Deke Moulton’s Reviews > A Brief History of Ancient Israel > Status Update

Really love the way this book uses biblical quotes and historical evidence to even just explain how monarchies work across all cultures.

Great walk through of how tribes use “war chiefs” (authors language) during times of crisis, and how repeated crises brings about the role of king in nearly all ancient societies, especially as the use of agriculture increases population, which taxes resources- leading to either war with nearby groups to take resources or a population is wiped out (starvation, disease, ect)

So much information packed into such a tiny book. This last chapter, dealing with the exodus narrative, includes evidence of “extra biblical“ mentions of the Israelite people. I appreciate this author offers one piece of evidence, and then three different ways to interpret it, leaving it up to the reader to use it as they wish. Also offers many challenging questions.

Other reviews warning about the “dry academic nature” of the writing were not terribly off. Extremely readable and interesting though, tying ancient Israel to other ancient cultures, including similar texts from ancient Egypt and Babylonia. Or how creating contracts was super common in Mesopotamia. Enjoyed reading how biblical stories “indicate a more influential role for women in ancient Israel.”