"The Assyrian came down like a wolf on the fold." But who were the Assyrians? What did the Philistines do when not at war with the Israelites? Why did the Hebrews consider their Edomite kinsfolk so dangerous?

The answers to all these questions and more are found in Peoples of the Old Testament World, which provides comprehensive coverage of what is known about their civilisations, enabling us to understand better the background to Biblical history as well as introducing us to some nations that are fascinating in their own right.

Thirteen specialists from a wide range of universities and colleges have each contributed an article on one of the groups who interacted with the Hebrews in Old Testament times. These detailed accounts deal with each people's origin, history, rulers, architecture, art, religion and contacts with Israel.

List of Illustrations
Foreword / Alan R. Millard
Preface / Alfred J. Hoerth
Abbreviations
Contributors
Archaeological Periods of Syria-Palestine
Map of the Ancient Near East

Part 1: Mesopotamia
1. Sumerians / Walter R. Bodine
2. Babylonians / Bill T. Arnold
3. Assyrians / William C. Gwaltney Jr
4. Persians / Edwin M. Yamauchi

Part 2: Anatolia, Syria-Palestine and Egypt
5. Hittites / Harry A. Hoffner Jr
6. Canaanites and Amorites / Keith N. Schoville
7. Phoenicians / William A. Ward
8. Arameans / Wayne T. Pitard
9. Philistines / David M. Howard Jr
10. Egyptians / James K. Hoffmeier

Part 3: Transjordan
11. Ammonites / Randall W. Younker
12. Moabites / Gerald L. Mattingly
13. Edomites / Kenneth G. Hoglun

Subject Index
Author Index
Scripture Index

Alfred J. Hoerth is Associate Professor of Archaeology at Wheaton College, Illinois, and curator of the Dothan Collection.

Gerald L. Mattingly is Professor of Biblical Studies at Johnson Bible College in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Edwin M. Yamauchi is Professor of History at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.

"... well written as well as well documented."
Dr John Goldingay, Vice-Principal of St John's College, Nottingham

"... Good indexes... make it an extremely useful reference work both for Old Testament specialists and for students."
B.A. Mastin, in The Journal of Theological Studies

"... ce beau livre rassemble les contributions de treize spécialistes présentant avec clarté et compétence les peuples qui composent le monde de l'Ancient Testament... Enrichi de nombreuses références bibliographiques, ce livre est une sorte de manuel qui rendra de grands services."
Proche-Orient Shretien, No 47

"A detailed consideration of the topics can be found in this work, and on each occasion the treatment is accompanied by abundant footnote references. This wealth of information should make this a useful work of reference for years to come."
The Heythrop Journal