Omer Sergi Libri

The book offers a comprehensive analysis of the formation of Israel and Judah during the Late Bronze and Iron Ages, focusing on archaeological evidence and historical sources. It explores the rise of the house of David in Jerusalem, placing the narratives of Saul and David within their true social and historical contexts. This examination sheds light on the historical understanding of the united monarchy and the pan-Israelite ideology that emerged during this period, providing a nuanced perspective on the ancient political landscape.

Throughout its history, the Kingdom of Israel maintained strong connections with the Aramaean world, characterized by shifting relations that included rivalry, military conflicts, alliances, and cooperation. These dynamics influenced the entire Levant and are reflected in both Biblical and extra-Biblical sources. Recent studies indicate that the formation of the Israelite state coincided with the emergence of Aramaean polities during the 11th to 9th centuries BCE. As a result, the Jordan Valley, particularly its northern regions extending to Lebanon, served as a constantly evolving border zone between various Iron Age polities. This necessitates examining Ancient Israel's history not solely from a "Canaanite" perspective but also within the broader political and cultural context of the Aramaean world. This volume assembles experts from diverse fields to explore the interactions between Aram and Israel during the Early Iron Age (12th to 8th centuries BCE) through three main aspects: the archaeology and material culture of Aram and Israel, focusing on the Jordan Valley as a political and cultural border; the history of Aramaean kingdoms and Israel's development within this context; and the preservation of historical memory in biblical traditions, elucidating the roles of Aramaeans in Biblical literature and the construction of Israelite and Aramaic identities in a fluid cultural landscape.