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101 Myths of the Bible: How Ancient Scribes Invented Biblical History Paperback – September 1, 2002
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In his startling book, Gary Greenberg exposes the reality behind the greatest story ever told. Learn about the Egyptian myths and ancient folklore that survive in one of history's most sacred texts, and discover how:
- King David's bodyguard, not David, killed Goliath
- Noah's Ark did not land on Mount Ararat
- Samson did not pull down a Philistine temple
- There are at least two versions of the Ten Commandments
- The walls of Jericho were destroyed 300 years before Joshua arrived there
- Sodom and Gomorrah were mythical cities that never existed
- The story of Esther had nothing to do with the Jews of Persia
- And much, much more
101 Myths of the Bible provides a new dimension of biblical studies for believers, historians and anyone who has ever wondered about the facts behind the legends. By looking deeper into history, Greenberg shows that the true story makes the Bible more interesting than ever imagined!
- Print length352 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherSourcebooks
- Publication dateSeptember 1, 2002
- Dimensions6 x 0.88 x 9 inches
- ISBN-101570718423
- ISBN-13978-1570718427
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the book informative and interesting. It provides them with a clear view of religious issues and facts. However, opinions differ on readability - some find it easy to understand and fun, while others consider it challenging.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the book informative and interesting. It provides historical and theological sources for each Bible story, demonstrating similarities between Egyptian teachings and the Jewish tradition. It makes the context and intent clearer for readers, especially fundamentalists.
"...myths, but the truth is that the book gives you the historical and theological sources for each bible story...." Read more
"...To me this was fascinating stuff! One more point: The organization of this book makes it very easy to read...." Read more
"...Scribes Invented Biblical History” by Gary Greenberg, is an interesting book...." Read more
"...it was viewed when it was a contemporary document, the context and intent is much clearer." Read more
Customers find the book interesting and illuminating. They say it's a fun read, but not scholarly.
"...Otherwise very illuminating and a fun read." Read more
"Interesting book...eye opening....I knew the hindus had many Gods and Dieties..now to find other regions Gods and Dieties is awesome....the..." Read more
"...page 8 Cute, but not scholarly." Read more
"Nice view of sonthing I did not know......" Read more
Customers have different views on the book's readability. Some find it easy to understand and a great resource for Biblical readers. Others find it difficult to read, with poor interpretations that detract from the author's intended meaning.
"...As a biblical and legal scholar (Doctor of Law), he brings a uniquely rational and logical approach to everything he writes...." Read more
"...related evidence with the confines of the chapter, this book is very easy to read...." Read more
"...It is somewhat difficult to read but of course the Bible has always been very difficult to read and always sounds like bad adventure tales to me...." Read more
"Great summer reading.... open minded,free thought reading should be instilled in schools... I am a natural born atheist...." Read more
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on July 14, 2012I love all of Gary Greenberg's books. As a biblical and legal scholar (Doctor of Law), he brings a uniquely rational and logical approach to everything he writes.
The title is a bit unfortunate, as it has a negative connotation of debunking myths, but the truth is that the book gives you the historical and theological sources for each bible story. So, while we all may have read of Gilgamesh in relation to Noah's Ark story, Greenberg brings dozens of similar stories from the surrounding cultures of the time for EACH of the biblical stories.
While I knew of some of the Ugaritic stories, the bulk of background information in this book is about Egyptian stories, most of which were new to me.
If you are looking for tools to help you think about the bible in "rational" rather than "faith" terms, then you will probably find this book interesting, as I did.
I like to think of the bible, besides as being the first-ever, greatest-ever and largest-scale-ever literary and poetic work, also as the "state of the art" of the most advanced thinkers of the day. If you think of it in that light, then you would want to know what others knew and were thinking at the time. Greenberg's book (like all his other books) gives you exactly the background you are probably missing to judge this claim. If the bible encompasses everything what was known and understood back THEN about creation, history, genealogy, theology, morality and law, then you would hope and expect it to contain all prior knowledge known to humanity at the time of its writing.
- Reviewed in the United States on May 6, 2001The use of the word "myth" in the title of this book is perhaps unfortunate. Readers who associate the word "myth" with falsehood may pass this interesting book by. The author has examined the biblical stories that we are all more or less familiar with and located earlier versions of those same stories in other cultures, particularly that of ancient Egypt. The evidence turns out to be surprisingly compelling.
This is not a book that attempts to debunk the Bible, but rather treats the stories sympathically. While this approach may offend the strict literalistic reader, other believers will be struck by the mythic power that these stories possess. It is also true that the open-minded reader will be impressed by the evidence that connects Bible stories to earlier accounts of the gods of the Egyptians and others. To me this was fascinating stuff!
One more point: The organization of this book makes it very easy to read. By having each chapter deal with a very specific story or "myth" and by presenting the antecedent myths and related evidence with the confines of the chapter, this book is very easy to read. One can turn to any chapter at random and read it with a complete understanding of the author's contention on that particular story. This makes the book an easy and informative read.
- Reviewed in the United States on September 3, 2019“101 Myths of the Bible: How Ancient Scribes Invented Biblical History” by Gary Greenberg, is an interesting book. He is the president of the Biblical Archeology Society of New York.
He contends, like many other people, that God did not compose the Bible. He tells us about the scholarly view that the Bible is composed of writing from many sources called J, E, P, and D, with many scholars believing that each of the four was not a single person but several people who added and edited the works over a period of time. He adds to the scholars who support this idea, called the Documentary Hypothesis, that the human writers drew from ancient myths in other cultures to create the narratives they included in the Bible. He seems to be saying that the Bible writers were not original authors of the tales; they at most modified the preexisting stories to fit their world view.
Readers can agree with this view of Greenberg in whole or in part, or disagree entirely. They might feel that there are some similarities between stories but they are slight, often so slight as to require a use of the imagination to see the similarities. For example, he states that Bible authors took the idea of the snake in Eden from an Egyptian God who took the form of a snake. Also, Jacob wrestling with a stranger was drawn from a myth between the forces of day and night.
Besides comparing biblical tales to ancient myths of other cultures, Greenberg also sometimes points out problem biblical text, such as seeing two creation stories, two Flood stories, and two tales of what kind of animals to bring into the ark, two or seven of a kind.
Whether one agrees with Greenberg or not, he certainly prompts his readers to think, and this is good.
- Reviewed in the United States on June 10, 2014When I saw this was available for Kindle, I bought it again. This book does a fantastic job pointing out inconsistencies in the bible. I'm not saying there aren't good moral lessons to be gleaned from any ancient texts, but those who insist that "their book" is infallible need to read some opposing views and try to develop a more objective perspective. Greenberg methodically points out the contradictions without making judgments. If one looks at the OT specifically as how it was viewed when it was a contemporary document, the context and intent is much clearer.
- Reviewed in the United States on April 17, 2021Great summer reading.... open minded,free thought reading should be instilled in schools... I am a natural born atheist. Dogmas and superstition have no place in a supposed free-educated society. My thoghts.
- Reviewed in the United States on June 16, 2012Pick it up, start reading, and you'll not want to put it down.
Religious, non religious, you'll all like it.
You cannot fight the facts, the history, and it will help open your eyes to your faith, and or, more importantly, may help open your eyes to saying, "It's OK to not have that faith".
I'm not anti-religious, just pro-knowledge. This book will increase your knowledge, even if you decide to keep the 'faith'.
It's all OK, nobody gets out alive :-)
Top reviews from other countries
Amazon CustomerReviewed in Canada on January 22, 20235.0 out of 5 stars Very informative.
Most people read the bible but actually do not read the bible. This book explains a lot. Highly reccommnt it.
LithomanReviewed in the United Kingdom on October 1, 20085.0 out of 5 stars Interesting Summary of the Creation of the Bible
The Genesis of Genesis effectively.
Well written summary of the development of various primary myths, which were developed by fertile minds, to become the Best Selling piece of fiction of all time. Worth following some of the references in this book for other myth sources. Some of the obvious links, available elsewhere, have been left out and it is not obvious whether this is intentional.
OddOrcaReviewed in the United Kingdom on September 4, 20244.0 out of 5 stars Worthwhile reading to create interest in ancient mythology
This book is certainly controversial. You may agree with it or disagree with it, but it's worth reading. You may read holy books in a different way afterwards, but it certainly stimulates the brain!
AnnReviewed in Canada on August 7, 20164.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
Could use more documentation / listing of sources
Michael HillReviewed in the United Kingdom on October 4, 20165.0 out of 5 stars What every christian should know.
This describes the origins of the creation story and other stories made up by the Jews and used in their holy book, which became the bible. Most christians have only a Sunday school knowledge of their religion along with some old wives tales. This should be compulsory reading for them.



