Elements of Ancient Jewish Nationalism

This book asks whether the collective identity asserted by the Jews in antiquity fits contemporary definitions of nationalism.

David Goodblatt (Author)

9780521862028, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 4 September 2006

278 pages, 1 table
22.9 x 15.2 x 1.9 cm, 0.58 kg

Review of the hardback: 'Elements of Ancient Jewish Nationalism is a thorough, balanced and well-presented work of scholarship … Goodblatt's scholarship is excellent, and this book is an interesting, readable, and informative book that will contribute much to this field.' Doron Mendels, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Contrary to the widespread view that nationalism is a modern phenomenon, Goodblatt argues that it can be found in the ancient world. He argues that concepts of nationalism compatible with contemporary social scientific theories can be documented in the ancient sources from the Mediterranean Rim by the middle of the last millennium BCE. In particular, the collective identity asserted by the Jews in antiquity fits contemporary definitions of nationalism. After the theoretical discussion in the opening chapter, the author examines several factors constitutive of ancient Jewish nationalism. He shows how this identity was socially constructed by such means as the mass dissemination of biblical literature, retention of the Hebrew language, and through the priestly caste. The author also discusses each of the names used to express Jewish national identity: Israel, Judah and Zion.

1. Theoretical considerations: nationalism and ethnicity in antiquity
2. Constructing Jewish nationalism: the role of scripture
3. Constructing Jewish nationalism: the Hebrew language
4. A kingdom of priests: the priestly component in ancient Jewish nationalism
5. Israel nationalism
6. Judah nationalism
7. Zion nationalism
8. Conclusions: Jewish nationalism - what rose and what fell?

Subject Areas: Jewish studies [JFSR1], Judaism [HRJ]