Victor H. Matthews (PhD, Brandeis University) is dean of the College of Humanities and Public Affairs and professor of religious studies at Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri, where he has taught for thirty years. He is the author of numerous books, including The Hebrew Prophets and Their Social World.

• ContentsIntroductionReconstructing Israel's Social World from ContextDevelopment of Biblical LiteratureHistorical Geography of Bible LandsApproach of This BookDiscussing Aspects of Everyday Life in Ancient Israel1. Ancestral PeriodHistorical IntroductionPhysical Appearance and FashionCultural Issues Faced by ImmigrantsHerding PracticesFood Preparation and DietMarriage CustomsReligious PracticesLegal CustomsWeapons and Warfare2. Exodus-Settlement PeriodHistorical IntroductionVillage LifeAgricultural Methods and ToolsWeapons and WarfareSocial Organization and Administration of LawFamily LifeReligious Practices3. Monarchic PeriodHistorical IntroductionThe Israelite CitySocial LifeHealth IssuesLawReligious PracticesWeapons and Warfare4. Exile and ReturnHistorical IntroductionLife in the DiasporaLife after the Return from ExileReligious Life in the Diaspora, Yehud, and Samaria5. Intertestamental and New Testament PeriodsHistorical IntroductionBackground to Hellenism: The Persian PeriodThe Rise of Hellenism: Alexander and the DiadochoiTemporary Independence: The Hasmonean KingdomLast Glimpses of Power: The HerodsRoman Rule and Jewish Protest: The First Jewish RevoltA Final Chapter: Bar Kochba and Diasporic JudaismSocial LifeEconomic LifeReligious LifeGlossaryIndexes

Victor H. Matthews (PhD, Brandeis University) is dean of the College of Humanities and Public Affairs and professor of religious studies at Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri, where he has taught for thirty years. He is the author of numerous books, including The Hebrew Prophets and Their Social World.

• ContentsIntroductionReconstructing Israel's Social World from ContextDevelopment of Biblical LiteratureHistorical Geography of Bible LandsApproach of This BookDiscussing Aspects of Everyday Life in Ancient Israel1. Ancestral PeriodHistorical IntroductionPhysical Appearance and FashionCultural Issues Faced by ImmigrantsHerding PracticesFood Preparation and DietMarriage CustomsReligious PracticesLegal CustomsWeapons and Warfare2. Exodus-Settlement PeriodHistorical IntroductionVillage LifeAgricultural Methods and ToolsWeapons and WarfareSocial Organization and Administration of LawFamily LifeReligious Practices3. Monarchic PeriodHistorical IntroductionThe Israelite CitySocial LifeHealth IssuesLawReligious PracticesWeapons and Warfare4. Exile and ReturnHistorical IntroductionLife in the DiasporaLife after the Return from ExileReligious Life in the Diaspora, Yehud, and Samaria5. Intertestamental and New Testament PeriodsHistorical IntroductionBackground to Hellenism: The Persian PeriodThe Rise of Hellenism: Alexander and the DiadochoiTemporary Independence: The Hasmonean KingdomLast Glimpses of Power: The HerodsRoman Rule and Jewish Protest: The First Jewish RevoltA Final Chapter: Bar Kochba and Diasporic JudaismSocial LifeEconomic LifeReligious LifeGlossaryIndexes

Victor H. Matthews (PhD, Brandeis University) is dean of the College of Humanities and Public Affairs and professor of religious studies at Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri, where he has taught for thirty years. He is the author of numerous books, including The Hebrew Prophets and Their Social World.

• ContentsIntroductionReconstructing Israel's Social World from ContextDevelopment of Biblical LiteratureHistorical Geography of Bible LandsApproach of This BookDiscussing Aspects of Everyday Life in Ancient Israel1. Ancestral PeriodHistorical IntroductionPhysical Appearance and FashionCultural Issues Faced by ImmigrantsHerding PracticesFood Preparation and DietMarriage CustomsReligious PracticesLegal CustomsWeapons and Warfare2. Exodus-Settlement PeriodHistorical IntroductionVillage LifeAgricultural Methods and ToolsWeapons and WarfareSocial Organization and Administration of LawFamily LifeReligious Practices3. Monarchic PeriodHistorical IntroductionThe Israelite CitySocial LifeHealth IssuesLawReligious PracticesWeapons and Warfare4. Exile and ReturnHistorical IntroductionLife in the DiasporaLife after the Return from ExileReligious Life in the Diaspora, Yehud, and Samaria5. Intertestamental and New Testament PeriodsHistorical IntroductionBackground to Hellenism: The Persian PeriodThe Rise of Hellenism: Alexander and the DiadochoiTemporary Independence: The Hasmonean KingdomLast Glimpses of Power: The HerodsRoman Rule and Jewish Protest: The First Jewish RevoltA Final Chapter: Bar Kochba and Diasporic JudaismSocial LifeEconomic LifeReligious LifeGlossaryIndexes