This course is no longer offered

10219 History of Israel during the First Temple Period

Credits: 6 intermediate credits in Ancient History of the Jewish People

Prerequisites: none

The course aims to provide students with an understanding of the important events in the history of the people of Israel in ancient times: familiarity with historical sources and their analysis; examination of the fundamental issues in light of research and critical reading of the Bible; basic concepts; evaluation of the period as a link in the historical chain of events of the people of Israel. The course exposes students to academic methods relevant to this field of study and enables them to develop a critical approach to early and modern literature and to understand the historian’s work. One tutorial session is mandatory.

Topics: From judges to monarchy: Sources; the era of Saul and Samuel; the change in leadership; the beginnings of the monarchy and its nature; The era of Saul and Samuel: The first kings; overcoming internal and external hardships; the House of Saul replaced by the House of David; The kingdom of Solomon: Building; organization of the kingdom; relations with neighboring states; The burden of monarchy: Reasons for the division of the kingdom; separate establishment; internal conditions and international standing of Judea and Israel; The House of Omri and the House of Jehu: Fundamental problems during the periods of Omri and Jehu; the relations between Israel and Judea and with neighboring states; The fall of the kingdom of Samaria: The last days of the Israelite Kingdom; the Samarian exile; the Samaritans; The prophets of the First Temple and their mission: Awareness of the mission; kinds of prophets; the prophets’ impact on the shaping of political and social life. Society in the kingdoms of Israel and Judea: The structure of society from the settlement through the end of the Kingdom period; The economy in biblical times: Basic data and various economic sectors; Material culture and daily life in the Land of Israel during the Kingdom period; Judea and Assyria: The days of Hezekiah, Amon and Mannaseh; Josiah and his period: The national revival in Judea; religious reform; Judea between Babylon and Egypt; The end of the kingdom of Judea: Jehoiakim; the exile of Jehoiachin; Zedekiah; the destruction of the State, the city and the Temple; Gedaliah Ben Ahikam; the exiles of Babylon and Egypt.