Customer Reviews

A History of Israel

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I bought this book after it was recommended to me by a beloved professor whose field is Ancient Jewish history. He considered it essential reading. Now, after having read it, so do I.

Make no mistake, this is not an easy read. I am used to scholarly treatises, but I still found myself having to reread portions of text in order to follow. Also, Bright feels the need to "set the scene;" to introduce each historical period by giving a quick summary of the surrounding world. This is important information, of course, but much of it felt tangential, and the pace of these intros is so breathless that I lost track of names and places (was that the nineteenth or the twenty-first dynasty? ). Lastly, some of this information is out of date (the core of the book was written in the 1950s, and most recently updated in 1981). Before you dismiss this book too quickly, remember this: "The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire" is still read, and it was written in the 1700s.

This book is a remarkable piece of scholarship. The revelations in the book are detailed, footnoted, and positively thrilling. It provides a tremendous way to re-examine the bible: as an historical document. Essentially, this book deconstructs the biblical text, and compares it to archeological evidence to give a fuller picture than the bible could have given on its own.

If you view the bible is above historical verification, this book is not for you. For the rest of us, this book is a masterpiece. The greatest wonder of it all, however, is that the bible turns out not to be so often wrong, but that it was so often RIGHT.

The same beloved professor who recommended this book recommended that immediately upon finishing this book, you should read Shanks's "Ancient Israel." It is a much more recent text, and is a good companion to this one.

A History of Israel is an in depth (and I mean DEPTH) journey back into time. Taking the reader back to the very edge of the mists of prehistory, John Bright then lays out, in a point by point fashion, the whole sweep of time in the near east up until the appearance of a certain Galilean who forever changed the world.

A History of Israel is very in depth, very packed with useful information. Bright has written a wonderful book. It did (as most history books are likely to) set off my anti-scholarship allergy a few times. However, it is very worthy of being read.

I give this book a very high recommendation. Bright's presentation is clear, at certain points even lively. It thoroughly deals with the developments in each time period. It delivers the reader to one heck of a destination-one of eternal significance-that beautiful moment in time where the Messiah asked a very pointed question that many are still in need of answering: "Who do you say that I am?"

I read what was probably the first edition of this book more than 30 years ago. It was being used as a textbook in Scripture class at a Catholic Seminary preparing men for the Priesthood. It left such a lasting impression one me that I'm considering buying this latest copy and reading it again.. It was written clearly and to the point. One can follow history from Abraham to Roman times in the Bible. It really helps one to understand and follow the writings of the Old Testament of the Bible.

At sem this was required reading to achieve an accurate, full understanding of the historical context of the OT books.

Bright is intense, thorough and up-to-date with archaeological finds, coming out of the Albright school.

He updates his text with the Dead Sea scrolls as well as the Ebla tablets and other findings which provide additional insight into the historical setting.

Conflicting views are given attention along with excellent footnotes for further reading and a well stocked bibliography.

For anyone interested in biblical history, this is still one of the standard texts. Bright presents great scholarship and very insightful analysis that makes one look at OT in a different light.

Mr. Bright has written a true page turner with a wonderful writing style that keeps you engaged and eagerly turning another page. A tough subject but presented masterfully! A must read for any serious Bible reader and practicing Christian. Thank you Amazon for this life enrichment book and author arriving at my door! David

Bright does nothing to insult or diminish the traditions of religous persons; nor does he ask those with pure scholastic interest to carry beliefs in line with any given tradition. Instead, he articulates the scripture's statements of history and infuses external sources in a lively narrative reading that provides much insight into the history of Israel. Hebrew Scripture is not dismissed with harsh disregard for its riches; external evidence is not dismissed either. Tensions are allowed to remain and presented to the reader.

Bright's text is out of date and is not helpful for gaining a good understanding of the history of ancient Israel. "The History of Ancient Israel" by Michael Grant is not much better. So much has happened in the historiography of Ancient Israel since the time this was published over 50 years ago that an updated text is needed.

A better book is "The Oxford History of the Biblical World" edited by Michael Coogan. There is an updated bibliography and it provides a good survey of ancient Israel (and surrounding ancient civilizations).

If you are a conservative, you may want to consider the text "A Biblical History of Israel" by Iain Provan (2003).

Bright assumes the perspective of Form Critics, who argue that the Bible was written down during the Divided Monarchy, the Exile, and that there were several editors, which is based on the J, E, D, and P theory. As a historian, Bright does not think the Old Testament is a reliable historical text because it was written down centuries after the events it mentions.

After implying there is no reason to write a history of Ancient Israel, Bright proceeds with over 400 pages of stating that there is no historical evidence for the events in the Old Testament but there should be no doubt that what the Bible says is true. Then he retells the Biblical narrative.

If you are looking for a reflective critical history of Ancient Israel, this is not that history.

Save yourself some money and don't bother buying this book.

(Karen's Husband)

I prefer: A History of Israel, Walter C. Kaiser; Kingdom of Priests, Eugene H. Merrill, and The Old Testament Speaks, Samuel J. Schultz. All are faithful to the archaeological record and use objective readings of scripture. When a position can not be adequately supported, they say so.

John Bright in contrast, seems overly concerned with keeping accord with those holding views from the ongoing Wellhasen tradition. That is O.K. if you support your position. However, when Bright denies the accuracy of the scriptural record, he does it by taking the passage totally out of context. Such novel interpretations must be backed with either linguistical, historical, or other evidence. Bright provides neither for his assertion that Gen. 34 is a later event backwardly ascribed to the 16th century. He calls Israel's blessing a rewriting of an ejection of the tribes of Simeon and Levi from the Shechem area after prior conquest. (ch. 49:5-7)

Difficult read in many respects. Use of grammar by the author very dated. You would have hoped that later revisions would have consolidated and distilled this verbose presentation. John Bright's writing style makes the book a taxing read. If there was a charge for comma's, run on sentences, and fragments, this book would cost thousands! The research and scholarship is quite good but sorry I made this purchase! I will look more closely at the previews next time....