Archeology and Old Testament Studies

It may state two separate claims as one.

The ruins of villages indicate that the 12th and 11th centuries, the Period of the Judges in the OT, was an extremely chaotic age, with towns repeatedly blackened by fire.

“And the ruins of villages indicate that the 12th and 11th centuries, the Period of the Judges in the OT, was an extremely chaotic age, towns re­ peatedly blackened by fire, etc.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

The Hazor Expedition in Galilee has unearthed what must surely have been the largest Palestinian city of the 13th century, comprising 200 acres, an astonishing verification of Joshua 11:10 that Hazor formerly was the head of all those kingdoms.

“In the past three years the Hazor Expedition in Galilee has unearthed what must surely have been the largest Palestinian city of the 13th century, one comprising 200 acres, an astonishing and surprising verification of the statement in Joshua (11 io) that “Hazor formerly was the head of all those kingdoms.””

It may state two separate claims as one.

The Persian period is still almost an archeological dark age in Palestine; recovery from almost total extinction was very slow.

“The Persian period is still almost an archeological dark age in Palestine; recovery from almost total extinction was very slow indeed.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

Archeological field work in Palestine has been carried on by those intent on recovering the cultural history of the country.

“it has been carried on by those intent on recovering the cultural history of the country”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: The chief archeological undertakings listed are representative of Palestinian archeology as a whole.

It may state two separate claims as one.

Under Egyptian administration in the Late Bronze Age, the same pattern continued but with gradual marked decline, wealth and poverty side by side, and by the 13th century city-states proliferated, indicating breakdown in political stability.

“The same pattern of affairs was continued under Egyptian administration during the Late Bronze Age, except that a gradual and marked decline occurred, great wealth and abysmal poverty existed side by side, and by the 13th century the number of city-states appears to have been proliferating, indicating a breakdown in political stability.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

There was little careless or planless work done.

“As a result, there was little careless or planless work done”

It may state two separate claims as one.

The Mesolithic period is a comparatively brief transitional age when people in Palestine remained cave-dwellers but made initial experiments in domestication of animals and the harvesting of grain.

“This means that the period hitherto called "Mesolithic" must now be understood as a comparatively brief transitional age when people in Palestine remained cave-dwellers but made initial experiments in domestication of animals and the harvesting of grain.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: The end of the last glaciation is fixed around 8000 B.C.

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

The third, second, and first centuries B.C. exhibit a marked revival, though frequent disturbance from constant warfare is observed.

“The third, second, and first centuries B. C. exhibit a marked revival, though frequent disturbance from the constant warfare in the country is to be observed.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds. It may state two separate claims as one.

The Middle Bronze Age culminated under the Hyksos empire in the 17th and early 16th centuries and was Palestine's most prosperous age between Early Bronze I and the Roman period.

“The Middle Bronze Age had its culminating point under the Hyksos empire during the 17th and early 16th centuries; it was Palestine's most prosperous age between Early Bronze I and the Roman period.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

Although Albright was presenting his own particular discoveries at one site, his treatment became a comparative study of all relevant materials.

“Though he was presenting his own particular discoveries at one site, his treatment actually became a comparative study of all rele­ vant materials.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

Pottery chronology was a matter of oral tradition difficult for one outside it to secure entrance.

“Pottery chronology was a matter of”

It may state two separate claims as one.

With the 10th century, comparative stability was achieved, population increased rapidly, local differences disappeared, and new architectural methods were introduced, which can only be taken as material evidence of the Israelite monarchy under David and Solomon.

“With the 10th century, comparative stability appears to have been achieved, population began rapidly to increase, certain local differences tended to disappear, new architectural methods were introduced - all of which and more can only be taken as material evidence of the Israelite monarchy under David and Solomon.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

Wellhausen's reconstruction was made at a time when the archeology of the biblical world was still in its infancy.

“Wellhausen's reconstruction was made at a time when the archeology of the biblical world was still in its infancy.”

Probably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

No one could prove Father H. Vincent wrong.

“no one could prove him wrong.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

The Drew-McCormick excavations at Shechem during the last two years adopted a compromise between the Fisher and Wheeler methods.

“In the Drew-McCormick excavations at Shechem during the last two years we have adopted a compromise between the Fisher and Wheeler methods”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

All important post-War expeditions benefited greatly from Fisher's advice or initial direction.

“all important post-War expedi­ tions benefited greatly from his advice or initial direction.”

Probably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

When the work is finished, it should be possible on paper to put the mound back together again.

“When the work is finished, it should be possible on paper to put the mound back together again.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

Wellhausen and his followers separated the sources of the Hexateuch by literary criticism, gave them relative dates, and reconstructed Israel's history along developmental lines.

“By means of literary criticism the sources of the Hexateuch were sepa­ rated, given relative dates, and the history of Israel reconstructed along developmental lines”

• cites Julius WellhausenNot matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

The worst exception to the lack of careless or planless work was the German work at Shechem.

“the worst of all being the German work at Shechem.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

During the 13th and 12th centuries Palestine was hit by several invasions that ended Bronze Age civilization and left only occasional city-states as pockets of resistance, gradually reduced by new occupants.

“During the 13th and 12th centuries Palestine was hit hard by several invasions which ended Bronze Age civilization and left only occasional city-states as pockets of resistance, these being gradually reduced by the new occupants.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

George A. Reisner and Clarence S. Fisher were in charge of the Harvard excavations of Samaria between 1908 and 1910.

“In charge of the Harvard excavations of Samaria between 1908 and 1910 were two Americans, George A. Reisner and Clarence S. Fisher.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

Fisher had a great interest in the details of method.

“Yet he had a great interest in the details of method”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds. It may state two separate claims as one.

Subsequent work has validated the general conclusions of the pottery volumes, while supplementing and revising them in detail.

“subsequent work has validated their general conclusions, while supplementing and revising them in detail.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

The period between 1900 and 1200 B.C. in Palestine is divided into the Middle and Late Bronze Ages, with the dividing point being the violent Egyptian conquest during the second and third quarters of the 16th century.

“The period between 1900 and 1200 B. C. is separated into the Middle and Late Bronze Ages in Palestine, the dividing point between them being the violent Egyptian conquest of the country during the second and third quarters of the 16th century.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

Archeological field work in Palestine has for the most part been viewed as an adjunct of history.

“Archeological field work in Palestine has for the most part been viewed as an adjunct of history”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: The chief archeological undertakings listed are representative of Palestinian archeology as a whole.

It may state two separate claims as one.

In the 10th-7th centuries, traditions stabilized, mass-production techniques in artifacts were introduced, iron was made available, a provincial system of government can be traced, and during the 8th and 7th centuries the literacy rate seems to have jumped considerably.

“Very quickly traditions were stabilized, mass-production techniques in arti­ facts were introduced, iron was made available for the farmer and architect, a provincial system of government can be traced, and during the 8th and 7th centuries, at least, the literacy rate seems to have jumped considerably.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

Sir Flinders Petrie had shown that the key to the chronological problem lay in the changing styles of ceramics.

“Forty years before, Sir Flinders Pétrie had shown that the key to the problem lay in the changing styles of ceramics”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds.

All of the chief archeological excavations in Palestine have been directed by people whose main interest in the work has been historical and cultural.

“All of these excavations have been directed by people whose main interest in the work has been historical and cultural.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: The chief archeological undertakings listed are representative of Palestinian archeology as a whole.

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

Fisher's methodology is a stratigraphical method of work, in which the different layers of debris are stripped off under close observation, all objects labeled and recorded in relation to the layers, and all plans carefully made by a trained surveyor and architect.

“Fisher's methodology is well known now; it is simply a stratigraphical method of work, in which the different layers of debris are stripped off under close observation, all objects labeled and recorded in relation to the layers, and all plans carefully made by a trained surveyor and architect.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds. It may state two separate claims as one.

The change in economy and the beginning of village life presented the possibility for civilization to develop, and it did so with incredible rapidity.

“The change in economy and the beginning of village life presented the possibility for civilization to develop, and it did so with incredible rapidity.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds.

Great advances have been made in solving the problem of how to dig a site in such a way that a maximum of data is recovered before the evidence is destroyed.

“In the second place, great advances have been made in solving the problem of how to dig a site in such a way that a maximum of data is recovered before the evidence is destroyed.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds. It may state two separate claims as one.

The attack on the school of Wellhausen is almost universal today, and different scholars from a variety of viewpoints and methodologies have been engaged in the struggle for a new reconstruction.

“Yet the attack on the school of Wellhausen is almost universal today, and different scholars from a variety of viewpoints and methodologies have been engaged in the struggle for a new reconstruc­ tion.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

For Wellhausen, as for Johannes Pedersen, Arabic studies were considered the most important source of illumination for Israelite life.

“For him, as for Johannes Pedersen in our time, Arabic studies were considered the most important source of illumination for Israelite life.”

• cites Johannes PedersenNot matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

The shift to a food-producing economy is the basic shift at the root of civilization, differentiating the new age from the Paleolithic Age.

“That is the basic shift which lies at the root of what we call civilization and which differentiates the new age from the half-million or so dark years of savagery in the Paleolithic Age.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: The Neolithic period is between the 7th and 5th millennia B.C.
• AssumptionRests on an assumption: In the Neolithic, people lived in larger groupings, built homes, engaged in agriculture to feed themselves and their tamed animals.

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

Albright's work is today the basic textbook of Palestinian archeology, both as to information and, especially, as to chronological and comparative method.

“Hence it is today the basic textbook of Palestinian archeology, both as to information and, especially, as to chronological and comparative method.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

In the Middle Bronze Age, the Early Bronze city-state system was revived, new fortifications were erected against the battering-ram, and some form of feudal system was introduced.

“The Early Bronze city-state system was revived, tremendous fortifications of a new type were erected against the newly introduced battering-ram, and some form of feudal system appears to have been introduced.”

Probably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence. It may state two separate claims as one.

A historical novel is a certain literary form whose history can be traced, but its content may be completely fictional or quite respectable history; there is no way finally to tell which without checking it from external sources.

“A historical novel is a certain literary form, the history of which can be traced. But the content may be completely fictional or it may be quite respectable history. There is no way finally to tell which it is, or to which stage between fiction and history it belongs, without checking it from external sources.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

Cultic history cannot of itself solve the problems of the early history of Israel, any more than can form-criticism or literary analysis by themselves.

“Cultic history, therefore, cannot of itself solve the problems of the early history of Israel, any more than can form-criticism or literary analysis by themselves.”

Probably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence. It may state two separate claims as one.

Literary criticism is an indispensable tool for the introductory study of written documents, but it is not in itself the key to historical reconstruction.

“Literary criticism is an indispensable tool for the introductory study of written documents, but it is not in itself the key to historical reconstruction.”

Probably not a substantial claim. It may state two separate claims as one.

The twelve-clan league or amphictyony was a group of tribes bound together by covenant around a central sanctuary, dependent upon charismatic leadership for direction in periods of crisis, at a time when all known settled peoples around them were organized as monarchies.

“This is the twelve-clan league or amphictyony, a group of tribes bound together by covenant around a central sanctuary, dependent upon a charismatic leadership for direction in periods of crisis - and that at a time when all known settled peoples around them were organized as monarchies.”

• cites [7]Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence. The paper may give no reason why it holds.

This conclusion is confirmed by the important results of new methods of study, particularly form-criticism and the history of tradition.

“This conclusion is confirmed by the important results of new methods of study, particularly form-criticism and the history of tradition.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

Alt and Noth are as negativistic regarding the patriarchal, Exodus, Sinai, and conquest traditions as Wellhausen, refusing completely to use archeological data in these matters.

“Curiously enough, however, Alt and Noth are as negativistic regarding the patriarchal, Exodus, Sinai, and conquest traditions as was Wellhausen, in these matters refusing completely to use archeological data.”

Probably not a substantial claim.

The archeologist has provided external criteria in abundance.

“Consequently, external criteria are needed, and these are precisely what the archeologist has provided in abundance.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

The patriarchal narratives emerged as traditions that must have arisen in the Amorite period and preserve authentic traditions, even though in saga form and adapted for later cultic use.

“By this means the patriarchal narratives, for example, emerge as traditions which must have arisen in the Amorite period, and they preserve authentic traditions, even though in saga form and adapted for later cultic use.”

Probably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence.

The interpretation of a people's early traditions can only proceed successfully when every effort is made to see them within their cultural environment and to check them by means, not only of internal, but of external evidence.

“and the interpretation of a people's early traditions can only proceed successfully when every effort is made to see them within their cultural environment and to check them by means, not only of internal, but of external evidence.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

To trace the history of a literary form or tradition to its original setting in a community is necessary, but without external points of reference such a study cannot finally assess the historical value of a tradition.

“To trace the history of a literary form or a tradition to its original setting in a community is necessary, but, without some external points of reference, such a study in itself cannot finally assess the historical value of a tradition.”

Probably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence.

Archeology is the basic tool for prehistoric and early historic periods.

“It is the basic tool for prehistoric and early historic periods”

Probably not a substantial claim.

By using current knowledge of Hebrew language, historical geography as illumined by archeology, and Near Eastern cultural history, items embedded in literary strata can be examined, tested, and fitted into historical context.

“By the use of current knowledge of the history of the Hebrew language, or by historical geography as illumined by archeology, or by our fresh knowledge of Near Eastern cultural history, such an item must be examined and tested, and where possible fitted into its historical context.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

The greatest achievement of Alt and his pupil Martin Noth has been the reconstruction of the form or structure of Israelite life in its earliest period in Palestine, the period of the Judges.

“The greatest achievement of Alt and his pupil, Martin Noth, has been the reconstruction of the form or structure of Israelite life in its earliest period in Palestine, that is, in the period of the Judges.”

• cites [7]Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim.

The isolation of a source cannot produce criteria for evaluating the sources it isolated beyond showing that a later source used an earlier one.

“It could not produce criteria for the evaluation of the sources it isolated, beyond a possible demonstration that a later source used an earlier.”

• cites [6]Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

It may state two separate claims as one.

The cult uses historical traditions liturgically, refracts or shapes them for such usage, and may supplement them by a combinatory method.

“It uses them liturgically, it refracts or shapes them for such usage; it may even supplement them by a combinatory method, putting various elements together which may once have had different backgrounds”

Probably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence. It may state two separate claims as one.

We must attempt to reconstruct the history of Israel, as historians do that of other early peoples, by the use of every tool available, and that by no means permits the neglect of archeology.

“In other words, we must attempt to reconstruct the history of Israel, as historians do that of other early peoples, by the use of every tool available, and that by no means permits the neglect of archeology.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

The cult cannot and does not create its own basic historical traditions.

“I suggest that the cult cannot and does not create its own basic historical traditions.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper may give no reason why it holds. It may state two separate claims as one.

Religious evolution was far advanced by the time of early Israel, and the material culture of the Middle and Late Bronze Ages was a long way from being primitive.

“Religious evolution was far advanced by that time, and the material culture of the Middle and Late Bronze Ages was a long way from being primitive.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

Different forms and traditions can be isolated and traced back to an early cultic setting, but that cannot settle the matter of historical background and origin without some external check points.

“Different forms and traditions can be isolated and traced back to an early cultic setting, but that again cannot settle the matter of historical background and origin without some external check points.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

The twelve-tribe league with its cultic, political, and legal traditions is a fixed datum and, for the Alt school, the starting point for Israelite history and religion.

“The twelve-tribe league with its cultic, political, and legal traditions is a fixed datum and, for the Alt school, the starting point for Israelite history and religion.”

• cites [7]Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence.

The attempt to reconstruct or reduce the history of early Israel solely by internal form-critical and tradition-history methodology is so artificial and subjective as to be unconvincing.

“This attempt to reconstruct, or rather nihilistically to reduce, the history of early Israel solely by the use of an internal form-critical and tradition-history methodology is so artificial and subjective as to be unconvincing.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

The methods of the Alt school are not in themselves wrong, but they are directed toward the wrong object; they are made to serve certain historical presuppositions which are assumed and not argued or established.

“We cannot assert that those methods in themselves are wrong, but rather that they are directed toward the wrong object; they are made to serve certain historical presuppositions which are assumed and not argued or established.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The authors may not put it forward as true. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds.

Noth's complete refusal to make use of archeological data is because the presuppositions of his methodology will not permit it.

“Most curious is Noth's complete refusal to make use of archeological data. He does not do so because the presuppositions of his methodology will not permit him.”