In this work, Karel van der Toorn explores the social setting, the intellectual milieu, and the historical context of the beliefs and practices reflected in the Hebrew Bible. While fully recognizing the unique character of early Israelite religion, the author challenges the notion of its incomparability.

Autorentext
Born 1956; 1985-98 professor of ancient religions in the Universities of Utrecht and Leiden; 1998-2004 dean of the faculty of humanities at the University of Amsterdam; 2006-11 president of the University; currently faculty professor of religion and society at the University of Amsterdam.