Elusive Scrolls: Could Any Hebrew Literature Have Been Written Prior to the Eighth Century bce?

Abstract

Two reasons lead many scholars today to think that the Israelites were not able to produce long, literary works during the 10th and 9th centuries bce. First, there is a dearth of Hebrew inscriptions from that time; second, the Israelites did not have the necessary socio-economic resources until the 8th century bce. This article critically assesses these two lines of reasoning in light of current research in the epigraphy and archaeology of the Southern Levant. In addition, it provides several elements which indicate that the necessary conditions for the production of long texts were present in Judah/Israel in the early royal period.