Objectives
- Explains the reasons why consensus scholarship rejects the biblical version of Israel’s entrance into Canaan.
- Explains how the archaeological data is subject to more than one interpretation, and how the conquest account is read to create conflicts with archaeology.
Pre-work
- Watch:
- Aaron Shafovaloff video, Jericho and Archaeology, by Dr. Bryant Wood (52:37)
Additional Resources
- Articles:
- Michael D. Lemonick, Science: Score One for the Bible, from time.com
- Bryant G. Wood, The Biblical Date for the Exodus is 1446 BC: A Response to James Hoffmeier, from the Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society
- James K. Hoffmeier, Rameses of the Exodus Narratives is the 13th Center B.C. Royal Ramesside Residence, from the Trinity Journal
- James K. Hoffmeier, What is the Biblical Date for the Exodus? A Response to Bryant Wood, from the Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society
- Richard S. Hess, Early Israel in Canaan: A Survey of Recent Evidence and Interpretations, from the Palestine Exploration Quarterly
- Michael G. Hasel, Israel in the Mernptah Stela, from the Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research
-
Peter Van der Veen, Christoffer Theis, and Mafred Gorg, Israel in Canaan (Long) before Pharaoh Merenptah? A Fresh Look at Berlin Statue Pedestal Relief 21687, from the Journal of Ancient Egyptian Interconnections
NOTE: The essays by Hasel and Gorg are reference resources. They are very technical and require some knowledge of the Egyptian language. Nevertheless, it is good to be aware of the date. The main point of the material will be summarized in the lecture.
- Websites:
Discussion
The Time Magazine article “Why do People Build Walls? The Real Story of Jericho Offers a Surprising Answer” makes the claim there no evidence of fighting in Jericho during the biblical period.
Considering the readings and the lectures, assess the claim. How might it be reworded to be improved? Are there any logical flaws in the claim?
Response: I’m hoping students make use of Bryant Wood’s material here – and ask what is meant by “biblical period” (it’s as though the writer at time has no idea that there are two dates for the exodus into which scholars try to situate the exodus and the later Jericho event).