A History of Israelite Religion in the Old Testament Period, Volume I: From the Beginnings to the End of the Monarchy (The Old Testament Library)

This book, the first of two volumes, offers a comprehensive history of Israelite religion. It is a part of the Old Testament Library series. The Old Testament Library provides fresh and authoritative treatments of important aspects of Old Testament study through commentaries and general surveys. The contributors are scholars of international standing. This comprehensive history of Israel and Judah from the earliest discernible beginnings to Hellenistic times chronicles these kingdoms, not only in light of the religions of the ancient Near East but also in light of what we can recover of Israelite social history. Albertz describes the history of Israel's religion as an interplay between historical demands, religious experiences, and theological reactions as different groups struggle over the appropriate religious response to God and the social practice that needs to go with it. Albertz's work brings together archaeological, historical, social, literary, and religious information, thereby illuminating Israel's religious practices and also giving the reader a stimulating survey of the whole of Old Testament research today.

This much-anticipated second volume of A History of Israelite Religion begins at the period of the exile and carries the investigation of Israelite religion to the period of the Maccabean revolt, thereby concentrating its focus on a period given less prominence in other studies of the type.

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. v. 1. From the beginnings to the end of the monarchy v. 2. From the exile to the Maccabees. v.1. From the beginnings to the ends of the monarchy v.2. From the Exile to the Maccabees.