Falk's research is grounded in historical, sociological, linguistic, and comparative data. His work yields interesting insights about technical legal terminology, vital social information behind the Israelite legal system, as well as broad perspectives on law among Israel's neighbors, the Babylonians, Assyrians, and Egyptians.
Ultimately Falk's interests are religious and spiritual. Alongside its discussions of homicide, torts, property, contracts, slavery, and divorce, this book includes sections on law and religion, divine judgment, collective responsibility, blasphemy, and religious elements in biblical family law. Above all, these studies make it clear that Hebrew Law in biblical times cannot be understood except as an integrated system of social institutions and religious values.
This very handy introduction takes a conceptual approach to Biblical Law, organizing this subject in terms of its ancient legal sources, social institutions, judicial procedure, crime and punishment, property and contracts, personal rights and status, and family relationships from betrothal to inheritance. Because of its thematic arrangement, this presentation speaks to the selective reader who seeks specific information and also to the comprehensive student who seeks a broad understanding of the ancient Hebrew legal system.
Readers "will be amazed by the wealth of material treated and will undoubtedly profit by the author's trenchant insights" (James Purvis, Journal of Near Eastern Studies).
Long out of print, Hebrew Law in Biblical Times (1964) now appears in an improved second edition. While the original character and substance of Falk's style and observations have been retained, footnotes and technicalities have been edited to serve the modern reader and researcher. Falk's 1977 addenda have also been included, along with a comprehensive bibliography of his lifetime publications.
