Customer Reviews

The Archaeology of the Bible

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If you're looking for an attractive, well balanced survey of biblical archaeology by a recognized expert, this volume would serve your purpose well. James Hoffmeier is an experienced archaeologist, specializing in the region of Egypt where the Israelites lived and through which they traversed to the Holy Land.

Hoffmeier, unlike many modern "minimalists," takes historical texts seriously, whether from the Bible or from Egyptian or other sources. While he teaches at a Christian institution and holds to an evangelical view of the Bible, he openly points out where the biblical record is strongly attested by archaeology and where that record has difficulties. He makes it clear that we do not presently have all the data, and probably never will; therefore, he says, we need to suspend judgment in some cases.

The book is well organized with an introduction to archaeology and its practice in the biblical lands. He then goes chronologically through the major periods of Israel's history and the times of the early church, showing the important archaeological discoveries that help to explain or illuminate the biblical text. Since his specialty is in the archaeology of the Egyptian settlement and exodus of Israel, his contributions in these chapters are especially interesting. He supports the so-called late date for the exodus. The materials he includes for the study of the united and divided monarchy of Israel are especially strong and well illustrated. The chapters on the New Testament trace the major locations and artifacts for the life of Jesus, the early Judean church, and the cities of Paul. Since the book is fairly recent, it includes major recent discoveries that further illumine the biblical narrative, including continuing debate on the Shroud of Turin and an interesting discussion on the disputed ossuary of James the brother of Jesus.

The Archaeology of the Bible is printed on high quality glossy paper, and the photography and graphics are excellent, making this book a good choice for a class or Bible study. Hoffmeier manages to cover a lot of material in fewer than 200 pages, and consequently many items are mentioned without much detail. This is a necessary tradeoff, and can be overcome by looking online for more details on any particular item. A helpful index makes looking up any particular city or event or artifact easy.

I recommend this book for anyone interested in biblical history or archaeology, especially to see the broad sweep of archaeology's contribution to the study of the Bible.

Hoffmeier's book has value for scholars and laypersons alike. Though simply written, the author's solid scholarship and on-site fieldwork are obvious at every point. Overall, I like Hoffmeier's work (though I disagree with Hoffmeier's 13th century B.C. date for the exodus--the evidence better fits a 15th century B.C. setting).

I love archaeology of the Holy Land, as there is just so much to find and new things are being discovered almost every month. Hoffmeier has put together a very nice book with good information. It is insightful and well laid out. There are good side articles that provide the reader with the ability to see how much can help verify the Bible names and places, though (as he points on page 30) not "prove" the Bible. If you like this, I think you will also like Hoerth & Mcray's Bible Archaeology, as I think it's a little easier read and better laid out. But generally, I would recommend this book, especially if you will be visiting the Holy Land any time soon.

Easy to read book for the non specialist. Although the author tried to be as objective as possible, however, at the back of his mind he was trying to prove the writings of the bible.

If you are looking for an objective examination of archaeological evidence that supports or refutes the Bible, keep looking. Hoffmeier stands well to the apologetic end of the spectrum, despite pretensions to the contrary. Where the Bible clearly propagates stories from other cultures (Moses in the basket, the flood) Hoffmeier cites trivial differences to argue that the Biblical stories were independently conceived, or at least derived independently from a common tradition. Disappointingly biased