Customer Reviews
Interesting but not new - By: Mr. G. Fitzwater, 06 Oct 2008 
The author lays the book outin a good controlled format & easy to understand. Not all new theories but interesting & one leaves it without being swayed either way. I like one of the other reviewers, wonder how you pull of such a feat as making up a history for a race that clearly must of had one to start with. However saying that I left with a better insight into judaism & archaeology for that time.
Realistic history reconstructed - By: Roland, 29 May 2008 
This book "The Bible unearthed" is concentrating on the Biblical history starting from the great patriarch Abraham until the exilein Babylon. Based on archeological evidence this journey of Abraham can never have taken place & is describing more the political settings of the period of king Josiah of Judea from the 7th century BCE. The kingdoms or tribes described have not existed during Abraham's times, no Camels were domesticated to be part of a caravan taking Abrahams offspring into 430 years of Egyptian exile.
There were Canaanite settlementsin the Nile delta but no mass Exodus, at least not at the time mentionedin the Bible, no wandering for 40 years of 600.000 chosen peoplein the desert of Sinai, all invented during Josiah's term from the YHWH-alone movement.
The core of the Jewish religion was foundedin the Judean highlands from sheep & goat herders who were settling there since ancient times & not arriving refugees after 40 years of wandering after the Exodus.
The kings David & Solomon were only some tribal chiefs of these highland goat herders & not the magic powerful rulers of huge kingdoms as statedin Biblical texts. So the stories are more fairy tales inspired by the powerful northern neighbor kingdom under the Omri dynasty. And Solomon is not mentioned anywhere outside the Bible & his existence can not even be confirmed by any evidence- but there is another book from the same authors just about this period.
The best periods of the Judean chiefdoms are under polytheistic rules mentioned as wickedin the Bible, the worst periods full of lost wars & hardship under YHWH-alone rules mentioned as righteous & goodin the Bible.
And of course the temple scroll miraculously foundin 622 BCE happened under the `most righteous' king Josiah & this king is even explicitly mentioned as great messiahin the alleged 1000 BCE prophecies.
In short the whole stories are invented from a small kingdom of Judea to support the claim over the historical `ownership' over the 10 tribes of Israel e.g. the much bigger but crumbling northern kingdom of Israel.
"The Bible unearthed" is really a big blow to the entire validity of the Old Testament.
Something old, something new - By: Kurt Messick, 21 Dec 2005 
This book presents new discoveries & ways of looking at previous discoveriesin the area of archaeological research & the origins of the Bible. This is one of the latest contributions of major scholars to the continuing quest for clarity & understanding of the development & meaning of the biblical texts. 'We believe that a reassessment of finds from earlier excavations & the continuing discoveries by new digs have made it clear that scholars must now approach the problems of biblical origins & ancient Israelite society from a completely new perspective.
The book is divided into three main sections. After a brief introduction & prologue, the three main sections are 'The Bible as History?', 'The Rise & Fall of Ancient Israel', & 'Judah & the Making of Biblical History'. There follows an epilogue & several appendices that address particular key questions.
Prologue & Introduction
Finkelstein & Silberman begin with a small 'snapshot' of Jerusalemin the time of king Josiah. Josiah is a very important figure, as it is thought by many that it was during his reign (circa 639-609 B.C.E.) that much of the Torah & other major biblical texts came into the beginning forms of what we have today.
Following this brief glimpse into the past, the authors explore key definitions of the Bible (what is meantin this book, for the sake of archaeological researchin to ancient Israel, is the Hebrew Bible, a book that contains the same material as the Christian Old Testament,in a different order, without apocryphal or deuterocanonical additions), historical periods, archaeological & anthropological ideas, & set the stage for the authors' main thesis:
Many scholars believe that elements of the Bible were written hundreds of years before this time. Thus, the authors have a task to prove their case.
The Bible as History?
The modern idea of history is a foreign concept to the biblical authors. One of the major problems that arisesin biblical interpretation today is the application of twentieth century standards of history, epistemology, & ethics to a set of writings whose origin is upwards of 3000 years earlier. The very ideas of individuality, family, tribal & ethnic identity, economy, justice, & good & evil have undergone major developments through time. While it is true that there are timeless elements of the Bible that continue to speak, this is not due to a parallel sense of history between biblical writers & modern readers. We must always take great care to understand that our interpretations (and yes, 'taking it literally' is an interpretation, one that was most likely never intended by the original authors) are rootedin our modern times & owe more to that culture than to biblical integrity.
The Rise & Fall of Ancient Israel
In this section the authors investigate the historical record as presented both from biblical sources & archaeological data. Finkelstein & Silberman do not see a unified kingdom as a likelihood during the Davidic/Solomonic period. The archaeological record, they claim, does not support such a conclusion. While many biblical scholars & archaeologists have taken the postulated progression of the kingdom of Israel from one of tribal cooperation to royal unity to division to disintegration as a given, the authors here argue that the northern & southern split was always greaterin sociological & political terms than the Bible presents.
Judah & the Making of Biblical History
The key to understanding these writingsin the Bible is to understand Judah, the place & people who produced it. Judah is not presentedin unambiguously glowing terms, but there is a theme of faithfulness & favour that preserves the inheritance of Abraham for Judah. Judah had always been a small & isolated kingdomin relation to the northern kingdom of Israel, without its population, resources, wealth, & international contacts. However, with the fall of the northern kingdom, the importance of Judah increases, and, as it is the origin of the survivors of the tradition, those looking back on the history rate the relative importancein perhaps less than objective fashion.
After examining the development under several kings, the authors come to the reign of Josiah. Josiah institutes religious reforms, based on a 'found' bookin the Temple. This 'found' volume is most likely much of the book of Deuteronomy as we have it today. Many scholars believe that this 'found' volume was actually written at the request of Josiah or his advisors, to provide a standard model for history & worship that would serve as a more firm foundation for his rule. Likewise, & important from the standpoint of Finkelstein & Silberman's argument for the seventh-century origins of the biblical text, archaeological evidence shows a widespread & sudden increasein literacy throughout Judah, with extensive use of writing, signet rings, seals, & other literary pieces that speak to the ability of the people to produce an extensive literary text like various books of the Bible.
Epilogue: The Future of Biblical Israel
The authors give a brief essay on the importance of the people after return from exile, the brief periods of freedom (yet always under the domination or influence of some foreign power), & the continuing importance of the Bible as formative document for Jews, then later Christians, then later other cultures that tap into the narratives as part of the collective cultural heritage of the world.
The authors are Israel Finkelstein & Neil Asher Silberman. Finkelstein has a position at Tel Aviv University, as director of the Sonia & Marco Nadler Archaeological Institute, & is currently working on excavations at Tel Meggido (better known to modern readers as Armageddon). Silberman is director of historical interpretation for the Ename Center for Public Archaeology & Heritage Presentationin Belgium. Both are frequent contributors to major scholarly & popular archaeology magazines & journals, & each has published a number of noted booksin the field of Syro-Palestinian archaeology.
Something old, something new - By: Kurt Messick, 21 Dec 2005 This book presents new discoveries & ways of looking at previous discoveriesin the area of archaeological research & the origins of the Bible. This is one of the latest contributions of major scholars to the continuing quest for clarity & understanding of the development & meaning of the biblical texts. 'We believe that a reassessment of finds from earlier excavations & the continuing discoveries by new digs have made it clear that scholars must now approach the problems of biblical origins & ancient Israelite society from a completely new perspective.
The book is divided into three main sections. After a brief introduction & prologue, the three main sections are 'The Bible as History?', 'The Rise & Fall of Ancient Israel', & 'Judah & the Making of Biblical History'. There follows an epilogue & several appendices that address particular key questions.
Prologue & Introduction
Finkelstein & Silberman begin with a small 'snapshot' of Jerusalemin the time of king Josiah. Josiah is a very important figure, as it is thought by many that it was during his reign (circa 639-609 B.C.E.) that much of the Torah & other major biblical texts came into the beginning forms of what we have today.
Following this brief glimpse into the past, the authors explore key definitions of the Bible (what is meantin this book, for the sake of archaeological researchin to ancient Israel, is the Hebrew Bible, a book that contains the same material as the Christian Old Testament,in a different order, without apocryphal or deuterocanonical additions), historical periods, archaeological & anthropological ideas, & set the stage for the authors' main thesis:
Many scholars believe that elements of the Bible were written hundreds of years before this time. Thus, the authors have a task to prove their case.
The Bible as History?
The modern idea of history is a foreign concept to the biblical authors. One of the major problems that arisesin biblical interpretation today is the application of twentieth century standards of history, epistemology, & ethics to a set of writings whose origin is upwards of 3000 years earlier. The very ideas of individuality, family, tribal & ethnic identity, economy, justice, & good & evil have undergone major developments through time. While it is true that there are timeless elements of the Bible that continue to speak, this is not due to a parallel sense of history between biblical writers & modern readers. We must always take great care to understand that our interpretations (and yes, 'taking it literally' is an interpretation, one that was most likely never intended by the original authors) are rootedin our modern times & owe more to that culture than to biblical integrity.
The Rise & Fall of Ancient Israel
In this section the authors investigate the historical record as presented both from biblical sources & archaeological data. Finkelstein & Silberman do not see a unified kingdom as a likelihood during the Davidic/Solomonic period. The archaeological record, they claim, does not support such a conclusion. While many biblical scholars & archaeologists have taken the postulated progression of the kingdom of Israel from one of tribal cooperation to royal unity to division to disintegration as a given, the authors here argue that the northern & southern split was always greaterin sociological & political terms than the Bible presents.
Judah & the Making of Biblical History
The key to understanding these writingsin the Bible is to understand Judah, the place & people who produced it. Judah is not presentedin unambiguously glowing terms, but there is a theme of faithfulness & favour that preserves the inheritance of Abraham for Judah. Judah had always been a small & isolated kingdomin relation to the northern kingdom of Israel, without its population, resources, wealth, & international contacts. However, with the fall of the northern kingdom, the importance of Judah increases, and, as it is the origin of the survivors of the tradition, those looking back on the history rate the relative importancein perhaps less than objective fashion.
After examining the development under several kings, the authors come to the reign of Josiah. Josiah institutes religious reforms, based on a 'found' bookin the Temple. This 'found' volume is most likely much of the book of Deuteronomy as we have it today. Many scholars believe that this 'found' volume was actually written at the request of Josiah or his advisors, to provide a standard model for history & worship that would serve as a more firm foundation for his rule. Likewise, & important from the standpoint of Finkelstein & Silberman's argument for the seventh-century origins of the biblical text, archaeological evidence shows a widespread & sudden increasein literacy throughout Judah, with extensive use of writing, signet rings, seals, & other literary pieces that speak to the ability of the people to produce an extensive literary text like various books of the Bible.
Epilogue: The Future of Biblical Israel
The authors give a brief essay on the importance of the people after return from exile, the brief periods of freedom (yet always under the domination or influence of some foreign power), & the continuing importance of the Bible as formative document for Jews, then later Christians, then later other cultures that tap into the narratives as part of the collective cultural heritage of the world.
The authors are Israel Finkelstein & Neil Asher Silberman. Finkelstein has a position at Tel Aviv University, as director of the Sonia & Marco Nadler Archaeological Institute, & is currently working on excavations at Tel Meggido (better known to modern readers as Armageddon). Silberman is director of historical interpretation for the Ename Center for Public Archaeology & Heritage Presentationin Belgium. Both are frequent contributors to major scholarly & popular archaeology magazines & journals, & each has published a number of noted booksin the field of Syro-Palestinian archaeology.
Exposing the roots - By: Stephen A. Haines, 01 May 2004 During the past century, archaeology's tool kit gained immenselyin size & quality. New, accurate, dating systems pinpoint events. Researchers study humble pollen, weather conditions, changesin household implements along with building construction plans & methods. Even the "dismal science" of economics contributes information on trade, surpluses, products exchanged & records. Documents, always problematic, are subject to intense criticism & comparison. Inevitably, this investigative array has turned to the eastern Mediterranean & the societies flourishing therein "biblical times". During the 19th & early 20th Centuries, scholars rootedin the desert sands seeking evidence that Biblical episodes indeed occurred. The authors turn that process on its head, accepting the occurrence of events but challenging their dating. Biblical dating, they argue, is generally contrived.
What would be the reason for fabricating excess longevity to the founding of the Jewish people? According to the authors, it was an attempt by priest-scribes to formulate a theologically-based ideology. The purpose of this propaganda document was to justify a forced reunification of the "dual kingdoms" of Israel & Judah, long sundered, but still related. Instead of a history written over strung out centuries, Finkelstein & Silberman say the authors of the Torah flourished during the 7th Century BCE. Their intent was to galvanise the people of Judah to participatein the reconquest of Israel.
As the biblical writers put it, David founded a glorious kingdom, further enhanced by Solomon. This empire was centred on the Templein Jerusalem. A centralised dogma with adherence to a single deity [no matter how capricious] represented by a single buildingin a central city was the rallying point. The Torah, then, was little more than a manifesto for conquest & unification. Past failures & successful invasions by Egyptians, Assyrians & Persians were attributed to idolatry, intermarriage with foreign women & rejection of YHWH, the all-powerful desert god. Finkelstein & Silberman credit the biblical authors with manipulating, if not fabricating past events to build the case for Jewish unity.
The book's authors bring every toolin archaeology's kit to bearin constructing their case. Each chapter opens with a "biblical account" of periods & events. The archaeological evidence is then presented for comparison. The Exodus, for example, a Jewish foundation stone of tradition & celebration, lacks all support. The Egyptians, meticulous record-keepers, say nothing of large Hebrew slave populations. Pharonic border guardians, ever alert to invasions from the east, apparently missed half a million people crossing the other way. The great infrastructure projects attributed to Solomon were more likely to have come from the despised Omride dynasty of Samaria. The evidence derives from gate construction techniques. Even business makes a contribution - it was Judah's risein commerce that improved its level of literacy. A more learned population was more susceptible to the wave of propaganda insisting Israel & Judah should be reunited.
Finkelstein & Silberman avoid sinking into the morass of "biblical minimalism" prevalentin recent years. They don't contest the "historical reality" of biblical events. They do insist on better evidence for chronology, & for realistic assessment of the power of Jewish leaders. David couldn't have ruled more than a minuscule kingdom & nobody seems to have heard of Solomon. The authors acknowledge the long-term impact of the Torah & its successorsin the Christian world. The reason, they argue, is that no other theological or political documents of the time reached so many people so intimately. Greeks, Persians, Egyptians & Babylonians all produced their commentators. None of these, however, could prescribe the daily lives of their readers. The Hebrew Bible's writer's provided this & other guides with a surety of purpose other societies never matched. It proved an effective, if historically flawed, document. [stephen a. haines - Ottawa, Canada]
