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101 Myths of the Bible
How Ancient Scribes Invented Biblical History
by Gary Greenberg
●  Table of contents  ●  Buy this book  ●
●  Read Myth 78: Moses Gave Israel the Ten Commandments  ●
● Read Myth 96: David Killed Goliath  ●

101 myths book cover

Some Review Excerpts

The topic may be controversial but the content is fascinating and thought provoking. . . . This riveting and intelligent study has relevance to a wide audience of biblical scholars. Today's Librarian.

Rated “Must Read.” - Today's Books.

It’s a riveting read that’s definitely not for the biblically faint of heart. - Florence, SC News.

This eye-opening book will startle some and inflame others, but should interest anyone who dares to read and evaluate its contents. . . .In conclusion, this book is stimulating to say the least. If nothing more, it will arouse one's interest in how the Bible and similar books were actually written. The book is well laid out and easy to read. Highly recommended. - The Journal of Religion and Psychical Research

More review excerpts

101 Myths of the Bible examines many of the most famous stories in the Old Testament and shows the various influences that led to the writing. Among the subjects explored are the earlier versions of many biblical stories that were told among Israel's neighbors, the strong Egyptian influences on many of the biblical accounts, and the internal political and religious feuds in ancient Israel that led to various propagandistic versions of earlier history.

 Among the many revelations in the book, we learn that:

Moses didn't write the Ten Commandments
David didn't kill Goliath
Samson did not pull down a Philistine temple
Joshua didn't bring down the walls of Jericho
Sodom and Gomorrah never existed
Noah's ark did not land on Mount Ararat
The story of Esther originally had nothing to do with the Jews of Persia.

More Review Excerpts

This book will probably either strengthen your faith or cast it into doubt. Just remember, there’s a reason its called faith. At any rate, it will make for lively dinner table discussions. - Spokesman Review.

In this controversial new book, author Gary Greenberg offers insight into the meaning, origin and accuracy of stories from the Old Testament. - Jewish Transcript.

Greenberg has obviously used considerable research to find myths and legends that could parallel biblical episodes . . . some of his comparisons create interesting reading. - The Aniston Star.

Greenberg examines Old Testament stories, reveals their contradictions and impossibilities, demonstrates how the Bible may not be -- in fact, almost certainly cannot be -- a literal record of history. It is, he argues, a document shaped by its creators, based in myth and folklore, and many of its most familiar events may not have happened. Noah's Ark, for example, probably didn't land on Mount Ararat; Sodom and Gomorrah did not actually exist; and it was King David's bodyguard, not David himself, who slew the giant Goliath. An illuminating reappraisal of the Bible. – David Pitt, bookloons

Recommended for larger religious collections. - Library Journal.

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