4. How is history affected by the historian’s search? Hebrews

Oral history 1.Event A happens. 2.Event A is told and retold. 3.Event A is recorded. – When Event A is recorded which period’s history is reflected? – Does Event A become Event AB, reflecting Periods 1 and 2? – Does Event A become Event AC, reflecting Periods 1 and 3? – Does Event A become Event ABC, reflecting all three periods? Event A happens Event A is recorded 123 Event A told and retold

Two camps (extremes): Minimalists Maximalists Minimalists take the minimum from the text as a historical source. Maximalists take the maximum from the text as a historical source.

Minimalism Event A is invented in Period 3 Event A is obscured by the realia and the realities of Period 3 Period 2 creates Event A with some or no grains of truth (because of religion or politics) Period 3 creates Event A with some or no grains of truth (because of religion or politics) Unless archaeology can be provide actual evidence of Event A ever having occurred

Maximalism The text is a historical source, subject to the same challenges as any historical source Oral tradition can preserve both realia and realities from Event A which is later recorded Archaeology is an important tool, but determining evidence for origins or proto- cultures is difficult The text’s veracity can be determined by its authenticity, describing Period 1, not 2 or 3

Sources for the Hebrews Where to look for the origins of a people? Tanak/Old Testament Other versions: Samaritan Torah/Dead Sea Scrolls Archaeology Extra-biblical sources: – Sources from other cultures: Victory stele Evidence of tribute, alliance, war Records from other countries

Tanak/Old Testament The books are primarily recorded from oral history: Torah/Pentateuch Nebi’im/Prophets Kethubim/Histories, Poems Early leaders are difficult to find outside of the Torah and Old Testament: Abraham, Noah, Moses, David?, Solomon?

Religion and politics House of David?Temple Mount in danger?

Modern Israel

Israel Finkelstein Professor of Archaeology at Tel Aviv University BA - Tel Aviv University, ’74 MA - Tel Aviv University, ’78 Ph.D. - Tel Aviv University, 1983: Dissertation: The Izbet Sartah Excavations and the Israelite Settlement in the Hill Country Minimalist, maximalist or centrist?