The emergence of the kingdoms of Israel and Judah was part of a broader process of state formation in the region, involving the alliance building of different kinship groups.
The Exodus story, while foundational in Judaism, lacks historical and archaeological evidence as a factual account.
Both Israel and Judah developed into prosperous kingdoms in the 10th and 9th centuries BC, with Israel becoming wealthy and well-organized, and Judah expanding into the Judean lowlands after the destruction of Gath.
Deep dives
Emergence of Israel and Judah
Around 3,000 years ago, in the dry hills and valleys of the southern Levant, a distinct ethnic group called the Israelites emerged from shepherds and farmers. They formed the kingdoms of Israel and Judah, developing systems of administration, fighting their neighbors, and establishing a religious tradition centered on the worship of Yahweh. The emergence of Israel and Judah occurred within the broader context of state formation in the region, with various ethnic groups forming their own polities. Israel and Judah followed different developmental paths, with Israel becoming a wealthy and well-organized kingdom, while Judah remained comparatively poorer and isolated. The historical accounts of the two kingdoms are based on both biblical and extra-biblical sources.
The Exodus Story
The Exodus story, which recounts the Israelites' liberation from slavery in Egypt, the journey through the desert, and the entry into the Promised Land, is a foundational narrative in Judaism. However, from a historical and archaeological perspective, there is limited evidence to support the Exodus story as a factual account. While there may have been a small-scale migration from Egypt to Canaan around the time period covered by the Exodus, the broader narrative is challenging to reconcile with available evidence. The story likely emerged from a folk memory that was later incorporated into the biblical tradition.
Formation of Israel and Judah
The kingdoms of Israel and Judah emerged as a result of state formation processes happening across the region during the late 10th and 9th centuries BC. The formation of these kingdoms involved the alliance building and mutual benefit of different kinship groups or clans, such as the Amrides in Israel and the House of David in Judah. Israel and Judah followed distinct development paths, with Israel becoming a wealthy state with agricultural estates and fortified towns, while Judah initially lagged behind until the destruction of the Philistine city Gath allowed for expansion. The archaeological evidence supports the emergence of prosperous kingdoms in Israel and Judah during this time.
Kingdoms of Israel and Judah in the 9th Century BC
By the 9th century BC, the kingdoms of Israel and Judah were well-established political entities. Israel, centered around Samaria, prospered under the rule of the Amrides, with alliances and intermarriages strengthening their position. Judah, although initially less significant than Israel, saw its fortunes change after the destruction of Gath, which opened up opportunities for expansion into the Judean lowlands. During this period, both Israel and Judah engaged with larger empires, such as Assyria, and became part of the wider political landscape in the region.
Assyrian Conquest and Aftermath
In the middle of the 9th century BC, the expansionist Assyrian Empire turned its attention towards southern Canaan, leading to the downfall of both Israel and Judah. The Assyrians conquered Israel and deported its people to faraway lands, while Judah managed to endure longer but eventually fell to Babylonian conquest and suffered exile. The biblical and extra-biblical records provide valuable insights into the historical events and figures of this period. The history of Israel and Judah became intertwined with the rise and fall of great empires, marking the beginning of a new era for the region.
The roots of ancient Judaism, and the Abrahamic religions, are to be found in the arid hills and fertile valleys of Canaan more than 3,000 years ago. That was where the kingdoms of Israel and Judah came into being, and their inhabitants began to develop traditions that still shape the world millennia later.
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