Review Essay: The History of Israel Contested and Revised (original) (raw)

The essay reviews the contention surrounding the concept of "ancient Israel" as presented by scholars such as Davies and Lemche, asserting that the idea is largely a scholarly construct stemming from a misinterpretation of biblical narratives. It explores how the biblical account, often favored in historical reconstructions, fails to provide a sustainable basis for understanding Israel's historical identity, which was transient and politically complex. The authors argue for a critical approach towards the biblical texts and advocate for recognizing the gap between literary and historical realities.