Summary: Boyd Seevers explores the weapons, organizations, tactics and motivations of Ancient Near East cultures in Warfare in the Old Testament.
Review: Warfare in the Old Testament is an absolutely useful reference for ancient warfare as depicted in the Bible. While the Old Testament often reports what happened, it often leaves out how it happened in terms of the battles. This, of course, is just fine. We have all the data we need to follow and know God.
But Seevers' book helps stoke the modern imagination with historical data on how warfare was carried out. We are given in-depth looks at the tactics of Israel, Egypt, Philistia, Assyria, Babylon, and Persia. There's plenty illustrations of weapons, soldiers and war machines to give the reader an idea of how these battles were carried out.
Additionally, and one of my favorite features, Seevers writes a historical fictive story from the perspective of a soldier from each of these nations to introduce the peoples. These stories are invaluable insights into the psychology and motivation of the cultures explored.
I also found myself enjoying the many end notes Seevers included in this book . He is a to-the-point writer, but is simultaneously highly detailed.
As a pastor, I will be returning to this book when I'm preaching narratives dealing with warfare amongst these nations. I am particularly excited to be able to use the knowledge I've learned to more accurately portray the drama of the biblical narratives in my first-person sermons.
As a modern reader, Warfare in the Old Testament this book has given my imagination greater depth, which in turn, will enhance my reading experience.
Rating: 5/5 (I Loved It)
Find it at Kregel here.
Find it on Amazon here.
Review: Warfare in the Old Testament is an absolutely useful reference for ancient warfare as depicted in the Bible. While the Old Testament often reports what happened, it often leaves out how it happened in terms of the battles. This, of course, is just fine. We have all the data we need to follow and know God.
But Seevers' book helps stoke the modern imagination with historical data on how warfare was carried out. We are given in-depth looks at the tactics of Israel, Egypt, Philistia, Assyria, Babylon, and Persia. There's plenty illustrations of weapons, soldiers and war machines to give the reader an idea of how these battles were carried out.
Additionally, and one of my favorite features, Seevers writes a historical fictive story from the perspective of a soldier from each of these nations to introduce the peoples. These stories are invaluable insights into the psychology and motivation of the cultures explored.
I also found myself enjoying the many end notes Seevers included in this book . He is a to-the-point writer, but is simultaneously highly detailed.
As a pastor, I will be returning to this book when I'm preaching narratives dealing with warfare amongst these nations. I am particularly excited to be able to use the knowledge I've learned to more accurately portray the drama of the biblical narratives in my first-person sermons.
As a modern reader, Warfare in the Old Testament this book has given my imagination greater depth, which in turn, will enhance my reading experience.
Rating: 5/5 (I Loved It)
Find it at Kregel here.
Find it on Amazon here.
Great book. Ugly Face.
Note: I received a physical copy of this book for free in exchange for an unbiased review.
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