Studying the Ancient Israelites: A Guide to Sources and Methods.

• Author: Crowell, Bradley
• Position: Book review

Studying the Ancient Israelites: A Guide to Sources and Methods. By VICTOR H. MATTHEWS. Grand Rapids, Mich.: BAKER ACADEMIC, 2007. Pp. 232, illus. $21.99 (paper).

With the debates in recent years concerning the role of biblical, ancient Near Eastern, and archaeological evidence in the reconstruction of the history of ancient Israel, the need for academic books that aim to bring the methods and terminology used by biblical scholars and historians to a more general audience has increased. In Studying the Ancient Israelites: A Guide to Sources and Methods, Victor H. Matthews attempts to meet this need. While some of techniques used to accomplish this goal and several of the conclusions that Matthews reaches may be questioned by scholars, this volume is an admirable attempt to explain some of the complex and debated issues involved in the reconstruction of the history of ancient Israel to university students and an interested general audience.

After a brief introduction outlining the intended audience and the framework of the book, Matthews provides an accessible introduction to the geography of the land of Israel in the first chapter. In this well-illustrated chapter, he discusses some of the major considerations in determining geographical names and the importance of geography for understanding the biblical text and the history of ancient Israel. In an effort to make the study of geography more comprehensible to readers with little knowledge of the land, Matthews provides several sidebars with key terms, locations, and theories. He also offers readers a few examples of how understanding geography can affect interpretations and how it can help illuminate biblical texts. Several recent developments in the field of historical geography are not included, such as the effects of climate change and deforestation, as well as the role of natural resources in the development of ancient Israel. It is unfortunate that in a book aimed at a general audience Matthews does not include a list of internet resources that are available to the readers as an aid in the study of the geography and archaeology of ancient Israel.

Matthews moves from his discussion of historical geography to a presentation of the prospects and limitations of archaeology in chapter 2. He introduces readers to the process of archaeological investigation and a variety of techniques, including a lengthy discussion of pottery typology and interpretation. Matthews then offers brief, helpful...