The most refreshing and innovative approach to ancient Israelite society which I have ever read. . . . Matthews and Benjamin draw extensively and creatively on biblical and ancient Near Eastern literature as well as the newest work in anthropology. . . . this book fills a major need for a masterful synthesis of life in ancient Israel. " Mark Smith, St. Joseph s University

Israel: Social Structure and Change is the fullest and most up-to-date book on social and political change in this fascinating country. The book deals with urban and institutional development, the role and the place of the kibbutz today, economic development, income distribution, labor relations, ethnic relationships and problems, the role of women, changes in education, population problems and Arab-Jewish relationships in Israel. Prominent writers from the United States and Israel--sociologists, political scientists, economists, anthropologists and administrative leaders--have participated in this extensive treatment of Israel's development. Of interest to all those concerned with economic modernization and political and social development, these original essays are packed with incisive analysis in jargon-free language. CONTENTS: Introduction-M. Curtis and M.S. Chertoff / URBAN AND INSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT / Israel's New Frontier: the Urban Periphery-J. Matras / Local Government as an Integrating Factor in Israeli Society-D.J. Elazar / Development Towns in Israel-M.J. Aronoff / Urban Community Development in Israel-R.M. Kramer / Absorption of Soviet Immigrants-Z. Gitelman / THE KIBBUTZ TODAY / Some Reflections on the Kibbutz-B. Bettelheim / Utopia and the Kibbutz-M. Curtis / The Family in the Kibbutz: What Lessons for Us?-S. Keller / Worker Participation in Decision-Making in Kibbutz Industry-M. Rosner / The Industrial Process in Israeli Kibbutzim: Problems and Their Solutions-U. Leviatan / ECONOMIC AND LABOR DEVELOPMENT / Income Distribution and Economic Development: the Case of Israel-H. Pack / Income Inequality in Israel: Ethnic Aspects-O. Remba / On East-West Differences in Occupational Structure in Israel-Y. Ben-Porath / On the Economic Development of the Arab Region in Israel-F.M. Gottheil / Histadrut and Industrial Democracy in Israel: An Interpretive Essay, from an American Perspective-M. Derber / Histadrut: Myth and Reality-J.J. Loewenberg / ETHNIC RELATIONS AND PROBLEMS / Israel: Two Nations?-S. Avineri / The Israeli Dilemma-S.M. Lipset / Western and Oriental Culture in Israel-R. Patai / The Emerging Consciousness of the Ethnic Problem among the Jews of Israel-C.S. Heller / Time to Stir the Melting Pot-H. Toledano / SOCIAL AND EDUCATIONAL CHANGE / Pluralism in Israel Society-M. Lissak / Your Daughters Shall Prophesy: Ancient and Contemporary Perspectives on the Women of Israel-N. Datan / Education: the Social Challenge-E. Felled / "Reforming" Israeli Education--W. Ackerman / The Arab Israelis-R. Bastuni

This work offers a reconstruction of the politics of ancient Israel within the wider political environment of the ancient Near East. Gottwald begins by questioning the view of some biblical scholars that the primary factor influencing Israel's political evolution was its religion.

Encapsulating as it does research that has been undertaken on the sociological, anthropological and political aspects of the history of ancient Israel, this important book is designed to follow in the tradition of works in the series sponsored by The Society for Old Testament Study which began with the publication of The People and the Book in 1925. The World of Ancient Israel is especially concerned to explore in greater depth than comparable studies the areas and degrees of overlap between approaches to the subject of Old Testament research adopted by scholars and students of theology and the social sciences. Increasing numbers of scholars have recognised the valuable insights that can be gained from a cross-disciplinary approach, and it is becoming clear that the early biblical traditions about the formation of the Israelite state must be examined in the light of comparative anthropology if useful historical conclusions are to be drawn from them.

In this volume Paula McNutt provides a synthesis of recent research on the nature and development of the society of ancient Israel. Focusing on Israelite history from the tribal period through the time of Persian domination, McNutt employs a social-scientific perspective to examine recent reconstructions of the social and cultural contexts that nurtured the literature of the Hebrew Bible. She also offers a helpful overview of the components and dynamics of ancient Israelite society. By investigating the intricate social processes that sustained the society of ancient Israel, McNutt enables the reader to discern the forces at work during key periods of transition and transformation in early Israelite history.