The religions of ancient Israel : a synthesis of parallactic approaches /

In recent years many publications have appeared debating the meaning, practice, and role of religion in ancient Israel. Some say that the religion of biblical Israel is divided along forma1 and popular lines. Others dispute this bifurcation between official and popular religion, contending that heterogeneity, not homogeneity, existed between and within the great religious divide. Consider the debate among archaeologists, biblicists, and traditionalists as to the authenticity and veracity of the Hebrew Bible. In this vein, Zevit (Univ. of Judaism) weighs in as a heavyweight, disclosing what can and cannot be said from archaeological (Syro-Palestinian), epigraphic, and literary data about the nature of Israelite religiosity in the ancient Near East, particularly during the Iron Age (c. 1200-586 BCE). The chief value of this work for classroom instruction (a stated aim of the author) is its judicious survey of many articles, books, monographs, and aide-memoire biblical passages written on the religion of ancient Israel. This tome is packed with information and innovative interpretation. However, Zevit's enthusiasm about his subject, reflected in voluminous footnotes and side discussions, at times mars the flow of his zeitgesichtliche methodology. Nonetheless, his hypothesis that the religion of ancient Israel is "a mix of traditional praxis, piety, and lore" is persuasive and sound. All academic levels. Z. Garber Los Angeles Valley College