The History Of The Land Of Israel Podcast.

By Shaiel Ben-Ephraim

History Religion & Spirituality Christianity Judaism

What's The History Of The Land Of Israel Podcast. about?

The History Of The Land Of Israel podcast has the guts to survey the most provocative historical narrative in the world. Israel is a country of immense religious significance. Everyone has an opinion on it. But what is the true story of this beautiful but contested country? From the dinosaurs to the hi-tech era, we will chronologically survey the history of the land. The podcast will provide the only complete and factual narrative out there. So, join us for the History Of The Land Of Israel podcast.

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The History Of The Land Of Israel Podcast. episodes:

05.16.2024
41- The Real Story of King Saul
Saul is a great her in the bible but is vastly eclipsed by David. However, we delve into the text and the historical evidence to find the real Saul. We find that he was a great hero, possibly betrayed by...
05.02.2024
40 - How Did Israel Become A Monarchy
The books of Samuel and Kings tell us how a monarchy developed despite the fact that God had serious reservations about it. That led to the institution being ruled over by legendary figures like David and Solomon. But how did...
04.07.2024
39 - Where Are the Twelve Tribes of Israel Today?
Throughout the world, there are many groups claiming to be descendants of the twelve tribes of Israel. They range from the Samaritans, the modern Jews, to the Mormons, Beta Israel, and others. How accurate are these claims? How have...
03.18.2024
38 - The Role of Religion in Uniting The Twelve Tribes of Israel
The twelve tribes did not have much in common at first. However, as the Philistines emerged as a common enemy, they learned to cooperate and developed common political and religious institutions. We examine how the god of Israel became more...
02.26.2024
37 - The Twelve Tribes Of Israel
The twelve tribes of Israel come from the 12 sons of Joseph, at least according to Genesis. But the number of tribes and their names change over time and in different parts of the bible. Were there really twelve tribes?...
01.28.2024
36 - Were The Israelites Really Ruled By Judges?
The books of Judges and Samuel in the Tanakh present an anti-monarchical ideology. But the stories of early Israelite leaders like Gideon, Jepetah, and Abimelech have elements of kingship. How historically factual are these stories, and what can we learn...
12.31.2023
35 - The Invasion of The "Sea People" And The Birth Of The Philistines
An invasion of mysterious raiders changed the region forever. It destroyed the Hittite empire and nearly brought Egypt to its knees. When the dust settled, a new people, the Philistines, controlled the coast of Canaan. Where did they come...
12.20.2023
34- Slavery And Racism
The final days of the Egyptian empire in Canaan saw an increase in inter-cultural influence. A lot of that involved exploitation and slavery. But what was slavery like in those days, and how did the races feel about each other?...
12.05.2023
33 - Where Did The Israelites Come From?
The Merneptah Stele has the first recorded mention of Israel, in 1207 BCE. But the God of the Israelites was already mentioned earlier. What does that mean? Who were the Israelites and where did they come from? We look at...
10.26.2023
32 – The Rise Of Jerusalem and Shechem
The highlands of the Judean hills were a lawless land, which even the Egyptians preferred to avoid. Instead, the kings of Shechem and Jerusalem battled for domination, using the local nomadic tribes as political tools. It was in this chaos...
09.17.2023
31 – The Kingdom of The Nomads
The Land of Israel had long been in contention between Egypt and its great power rivals. But now, a group of nomadic tribes outmaneuvered all the powers to create their own kingdom. How did that happen, and what does a...
08.05.2023
30 – A War, A Wedding, and a Funeral
The saga of Thutmose III's endless quest to defeat Mitanni and its pesky allies ends in this episode. But who gets the upper hand? We also have a dramatic wedding and tragic death. And an impressive array of war crimes....
07.17.2023
29 - Thutmose Meets His Match
Thutmose III had pacified the city-states of Lebanon and Canaan. But in the process, Egypt threatened the lands of Mitanni, the local power. To secure his power in Lebanon and Syria, Thutmose III would have to cross the Euphrates. The...
07.01.2023
28 - The Egyptian Napoleon Enters Lebanon
Thutmose III took his final steps to subdue and humiliate the kings of Canaan. But now, he was ready to move on to the next conquest. Lebanon. But with long supply lines, mountainous terrain, and treacherous enemies, it would prove...
06.02.2023
27 - Between Egyptian And Hittite Domination
Egypt had no sooner established its dominance in Canaan than it faced its first challenge in the form of a new and threatening empire in the north. Who would end up as the dominant force? And what happened to Canaanite...
05.18.2023
26 - The Empire Strikes Back
Egypt had recovered from years of weakness and was poised to take revenge on Canaan for years of Hyksos conquest. But a plucky Canaanite king organized a spirited defense of the land. Who would triumph?Support the Show.
04.28.2023
25 - The Roots Of Antisemitism And The Egyptian Exodus
We are used to hearing the Jewish version of the Egyptian Exodus story. But there is also an ancient Egyptian one, where the Jews are the villains. That story played a significant role in the development of antisemitism. Support the...
04.14.2023
24 - Who Wrote The Exodus Story And Why?
According to Jewish tradition, the Book of Exodus was written by Moses. But scholars believe it was put together by three different authors. Who is right? Why was the story written and how has its interpretation among Jews changed over...
03.27.2023
23 - Did The Israelite Exodus From Egypt Really Happen?
The Exodus from Egypt is one of the most influential in human history. But many archaeologists doubt its veracity. Did it really happen and how did the story become so important? Support the Show.
02.24.2023
22 - How The Canaanites Lost Egypt
It looked like Egypt was on its last legs, occupied by Nubians in the south and Canaanites in the north. But they reunited the country and made Egypt great again. How did they do it, and what happened to the...
02.09.2023
21 - How The Canaanites Came To Rule Egypt
Egyptologists tend to look at the Canaanite rule of Egypt through the Hyksos as a chaotic interlude. But in reality, they had great kings and amazing accomplishments. We also look at Egyptian lore and examine how foreign rule scarred the...
01.26.2023
20 - The Ten Plagues of Egypt
Is there a historical basis for the story of the ten plagues recounted in the Book of Exodus? There are some scientific explanations for these events. And we also have some idea of who may have witnessed them and passed...
01.13.2023
19 - Did The Canaanites Sacrifice Their Children?
The Tanakh, in several places, mentions a practice of running children through the fire for the god Molech. What does that mean? Did the Canaanites sacrifice their children to a bloodthirsty god? And if so, was that tradition ever practiced...
12.29.2022
18 - The Golden Calf: The Roots of the Israelite Religion Pt. 2
Canaanite mythology sheds light on the roots and motives behind much of Israelite theology and law. In this episode we look at the story of the golden calf, as told in Exodus, and see how it relates to Canaanite...
12.16.2022
17 - Sons of Anat: The Roots of the Israelite Religion Pt. 1
The Ugaritic Texts provide us with the internal world of the Canaanite worshippers of Baal and Asherah. The faith we are often warned against in the Tanakh. But their mythology contains the roots of the Israelite faith, which would eventually...
11.30.2022
16 - Hammurabi's Code
We have all heard of Hammurabi's Code. But how important was it really? Was it just? Did anyone actually follow it? And most importantly, is it really the source of biblical law? Support the Show.
11.17.2022
15 - These Kings, Amorite?
The Mari Archives provide us with a glimpse of the Amorite culture. They reveal the close links between that culture and the Israelites. But more than anything else, they allow us into the emotional worlds of real people. Fathers, sons,...
11.03.2022
14 - A Bunch of Savages, Amorite?
The Amorites are remembered in Deuteronomy as a race of giants. The most notable Amorite there is Og of the Bashan. Og also appears in Phoenician and Islamic mythology. Who was he? Where did the Amorites come from and how...
10.21.2022
13 - The King Of Byblos, At A Loss
Byblos was the closest ally of Egypt in the land of Canaan. For generations, they traded and influenced each other. They even shared gods. But their alliance was tested when a group of bandits rebelled against the king. Would Egypt...
10.07.2022
12- Egyptian Lamentations, Canaanite Celebrations
The Egyptian Old Kingdom collapsed, leading to a period of turmoil and instability in the Nile Delta. But in Canaan, the good times rolled. The middle bronze age is known as the "Canaanite golden age," a time of unparalleled freedom...
09.22.2022
11- Canaan Days, Canaanites
After the unexplained collapse at the end of the copper age, a new culture emerges from the ashes of the Chalcolithic. The Canaanites would dominate the land in the Bronze Age and bring give it a new name and identity....
09.08.2022
10 - Enter the Egyptian Colossus
The Land of Israel was a pioneer in agriculture. However, when Egypt unified it found itself with the most powerful empire the world had ever known on its doorstep. How did Egypt go from a backwater to the powerful...
08.25.2022
9 –Limping Shepherds and Hidden Treasures
The Copper Age was one of astounding advances in the Land of Israel. It saw the first kingdoms and hierarchies emerge. It also had organized religions and incredible treasures. In this episode, we focus on two fascinating stories. The life...
08.11.2022
8 - The Walls of Jericho
The walls of Jericho are best known from the story of Joshua Ben-Nun's reconquest of the Land of Israel. The Book of Joshua tells a memorable story. But did that really happen? There were indeed ancient walls in Jericho. But...
07.27.2022
7 - The Natufians
The Natufians were the first genuinely agricultural society in the world. They brought social stratification, religion, and jewelry to the Land of Israel. Some Palestinians even claim Natufian heritage. This is their story. Support the Show.
07.13.2022
6 - Tyranny Over Nature
20,000 years ago, the Ice Age entered one of its worst periods, the chilling Last Glacial Maximum. The humans in the Land of Israel tried desperately to survive. They pulled together and made it through, and in the process changed...
06.30.2022
5- Enter The Homo Sapiens
As the Neanderthals died off, the first modern humans entered the Land of Israel. But the Neanderthals left them a parting gift. Combining local and imported elements, Homo Sapiens create a uniquely Levantine culture. Support the Show.
06.18.2022
4 - Homo Erectus Versus Neanderthal
Homo Erectus was getting cozy in the Land of Israel. But strange foreigners came to the land from Europe, the famed and misunderstood Neanderthals. What happened when they met? Violence, sex, and possibly genocide. Listen for the full story.Support the...
06.18.2022
3 - Dinosaurs And Fire
The Land of Israel was underwater during much of the Jurassic era. But that didn't stop dinosaurs from making their home there. We look at some Israeli dinosaurs. We also follow the earliest of our ancestors as they discover the...
06.18.2022
2 - The Land In All Its Glory
The Land of Israel is the leading lady in our show. So, who is she, and what is she like? Some have described it as a “land of milk and honey,” others as a barren wasteland. But, as always, we...
06.18.2022
1 - Introduction To The Podcast
In this episode, we will welcome you to the podcast. And introduce the method and scope as we ask the question: to whom does the Land of Israel belong?Support the Show.

What's The History Of The Land Of Israel Podcast. about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

The History Of The Land Of Israel Podcast. episodes:

41- The Real Story of King Saul

40 - How Did Israel Become A Monarchy

39 - Where Are the Twelve Tribes of Israel Today?

38 - The Role of Religion in Uniting The Twelve Tribes of Israel

37 - The Twelve Tribes Of Israel

36 - Were The Israelites Really Ruled By Judges?

35 - The Invasion of The "Sea People" And The Birth Of The Philistines

34- Slavery And Racism

33 - Where Did The Israelites Come From?

32 – The Rise Of Jerusalem and Shechem

31 – The Kingdom of The Nomads

30 – A War, A Wedding, and a Funeral

29 - Thutmose Meets His Match

28 - The Egyptian Napoleon Enters Lebanon

27 - Between Egyptian And Hittite Domination

26 - The Empire Strikes Back

25 - The Roots Of Antisemitism And The Egyptian Exodus

24 - Who Wrote The Exodus Story And Why?

23 - Did The Israelite Exodus From Egypt Really Happen?

22 - How The Canaanites Lost Egypt

21 - How The Canaanites Came To Rule Egypt

20 - The Ten Plagues of Egypt

19 - Did The Canaanites Sacrifice Their Children?

18 - The Golden Calf: The Roots of the Israelite Religion Pt. 2

17 - Sons of Anat: The Roots of the Israelite Religion Pt. 1

16 - Hammurabi's Code

15 - These Kings, Amorite?

14 - A Bunch of Savages, Amorite?

13 - The King Of Byblos, At A Loss

12- Egyptian Lamentations, Canaanite Celebrations

11- Canaan Days, Canaanites

10 - Enter the Egyptian Colossus

9 –Limping Shepherds and Hidden Treasures

8 - The Walls of Jericho

7 - The Natufians

6 - Tyranny Over Nature

5- Enter The Homo Sapiens

4 - Homo Erectus Versus Neanderthal

3 - Dinosaurs And Fire

2 - The Land In All Its Glory

1 - Introduction To The Podcast