1st Edition

Israel and Its Bible A Political Analysis

By Ira Sharkansky Copyright 1996

    First Published in 1996. Much of the Bible is written with far greater beauty than is found in modern social science. Yet its use of metaphor, allegory, poetry, allusion, and hyperbole as well as its vast breadth in historical period and existential concerns render it difficult to define its meanings in ancient contexts or its messages for the present. This study is the author’s intention to portray politically relevant episodes and themes of the Hebrew Bible that appear to shed light on the continued vitality of Judaism and the character of modern Israel.

    Part I: On the Political Significance of the Bible 3 Chapter 1: Israel and the Diversity of Biblical Politics Chapter 2: Reading the Bible Politically Part II: God and Others Chapter 3: Moses: The Prophet Who Was Closest to God Chapter 4: David: The Pious and Sinful King Chapter 5: Jeremiah: A Political Prophet Chapter 6: Job and Ecclesiastes: Biblical Outliers Chapter 7: The Book of Job Part III: The Modern Relevance of Biblical Politics Chapter 8: The Bounded Principles of Biblical Politics Chapter 9: Power and Its Limits: Authoritarian or Responsive? Chapter 10: The Hebrew Bible and Israeli Politics

    Biography

    Ira Sharkansky