The Fall and Rise of Jerusalem : Judah under Babylonian Rule (Oded Lipschits, Winona Lake: Eisenbrauns, 2005)

Abstract

This paper is a review of the book by the biblical archaeologist, Oded Lipschits who teaches at the Tel Aviv University.BR The book under review is a synthesis of Lipschits’ Ph.D. dissertation and following researches focusing on the significant historical event of the fall of Jerusalem. Based on historical documents and critical analysis of biblical sources and archaeological data, the book tried to figure out what exactly happened before and after the fall of Judah. The book is approached from the following points for proper evaluation: (1) the period which this book is dealing with, (2) methodology, (3) contents, (4) contributions, and (5) limitations of the book.BR This book mainly focused on the critical yet neglected period, i.e. before and after the fall of Jerusalem. Because of the limited availability of historical documents, the writer approached the period through other sources in critical analysis-archaeological data and biblical passages. The book overturned the established understanding that the land of Israel became desolate and few had settled after the Babylonian destruction, arguing that there were settlers in the land and that the biblical passages were written from the returnees’ point of view.BR Even though the writer interpreted some archaeological data to fit his main arguments, it is still true that this book is a must for scholars and students studying archaeology, history, and biblical studies with particular interest in the 6SUPth/SUP century B.C.E., i.e. the period before and after the fall of Jerusalem and Judah.