Israel, Assyrian Hegemony, and Some Considerations about Virtual Israelite History

Ehud Ben Zvi

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Israel, Assyrian Hegemony, and Some Considerations about Virtual Israelite History

In: Virtual History and the Bible

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Ehud Ben Zvi

Ehud Ben Zvi University of Alberta

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Type:: Chapter

Pages:: 70–87

DOI:: https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004497009_008

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Abstract

Studies of Israelite counterfactual history, if carried out within certain parameters of research, may significantly contribute to a better understanding of Israelite history and the forces that shaped it. Such studies bring to the forefront issues of causality, contingency, and the role of structural or systemic considerations in Israelite history. This particular work addresses these issues from the perspective of (a) one counterfactual event that was possible—and perhaps even as likely as the factual event itself—and (b) the probable consequences of such a counterfactual event. What if there had not been an anti-Assyrian Syro-Ephraimite coalition? What if Israel had remained a loyal vassal and had asked help from Assyria against Rezin, just as Judah did? A study of the period and of policies of the Assyrian kings in the area suggests that this counterfactual scenario could have led to the survival, and perhaps even economic flourishing, of the Northern Kingdom until the very end of the Assyrian period. Although it is true that such a kingdom would have fallen during the neo-Babylonian period, this alternative scenario would have had a strong impact not only on the lives of the northern Israelites—to state the obvious but often forgotten in common “te-leological” historical narratives—but also on the literature that was eventually included in the “Hebrew Bible,” and, of course, on those who wrote and those for whom this literature was written.

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Virtual History and the Bible

E-Book ISBN:: 9789004497009

Publisher:: Brill

Print Publication Date:: 01 Jan 2000

Subjects
- Biblical Studies
  - New Testament & Early Christian Writings

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Israel, Assyrian Hegemony, and Some Considerations about Virtual Israelite History

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Virtual History and the Bible

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