Studying the Ancient Israelites : A Guide to Sources and Methods

Archaeology won't prove or disprove the Bible's truth claims. But archaeology, combined with other bodies of evidence like historical geography, extrabiblical texts, anthropological insights, and careful study of the writings of ancient Israel, allow us to reconstruct a reasonable picture of the ancient Israelites: how they lived, what they thought, and what their Scriptures mean.In Studying the Ancient Israelites, a seasoned professor uses accessible writing and an inviting page design to introduce students and serious readers to the foundations of our understanding of the people of the Old Testament.

Victor H. Matthews (PhD, Brandeis University) is associate dean of the College of Humanities and Public Affairs and professor of religious studies at Missouri State University. He is the author or coauthor of numerous books, including Old Testament Turning Points, Manners and Customs in the Bible, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Genesis-Deuteronomy, The Old Testament: Text and Context, and A Brief History of Ancient Israel.