Ancient Israel

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.

Seeing the biblical prophets in context makes all the difference in understanding their messages. In The Prophets of Israel, Old Testament scholar and longtime field archaeologist James K. Hoffmeier explores the biblical prophets through their ancient settings. These features vividly illustrate the biblical narratives and the prophets' concerns, helping listeners better comprehend each text's message and make informed theological applications.

The profound contrast between story and facts will take the listener on an intriguing and thought-provoking journey into the compelling challenges of David's life as a shepherd boy turned king and the powerful faith of one of the Bible's most beloved characters. In addition to painting emotional and sociological struggles, modern listeners will learn of the difficulties and challenges of daily living, such as sourcing water, living in new lands, dealing with different people groups, enemies, family struggles, and more.

What really happened during Israel's journey from slavery to the promised land? Bible scholar Nicholas Perrin explains the true story of the Exodus while adding helpful background information from biblical history, archaeology, and more. You will: Explore the unvarnished Bible story of the Exodus, learn about ancient Egypt and Pharaoh, come to know the man and the mission of Moses, find out why the 10 Commandments were given, discover God's promise and plan for his people, then and now, appreciate why every New Testament writer builds on the Exodus, and more.

When the Jews revolted against Rome in 66 CE, Josephus, a Jerusalem aristocrat, was made a general in his nation’s army. Captured by the Romans, he saved his skin by finding favor with the emperor Vespasian. He then served as an adviser to the Roman legions, running a network of spies inside Jerusalem, in the belief that the Jews’ only hope of survival lay in surrender to Rome.

Two thousand years ago, 967 Jewish men, women, and children reportedly took their own lives rather than surrender to the Roman army. This dramatic event, which took place on top of Masada, a barren and windswept mountain overlooking the Dead Sea, spawned a powerful story of Jewish resistance that came to symbolize the embattled modern State of Israel. Jodi Magness, an archaeologist who has excavated at Masada, explains what happened there, how we know it, and how recent developments might change understandings of the story.