Product Description

Archaeological discoveries can shed a flood of light on the biblical text. This richly illustrated resource, now available in paperback, offers illuminating archaeological information related to the Old Testament. In this readable and accessible volume, Alfred Hoerth surveys the entire Old Testament, pointing out the relevant archaeological material and explaining how it enriches biblical studies. In an attempt to bridge the Old and New Testament worlds, he devotes the final chapter to an examination of the intertestamental period. The text boasts over 250 illustrative items--charts, photographs, line drawings, and maps.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #222952 in Books
• Published on: 2009-01-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 448 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780801036255
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
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From the Back Cover
Archaeological discoveries can shed a flood of light on the biblical text. In this richly illustrated resource, Alfred Hoerth surveys the entire Old Testament, pointing out the relevant archaeological material and explaining how it enriches biblical studies.

"Teachers and students alike will welcome the combination of Hoerth's informed scholarship and engaging style of presentation as he skillfully guides them through the many facets of biblical archaeology. His careful selection of material and his sensible approach to showing the reader how to use that material to gain understanding of the Old Testament combine to make this a superb introduction to the discipline. Hoerth's archaeological expertise is evident on every page. His years of teaching experience also yield their subtle fruits as he masterfully intertwines the biblical story with the history and culture of the ancient Near East. Archaeology and its finds become the tools of his craft as he artfully portrays the rich culture of the biblical world."--John Walton, Wheaton College

"The book gives a wealth of information on ancient documents whose relevance for the biblical world is beyond dispute. The book includes good illustrations and charts, and all readers will profit from this eminently learned work."--Internationale Zeitschriftenschau für Bibelwissenschaft und Grenzgebiete

"This volume is richly illustrated with over two-hundred photographs, line-drawings, chronological charts, maps, and tables. Each chapter is enhanced by a full reference list, as well as Scripture and subject indexes. Indeed, Hoerth has achieved what few have attempted, an integration of the Bible and recent archaeological discoveries in the ancient Near East, while retaining a generally high view of Scripture. This volume makes a significant contribution to the field and is essential for anyone interested in Near Eastern archaeology and the Bible. . . . Archaeology and the Old Testament will undoubtedly serve as a reference source for interested students of the Bible and a textbook for introductory archaeology courses in seminaries and parochial schools for many years to come."--Michael G. Hasel, Andrews University Seminary Studies

"This volume provides a thoughtful introduction for students of the discipline and those preparing for ministry in the church."--Arie C. Leder, Calvin Theological Journal

About the Author
Alfred J. Hoerth taught archaeology at Wheaton College for almost thirty years and directed Wheaton's renowned biblical archaeology program. He has participated in numerous archaeological digs and served as coeditor of Peoples of the Old Testament World.

Customer Reviews

Title should be, "The Old Testament and some archeology"
I am going to seminary and am reading this book as required for and archeology class. The book works from a chronological basis. Very readable, conservative, and generaly reliable information. Not much archeology! Mostly relates the Biblical narritive. Very weak on Jerico, Babylon, and Ur. Companion book by McRay is better by far!

A Good Read For the Curious.
Who would ever think that a textbook could be interesting? This textbook, which I studied during my Archaeology class taught by the author, focuses on the illumination of scriptures. Dr. Hoerth provides an excellent combination of archaeological interpretation and biblical interpretation suitable for anyone who wants to know more about the Bible. Students and curious readers alike will find an introduction to the techniques and methods of archaeology. The book points to a plethora of artifacts and digs that tell the cultural framework in which the biblical accounts take place. The text also deals with many liberal ideas in Archaeology, like the idea that Joseph did not live in Egypt or the idea that most of the Old Testament was written by the exiled nation of Israel, in a way that should leave people making such claims open to the possibility of more traditional accounts. Every main story in the Bible, from Abraham to the Birth of Christ, is covered. The more interested reader, or any disinterested reader in need of sleep, will be satisfied with the abundant footnotes full of references and other notes from Dr. Hoerth himself. The only thing I did not like about this textbook was the lack of colorful pictures... so grump (to quote Dr. Hoerth). But who ever said a book needs those to be good?

Oh! So THAT'S what that means!
I admit I'm a little biased towards this book - my father wrote it. But, this means I also know how much careful research and thought went into it, as well as the years of field-testing the lessons on unwary college freshmen. If what you want is a layperson's guide to the Old Testament from a conservative evangelical standpoint which takes the Bible as literally true and authoritative, this is your book. The jargon is kept to a minimum and there are many helpful illustrations and suggestions for further reading if a particular topic draws you in. It is meant to combine with John McRay's "Archaeology & the New Testament." Dad's made a life's work of demonstrating to students of all levels of expertise that the Old Testament is not frightening or inaccessible, it's full of stories about people just like you and me. This book fills a niche I don't think anything else does, and provides serious archaeology to counteract the incredible amounts of nonsense one sees about archaeology on TV. Wondering how David & Goliath REALLY stacked up as opponents? Buy the book!