Life in Biblical Israel

472 Pages·2002·48.24 MB·English

by  Philip J. King, Lawrence E. Stager

LIBRARY D F ANCIENT ISRAEL
DOUGLAS A. KNIGHT, EDITOR
LIFE IN BIBLICAL ISRAEL
PHILIP J. KING
LAWRENCE E. STAGER
LIFE
BIBLICAL ISRAEL
This special volume in the Library of Ancient
Israel is based on the latest research and pre¬
sents a vivid description of the world of ancient
Israel. Ufa in Biblical Israel covers topics such
as domestic life, the means of existence, cul¬
tural expression, and religious practices. With
over 20D photographs, illustrations, and maps,
this volume opens the door to everyday life in
biblical Israel for all readers.
PHILIP J. KING, a priest
of the Archdiocese of
1
■
Boston, is Professor
Emeritus of Biblical Studies
at Boston College. Past
President of the American
Schools of Oriental Research, the Catholic
Biblical Association of America, and the
Society of Biblical Literature, he is currently
Director of the Shelby White-Leon Levy
Program for Archaeological Publications.
LAWRENCE E. STAGER
is Dorot Professor of the
Archaeology of Israel,
Harvard University, and
Director of the Harvard
Semitic Museum. He directs
the Leon Levy Expedition to Ashkelon in Israel.
His archaeological research and writing
focus on ancient Mediterranean cultures
of Canaanites, Phoenician
and Israelites.
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ADAMS BOOK FUND

Life in Biblical Israel
LIBRARY OF ANCIENT ISRAEL
Douglas A. Knight, General Editor
Other books in the Library of Ancient Israel series
Sage, Priest, Prophet: Religious and Intellectual Leadership in Ancient Israel
Joseph Blenkinsopp
Oral World and Written Word: Ancient Israelite Literature
Susan Niditch
Scribes and Schools: The Canonization of the Hebrew Scriptures
Philip R. Davies
The Israelites in History and Tradition
Niels Peter Lemche
Reconstructing the Society of Ancient Israel
Paula M. McNutt
The Religion of Ancient Israel
Patrick D. Miller
The Politics of Ancient Israel
Norman K. Gottwald
Life in
//
Biblical Israel
PHILIP J. KING
LAWRENCE E. STAGER
Westminster John Knox Press
LOUISVILLE • LONDON
JAN 8
<Z£/. 9
fast
© 2001 Philip J. King and Lawrence E. Stager
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any
form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording,
or by any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from
the publisher. For information, address Westminster John Knox Press, 100 Wither¬
spoon Street, Louisville, Kentucky 40202-1396.
Unless otherwise indicated, scripture translations are those of the authors.
Book design by Sharon Adams
Cover design by Mark Abrams
Cover illustration: Catherine S. Alexander
First edition
Published by Westminster John Knox Press
Louisville, Kentucky
This book is printed on acid-free paper that meets the American National Standards
Institute Z39.48 standard.®
PRINTED IN CHINA
01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 — 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
King, Philip J.
Life in biblical Israel / Philip J. King, Lawrence E. Stager.
p. cm. — (Library of ancient Israel)
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 0-664-22148-3 (alk. paper)
1. Jews—Social life and customs—To 70 A.D. 2. Palestine—Social life and customs—To
70 A.D. 3. Bible—Antiquities. I. Stager, Lawrence E. II. Title. III. Series.
DS112.K48 2001
221.9'5—dc21
2001026334
To Leon Levy and Shelby White
for their enduring friendship and generosity