We will learn about the history of Israel from the patriarchs to the emergence of Christianity and rabbinic Judaism. The nature of the Bible’s witness to Israel’s history, Israel’s place within broader Near Eastern and Mediterranean history, the use of archaeological findings for understanding Israelite history, religion, and culture, and the relationship of the religion of ancient Israel to both rabbinic Judaism and early Christianity will all be discussed during the course. The Jewish encounter with Hellenistic rule and culture and the Roman Empire will figure prominently in the last third of the course.