The Bible Unearthed

Archaeology’s New Vision of Ancient Israel and the Origin of Its Sacred Texts

By: Neil Asher Silberman, Israel Finkelstein

Narrated by: Bob Souer

Length: 12 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's summary

In this groundbreaking work that sets apart fact and legend, authors Finkelstein and Silberman use significant archeological discoveries to provide historical information about biblical Israel and its neighbors.

In this iconoclastic and provocative work, leading scholars Israel Finkelstein and Neil Asher Silberman draw on recent archaeological research to present a dramatically revised portrait of ancient Israel and its neighbors. They argue that crucial evidence (or a telling lack of evidence) at digs in Israel, Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon suggests that many of the most famous stories in the Bible - the wanderings of the patriarchs, the Exodus from Egypt, Joshua’s conquest of Canaan, and David and Solomon’s vast empire - reflect the world of the later authors rather than actual historical facts.

Challenging the fundamentalist readings of the scriptures and marshaling the latest archaeological evidence to support its new vision of ancient Israel, The Bible Unearthed offers a fascinating and controversial perspective on when and why the Bible was written and why it possesses such great spiritual and emotional power today.

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

©2001 Israel Finkelstein and Neil Asher Silberman (P)2022 Blackstone Publishing

All around a great book.

It can be tough to confront evidence that goes against beliefs. This book is best suited for those pursuing the truth and not confirmation bias.

Quite Eye Opening

The authors provide a reasonably detailed reconstruction of the history of the ancient Hebrews, comparing the Biblical text with evidence drawn from archeology, including inscriptions and documents from other ancient kingdoms in the region. I found this evidence, and the conclusions inferred from it, to be somewhat startling. I had already been generally dubious of a literal interpretation of the Bible’s miraculous stories. But beyond this, Finkelstein and Silberman convincingly argue that many details of its prima facie plausible historical accounts also depart from what really happened, and present instead a crafted picture of what the redactors wanted its readers to believe. For example, both the “conquest of Canaan” and the stature of Israel at the time of David and Solomon turn out to have been different in reality than as depicted in the Bible.

Overall, The Bible Unearthed, is well written and not excessively pedantic. I did not find it to be “ideologically driven” as one scholar has alleged, though theirs is obviously not the last word on this topic.

As for the narrator, he did a great job, inspiring me to finish this audiobook before some others I had already begun. I also like the fact that he read through each of the appendices, which are all interesting and informative.

Fascinating

This was an interesting read. It clarifies many confusing things about the Bible. A few chapters in, I decided to buy the physical book. It’s one I heavily underlined and will refer back to in the future.

Objectively Presented

The author did well to cover a deep history objectively with archeological evidence for and against that history. I am quite familiar with ancient history of various parts of the world as well as the Old Testament, and I learned a lot from the material presented.

EYE OPENING

Telling the truth - in these times - requires courage. The authors of this book have that courage in abundance.

I have been studying history for over 30 years. The *evidence* I've uncovered simply has not matched the *faith* narratives regarding the geography covered by this book.

indeed this book comports with and validates numerous archeological finds in Egypt, Sumer and surrounding Mesopotamia.

If you are interested in historical fact as supported by archeological *evidence* this book is for you.

Fascinating and helpful.

If you are interested in mapping the best of scholarly reconstruction of history onto the Biblical telling of it, this book is for you. This scholarship confirms and disconfirms various aspects of the biblical narrative, and is generally successful in doing so without much ideological axe grinding.

The book is dense in places (making the audiobook version challenging to keep up with at times), and presumes general knowledge of ancient history and geography, as well as general familiarity with the Old Testament. Listening to this book has prompted me to order the print version to fully digest its contents. Whether listening to or reading this book, have some relevant maps at hand.

Wonderful Guide to the Real Historical record!

This recent scholarly tome by one of the foremost researchers in the field of Biblical Archeology is one of the best I’ve come across. Full of high quality information while still being digestible for a lay audience. High recommend!

Excellent

Detailed and informative, gives a clearer understanding of the exaggerations of the Bible; understandable when you know it’s propaganda like purpose.

Fascinating analysis of current archaeology!

The book itself is a fascinating look into the analysis of the archeological evidence and lack of evidence for many of the stories told throughout the Bible, from the time of the Patriarchs, through the Babylonian Exile. It's something that should be read by anyone interested in the ancient history of Israel and wants to rely on sources other than the Bible. Some religious fundamentalists will certainly find many of the conclusions in the book controversial, but I personally find it enlightening.

The narrator does a great job reading the book as well. He keeps the book quite interesting to listen to and has a consistently strong broadcast voice.

A great book, I would absolutely read it again.

I have a better understanding of the real history

Loved it. It really helped me understand the myth and the real history behind the Bible