Customer Reviews

The Mountains of Israel

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This book was a very basic introduction into the Arab-Israeli conflict - and therein lies its strength and weakness. The reader will have a better understanding of the root causes of the conflict, but it does leave her wanting to know more.

The story was repetitive at first, but if you can get past this, you will be amply rewarded. Ms. Archbold clearly presents her assertion - that the Jewish people have a God given right to the land of Israel that overrides anybody else's claim to it. She mainly focuses on chapters 35 (a curse AGAINST Mount Seir or the Arab peoples) and 36 (a blessing FOR the Mountains of Israel or the Jewish people) of Ezekiel to prove her point.

At first glance, the observer might accuse God of being unfair to the Arab nations. But Ms. Archbold plainly demonstrates how God has NOT been unfair to them. She points out how much land they already do have, how much natural resources (i.e. oil) they have been blessed with, and STILL they begrudge Israel and what little she has. Also, Ms. Archbold imparts how Israel has always tried to treat the Arab nations fairly (in the past and present), but these nations have mostly refused to return the same courtesy. However, she gently reminds us that it is the Arab leaderships that deserve our condemnation. The Arab people, though, need to know what we Christians already know - that God wants to extend His grace to them as well.

As other reviewers have stated, the maps were very effective in illustrating the territories in question.

All and all, a very good, lucid primer into the Middle East situation.

This book is as timely and accurate today (2001) as it was when written in 1993. The author superbly explains and documents the causes behind the on-going conflict between the Hebrews/Israelites and Moslems/Islam. The conflict has been going on for centuries, and the author provides sound references and proof for its causes using primarily only two chapters of one book of the Old Testament of the Bible. If you want to understand the conflict taking place in the Middle East (Israel) today, this book is a must read; in fact, without an understanding of this material, you cannot understand the conflict or its implications for the destiny of mankind.

An excellent study in the legitimacy of Israel in Judea & Samaria, or what the world calls the 'West Bank', from a Biblical perspective.

Most readers will be familiar with the term 'West Bank' as there is rarely a day when the term is not used on one television news station or another. However, few will be aware of how the term came into being, or recognise it's historical relationship to what the Hebrew Scriptures & Christian Bible refer to as 'the mountains of Israel'.

This is a very timely & extremely important, perhaps unique, book which seeks to convey the often overlooked foundation to the increasingly significant situation in the Middle East.

The author openly states at the outset, that the authority for the disclosed contents of this work rest firmly on the Bible & that those who do not accept such a foundation for the veracity of this work will not accept the conclusions, declarations or findings so commendably outlined.

The writer reminds us that in 1948, Jordanian forces captured the historical Jewish regions of Judea and Samaria. Then, in 1950, Jordanian King Abdullah annexed the districts of Judea, Samaria and East Jerusalem, although only two nations (Britain and Pakistan) recognised the move.

The writer continues to explain that, in order to reduce Jewish claims to the aforementioned areas, Jordanian King Abdullah dropped the names Judea and Samaria, announcing that the annexed land would henceforth be known as the 'West Bank of the Kingdom of Jordan', since it was located to the west bank of the Jordan River. These historical facts can be investigated by any interested party.

This book then studies in some detail, quoting a vast number of references, a considerable & significant amount of promises made to the Jewish people in the Hebrew/Christian Scriptures pertaining to the Land which has been known as the 'Mountains of Israel, Judea & Samaria and most recently in the political realms of today's international community as the 'West Bank'.

It is clearly illustrated in this work that the 'Mountains of Israel' and the 'West Bank' are identical. The 'Mountains of Israel' being the very heart of the Land promised by God to the children of Israel and their descendants. The areas of Judea and Samaria being the inheritance of the Jewish tribes of Judah, Benjamin and Joseph, and include the historical Jewish towns/cities of Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Bethany, Bethel, Shilo, Shechem and Hebron, to mention but a few.

This highly recommended book should be read by everyone, every Christian, every Jew and every Arab...and every politician. To ignore this perspective on the subject is to bury one's head in the sand. All the prophetic sources quoted by the author have proved factual to date, and those still to be fulfilled are already taking shape.

This book is well documented with the provision of numerous maps showing the location of the disputed areas.

We all owe it to ourselves to be aware of the facts illustrated in this book. An excellent read which will instill a new perspective on Israeli/Jewish legitimacy in the so-called 'West Bank'....Judea & Samaria.

This useful little book offers a clear historical and scriptural perspective on the events that have been unfolding in the Middle East and what is to come. The similarity between developments in international politics and the prophecies in chapters 35 & 36 of the book Ezekiel are becoming ever more striking. Truly remarkable correspondences are becoming clear which means good news for Israel.

Enhanced by explanatory maps, the book argues that the scriptural name for the so-called West Bank is the Mountains of Israel. This area forms part of the land promised to Abraham's descendants through Jacob (Israel) in Genesis. This is an unconditional promise that will be kept just like the restoration of Israel has been fulfilled. The maps cover ancient history, demographics, the British Mandate period and Israel's wars for survival in 1948 and afterwards.

In the chapter The Desolate Land, the pitiful state of the area prior to the return of large numbers of Jews is described with reference to the reports of visitors like Mark Twain (The Innocents Abroad) in the 1860s, W M Thompson in 1866 and Samuel Manning in 1874. The Ottoman Turkish occupation of this land from 1516 to 1917 was mostly a time of neglect when the Holy Land was administered as a part of Syria.

The chapter titled Promises deals with the return of Jews to Israel from the middle of the 19th century, the League of Nations' designation of Palestine as a homeland for the Jewish people and their emigration from Europe, the Arab world, Ethiopia and Russia. Mount Seir explains the identity of the Biblical Esau or Edom and contains genealogical charts of Arab and Jewish ancestors. Israel's neighbors like Jordan, Egypt, Iraq and Lebanon are discussed here.

The next chapter examines the ancient historical roots of the hatred for Israel, the creation of Transjordan in 1922 and the UN vote to create Israel in 1947. It includes a section on the infamous Mufti of Jerusalem and his ties with Hitler. On its day of birth in 1948, six Arab states moved to destroy the infant state. Outnumbered and poorly armed, Israel repulsed them, although Jordan occupied most of Judea and Samaria whilst Egypt took Gaza.

Again in 1967, Israel repulsed numerically superior Arab armies, finally gaining control of the Mountains of Israel, plus the Golan Heights and the Sinai Peninsula. Although caught by surprise in 1973, Israel once again triumphed over its enemies in the Yom Kippur War. Only the willfully blind would fail to recognize that some kind of intervention took place.

The chapter They Boasted Against The Lord analyses the statements of Arab leaders from the 1930s and the never-ending demonization of Israel that is now increasing in intensity. This section looks at the plight of the Palestinian refugees in a compassionate way by comparing the absorption of Jewish fugitives from Arab lands to the situation of the Palestinians today.

In Balaam And The First Exodus, the author observes that this story of Balaam (Bileam) and his donkey is so well known for a definite purpose, pointing out how the scenario is repeating itself. The United Nations has been condemning Israel for its every move whilst ignoring atrocities and genocide worldwide like those in Chechnya and Sudan. Western leaders ought to take note too; they must cease their appeasement of Middle Eastern oil producers and stop trading with Iran.

The text includes Ezekiel 35 and 36, an extensive bibliography and three indices: by year, by Biblical books and alphabetical. The maps and illustrations make the text come alive and easy to understand. This book is a most informative and enlightening resource on the history of reborn Israel. Not only does it clear up the ignorance and dispel the myths, it also establishes an undeniable link between Biblical prophecy and ME history of the last few decades. What's more, it points toward some awesome developments that will take place in that area in coming decades, events that will affect the whole world.

It is improbable if not impossible that the rebirth of Israel, its victories in 1948, 1967 and 1973 and the return of its people from all corners of the globe have happened by accident. The little country's remarkable achievements that benefit all of mankind are not well-known but of major significance. The author convincingly explains the global surge in antisemitism and the pathological hatred of Israel and the USA in certain quarters as part of a predictable pattern.

The Mountains Of Israel will assist the reader to make sense of developments on the international stage and ought to give open-minded secularists plenty of food for thought. Epicenter: Why Current Rumblings in the Middle East Will Change Your Future by Joel C Rosenberg is a speculative but thought-provoking look at the future whilst Denis MacShane's Globalising Hatred investigates the geostrategic implications of the tidal wave of anti-Zionism which is just the latest mutation of antisemitism.

The Mountains of Israel is a true account of the family rivalry that makes up the Middle East politics of today. The brothers that fought in the womb and who as time went on, the elder sought to kill younger are still at it today. I was intrigued by the events that were covered from this century and how that ancient hatred of Esau's descendants is still at the heart of the violence of today.

I very much enjoyed how Norma Parrish Archbold matched up historic events with two chapters in a single book of the Bible. To think that this was prophesied 2500 years ago is mind boggling.

I recommend this book to everyone who wants to know the truth about the hills of Judea and Samaria (west bank of Jordan).

I would urge everyone to read this book. Norma Parrish Archbold , in this fascinating and truly eye-opening work , confronts head on the popular prejudices against Israel, and ignorance of the truth behind the Arab-Israeli conflict today. Archbold tackles the issue from a Biblical perspective , and outlines the history of the Land of Israel, especially Judea and Samaria, the ancient Biblical Heartland of the Jewish people, which is wrongly reffered to as 'The West Bank' or 'the occupied Palestinian territories' . This area contains most of the mountains of the Land of Israel , hence the name of the book.
She deals the promises by G-D to restore the Jewish people to their homeland, the Land of Israel , which are being fulfilled , quoting from the Bible directly.
With the use of maps and illustrations , the book is a short and economical read , using just enough words to clarify the truth as it is , while remaining fascinating and inciteful.
While Archbold is a commited Christian , the book is written in such a way , that it can be equally useful and relevant to people of the Jewish faith or indeed anyone who believes in G-D and who honestly seeks the truth free of hate and politically correct bigotry. As an Orthodox Jew, I reccomend it wholheartedly.
"The mountains of Israel , is the heart of the Land promised by G-D to the children of Israel. It is Judea and Samaria , the inheritance of the tribes of Judah, Benjamin and Joseph" Archbold points out. She deals with the deep and ancient signifficance , to the Jewish people , of such towns and cities in Judea and Samaria as Bethel, Ai , Shilo, Schechem , Bethany and Jerusalem.

Thye boundaries of the Land promised to Abraham include all of modern day Israel, the disputed territories and much more. This promise was UNCONDITIONAL!
" The Lord made a covenant with Abram , saying 'To your descendants I have given this Land , from the river of Egypt, to the great river , the River Euphrates..." (Genesis 15:18).


Proofs are presented about the desolation of the Land of Israel before the return of the Jewish people in the 20th century. Quotes from such luminaries as Mark Twain and WM Thomas , who visited the Holy Land in the 19th century, as well as documented charts and statistics from the time prove that 'Palestine' was a blighted and empty land until the return of the Jews in the late 19th and the 20th centuries. The Jews returned to the Land of Israel because it was their ancient homeland.

Although there where always Jewish communities in Israel between the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 AD and 1948 AD. There was a Jewish majority in Jerusalem since the 1840's and for hundreds of years there have been large Jewish communities in Safed and Tiberius.
Political facts and events of the 20th centuries are also covered , such as the fact that in 1922 , 77% of the Palestine Mandate was cut off by the British to create the Arab State of Transjordan from which Jews where banned from living in. Hence there has been an Arab Palestinian State since 1922 on the vast majority of land covered by the colony called Palestine , and the fact that 10% of the earth's surface is covered by Arab states, while the State of Israel barely registers on the map. Is it fair that tiny Israel must give up yet more land to the Arabs? The PLO and Arab States have continually vowed to destroy Israel and anihilate it's people, meaning a second holocaust of Jews. They have vowed to use any Palestinian State in Judea, Samaria and Gaza as a staging ground to destroy the whole of Israel and all of it's people. Quotes are used , from LIbyan President Muammar Gadaffi, leader of the PFLP terrorist organization George Habash , and arch-terrorist and head of the PLO's Political department Farouk Kadoummi , vowing to use any Palestinian State on 'the West Bank' and Gaza to destroy Israel, and anihilate all of it's Jews.


The Biblical relevance of places in Israel are covered, and it is traced how the Arabs of today are descendants of nations such as the Ishmailites , Edomites, Moabites , Ammonites , Midianites and Amalekites , among others. Reading this book, it is mind blowing to see how the prophecies of the Bible are being fulfilled. The prophecies of Ezekiel and Isaiah that are happening before our eyes are well covered in this book.
Also mentioned is the Biblical references to the slander and Hitleresque propaganda against Israel that is so prevalent today in the media, universities , the United Nations etc , as epitomized by that hideous hatefest in Durban in 2001 , the so-called 'UN Conference Against Racism', which turned out to be nothing other than a global festival of racist hate against Israel and it's people:

"G-D said
'you (mountains of Israel) are taken up by the lips of talkers and slandered by the people.'
(Ezekiel 36:3)

An interesting proof mentioned of the modern day miracles that have taken place in the favour of the Jews of Israel is from the 1948 War of Independence, when the Arabs prevented food from reaching the hungry Jewish population of Jerusalem . In April, a month before the war started , a weed called khubeize provided miraculous relief to the Jews of Jerusalem. The spinachlike nutritious plant
sprang up wild , and a few weeks later an unseasonable three day rain pushed up a new crop of khubeize.

"'Ah' said the people of Jerusalem 'The Lord is with us, the last time when we left Egypr , He sent us manna. This time he sent us rain for the cisterns and the khubeiza."
The basic message of this book is that the Lord is sovereign and no one can keep him from fulfilling his promises to the Children of Israel. Trying to divide and destroy Israel may cause pain and suffering , but ultimately Israel will prevail and those who try to consume it will themselves be consumed.
G-D promised that those who blesss Israel will be blessed and those who curse Israel will be cursed, amen to that. I believe that one's attitude to Israel is the defining moral issue of today. Those who are well disposed to Israel are righteous ,and those who hate Israel are evil. It is certainly the moral litmus test that I use

This one little book has given me more insight into the present, disturbing conflict in the Middle-East than anyting I've read! It is easy and fast reading and is well-documented. Our media sources do not provide us with a complete picture of the Arab-Israeli conflict. This book has put together 4000 years of conflict in the Middle-East with the Word of God. I appreciated the maps which relate the acient identity of the lands with present day boundries. It puts together many pieces of a puzzle which have baffled so many of us, and gives just the overview we need to understand the issues. This book, The Mountains of Israel is a must read for people of all faiths!

This book is a quick read, with excellent graphics to explain some of the issues that Israel faces. The book deals in facts, not opinions. It gives the reader a better understanding of the Israel/Palestinian issue... and whose land is it anyway? The book is well written and easy to understand!

This is book is a must for everyone who wants to understand the Mideast conflict. It is a very quick read and worth the time to read it. It is very clear on the roots of the problem and why it is not something that will go away any time soon.

I highly recommend the book. I was thinking to give it 4 stars as there was one area that I thought was slightly repetitive. However, this really turned out to be one of those books that you've got to read to the end.

Very lucidly and concisely written. Easy for the student to grasp. It provides a full and complete understanding of one of the greatest problems of the world today -- why Israel and the Arabs are continually in conflict.