What do you think?
Rate this book
A History of Israel: From the Bronze Age Through the Jewish Wars
A History of Israel refutes many of today's common misconceptions about Israel and sets down an accurate account of its history, from the Patriarchal Age to the birth of Christ, based on Holy Scriptures. With his customary thoroughness and attention to detail, Walter C. Kaiser, Jr., has carefully research his subject, assembled the facts, and conveyed his findings in a convincing narrative style. Kaiser not only uses the Bible as a resource, but also supports the Scriptures' historical claims with ancient Eastern documents and compelling archaeological evidence.
The complete chronological history of Israel presents and
* Current approaches to the study of the history of Israel
* Common fallacies found in modern secular historical study
* The most convincing proofs for the historical authenticity of the Bible
The complete chronological history of Israel presents and
* Current approaches to the study of the history of Israel
* Common fallacies found in modern secular historical study
* The most convincing proofs for the historical authenticity of the Bible
540 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1998
128 people are currently reading
269 people want to read
About the author
Walter C. Kaiser Jr.
97 books54 followersWalter C. Kaiser Jr. (PhD, Brandeis University) is president emeritus of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in South Hamilton, Massachusetts. He previously taught at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and at Wheaton College. Kaiser is active as a preacher, speaker, researcher, and writer and is the author of more than forty books, including Preaching and Teaching from the Old Testament and The Majesty of God in the Old Testament.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
January 16, 2016
A very good conservative summing up of Hebrew history until just before Herod. Several minor flaws betray subpar edition: several text corruptions perhaps in ePub conversion, the end of chapter notes are practically useless due to the difficulty of tapping to go to them, but sometimes the author just did not check the precise meaning of the word he employed. Could use a revised edition.
December 30, 2009
Whew! A whole lot more book than I needed to answer my question of the difference between Israel & Judah - aren't they both Jewish? My question could have easily, & quickly been answered by looking at Jacob's family tree, but reading more about the history of God's people was helpful in my study of the Bible, & I'll return to this book as I read through the books of the Old Testament.
This book also dealt with archeological references & various theories on the history & validity of the Scriptures. I could have done without the theories from the unbelieving scholars. If I had wanted to know their musings, I would have picked up one of their books to read. It galls me when unbelievers try to argue a spiritual history they don't believe in. It will never fit into their realm of understanding without the presupposition that God is who He claims to be, & what He has done for His people. They argue information given from the Scriptures but refuse to use those same Scriptures as a source. ermmm, then why are they bothering????
The history as laid out by Kaiser, is the history of Israel that is found in the Bible. What this book accomplishes is a linear outline of the events, & references for extra-Biblical sources that correspond with that history. It's a good tool of context in inductive Bible study. My hunt for more context related books will continue, as I've only glimpsed the significance of the various occurrences & people of the Bible. Up next, maybe... covenants... (shaking my fists with excitement.)
This book also dealt with archeological references & various theories on the history & validity of the Scriptures. I could have done without the theories from the unbelieving scholars. If I had wanted to know their musings, I would have picked up one of their books to read. It galls me when unbelievers try to argue a spiritual history they don't believe in. It will never fit into their realm of understanding without the presupposition that God is who He claims to be, & what He has done for His people. They argue information given from the Scriptures but refuse to use those same Scriptures as a source. ermmm, then why are they bothering????
"...should the event that is being examined claim to be unique, involve the intervention of God, or be a miraculous occurrence, it is immediately disqualified by this Enlightenment definition. Instead it contends that there are no other analogous happenings by which such unique, divine, or miraculous events could be measured, inspected, & evaluated." - Kaiser, pg 3.Considering the whole of the Bible is unique, divine, & miraculous, how do these scholars qualify themselves to even argue these events & people? This is Israel's history - a people whose whole existence is dependent on the very One that set them apart as a people. Anyway, only a portion of this book was given to explaining outside theories. Once the reign of Solomon is arrived at, most scholarly debate ends, as more extra-Biblical resources are available to modern scholars to support what is stated in the Bible.
The history as laid out by Kaiser, is the history of Israel that is found in the Bible. What this book accomplishes is a linear outline of the events, & references for extra-Biblical sources that correspond with that history. It's a good tool of context in inductive Bible study. My hunt for more context related books will continue, as I've only glimpsed the significance of the various occurrences & people of the Bible. Up next, maybe... covenants... (shaking my fists with excitement.)
August 20, 2019
As a minority Jew in a circle of liberal friends, I often get questioned about my take on the Israel-Palestine conflict. However, my view has been fairly muddled and I could never produce a sophisticated answer as to why I felt so conflicted. In an effort to get up to speed on the various issues and views, I gathered up as many books on the topic as my library carried and started reading. Unfortunately, I can't say I'm any less conflicted, but the nuances now have more depth.
Walter C. Kaiser Jr.'s book is a staple of seminary textbooks for a reason. It's exhaustive, well-researched, and extremely well-organized. It filled in some of the gaps as far as ancient history about this hotly contested land. Unfortunately, I felt Kaiser's writing was fairly biased, and his background in theology is more evident than I would have cared for. I won't say that is necessarily a bad thing, however, as it will likely be seen as a positive quality for those who are looking for more Old Testament commentary and discussion regarding Israel.
I probably would not read another book by this author. His focus on biblical accounts was not for me nor was his writing. However, if you are looking for a history of Israel that delves deeper into the ancient history and don't mind a premise rooted heavily in biblical evidence, I do recommend that you check out this book.
Walter C. Kaiser Jr.'s book is a staple of seminary textbooks for a reason. It's exhaustive, well-researched, and extremely well-organized. It filled in some of the gaps as far as ancient history about this hotly contested land. Unfortunately, I felt Kaiser's writing was fairly biased, and his background in theology is more evident than I would have cared for. I won't say that is necessarily a bad thing, however, as it will likely be seen as a positive quality for those who are looking for more Old Testament commentary and discussion regarding Israel.
I probably would not read another book by this author. His focus on biblical accounts was not for me nor was his writing. However, if you are looking for a history of Israel that delves deeper into the ancient history and don't mind a premise rooted heavily in biblical evidence, I do recommend that you check out this book.
October 1, 2017
A History of Israel: From the Bronze Age through the Jewish Wars by Walter C. Kaiser has been a classic seminary textbook for nearly two decades. Its detailed structure and organization have provided professors and students the ideal platform needed for thoughtful exploration into the history of ancient Israel. Now, after almost 20 years of academic service, A History of Israel has received a much-needed overhaul.
A full review of the book’s content can be found elsewhere, as this is a revision. That said, at least two comments are worth mention here before attention is turned towards the revision. First, and probably foremost, those familiar with Kaiser’s work will be pleasantly welcomed by the conservative scholarship that is characteristic of his legacy. Kaiser deals with the evidence (and sometimes lack thereof) without compromise in scholarship or conviction. Second, as mentioned above, the organization of the volume has been a large factor of its success in the classroom over the years. Kaiser is detailed and comprehensive, and the editorial effort that has been done to bring this caliber of work into focus is impressive, and it only gets better with this revision.
The revision itself in many ways simply enhances the original beauty of Kaiser’s work. There are a number of enhancements worth discussing here. First, and probably most notable, Paul D. Wegner has been added to the volume as a coauthor, and likely a major reason that the revision was commenced. Wegner is a capable scholar and complements Kaiser nicely. Second, there is more content than before, approximately 200 pages. Some of the added page count is the result of added illustrations, but some is also due to revision within the content of the book. The revisions therein largely focus on Old Testament texts and ancient Near Eastern literary and archaeological sources. Kaiser and Wegner aim to highlight the important modern controversies surrounding this portion of Scripture and treat topics such as current approaches to the study of the history of Israel, common fallacies in modern, secular biblical studies, and the evidence for the historical authenticity of the Old Testament accounts. Third, as alluded to above, there has been a substantial focus on the volumes visual appeal. The revised edition includes over 600 full-color maps, charts, and illustrations to help bring the content closer to the reader, and this is a welcomed effort.
Still, where the above highlights some of the more praiseworthy elements of the revised edition of A History of Israel, it is important to comment on the shortcomings of the volume. It should be said at the onset that apart from some likely methodological differences, for most readers, few content related shortcomings exist. Where the missed opportunities are evident is largely in the hands of the publisher. B&H Academic is known for quality resources, especially when it comes to full-color prints. That said, this volume is likely the first exception to that legacy. First, the book is way too big for a flimsy paperback cover. The binding is stiff, difficult to read beyond the first hundred pages or so, and the cover does not match the caliber of the content therein. The book’s size alone makes it worthy of a hardcover. Second, while the pages are nice and thick, the print quality therein is a little better than what you would get at home on an old HP printer. Third, the 600+ full-color visuals are welcomed, but the overall execution of such was well below even the lowest standard of quality. The colors and print quality are inconsistent, and sadly, the otherwise excellent content appears amateur as a result.
A History of Israel: From the Bronze Age through the Jewish Wars (Revised Edition) by Walter C. Kaiser and Paul D. Wegner is a phenomenal resource. Kaiser and Wegner have done a huge service by bringing the material up-to-date with current conversations. It continues to be a gold standard resource for a conservative position on the matters of the history of Israel. It’s a shame that the physical appearance of the book detracts from the academic rigor therein. Because the content is both needed and done right, it comes highly recommended—but only for those who can look beyond the aesthetics of a poorly printed book.
A full review of the book’s content can be found elsewhere, as this is a revision. That said, at least two comments are worth mention here before attention is turned towards the revision. First, and probably foremost, those familiar with Kaiser’s work will be pleasantly welcomed by the conservative scholarship that is characteristic of his legacy. Kaiser deals with the evidence (and sometimes lack thereof) without compromise in scholarship or conviction. Second, as mentioned above, the organization of the volume has been a large factor of its success in the classroom over the years. Kaiser is detailed and comprehensive, and the editorial effort that has been done to bring this caliber of work into focus is impressive, and it only gets better with this revision.
The revision itself in many ways simply enhances the original beauty of Kaiser’s work. There are a number of enhancements worth discussing here. First, and probably most notable, Paul D. Wegner has been added to the volume as a coauthor, and likely a major reason that the revision was commenced. Wegner is a capable scholar and complements Kaiser nicely. Second, there is more content than before, approximately 200 pages. Some of the added page count is the result of added illustrations, but some is also due to revision within the content of the book. The revisions therein largely focus on Old Testament texts and ancient Near Eastern literary and archaeological sources. Kaiser and Wegner aim to highlight the important modern controversies surrounding this portion of Scripture and treat topics such as current approaches to the study of the history of Israel, common fallacies in modern, secular biblical studies, and the evidence for the historical authenticity of the Old Testament accounts. Third, as alluded to above, there has been a substantial focus on the volumes visual appeal. The revised edition includes over 600 full-color maps, charts, and illustrations to help bring the content closer to the reader, and this is a welcomed effort.
Still, where the above highlights some of the more praiseworthy elements of the revised edition of A History of Israel, it is important to comment on the shortcomings of the volume. It should be said at the onset that apart from some likely methodological differences, for most readers, few content related shortcomings exist. Where the missed opportunities are evident is largely in the hands of the publisher. B&H Academic is known for quality resources, especially when it comes to full-color prints. That said, this volume is likely the first exception to that legacy. First, the book is way too big for a flimsy paperback cover. The binding is stiff, difficult to read beyond the first hundred pages or so, and the cover does not match the caliber of the content therein. The book’s size alone makes it worthy of a hardcover. Second, while the pages are nice and thick, the print quality therein is a little better than what you would get at home on an old HP printer. Third, the 600+ full-color visuals are welcomed, but the overall execution of such was well below even the lowest standard of quality. The colors and print quality are inconsistent, and sadly, the otherwise excellent content appears amateur as a result.
A History of Israel: From the Bronze Age through the Jewish Wars (Revised Edition) by Walter C. Kaiser and Paul D. Wegner is a phenomenal resource. Kaiser and Wegner have done a huge service by bringing the material up-to-date with current conversations. It continues to be a gold standard resource for a conservative position on the matters of the history of Israel. It’s a shame that the physical appearance of the book detracts from the academic rigor therein. Because the content is both needed and done right, it comes highly recommended—but only for those who can look beyond the aesthetics of a poorly printed book.
November 22, 2017
We have here a massive revision of a much-beloved history of Israel textbook. Don’t allow the word “textbook” to cause you to think this book is only designed for college students. It’s an extraordinary resource for any Bible student or pastor. The amount of information is incredible. Walter C. Kaiser, Jr. is known for his helpful conservative scholarship and has been a trusted name for many for years. You might say this volume has been made fresh with the addition of Paul Wegner as a co-author. The addition of many color pictures and maps from the B&H Publishing collection helps immensely as well. It’s large 7” X 10” size allows the font and picture/map dimensions to add to its enjoyment. The only downside is the fact that it’s in paperback and that its type of printing removes some of the sharpness of the illustrations. My hope is that this volume will meet with such success that the publisher might consider an attractive hardback with slick pages. That is, though, the only shortcoming of this book that I found.
As much as I enjoyed the bells and whistles of this volume, it’s the well written conservative viewpoint that makes it stand out. I’ve seen most of the other histories of Israel in print by academic publishers today, and this volume far exceeds them all. The others may have some commendable features but always come with a pile of caveats because of their consistently twisted chronology and skeptical nature. This volume contains all the academic and biblical information on the history of Israel that a sincere Bible believer could desire.
After three introductory chapters that describe the scholarly mess that academia has made of the history of Israel, the book has nine major parts with 30 more chapters that take us from Israel’s beginning to the Intertestamental period. You might quibble over some date or conclusion, but you will greatly appreciate the bedrock assumption behind every conclusion drawn from the evidence found that the Old Testament is a trustworthy source and the basis of our study. I especially appreciated the archaeological proof of Israel and the Old Testament, which is substantial, that is presented in this volume.
Without a doubt, this volume will take pride of place in my library on the subject of the history of Israel. I highly recommend it!
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
As much as I enjoyed the bells and whistles of this volume, it’s the well written conservative viewpoint that makes it stand out. I’ve seen most of the other histories of Israel in print by academic publishers today, and this volume far exceeds them all. The others may have some commendable features but always come with a pile of caveats because of their consistently twisted chronology and skeptical nature. This volume contains all the academic and biblical information on the history of Israel that a sincere Bible believer could desire.
After three introductory chapters that describe the scholarly mess that academia has made of the history of Israel, the book has nine major parts with 30 more chapters that take us from Israel’s beginning to the Intertestamental period. You might quibble over some date or conclusion, but you will greatly appreciate the bedrock assumption behind every conclusion drawn from the evidence found that the Old Testament is a trustworthy source and the basis of our study. I especially appreciated the archaeological proof of Israel and the Old Testament, which is substantial, that is presented in this volume.
Without a doubt, this volume will take pride of place in my library on the subject of the history of Israel. I highly recommend it!
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
August 23, 2017
There are many books on the history of Israel, most are very Starling and full of critical scholarship. Which makes most of the academic treatments of a history of the nation of Israel inaccessible to the Layman as well as too many pastors who did not have an extensive academic training in seminary. This is not the case with a revised edition of Walter Kaiser Jr and Paul D. Wergner’s, A History of Israel: From the Bronze Age Through the Jewish Wars. Wing in just over 700 Pages this book is extremely thorough without becoming tedious.
Each page of this book is in full color which is the best feature of the entire work. Most books on history, even ones that have been revised or published in the last decade, are in full black and white, even in their photos. More to the point most photos and other works are also so grainy it is hard to see the map for the item that is being highlighted. This is not the case with a history of Israel. Almost every page has an illustration or table to draw the reader to engage with the item. While while this is no means a book you would read all the way through like a novel at one time. It is the perfect reference work or text book for class on Old Testament Israelite culture as well as some inter testimonial studies.
It is hard to say anything negative about this work. The only negative part about this book is was to be used as a textbook, there are no study questions or review questions at the end of each chapter. So it is not your traditional textbook, but it can definitely be used as one. If used as a textbook, the work would be best served as a high-level college or masters level class in a seminary.
This book was provided to me free of charge from B and H Academic Publishing in exchange for an unbiased, honest review.
A History of Israel: From the Bronze Age Through the Jewish Wars
© 2017 by Walter Kaiser Jr and Paul D. Wergner
Publisher: B and H Academic
Page Count: 728 Pages
ISBN: 978-1433643187
Each page of this book is in full color which is the best feature of the entire work. Most books on history, even ones that have been revised or published in the last decade, are in full black and white, even in their photos. More to the point most photos and other works are also so grainy it is hard to see the map for the item that is being highlighted. This is not the case with a history of Israel. Almost every page has an illustration or table to draw the reader to engage with the item. While while this is no means a book you would read all the way through like a novel at one time. It is the perfect reference work or text book for class on Old Testament Israelite culture as well as some inter testimonial studies.
It is hard to say anything negative about this work. The only negative part about this book is was to be used as a textbook, there are no study questions or review questions at the end of each chapter. So it is not your traditional textbook, but it can definitely be used as one. If used as a textbook, the work would be best served as a high-level college or masters level class in a seminary.
This book was provided to me free of charge from B and H Academic Publishing in exchange for an unbiased, honest review.
A History of Israel: From the Bronze Age Through the Jewish Wars
© 2017 by Walter Kaiser Jr and Paul D. Wergner
Publisher: B and H Academic
Page Count: 728 Pages
ISBN: 978-1433643187
January 9, 2022
This is a very good general history of Israel, from the very beginnings to the end of the Hasmonean Kingdom. There is a remarkable combination of academic rigor and accessibility.
Where possible, Kaiser always lays out the current academic consensus. But he also tries to build a case for more conservative interpretations in most situations. For example, he first discussed rationales for a late Exodus; then he would lay out his case for an early Exodus, with shortcomings of his case listed towards the end. Another example is the Israelites’ invasion of Canaanite city states. While the consensus favors the invasion as fictitious etiological stories, Kaiser gave evidence that supports such invasions (style similarities to military log books in that era).
Kaiser synthesized an extensive amount of archeological evidence. For example, in dating the Tell of Jericho, he discussed the ideas of Garstang, Kenyojn, Wood, among others. Cross sections of the tell and photos of the site are presented, supplemented with photos of the artifacts. Various dating techniques such as carbon-14, pottery (bichrome ware), and scarabs are discussed.
It is also a pleasant book to read due to the vast amount of maps of photos supplementing the texts. The only shortcoming is that for periods that lack historical texts, Kaiser had a tendency to do technical analysis rather than narration. This could be tedious for the average reader. But overall it is a very informative and rigorous book.
Where possible, Kaiser always lays out the current academic consensus. But he also tries to build a case for more conservative interpretations in most situations. For example, he first discussed rationales for a late Exodus; then he would lay out his case for an early Exodus, with shortcomings of his case listed towards the end. Another example is the Israelites’ invasion of Canaanite city states. While the consensus favors the invasion as fictitious etiological stories, Kaiser gave evidence that supports such invasions (style similarities to military log books in that era).
Kaiser synthesized an extensive amount of archeological evidence. For example, in dating the Tell of Jericho, he discussed the ideas of Garstang, Kenyojn, Wood, among others. Cross sections of the tell and photos of the site are presented, supplemented with photos of the artifacts. Various dating techniques such as carbon-14, pottery (bichrome ware), and scarabs are discussed.
It is also a pleasant book to read due to the vast amount of maps of photos supplementing the texts. The only shortcoming is that for periods that lack historical texts, Kaiser had a tendency to do technical analysis rather than narration. This could be tedious for the average reader. But overall it is a very informative and rigorous book.
December 30, 2023
I read most of this for my Old Testament class at DTS. It approaches OT through an archaeological and historical exploration. Kaiser lays out the current academic consensus and historical interpretations when applicable. His treatment of the dating of the Exodus is a good example. The book contains significant details about the ancient near-east cultures and the dynamics between all the people who inhabit the region. There is a lot of technical jargon, making this a text best suited for reference rather than a casual read. There is no need to read this cover-to-cover but it is a very well-researched reference text for any Old Testament study.
March 22, 2019
Kaiser and Wegner have written an excellent book on the history of Israel. The book is written from a conservative evangelical perspective, but the authors engage with critical scholarship and they offer helpful solutions to difficult issues without resorting to forced harmonizations. Additionally, this volume resists the temptation of using technical jargon and would therefore be a useful reference book for pastors, academics and laypeople alike - I will certainly refer back to it on a continual basis.
Why not a 5-star rating then? There are some editing issues the publishers should clear up. This does not ultimately detract from the substance of the book, but at times is distracting.
Why not a 5-star rating then? There are some editing issues the publishers should clear up. This does not ultimately detract from the substance of the book, but at times is distracting.
February 14, 2019
This is not an easy read, parts of it were far more interesting than others. I appreciate what Kaiser did as he intertwine the Biblical account with what we know about the broader culture and history in the area. It was similar to reading a concise OT commentary without a focus on application. This book is certainly not for all, but a welcomed work by one the best OT scholars from the past century.
October 1, 2020
Seemingly exhaustive summary of history centered around the Promised Land. Densely packed with details that are hard to digest for me not that familiar with ancient history.
But I plodded through and realize my need to better understand the complex dynamics of a myriad of kingdoms and rulers rising and falling.
The archeological detail is rewarding and seems to support many of the Bible’s claims.
Not an easy read but can you find a better one?
But I plodded through and realize my need to better understand the complex dynamics of a myriad of kingdoms and rulers rising and falling.
The archeological detail is rewarding and seems to support many of the Bible’s claims.
Not an easy read but can you find a better one?
January 16, 2021
Confession: I read this in an electronic form on Logos Bible software. That option wasn't available for selection in the other editions. I enjoyed this treatment of the subject. Kaiser writes clearly and irenically. He notes contrary theories and opinions and gives his views which follow the biblical accounts.
January 16, 2022
Walter Kaiser has been a favorite author for many years. I appreciate this work as it displays alternate opinions on items in an even-handed way. There aren't any "straw men" set forth for easy destruction. Kaiser provides the pros and cons for each position and then provides his insights on what is a strong case for the position he holds.
November 2, 2021
The best on this subject I have ever read. I highly recommend it as readable and informative.
December 13, 2024
The author accomplished exactly what he intended, "a comprehensive introduction to the history of ancient Israel—from the creation account to the events just prior to the New Testament era."
October 23, 2014
Walter Kaiser has written a summary of Israelite history that is long on substance & short on style. His work makes for difficult reading. However with a meaningful blend of archaeological & biblical data, he does presents us with relevant information concerning the events & people that most shaped the Old Testament stories.
Liberal scholars will find it annoying because Kaiser begins from a different premise than do they. But for those who consider the Bible a reliable historical document, this represents perhaps the most cogent defense of a conservative approach to historiography currently in print.
Good resource.
Liberal scholars will find it annoying because Kaiser begins from a different premise than do they. But for those who consider the Bible a reliable historical document, this represents perhaps the most cogent defense of a conservative approach to historiography currently in print.
Good resource.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews