While studying the Old Testament book of Nehemiah and teaching the history of ancient Israel and Judah. Jerome Clayton Ross felt a need to articulate and clarify the perspective and the situation of the ancient Yahwists, who were not fully self-determinant. Thus The History of Ancient Israel and Judah, an account of the struggle of a minority people or nation to survive and preserve and perpetuate their identity, came to fruition. Going back in time and explaining how the people and nation came to be and then moving forward to discuss their ongoing efforts to fulfill the seven requirements for survival administrative structure, economic independence, ideological standardization, common language, selective appropriation, population growth, and land acquisition, all of which are reflected in their theology Ross logically and methodically gives us a glimpse into the inner workings of a heretofore little understood people.

About the Author

In addition to being an associate professor of Hebrew Bible, Mr. Ross also has authored many articles on the subject of the ancient Yahwists.