers who interacted with Israel. A shotgun of tidbits I know but all this is to say I am sure anyone interested in the history of ancient Israel will find something of interest as well.
Regarding dates, Wood places the Exodus at the traditional 1446 BCE. This comes from both biblical and extra-biblical evidence: the 480 year time-frame between the Exodus and Solomon’s temple, Jephthah’s comment Israel had been in the land 300 years, the necessary duration of Judges, and the best alignment with Egyptian history. Wood places Abraham’s birth at 2166 BCE. He argues the conditions in Canaan (sparse overall population but vigorous population in the region of Sodom Gomorrah) fits best between 2100 and 1900 BCE. Similarly, he argues the conditions in Egypt favor the same date (free travel between Canaan and Egypt; a Pharaoh who did not know Joseph; prediction of 400 years of affliction).
One great thing about the book was its many small points of interest. Wood theorizes Abraham’s lengthy stop at Haran was essentially hospice for his ailing father. And that the potential reason for such a long gap in allotting the land in Joshua 17 was the remaining tribes began to show a lack of interest in receiving their portions. That Jephthah’s vow was more likely devoting her as a virgin to the service of God, rather than the human sacrifice many interpret this to be. He says the Mosaic Law is clearly against sacrifice, no priest would have been willing to officiate, this explains the bewailing of her virginity, and his language “it shall be Yahweh’s and I will offer it up” can be translated with the conjunction “or”. Wood points out many of the judges of Israel overlapped in their leadership, often in different areas of the country. It was also common practice, particularly in Judah, for the kings to co-reign father and son for extended periods. A son would be the secondary king with his father, reign solo often or only a brief time such as a decade, then introduce his son as a secondary king. That Goliath’s challenge of Israel may have been a reflection and retaliatory gesture for the Philistine’s humiliation at Israel’s champion Samson. Wood remarks Saul did little to unite the country, David united it brilliantly, and Solomon seems to have gone overboard with the size of government and level of building projects, sowing the tension which broke the kingdom in two. I also enjoyed his comments on the capability and timelines of the Babylonian and Persian rulers who interacted with Israel. A shotgun of tidbits I know but all this is to say I am sure anyone interested in the history of ancient Israel will find something of interest as well.
December 29, 2019
A required resource skimmed during college, I've found it especially useful for preparation of Sunday School lessons since. Its comprehensive overview of Biblical history combined with extensive footnotes and further reading recommendations give the reader the option merely to glean or to delve into further study.
January 19, 2024
Good summary to overlay historical timeframes and competing empires to the biblical books.
February 5, 2025
4 stars. I read this for Bible school and quite enjoyed it. It's well written and taught me a lot about the history and world of OT Israel, from Abraham to Daniel. It made me see them even more as people and fit the chronological events together better—I was able to understand stories more and see them from a new light. I was very irritated by the constant copping out of "scribal errors" instead of explaining things, and there were some minor issues I had, but overall, solid read.
February 21, 2013
This book gives a basic overview of ancient Israel's history. The author does not go into deep detail about the history nor does he go into customary detail. I recommend something thicker to obtain a stronger sense of Israel's history.
If you know nothing about Israel's ancient history or need to refresh on the basics, this book is for you.
If you know nothing about Israel's ancient history or need to refresh on the basics, this book is for you.
December 16, 2011
Used the book in a college OT survey class at Cedarville College in Ohio. Pd. 12.95
221 Woo
221 Woo
January 11, 2013
Great job dealing with the chronology of Exodus with ancient near eastern history. I also enjoyed his discussion on the dating of the exodus as well as the inter-testamental period.
February 15, 2014
Great book of the history of Israel. Follows from Abraham through the intertestamental period and a little after it.
February 7, 2014
Great chronological study of Israel's religious, political, geographic, economic, and spiritual history. Beginning with Abraham and ending with the period between the testaments.
Read
March 6, 2014A. ISRAEL AS VASSAL STATE
Read
January 24, 2015that is important for christian
October 3, 2016
Excellent quick reference with charts and dates.
February 3, 2017
Great overview of the historical and prophetic Old Testament books from a chronological perspective.
January 22, 2022
Excellent text to build a Sunday School lesson with.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews