Old Testament History
Saint Anne Adult Forum
Part 1: Archeological History of Israel
OLD TESTAMENT HISTORY
OUTLINE
Part 1 History of Israel from archeology
Establishment of Israel within Canaan Two states – Israel and Judah and their downfalls Outside rule – Assyria to Rome to Britain Establishment of the modern state of Israel
Part 2: History of Israel as described in the OT (next week)
ARCHEOLOGY AND BIBLE HISTORY
Until recently (~1970), “history” and “bible history” were considered one and the same Archeological evidence was interpreted to support what was written in the OT Recent finds and analyses have cast a different light on Israeli history When considering the history written within the bible, it is important to remember the time in which it was written, and the reasons for which it was written
“The Bible Unearthed” Israel Finkelstein and Neil Asher Silberman ISBN 978-0-684-86912-4
TWO KINGDOMS
Two kingdoms present
Differentiated largely by geography and culture
Israel (north) Judah (south)
Israel generally more accessible, wealthy Judah, in the highlands, less accessible and poorer then Israel
Archeology suggests Israel arose as a kingdom first, collapsed, and the Judah arose http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_of_Israel_(Samaria)
PRE-HISTORY
Where did the Israelites come from?
Arose in an area called Canaan ~1200 BC evidence for many Israelite villages ~1 acre in size, pastoral Canaanite society collapsed in the 12th century BC Pastoral Israelite society transformed to become the dominant state in the region http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bible_Unearthed
THE COLLAPSE OF CANAANITE SOCIETY
Period from 1200 to 900 BC represents a ancient “dark age” Collapse of Canaanite city-culture in the 12th century repeated a cycle which had happened at least twice before
When trade system between pastoral and coastal groups collapses, pastoral groups settle in coastal areas Final collapse precipitated by outside invaders, called the “Sea-Peoples”
3500 – 2200 BC (Early Bronze Age) 2000 – 1550 BC (Mid Bronze Age) 1150 – 900 BC (Iron Age I)
Very little known about this culture Sea-borne raiders Egyptian, Assyrian and Hittite empires also recede at this time Coincides with the Trojan War described in Homer’s Iliad
Earliest reference to “Israel” recorded in 1207 BC, in the Merneptah Stele (“inscribed stone”) Israel emerged from Canaanite society http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merneptah_Stele
COMPARISON WITH BIBLE HISTORY
No archeological evidence for a mass-migration from Egypt
Story of the Exodus may have been based on the Hyksos peoples
Archeological evidence indicates collapse of Canaan occurred over a long period of time (several centuries)
Most cities in Canaan didn’t have fortified walls at this time Some cities mentioned in the biblical description of the conquest weren’t occupied at the time No record of Canaan conquest in Egyptian records
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bible_Unearthed
THE RISE OF THE NORTHERN KINGDOM
The northern kingdom arose to be a wealthy and successful state by ~900 BC under the rule of the Omrides Most famous ruler was King Ahab and Queen Jezebel, capital located in Samaria Many impressive structures initially attributed to Solomon have subsequently come to be attributed to the Omrides (e.g. Megiddo) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_of_Israel_(Samaria)
SAUL, DAVID AND SOLOMON
No mention in Egyptian or Babylonian texts No evidence of a great temple Archeology indicates that Jerusalem was a very small village at this time No compelling historical evidence for a vast united monarchy centered in Jerusalem
No evidence of wealth flowing back to the city No extensive written language
Mesha Stele (840 BC)
Refers to kingdom of Israel (House of Omri) Earliest mention of “House of David” (i.e. kingdom of Judah) Extra-biblical reference to Yahweh
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesha_Stele
FALL OF THE NORTHERN KINGDOM
Imperial power of the Assyrian Empire had a strong effect on Israel ~800 BC represented a “Golden Age” for Israel 747 BC death of king Jeroboam II coincided with Assyrian territorial ambitions 727 BC defeat of Israel by Tiglath-Pileser III 722 BC defeat of Samaria http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiglath-Pileser_III
THE RISE OF JUDAH
Prior to 8th century BC no indication of any significance of Judah After defeat of Israel and Samaria in 722 BC, Judah becomes the center of Israelite culture, influx of refugees from Israel Monotheism began to emerge in Jerusalem
Written texts began to replace oral histories, stories and traditions Text written to support this theological construct
Judah surrounded by conquered Assyrian states and vassal states
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assyria
REBELLION AGAINST THE ASSYRIANS
705 BC death of Assyrian king Sargon II weakens the empire In Judah, King Hezekiah introduces monotheistic practices Judah enters into an anti-Assyrian coalition, Assyria retaliates Evidence of fortifications and defensive preparations in many cities By 701 BC most of Judah over-run, Jerusalem under siege Taylor-Prism (691-689 BC) indicates Hezekiah (king of Judah) sued for peace Judah becomes a vassal state to Assyria
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hezekiah
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taylor_prism
SURVIVAL OF JUDAH
King Manasseh assumed the throne of Judah after the death of Hezekiah in 698 BC Relaxed restrictions on monotheistic worship and locations for worship Cooperated with Assyria and increased trade with Arabia Oversaw 55 years of relative peace and prosperity in Judah until his death in 642 BC Generally depicted in the OT as the “worst king of Judah…ever” http://rickjohnston.blogspot.com/2010/12/kingmanasseh-of-judah.html
KING JOSIAH
King Josiah assumed the throne of Judah in 639 BC at the age of 8 Described as the greatest king of Judah – a true Messiah Orders renovations to the temple in 622 BC, “discovers” a text describing original Israelite practices, later becomes the book of Deuteronomy Ends worship of other gods, worship at locations outside of Jerusalem http://biblestudyoutlines.org/bible-study-lessons/old-testamentbible-study/2-chronicles-34-bible-study/
THE CREATION OF THE OT
In the late 7th century Assyrian power began to wane, creating an opportunity for Judah claim the lands if Israel The author of Deuteronomy wrote a history of Israel (Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings)
Downfall of Israel was due to their non-Deuteronomic practices Conquest of Canaan by Joshua foreshadowed what Josiah would do Land of Canaan was promised to the Israelites, so long as they kept the law
Furthermore, God had weakened Assyria and given a Judah a powerful king at just the right moment Some initial successes by Josiah with the capture of Bethel http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josiah
THE FALL OF JUDAH 587 BC
Just when Josiah was posed for greatness, he was killed by Pharaoh Necho in 609 BC Judah became a vassal state to Egypt New kings of Judah again undid Josiah’s religious reforms, returning the country to religious pluralism Babylon eventually wins the Assyrian civil war and overtakes Assyria’s vassal states, including Judah Jerusalem is completely destroyed in 587 BC, much of its population is exiled to Babylon Israeli culture and tradition should have ended here – but it did not http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babylonians http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nebuchadnezzar_II_of_Babylon
EXILE AND RETURN 587 BC TO 538 BC
Babylon rules Judah, kingdom of Judah becomes “Yehud”, and the Judahites become known as “Yehudim” or “Jews” Babylon falls to Persia in 539 BC Cyrus restores temple and returns people to Judah Second temple completed in 516 BC From this point forward
Judah is ruled by governors appointed by Persia, not kings of the House of David Jewish culture revolves around customs and the temple, not a king http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persian_empire
HELLENISTIC RULE 333 BC TO 64 BC
Persians rule Judah until 333 BC, when defeated by Alexander the Great First translation of the Hebrew bible into Greek, called the Septuagint After death of Alexander his generals fought for control of the territories he had conquered Eventually, Judah becomes part of the Seleucid empire in 198 BC
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_the_Great
ROMAN RULE, 64 BC – 636 AD
Territory of Judah conquered by Pompey in 64 BC Herod the Great (appointed by the Romans) ruled from 37 to 6 BC Major rebellion in 70 AD crushed by Titus, second temple destroyed After 131 AD, Jews not allowed to live in Jerusalem After the collapse of the western Roman Empire, Jerusalem ruled by Byzantium http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Jerusalem_(70)
ARAB RULE 636 TO 1517
In 634-636 Arabs conquered Palaestinia Prima (Byzantine province) Restored right of Jews to live in Jerusalem Fought off Crusades from 1090 to 1291
http://en.wikipedia.org/ wiki/Palaestina_Prima
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_conquest_of_the_Levant
OTTOMAN RULE 1517 TO 1920
Turkish sultan Selim I conquered Syria as part of a dramatic expansion of the Ottoman empire in 1517
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selim_I
BRITISH RULE 1920 TO 1948
British drove the Turks from Syria in 1917 as part of the fighting in WWI Balfour Declaration of 1917 stated that Britain "view[ed] with favour the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_israel#Classical_ era_.28538_BCE.E2.80.93636_CE.29
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE JEWISH STATE OF ISRAEL 1948
Last British troops withdrawn 15 May 1948, Israel immediately recognized by the US and USSR War of Independence begins immediately with the invasion of Arab League forces Armistice declared in 1949 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_israel#British_Mandate _of_Palestine_.281920.E2.80.931948.29
SIX-DAY WAR 1967
Begun with a pre-emptive attack by Israel against Arab League forces of Jordan, Syria and Egypt Major tank battle against the Egyptians, led by General Ariel Sharon Israel captured Sinai Peninsula, Golan Heights, the West Bank and, significantly, the Old City (Jerusalem) The repercussions of this war are still being felt in the Arab world to the present day
http://americanforeignpolicy.pb works.com/w/page/12563734/ Six%20Day%20War,%201967
http://www.knesset.gov.il/hi story/eng/eng_hist6.htm
REFERENCES AND ADDITIONAL READING “The Bible Unearthed”, Israel Finkelstein and Neil Asher Silberman “David and Solomon”, Israel Finkelstein and Neil Silberman “Six Days of War”, Michael Oren
NEXT WEEK
History of Israel, as described in the Old Testament
APPENDIX: HISTORY TIMELINE
Ancient (3000 BC – 587 BC)
Classical Era (587 BC to 636 AD)
Babylonian rule Persian period Hellenistic period Roman rule Byzantine Rule
Middle Ages (636 to 1517)
Pre-history and the early Israelites Israel and Judah
Arab rule The Crusades
Ottoman Rule (1517 to 1920) British Mandate of Palestine (1920 to 1948) Modern State of Israel (1948 – present)
APPENDIX: GENEALOGY
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_of_Israel_(Samaria)
Part 1: Archeological History of Israel
OLD TESTAMENT HISTORY
OUTLINE
Part 1 History of Israel from archeology
Establishment of Israel within Canaan Two states – Israel and Judah and their downfalls Outside rule – Assyria to Rome to Britain Establishment of the modern state of Israel
Part 2: History of Israel as described in the OT (next week)
ARCHEOLOGY AND BIBLE HISTORY
Until recently (~1970), “history” and “bible history” were considered one and the same Archeological evidence was interpreted to support what was written in the OT Recent finds and analyses have cast a different light on Israeli history When considering the history written within the bible, it is important to remember the time in which it was written, and the reasons for which it was written
“The Bible Unearthed” Israel Finkelstein and Neil Asher Silberman ISBN 978-0-684-86912-4
TWO KINGDOMS
Two kingdoms present
Differentiated largely by geography and culture
Israel (north) Judah (south)
Israel generally more accessible, wealthy Judah, in the highlands, less accessible and poorer then Israel
Archeology suggests Israel arose as a kingdom first, collapsed, and the Judah arose http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_of_Israel_(Samaria)
PRE-HISTORY
Where did the Israelites come from?
Arose in an area called Canaan ~1200 BC evidence for many Israelite villages ~1 acre in size, pastoral Canaanite society collapsed in the 12th century BC Pastoral Israelite society transformed to become the dominant state in the region http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bible_Unearthed
THE COLLAPSE OF CANAANITE SOCIETY
Period from 1200 to 900 BC represents a ancient “dark age” Collapse of Canaanite city-culture in the 12th century repeated a cycle which had happened at least twice before
When trade system between pastoral and coastal groups collapses, pastoral groups settle in coastal areas Final collapse precipitated by outside invaders, called the “Sea-Peoples”
3500 – 2200 BC (Early Bronze Age) 2000 – 1550 BC (Mid Bronze Age) 1150 – 900 BC (Iron Age I)
Very little known about this culture Sea-borne raiders Egyptian, Assyrian and Hittite empires also recede at this time Coincides with the Trojan War described in Homer’s Iliad
Earliest reference to “Israel” recorded in 1207 BC, in the Merneptah Stele (“inscribed stone”) Israel emerged from Canaanite society http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merneptah_Stele
COMPARISON WITH BIBLE HISTORY
No archeological evidence for a mass-migration from Egypt
Story of the Exodus may have been based on the Hyksos peoples
Archeological evidence indicates collapse of Canaan occurred over a long period of time (several centuries)
Most cities in Canaan didn’t have fortified walls at this time Some cities mentioned in the biblical description of the conquest weren’t occupied at the time No record of Canaan conquest in Egyptian records
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bible_Unearthed
THE RISE OF THE NORTHERN KINGDOM
The northern kingdom arose to be a wealthy and successful state by ~900 BC under the rule of the Omrides Most famous ruler was King Ahab and Queen Jezebel, capital located in Samaria Many impressive structures initially attributed to Solomon have subsequently come to be attributed to the Omrides (e.g. Megiddo) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_of_Israel_(Samaria)
SAUL, DAVID AND SOLOMON
No mention in Egyptian or Babylonian texts No evidence of a great temple Archeology indicates that Jerusalem was a very small village at this time No compelling historical evidence for a vast united monarchy centered in Jerusalem
No evidence of wealth flowing back to the city No extensive written language
Mesha Stele (840 BC)
Refers to kingdom of Israel (House of Omri) Earliest mention of “House of David” (i.e. kingdom of Judah) Extra-biblical reference to Yahweh
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesha_Stele
FALL OF THE NORTHERN KINGDOM
Imperial power of the Assyrian Empire had a strong effect on Israel ~800 BC represented a “Golden Age” for Israel 747 BC death of king Jeroboam II coincided with Assyrian territorial ambitions 727 BC defeat of Israel by Tiglath-Pileser III 722 BC defeat of Samaria http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiglath-Pileser_III
THE RISE OF JUDAH
Prior to 8th century BC no indication of any significance of Judah After defeat of Israel and Samaria in 722 BC, Judah becomes the center of Israelite culture, influx of refugees from Israel Monotheism began to emerge in Jerusalem
Written texts began to replace oral histories, stories and traditions Text written to support this theological construct
Judah surrounded by conquered Assyrian states and vassal states
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assyria
REBELLION AGAINST THE ASSYRIANS
705 BC death of Assyrian king Sargon II weakens the empire In Judah, King Hezekiah introduces monotheistic practices Judah enters into an anti-Assyrian coalition, Assyria retaliates Evidence of fortifications and defensive preparations in many cities By 701 BC most of Judah over-run, Jerusalem under siege Taylor-Prism (691-689 BC) indicates Hezekiah (king of Judah) sued for peace Judah becomes a vassal state to Assyria
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hezekiah
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taylor_prism
SURVIVAL OF JUDAH
King Manasseh assumed the throne of Judah after the death of Hezekiah in 698 BC Relaxed restrictions on monotheistic worship and locations for worship Cooperated with Assyria and increased trade with Arabia Oversaw 55 years of relative peace and prosperity in Judah until his death in 642 BC Generally depicted in the OT as the “worst king of Judah…ever” http://rickjohnston.blogspot.com/2010/12/kingmanasseh-of-judah.html
KING JOSIAH
King Josiah assumed the throne of Judah in 639 BC at the age of 8 Described as the greatest king of Judah – a true Messiah Orders renovations to the temple in 622 BC, “discovers” a text describing original Israelite practices, later becomes the book of Deuteronomy Ends worship of other gods, worship at locations outside of Jerusalem http://biblestudyoutlines.org/bible-study-lessons/old-testamentbible-study/2-chronicles-34-bible-study/
THE CREATION OF THE OT
In the late 7th century Assyrian power began to wane, creating an opportunity for Judah claim the lands if Israel The author of Deuteronomy wrote a history of Israel (Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings)
Downfall of Israel was due to their non-Deuteronomic practices Conquest of Canaan by Joshua foreshadowed what Josiah would do Land of Canaan was promised to the Israelites, so long as they kept the law
Furthermore, God had weakened Assyria and given a Judah a powerful king at just the right moment Some initial successes by Josiah with the capture of Bethel http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josiah
THE FALL OF JUDAH 587 BC
Just when Josiah was posed for greatness, he was killed by Pharaoh Necho in 609 BC Judah became a vassal state to Egypt New kings of Judah again undid Josiah’s religious reforms, returning the country to religious pluralism Babylon eventually wins the Assyrian civil war and overtakes Assyria’s vassal states, including Judah Jerusalem is completely destroyed in 587 BC, much of its population is exiled to Babylon Israeli culture and tradition should have ended here – but it did not http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babylonians http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nebuchadnezzar_II_of_Babylon
EXILE AND RETURN 587 BC TO 538 BC
Babylon rules Judah, kingdom of Judah becomes “Yehud”, and the Judahites become known as “Yehudim” or “Jews” Babylon falls to Persia in 539 BC Cyrus restores temple and returns people to Judah Second temple completed in 516 BC From this point forward
Judah is ruled by governors appointed by Persia, not kings of the House of David Jewish culture revolves around customs and the temple, not a king http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persian_empire
HELLENISTIC RULE 333 BC TO 64 BC
Persians rule Judah until 333 BC, when defeated by Alexander the Great First translation of the Hebrew bible into Greek, called the Septuagint After death of Alexander his generals fought for control of the territories he had conquered Eventually, Judah becomes part of the Seleucid empire in 198 BC
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_the_Great
ROMAN RULE, 64 BC – 636 AD
Territory of Judah conquered by Pompey in 64 BC Herod the Great (appointed by the Romans) ruled from 37 to 6 BC Major rebellion in 70 AD crushed by Titus, second temple destroyed After 131 AD, Jews not allowed to live in Jerusalem After the collapse of the western Roman Empire, Jerusalem ruled by Byzantium http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Jerusalem_(70)
ARAB RULE 636 TO 1517
In 634-636 Arabs conquered Palaestinia Prima (Byzantine province) Restored right of Jews to live in Jerusalem Fought off Crusades from 1090 to 1291
http://en.wikipedia.org/ wiki/Palaestina_Prima
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_conquest_of_the_Levant
OTTOMAN RULE 1517 TO 1920
Turkish sultan Selim I conquered Syria as part of a dramatic expansion of the Ottoman empire in 1517
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selim_I
BRITISH RULE 1920 TO 1948
British drove the Turks from Syria in 1917 as part of the fighting in WWI Balfour Declaration of 1917 stated that Britain "view[ed] with favour the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_israel#Classical_ era_.28538_BCE.E2.80.93636_CE.29
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE JEWISH STATE OF ISRAEL 1948
Last British troops withdrawn 15 May 1948, Israel immediately recognized by the US and USSR War of Independence begins immediately with the invasion of Arab League forces Armistice declared in 1949 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_israel#British_Mandate _of_Palestine_.281920.E2.80.931948.29
SIX-DAY WAR 1967
Begun with a pre-emptive attack by Israel against Arab League forces of Jordan, Syria and Egypt Major tank battle against the Egyptians, led by General Ariel Sharon Israel captured Sinai Peninsula, Golan Heights, the West Bank and, significantly, the Old City (Jerusalem) The repercussions of this war are still being felt in the Arab world to the present day
http://americanforeignpolicy.pb works.com/w/page/12563734/ Six%20Day%20War,%201967
http://www.knesset.gov.il/hi story/eng/eng_hist6.htm
REFERENCES AND ADDITIONAL READING “The Bible Unearthed”, Israel Finkelstein and Neil Asher Silberman “David and Solomon”, Israel Finkelstein and Neil Silberman “Six Days of War”, Michael Oren
NEXT WEEK
History of Israel, as described in the Old Testament
APPENDIX: HISTORY TIMELINE
Ancient (3000 BC – 587 BC)
Classical Era (587 BC to 636 AD)
Babylonian rule Persian period Hellenistic period Roman rule Byzantine Rule
Middle Ages (636 to 1517)
Pre-history and the early Israelites Israel and Judah
Arab rule The Crusades
Ottoman Rule (1517 to 1920) British Mandate of Palestine (1920 to 1948) Modern State of Israel (1948 – present)
APPENDIX: GENEALOGY
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_of_Israel_(Samaria)
