This volume collects essays from an international body of leading scholars in Old Testament studies, focused upon the key concepts of the question of historicity of biblical stories, the archaeology of Israel/Palestine during the Bronze and Iron Ages, and the nature of biblical narrative and related literature.

As a celebration of the extensive body of Thomas L. Thompson's work, these essays enable a threefold perspective on biblical narrative. Beginning with 'method', the contributors discuss primary history, egyptomania and bibliomania, and epistemology, before moving to 'historiography and archaeology' and close analysis of the Qumran Writings, the Septuagint and biblical rewritings. Finally the argument turn to narrative itself, exploring topics including the possibility of invented myth, the genre of Judges and the depiction of Moses in the Qu'ran. Presenting an interdisciplinary analysis of the historical issues concerning ancient Israel/Palestine, this volume creates an updated body of reference to fifty years' worth of scholarship.