Persia and the Bible [Paperback]

Edwin M. Yamauchi (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 1997

An analysis of the peoples, rulers, and cities of Persia and the role they played in Old Testament history. Packed with illustrations and more than 100 photographs.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

In his historical-archaeological study, Yamauchi ( Stones and the Scriptures , Baker Bk. House, 1981) attempts to explain Persian history and culture in the context of biblical accounts, enlarging upon this connection in brief discussions of numerous topics surrounding Persian rulers, seats of government, and religion. The brevity of the discussions and summary presentations of controversial and contradictory theories may prove frustrating for the serious student of Persian history. Still, the book contains many useful elements: a broad survey of the literature and recent archaeological findings; indexes including biblical issues; pertinent maps, diagrams, and illustrations; a large, select bibliography; and meticulous documentation. A valuable basic biblical reference tool or a point of departure for more advanced historical research.
- Paula I. Nielson, Loyola Marymount Univ. Lib., Los Angeles
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 584 pages
• Publisher: Baker Academic; 1st paperback ed edition (February 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0801021081
• ISBN-13: 978-0801021084
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,084,925 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Thorough Study: Very Scholarly, February 26, 2003

By 

Jonathan Bailey (Lawton, OK USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Persia and the Bible (Paperback)

Edwin Yamaucht is true to his usual excellence in delivering to the lay reader an intelligent and thoroughly researched treatise of a highly academic topic. Those who would disapprove of this book seem to be incensed that it is not written with the slant or emphasis that they desire. The book's success lies in the fact that it is not another tendentious portrayal of some assumed relationship between Zoroastrianism and Judaism. Such a relationship will likely never be scientifically proven, and therefore does not deserve a place among critical scholastic works. Nor does Dr. Yamaucht's book seek to advance this or that theory on biblical authorship or some other such spurious conjecture.

The primary aim of the work is to describe the nation of Persia of the biblical era, focusing almost exclusively on the Archaemenid kings of the late biblical period with which the vast majority of Persia-focused biblical literature concerns itself. The method of description is basically historical, with most of the chapters of the book devoted to one particular Archaemenid king, or a particular Persian city described mainly as it existed in the Archaemenid period. There are final chapters on Zoroastrianism, the Magi, and Mithraism that are intended to give a basic introduction to these subjects that are often of interest to the biblical enthusiasts. Though these final chapters are extensive and thorough, anyone desiring more on these subjects would be best advised to buy books devoted exclusively to them.

As a historian, Dr. Yamaucht makes extensive use of biblical and Greek sources, though he refers consistently to the occasional Syriac source as well. Dr. Yamaucht's choice of sources is certainly the result of their higher quality as historical references. One of the most impressive qualities of his treatement is a near complete lack of bias concerning the bible. If one pays close attention, one might be able to discern a secular perspective, but Dr. Yamaucht treats the bible as the excellent source of history that it is, and the book should be entirely inoffensive to religious or secular readers, excepting perhaps those minimalist readers who dare not challenge their fabulous impression of the bible as a grand deception.

My hat is off to Edwin Yamaucht for his achievement. His writing is intelligent, yet clear and concise, and he has truly succeeded in informing the lay reader about what the sources have to say about the Persian empire that they have read about in the bible.

35 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Scholarly and well-documented, April 13, 2000

By 

ssmircich (FL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Persia and the Bible (Paperback)

The author thoroughly covers the subject, with a willingness to deal with liberal view points that would undermine the Bible. The book is well-researched, and has many illustrations. The author appeals to the facts of history and not emotional arguments to support the Bible. His representation of view-points that would undermine the Bible is masterfully done, with no rancour or appeal to "blind faith." As a reader who is just getting familiar with Greek and Persian history, this book was easy to follow. My compliments to the author.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars In The Name of Iran, July 9, 2008

By 

Peyman ADLDOUSTI (Persian Gulf) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Persia and the Bible (Paperback)

This book begins by Mede tribes and their contribution to Iran, and begins to move toward founder of Iran Cyrus the Great that his father was a Persian King and mother was a Mede princess. Cyrus the Great incepted Achamenian or Hakhamaneshian dynasty, who absorbed Mighty Mede kingdom, as well as, ended tyranny of Babylonian king.

Once, Cyrus the Great passed away, his kingdom was divided between his two sons, Cambyses and Badria. The author did a great job in illustrating how Cambyses was killed. Apparently when he went to Egypt to suppress the revolt, one bull which was an totem for Egyptian, Cambyses stepped the bull on thigh area, and Cambyses accidentally slit his own thigh and perhaps god seek vengeance against him. The author also explored possibility of suicide, but it failed. The author presented interesting view that yes he was accidentally slit his own thigh and it was gingering killed him because Daruis the Great successor of him never said anything about suicide. About the idea that he stabbed the bull on thigh would be false because Egyptian priest resented him and wanted to tarnish his reputation, so the priest fabricated a story about stabbing a bull. Cambyses was well advised to conduct himself like Cyrus the Great and respect others faith in order to gain respect among people.

The author did not go in detail to explain how Cambyses plotted to murder his brother. However, it was apparent that a magi imposer to his place. It was Daruis the Great found-out that Cambyses passed away, and the person was an imposer and was not the king and Daruis from a royal family staged a coup with other military officers and rushed to bed room while he was napping, and finished him on spot which he deserved. The imposer was a horrible man who was committing injustice to people.

Eventually, Daruis became the king and expanded domain of Persia. However, he failed in Greece during Marathon war which is well known for everyone. After him Xerxes ascended the throne. Eventually, it was Artaxerxes who became king of Iran. The last few chapter of the book discussed Zoroastrian, and Mithra faiths.

The author used archeology, as well as, holy Bible to prepare this book, it is well recommended to others to read it.