The Politics of Ancient Israel » (New Edition)

Gottwald (Old Testament, Pacific School of Religion) discusses the politics of ancient Israel at all levels of society. He begins with an overview of the biblical account of Israelite political history. Drawing upon materials from a variety of disciplines—including archaeology, political science, and sociology—he then describes the political situation during each period of ancient Israel's history. Gottwald contends that although Yahwistic religion exerted great influence over the culture, it was unable to maintain control over the politics of the country. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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In The Politics Of Ancient Israel, Norman Gottwald (Adjunct Professor of Old testament at the Pacific School of Religion and Professor Emeritus of Biblical Studies at New York Theological Seminary ) meticulously reconstructs the political environment of ancient Israel, as well as that of the larger political context of the ancient Near East. Gottwald insightfully questions the traditional and prevailing view that the Hebrew Bible ought to be the primary source to diagram the evolution of Israel's political history. Along with a scholarly and documented discussion of the matrix of monarchial development of Israel and Judah, The Politics Of Ancient Israel provides both the scholar and the non- specialist general reader with an informative survey and accounting of the problems of religion, power, and politics interwoven throughout the history of ancient Israel. The latest volume in the outstanding Westminister/John Knox Press "Library of Ancient Israel" series, The Politics Of Ancient Israel is very highly recommended for personal and academic Israelite history reference collections.