Approaching Yehud: New Approaches to the Study of the Persian Period

Approaching Yehud: New Approaches to the Study of the Persian Period
Jon L. Berquist, ed.
Reviewed by Armin Siedlecki.

Description: The long-held view that the Persian period in Israel (known as Yehud) was a historically derivative era that engendered little theological or literary innovation has been replaced in recent decades by an appreciation for the importance of the Persian period for understanding Israel´s literature, religion, and sense of identity. A new image of Yehud is emerging that has shifted the focus from viewing the postexilic period as a staging ground for early Judaism or Christianity to dealing with Yehud on its own terms, as a Persian colony with a diverse population. Taken together, the thirteen chapters in this volume represent a range of studies that touch on a variety of textual and historical problems to advance the conversation about the significance of the Persian period and especially its formative influence on biblical literature.
Subjects: Methods, Historical Approaches, History, Persian Period

Review by Armin Siedlecki
Read the Review
Published 7/12/2008
Citation: Armin Siedlecki, review of Jon L. Berquist, ed., Approaching Yehud: New Approaches to the Study of the Persian Period, Review of Biblical Literature [http://www.bookreviews.org] (2008).