In his impressive magnum opus, Dever presents a high-resolution archaeological portrait of ancient Israel and Judah spanning over 500 years of history. Beyond the Texts is a persuasive and definitive response to the “biblical minimalists” who deny the historical dimensions of a biblical Israel. Dever proves that it is possible to write a multidimensional material culture–based history of early Israel and Judah through the lens of archaeology.
Ann E. Killebrew
The Pennsylvania State University
Beyond the Texts is the most significant, original synthesis of archaeological and biblical data relevant for understanding Israelite history produced in decades. It provides a cornucopia of information and insights to archaeologists, biblicists, and historians.
In this encyclopedic yet very readable book, Dever spells out the analytical methodologies that he deploys when appraising the significance of archaeological and biblical data and of their past interpretations. He arranges these data into useful categories so as to illustrate what may be inferred from them about general or specific aspects of Israel's political, social, economic, and religious life during the Iron Age.
Dever's devastating critique of mistaken and misleading assertions by some scholars and his evaluations of what is and is not relevant for advancing scholarly discourses establishes this book as a bedrock that will make yet-to-be-written twenty-first-century histories of ancient Israel possible.
Ziony Zevit
American Jewish University