Life in Biblical Israel

by Philip J. King, Lawrence E. Stager

This special-edition volume of the Library of Ancient Israel, based on the latest research, presents a vivid description of the world of Ancient Israel, covering such topics as domestic life, the means of existence, cultural expression, and religious practices. With over 175 full-color pictures and illustrations, Life in Biblical Israel opens the door to everyday life in biblical Israel for all readers. This volume is perfect for classrooms, coffee tables, and personal use.

Volumes in the Library of Ancient Israel draw on multiple disciplines--such as archaeology, anthropology, sociology, linguistics, and literary criticism--to illuminate the everyday realities and social subtleties these ancient cultures experienced. This series employs sophisticated methods resulting in original contributions that depict the reality of the people behind the Hebrew Bible and interprets these insights for a wide variety of readers.

Genres: History, Biblical Studies, Nonfiction, Old Testament, Christian, Religion, Reference

440 pages, Hardcover

First published January 16, 2002

Reviews

[Claire Bentley]

I didn’t comprehend any of it but somehow Leviticus makes sense and that’s all I care about.

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's a ton of really good information based on archeological evidence found in Israel. It's very cut-and-dry in how that information is presented, which makes it hard to read from cover to cover. It's probably best used as a reference guide to go along with Bible reading. If you were reading about Jesus and the woman at the well, for example, and you wanted to know about what the well was like, how it was built, etc, then it's a good reference to learn more about that. I would pick it up again for that reason, but I won't read it all the way through again.

[Jaina Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

SO HELPFUL saved my life on so many papers. With research, if nothing else, it provides a solid foundation.

[AskHistorians]

The go-to source for all questions on daily life in ancient Israel (in the Bronze and Iron ages). An excellent overview of all the various aspects of daily life, from food and cooking ways to economics and trade, to clothing, to religion, this book is the place to start. Perfect for answering all those questions about "what did people use for (blank) in the Ancient Near East?".

[KA · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful resource with lots of artists' renderings and photos of artifacts and dig sites. Not up-to-date on certain details, such as the marzeah.

[Jimmy Reagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this type of book. Though this book has been around for a while and often receives glowing recommendations, somehow I had overlooked it. I’m glad that’s no longer the case. I don’t subscribe to the authors’ chronology or critical assumptions, but there’s much treasure to be found in what they’ve put together here.

The authors provide a fine introduction that explains the importance of everyday life, what must be worked with to arrive at an understanding of that everyday life, and an overview of archaeology and other things. The next extensive chapter covers an Israelite house and household. Homes, family members, meals, and medical information are all addressed. The next chapter looks at farming, climate, vegetation, water sources, arts and crafts, travel, transport, and trade. From there, there’s a chapter that looks at the city, water systems, and warfare and armies. There’s a helpful chapter on culture that looks at dress and adornments, music, literacy, and education. The last chapter covers religious institutions including temples, shrines, objects associated with these places, religious practices, death, burial, and the afterlife.

The maps section is a little weak, but the bibliography, the indices, and the photography and illustration throughout the work are superb. This is a fine resource where you will find many opportunities in your studies to consult. Warmly recommended.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

[Nderitu Pius · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book has a lot of interesting facts though I disagree with some parts for example the gashing during worship which was for the cult and not for the official YHWH religion. This is thus needed to be defined as "popular religion" and official religion. However they do it towards the end of the book.
I however love the book for it has taught me amazing things in the life of biblical Israel. I do not regret this.

[Grethe Gill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a good book in order to take myself back into the perspective and views of ancient Israel, but a lot of it was lengthy and probably would have been more enjoyable to read if I wasn’t forced to read so much in a small time. I do appreciate what I’ve gained from this though as I continue to learn through the Old Testament, I can better understand the culture during the time period and what everyone valued most.

[-Vincie-W- · Rating 2 out of 5]

wow, this class is boring.

[Abbey Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE intro text for Biblical backgrounds/archeology. RIP Stager. Great pictures.
You will NEVER READ THE BIBLE THE SAME AGAIN.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super interesting if you want to learn about ancient Israel...and I do :)

[Felicity Chen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really enjoyed some aspects of this (seeing the random details of every day life was amazing). Readable and has lots of pictures! Would be so helpful if you were writing a historical fiction piece set in this world. I disagreed with some of the ways the author portrayed women’s roles (seeming to portray the women’s roles as incredibly different in the day to day life than the men’s, but then the things the author listed would be very similar to what the men were doing too. Seemed like a bit of false dichotomy). And I wish they had treated the dead with more respect (trigger warning: randomly including a picture of the skeleton of a woman who was murdered and probably raped, and including pictures of the remains of sacrificed children from Carthage. I’m not in theory opposed to using the photos if it is important for the subject matter and teaching, but they weren’t that important for the discussion and seemed to just be thrown in there flippantly).

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for the individual looking for an introduction to concerns of daily living in OT Israel. Book is written from the perspective that the views of modern critical/liberal scholars (e.g., accepting JEDP composition for Pentateuch) is correct. This does not detract from being a quality source in understanding daily life as informed by archaeology.

[Lawson Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every teacher of the Old Testament needs this book ready to hand. Stager and King are recognized masters of the archaeological data and provide the student and teacher of the OT with a wonderful look at the material realities of daily life in the world of ancient Israel.

[Jared Mcnabb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, solid introduction into ancient Palestine material culture.

[Jeremy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Detailed research on what life was probably like in biblical Israel. Going to be referencing this in the future.