
audiobook
PREFACE
CHAPTER I - INTRODUCTORY
CHAPTER II - SACRED SITES
CHAPTER III - SACRED OBJECTS
CHAPTER IV - SACRED RITES AND PRACTICES
CHAPTER V - THE WORLD OF SPIRITS
CHAPTER VI - THE GODS
CHAPTER VII - THE PANTHEON
CHAPTER VIII - CONTEMPORARY THOUGHT—CONCLUSION
PRINCIPAL SOURCES AND WORKS OF REFERENCE
Step back to a time before the biblical narratives, when the hills of ancient Palestine were a crossroads of cultures and belief systems. This work explores the religious landscape of the region in the latter half of second millennium B.C., showing how local practices were shaped by neighboring powers such as Egypt, the Aegean, and early Mesopotamian influences. Listeners will discover everyday rituals, deities, and sacred spaces that predate the rise of Israelite monotheism.
Drawing on archaeological finds, the Amarna tablets, and deciphered inscriptions, the author reconstructs a vivid picture of worship without relying on later scriptural accounts. Comparative religion tools help separate what was uniquely Palestinian from what was shared across the ancient Near East. The narrative stays clear and balanced, presenting evidence with scholarly care while remaining accessible.
By the end of this journey, you’ll have a fresh appreciation for how this small land contributed to the broader tapestry of human spirituality. The book offers a self‑contained guide that fills a gap in our understanding of early Palestinian faith, making complex scholarship enjoyable for anyone curious about the roots of religious thought.
Language
en
Duration
~2 hours (151K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Al Haines
Release date
Dec 25, 2012
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
1873–1949
A leading British scholar of Hebrew and comparative religion, this Cambridge professor spent decades exploring the ancient Near East and the roots of biblical tradition. His books and editorial work helped shape early 20th-century study of the Bible and Semitic history.
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