A History of Israelite Religion in the Old Testament Period: From the beginnings to the end of the monarchy

Book excerpt: No comprehensive history of Israelite religion has been published for some time now, so this new, encyclopaedic work meets a considerable need. The two volumes cover the history of the religion of Israel and Judah from the earliest recognizable beginnings to the Hellenistic period and constantly take into account not only the other religions of the ancient Near East but also Israelite social history. The history of Israel's religion is described as an interplay between historical demands, religious experiences and theological reactions, as the ongoing struggle between different groups over the appropriate religious response to God and the social practice that needs to go with it. Worked out in conjunction with lectures given over a long period, this history is particularly readable. Its broad approach combines archaeological, historical, social, literary and religious information into a living scenario and consequently not only illuminates its subject but gives the reader a stimulating survey of the whole of Old Testament research at the present time. There are of course full bibliographies which pay particular attentio