Economy of Israel and the Ancient Near East

The economy of Israel and the ancient Near East, including the land of Israel, ranged from wheat farming and sheep herding to textile production and mineral mining. The land of Israel, though relatively small compared to the great civilizations of Egypt, the Hittites, and Mesopotamia, was particularly diverse in its many industries. This stemmed partially from its rapidly changing elevation and rainfall. Though many of the resources produced were for local consumption, it is clear from archaeology and the earliest stories of Scripture that international trade also played an important role throughout biblical history. The book of Genesis recounts that the patriarch Joseph was sold to Ishmaelite traders traveling from Gilead to Egypt with a load of balm and aromatic resin (Genesis 37:18-36; see “Joseph Is Sold into Slavery” map). Later Joseph rose to power in Egypt, and his own brothers repeatedly traveled from Canaan to Egypt to buy grain during a great famine (Genesis 41-42). During the reign of Saul, the Philistines made strategic use of their exclusive knowledge of iron blacksmithing by restricting any blacksmiths to ply their trade among the Israelites, because they feared they ...