Israel Finkelstein Books

Archaeological discoveries have transformed our understanding of biblical figures, particularly David and Solomon, traditionally viewed as heroic kings. Finkelstein and Silberman reveal that the historical David was likely a bandit leader in Jerusalem, with many biblical accounts being mythologized over time. They explore how these figures evolved through wars and tragedies, becoming symbols of hope for Jews and Christians, and influencing European kingship. This work combines meticulous research with engaging scholarship, reshaping the narrative of western civilization's origins.

Finkelstein's collection of essays explores significant themes in Ezra, Nehemiah, and 1 and 2 Chronicles, including the returnees, Jerusalem's city wall construction, and tribal genealogies. He posits that elements of these texts reflect the Hasmonean period of the late second century BCE. The work includes seven previously published essays, enhanced with maps, updated archaeological findings, and references to recent literature, providing a comprehensive analysis of these historical narratives.

For the first time, the true history of ancient Israel as revealed through recent archaeological discoveries- and a controversial new take on when, why and how the Bible was written.

"Although Israel was dominant for most of the time the kingdoms of Israel and Judah coexisted, it has remained in Judah's shadow in both the Hebrew Bible and consequently in the attention of modern scholarship. This book presents the first comprehensive history of the northern kingdom and description of the archaeology of northern Israel from the Late Bronze Age (ca. 1350 B.C.E.) until the kingdom's fall in 720 B.C.E. and beyond. It tells the story of the northern kingdom primarily in its formative phases. The narrative is based in archaeology and makes use of the most updated field research, with the addition of what is known from ancient Near Eastern and biblical texts. Finkelstein's thirty years of fieldwork in sites related to the northern kingdom have paved the way for a new understanding of the history and archaeology of ancient Israel."--Back cover.

In response to the catastrophic destruction of Syria’s ancient city of Palmyra, a UNESCO world heritage site, a group of major international scholars gathered to focus on the art, archaeology, and history of the beleaguered site and present their latest findings. Their papers, given at a symposium at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in May 2016, have been collected in this fascinating and important publication. They are accompanied by a moving tribute by Waleed Khaled al-Asa‘ad to his father, Khaled al-Asa‘ad, the Syrian archaeologist and head of antiquities for the ancient city of Palmyra who was brutally murdered in 2015 while defending the site. p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Verdana} Palmyra: Mirage in the Desert, published simultaneously in English and Arabic, is the latest volume in the Metropolitan Museum symposium series. It is a major contribution to the knowledge and understanding of this multicultural desert—located at the crossroads of the ancient world—that will help preserve the memory of this extraordinary place for generations to come.

Recent archaeological research has transformed our understanding of the Phoenicians and their colonies. This updated and expanded version of Aubet's successful synthesis, The Phoenicians and the West, originally published in English in 1993, incorporates more recent research findings, and... číst celé

Engage the results of three decades of dialogue, discussion, and debate within Syro-Palestinian archaeology and ancient Israelite historyThis book brings together for the first time an emerging “centrist” paradigm that the material cultural data, the biblical traditions, and the ancient Near Eastern written sources are all significantly relevant to the historical quest for Iron Age Israel. The historical essays presented here are based on invited lectures delivered in October of 2005 at the Sixth Biennial Colloquium of the International Institute for Secular Humanistic Judaism in Detroit, Michigan.Features:- Balanced approach to the question of the relevance of the biblical account for reconstructing early Israel’s history- Organization by time period for easy comparison of Finkelstein and Mazar’s positions- Introductory essays for each section give overviews of the archaeological theories

Focusing on the archaeology and historical development of northern Israel, this comprehensive history explores the Northern Kingdom from the late Bronze Age until its fall in 720 BCE. It integrates the latest field research and biblical studies, providing an in-depth analysis of the region's cultural and historical significance. The book offers insights into the social, political, and religious dynamics that shaped the Northern Kingdom, making it a valuable resource for understanding this pivotal era in ancient history.

Focusing on the archaeological significance of Jerusalem, this collection features twenty-four insightful articles by Israel Finkelstein that explore the city's historical dominance from the Middle Bronze Age to the late Hellenistic period. The author critically examines archaeological findings that often contradict biblical narratives, discussing key topics such as the city's expansion, notable biblical figures like Saul and David, and its evolution under various empires, including the Assyrians and Persians. This work sheds light on Jerusalem's unique position in religious and historical contexts.

All essays in this volume were presented at the symposium Assyria to Iberia at the Dawn of the Classical Age held in The Grace Rainey Rogers Auditorium at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, November 6-7, 2014. číst celé