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3. History, Geography and Sociology

This is a competent, reasonably detailed critical summary of Israel’s historical and other traditions in their literary and cultural context. The authors, both specialists in northern Levantine cultures, jointly wrote the first and last chapters, after which Bordreuil wrote the rest of Part 1, and Briquel-Chatonnet wrote Parts 2 and 3. Part 1 deals with foundations, starting with the emerging Israelite community at Shiloh, then looking successively at patriarchal, exodus and primaeval traditions. Part 2 covers the united monarchy, with chapters on its institution, David and Solomon. Part 3, ‘Israel enters history’, continues the account down to the postexilic era. At times the biblical text’s internal voice is not sufficiently heard, for example, Joshua 10 and Judges 1 are juxtaposed with insufficient attention to their contexts, and the reading of Solomon as ‘idealized’ largely disregards 1 Kings 11. Also, it is hard to discern the intended readership. Several features imply the general public: stated intent (p. 17), explanation of LXX (p. 173), lack of direct scholarly references, generalist (and misleading) title, and publisher’s series (the book is reprinted from Editions Fayard, 2000). Yet other aspects imply serious students: length and detail, use of the academic Bible de la Pléiade, and extensive bibliographical notes (26 pages in small type). Despite the book’s good intentions and many good features, the former group might be swamped and the latter insufficiently guided. P.S. JOHNSTON