Archaeology and the Old Testament

Alfred Hoerth has produced one of the best books on OT history. This is a valuable college/seminary level reference source which should be a "must" as Bible student personal resource. Hoerth is appropriately supporting the early date of Exodus (based on First Kings 6:1 and Judges 11:26, mainly)and extrabiblical history. I highly recommend to acquaire this Hoerth's work as a profitable investment.

I'm a layman (engineer) who has often taught the Word of God. I think this book is outstanding. It really makes the OT come alive because it gives a very good sense of the chronology, surrounding events, surrounding places, and other nations/peoples. I particularly like the scholarly, yet highly readable balance he strikes. He makes numerous references to liberal scholars and gives conservative answers to them. I read/write academic papers in my own field and recognize when someone is credible. This author's book passes with flying colors. His timelines are especially helpful to tie the chapters together. Also many maps, sketches, lists (I was tickled to find out how ancient beer is!), and black-and-white artifact photos. Hopefully all readers of this review have a regular read-through-the Bible program. This book does a wonderful job providing the complementary perspective and makes reading God's Word even more fruitful. This is by far the best of several books on archaeology I've ever read.

Who would ever think that a textbook could be interesting? This textbook, which I studied during my Archaeology class taught by the author, focuses on the illumination of scriptures. Dr. Hoerth provides an excellent combination of archaeological interpretation and biblical interpretation suitable for anyone who wants to know more about the Bible. Students and curious readers alike will find an introduction to the techniques and methods of archaeology. The book points to a plethora of artifacts and digs that tell the cultural framework in which the biblical accounts take place. The text also deals with many liberal ideas in Archaeology, like the idea that Joseph did not live in Egypt or the idea that most of the Old Testament was written by the exiled nation of Israel, in a way that should leave people making such claims open to the possibility of more traditional accounts. Every main story in the Bible, from Abraham to the Birth of Christ, is covered. The more interested reader, or any disinterested reader in need of sleep, will be satisfied with the abundant footnotes full of references and other notes from Dr. Hoerth himself. The only thing I did not like about this textbook was the lack of colorful pictures... so grump (to quote Dr. Hoerth). But who ever said a book needs those to be good?

I admit I'm a little biased towards this book - my father wrote it. But, this means I also know how much careful research and thought went into it, as well as the years of field-testing the lessons on unwary college freshmen. If what you want is a layperson's guide to the Old Testament from a conservative evangelical standpoint which takes the Bible as literally true and authoritative, this is your book. The jargon is kept to a minimum and there are many helpful illustrations and suggestions for further reading if a particular topic draws you in. It is meant to combine with John McRay's "Archaeology & the New Testament." Dad's made a life's work of demonstrating to students of all levels of expertise that the Old Testament is not frightening or inaccessible, it's full of stories about people just like you and me. This book fills a niche I don't think anything else does, and provides serious archaeology to counteract the incredible amounts of nonsense one sees about archaeology on TV. Wondering how David & Goliath REALLY stacked up as opponents? Buy the book!

Archaeology and the Old Testament is a fabulous compilation of events in the Old Testament for any newcommer to the study of Biblical Archaeology. It summarizes and places specific biblical events into the context of the period inwhich the event occured in a very "Non-Biblical" fashion (In otherwords - English!). A great book. However, some events are a little too summarized, and the reader is left with a few questions about what really happened. What is fantastic about this book is the way it brings together facts spread throughout the Old Testament and gives true relevance to the specific issue or event at hand (i.e., the story and history of Daniel!)