Books in Brief
009
Excavations in Palestine
Roger Moorey
(Eerdmans: Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1983) 128 pp., $6.95 paperback
Jericho
John R. Bartlett
(Eerdmans: Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1983) 228 pp., $6.95 paperback
Qumran
Philip R. Davies
(Eerdmans: Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1983) 128 pp., $6.95 paperback
Cities of the Biblical World is a relatively new series of soft-cover books, each devoted to a particular topic or site related to Biblical archaeology. The three books mentioned above are already available, and a fourth one, Ugarit (Ras Shamra) by Adrian H. W. Curtis, is in preparation.
The first book in the series, Excavations in Palestine, is an excellent introductory book written specifically for the novice. In the first chapter, “Introducing Archaeology,” Moorey outlines the evolution of modern archaeology and explains the rudiments of the field, such as stratigraphy, typology, and relative and absolute chronology. He also explains the nature of ethnography and its use in archaeology. The chapter ends with an introduction to and explanation of the so-called “new archaeology.”
The second chapter is devoted to “The Evolution of Archaeological Method in Palestine.” Here Moorey outlines the history of archaeological investigation in Palestine since the 19th century. He briefly describes the contributions of early investigators, such as Edward Robinson, Eli Smith and others, and concentrates on the contributions made to Biblical archaeology by W. Flinders Petrie, George A. Reisner and Clarence S. Fisher, William F. Albright, Kathleen Kenyon, George E. Wright and others.
Chapter three, “Towards Excavations,” is divided into three parts, the first of which deals with site identification, that is, how archaeologists determine the Biblical name of a certain site. The second part describes the importance of surveys for understanding regional history and the different forces that influenced settlement of a region in different periods. The chapter ends with Moorey’s explanation of how a site is selected for excavation, whether it is a new site or one that deserves reinvestigation. Chapter four, “Excavation,” is a manual on methodology for the layperson. After explaining the processes that form tells, Moorey describes the chores and responsibilities carried out by the area supervisor and the dig director and outlines in a clear manner the elements of the Wheeler-Kenyon method, currently used by most archaeologists in the Near East.
The last three chapters are devoted to the interpretive work of the archaeologist after the excavation is over. Chapter five, “Establishing Time-Scales,” is a must for every layperson who would like to understand the process by which the archaeologist dates his finds. In this chapter Moorey discusses the idea behind relative chronology, explaining designations such as Early Bronze, Middle Bronze, etc., and describes how absolute chronology is reached in Biblical archaeology through synchronisms with Egyptian and Mesopotamian chronologies and the use of carbon-14 dating. Chapter six, “Structures and Small Finds,” is an excellent description of the treatment given by the archaeologist to architecture and installations, on the one hand, and small objects, on the other. The final chapter, “The Use and Abuse of Archaeology in Biblical Studies,” is exactly what its title suggests, a warning to all. “Archaeological information” says Moorey, “proves nothing about the Biblical tradition, it only offers fresh matter in the weighing of probabilities. It is, of necessity, circumstantial evidence and will only deceive if it be taken for that of eye-witness” (p. 121).
Jericho and Qumran both open with chapters describing the setting and environment of the sites. Then each site is described, starting with its excavation and special discoveries. The history of the site is outlined chronologically, and special features of each site are mentioned. In Jericho, Bartlett talks about the beginning of city life and the arrival of pottery, while in Qumran, Davies discusses the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Essene inhabitants of the site.
All three books in the series are accompanied by excellent illustrations (photographs, maps, plans, drawings) and chronological charts, and following each chapter the authors include a list of recommended books for further reading. The language is straightforward and indeed fulfills Moorey’s claim,
“It is designed as a simple introduction for all those people with little or no archaeological knowledge, not least among them Biblical students who are interested in the archaeology of Palestine” (p. 6).
The Word of God—A Guide to English Versions of the Bible
Lloyd R. Bailey, editor
(John Knox Press: Atlanta, 1982) 228 pp.
If you sometimes wonder what Bible translators think about the art of translation or about other scholars’ Bible translations, this book will go a long way toward satisfying your curiosity. The authors of five of the book’s eleven chapters worked on the translation of Today’s English Version or as translation consultants for the United Bible Societies. Three other authors played a part in the translation of other major English versions.
Nine of the most popular modern English translations of the Bible, including the New English Bible, the Jerusalem Bible, Today’s English Version and the New International Version, are evaluated with regard to clearness and grace of expression, accuracy of translation, and quality of the Greek and Hebrew texts upon which the translations were based. An appendix provides a glimpse of some of the translators of the King James Version. In a second appendix, the editor presents a summary comparison by focusing on selected passages of the King James and the modern versions reviewed. An annotated bibliography rounds out the volume.
So Many Versions?
Sakae Kubo and Walter F. Specht
(Zondervan Publishing House: Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1983) 401 pp., $9.95 paperback
The title of this recently revised and enlarged edition of a book originally published in 1975 aptly describes a reaction someone shopping for a Bible might have. The growing variety of English Bible translations often causes confusion about the aim, style and intended use of each version. So Many Versions? sorts out the many English translations, with detailed chapters on 17 versions, a chapter titled “Colorful Versions,” and a chapter of clear guidelines for selecting a Bible version.
Excavations in Palestine
Roger Moorey
(Eerdmans: Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1983) 128 pp., $6.95 paperback
Jericho
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