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The Bible Unearthed

Archaeology’s New Vision of Ancient Israel and the Origin of Its Sacred Texts

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The Bible Unearthed

By: Neil Asher Silberman, Israel Finkelstein
Narrated by: Bob Souer
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About this listen

In this groundbreaking work that sets apart fact and legend, authors Finkelstein and Silberman use significant archeological discoveries to provide historical information about biblical Israel and its neighbors.

In this iconoclastic and provocative work, leading scholars Israel Finkelstein and Neil Asher Silberman draw on recent archaeological research to present a dramatically revised portrait of ancient Israel and its neighbors. They argue that crucial evidence (or a telling lack of evidence) at digs in Israel, Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon suggests that many of the most famous stories in the Bible - the wanderings of the patriarchs, the Exodus from Egypt, Joshua’s conquest of Canaan, and David and Solomon’s vast empire - reflect the world of the later authors rather than actual historical facts.

Challenging the fundamentalist readings of the scriptures and marshaling the latest archaeological evidence to support its new vision of ancient Israel, The Bible Unearthed offers a fascinating and controversial perspective on when and why the Bible was written and why it possesses such great spiritual and emotional power today.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2001 Israel Finkelstein and Neil Asher Silberman (P)2022 Blackstone Publishing
Christianity History Judaism Religious Studies Africa Ancient Israel Ancient Judaism

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Really enjoyed listening to this. Will be listening again and again I’m sure. So much information in there.

Very well read.

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As an atheist with an interest in the topic of the origins of the bible, this book was illuminating. It felt like a balanced review of the historical accuracy of old testament texts, fully acknowledging where the Bible had also got it right. What stood out overall was the way in which the Old Testament had been created as an instrument of geo-political propaganda to support the legitimacy of a hitherto fairly insignificant state.
Each assertion was well supported with quotes from the Old Testament and evidence from digs. However, as a layman in the field of archeology, some of this was a little hard to digest and retain. Having said that, the archeological arguments were well presented and written without jargon.
A fascinating and insightful read.
J.B. , from the United Kingdom

Scholarly, detailled and fascinating

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Looking for a book that tells you how the findings of modern archeology contradict the claims of the Hebrew Bible? Well, you've found it!

Great Stuff

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Had a lot of fun listening to this and hearing of the archologcal finds of around the 7th-8th centuryt bce. Has made me really want to learn more about the northern kingdom and it connections to the world.

My only problem with the book is that the reader keeps on saying Sumeria instead of Samaria for the capital of the northern kingdom.

Great book.

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Excellently read and fascinating content from an authoritative source. The fall of Bronze Age civilisation and the birth of ancient Israel is illuminated here.

Fascinating

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