Philistines: Giving Goliath His Due (Marco Polo Monographs, No. 7.) [Paperback]

Neal Bierling (Author), Joe E. Seger (Foreword)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0971468354 | ISBN-13: 978-0971468351 | Publication Date: June 2002

For the armchair archaeologist and student of biblical history, this illustrated study examines current archaeological evidence concerning Israel's neighbors, the Philistines. Examining how this evidence illuminates the biblical world of Joshua, the work contains scholarly references to point the reader toward more detailed sources. Much of the information included in the book is in large part due to the current excavations at Tel Miqne-Ekron, 30 miles west of Jerusalem. A more complete picture of who the Philistines were is becoming available as a result of the findings and observations from these sites, and the information has revolutionized understanding of the Philistines by increasing the knowledge of these people and their negative historical portrayal in the Old Testament.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Neal Bierling took part in his first archaeological dig in 1972 at Tel Gezer, Israel. He is the coauthor of a three-volume Old and New Testament curriculum for Christian Schools International (CSI) in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He has produced a video and CD-ROM series on archaeology and the Bible, and in 1995 he formed PhoenixDataSystems.com. He lives in Ada, Michigan.

Product Details

• Paperback: 263 pages
• Publisher: Shangri La Pubns Ltd (June 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0971468354
• ISBN-13: 978-0971468351
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,739,014 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best study of the PHILISTINES available!, January 11, 2003

By 

Kim Khabuli (Cornell University) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Philistines: Giving Goliath His Due (Marco Polo Monographs) (Hardcover)

Thank you Prof. Bierling for writing a new study of the Philistines with all the latest archaeological information. This book is a fantastic resource for the subject and I really appreciate the lavish use of color plates. It should be required reading for every Bible student.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent resource, February 12, 2005

By 

Kurt A. Johnson (North-Central Illinois, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Philistines: Giving Goliath His Due (Marco Polo Monographs, No. 7.) (Paperback)

I read a lot of books, but sometimes one comes along that really surprises me with its excellence, and this is one of those books. In this book, Professor Neil Bierling presents up-to-date information on those bad guys of the Old Testament, the Philistines. Combining the Biblical references to the Philistines with recent archeological finds, Prof. Bierling fleshes out the Philistines, following their history from their origination in the Aegean(!), through their arrival in Egypt and Canaan, their interaction with the Israelites, and on to their final destruction by the Babylonian Empire.

This is an excellent resource for any student of the Bible who has wondered who the Philistines really were. The author uses the Biblical references to them in a skillful way, showing where the archaeological finds have complemented the Biblical narrative, and where they have not. Indeed, he does not simply follow the Bible (though the Bible does give the book its organization), but follows the history of the Philistines as they interacted with such Middle Eastern nations as Egypt and Assyria.

So, let me just sum up by saying that this is a great book on the Philistines, one that is sure to amplify your understanding of who they were.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the best study of the PHILISTINES available!, December 4, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Philistines: Giving Goliath His Due (Marco Polo Monographs, No. 7.) (Paperback)

This is a completely new study, lavishly illustrated with 30 color plates... a must have for anyone interested in the Bible!