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The World of Biblical Israel

Written by: Cynthia R. Chapman, The Great Courses
Narrated by: Cynthia R. Chapman
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Publisher's Summary

From Genesis to Job, the Hebrew scriptures contain some of the most influential stories in Western civilization. But what do these stories tell us about daily life in ancient Israel? And why do they still speak to us today?

In 24 captivating lectures, Professor Chapman introduces you to the stories of the Judeans in exile and grounds them in their historical context, giving you a grand vision of history as presented in the scriptures. She compares the history in the Bible to the archaeological record so that you come away with a complete picture of life in biblical Israel.

Discover the complete literary power of the scriptures by investigating many of the Bible's key historical moments, from the origins of the Israelites in the Torah to the Babylonian Captivity and the resettlement under the Persian Empire, which is the very heart of the Hebrew scriptures. Learn how the exilic period motivated the community to reexamine its relationship to its God, its land, its religious practices, and its legacy to the children who would become the new Israel.

But you'll tackle more than the sweep of history. From the family compounds to the battlefields and from the kitchens to the temples, Professor Chapman puts flesh on the bones of the biblical stories. Spiritually engaging and historically fascinating, this course is unlike any other, and it will give you a new appreciation both for ancient history and for the foundation of the three Abrahamic faiths.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2013 The Great Courses (P)2013 The Teaching Company, LLC

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A wonderful overview, with depth

First,the speaker is easy and a pleasure to listen to. Second, the structure of the series is well considered and effective.

The real strength is that the material is covered comprehensively, and at the same time, deeply significant ideas and questions are raised. This is not a mere survey of the field. This teacher is both subject matter expert and original scholar.

Both the history and the biblical narrative are deconstructed and re-arranged to reveal their significance in themselves and in context of other, often remote, episodes. This kind of consideration coils only come from a very special scholar.

This is one of the two best Great Courses series I've enjoyed so far.

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