How do I best explain the earliest known non-biblical mention of “Israel” (Merneptah Stele) being said to (by saying “Israel is laid waste” or “Israel is wasted”) reference a people, not place as is central to Jewish tradition?How do I best explain the earliest known non-biblical mention of “Israel” (Merneptah Stele) being said to (by saying “Israel is laid waste” or “Israel is wasted”) reference a people, not place as is central to Jewish tradition?
Understanding the Merneptah Stele: Contextualizing “Israel” as a People, Not Just a Place Introduction The origin of the name “Israel” in ancient history has long been a subject of academic
