From Israelite to Jew
A scholarly podcast tracing the history of Israelite and early Jewish identity, from biblical times to the Roman destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE. The series, originally created in 2009-10, has been relaunched with updated audio and tools while retaining the original content. Michael Satlow, the author, also reflects on his evolving views and points listeners to his book 'How the Bible Became Holy' for his latest thinking. The podcast is free of advertising and relies on listener support.
Episodes
After Destruction
What really changed for Jews after the destruction of the Second Temple?
Destruction
The Judaeans, joined by the Galileans and others, revolted from Roman rule in 66 CE. Four years later the Second Temple was razed, and shortly thereafter the last renegades were cleared from Masada. What happened?
The First Century
A discussion of the general tenor of Judaea on the eve of the destruction of the Second Temple by the Romans.
Josephus
This podcast would be impossible without the survival of the historical work of Josephus, an eyewitness (so he says) of the destruction of the Second Temple. Who is he and what did he write, and why?
Jesus and Other Strange Jews
Judaea and Galilee were awash in messianic figures. What do we know about them, and how does Jesus fit?
The Dead Sea Scrolls
What are really in these famous ancient scrolls?
Philo
The greatest Jewish philosopher of antiquity (we know of only two or three), Philo lived in Alexandria and left a voluminous and intriguing set of writings.
Herod the Great
Much maligned, perhaps King Herod the Great wasn’t as terrible as is sometimes thought.
Hellenistic Judaism
Many Jewish around the turn of the millennium lived outside of Judaea. Where were these Greek-speaking Jews and what do we know about them?
Origins of Jewish Sectarianism
Several Jewish sects, especially Pharisees and Sadducees, emerge into the historical record at this time. Who are they?
The Hasmonean Kings
The Maccabees were successful. The dynasty they began, perhaps not so much.
Revolt of the Maccabees
Why did the Maccabees revolt around 165 BCE? This episode explores both the revolt of the Maccabees and the origins of the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah.
The Book of Jubilees and 1 Enoch
A discussion of two books dating from the third or second centuries, BCE, Jubilees and 1 Enoch. Both books, part of a collection traditionally known as "the Pseudepigrapha," testify to a Jewish understanding of continuing direct divine revelation in the Hellenistic period.
Hellenism Arrives
A discussion of Alexander's conquest of west Asia and its aftermath (323 - 200 BCE). What is "Hellenism," and how did the Jews react to it?
The Torah
A discussion of the historical formation of the Torah, or Pentateuch, and an introduction to the documentary hypothesis.
Jews of the Persian Empire
This episode discusses two Jewish communities outside of Jerusalem, that represented by the biblical book of Esther, and that of Elephantine, Egypt.
Nehemiah
Nehemiah's reforms, from 445 BCE to ca. 432 BCE.
Ezra
This episode deals primarily with the career of Ezra, in 458 BCE. I discuss intermarriage in the Bible and the emergence of the Torah as a source of authority in Israel.
An Enchanted World: Book Announcement
My new book, An Enchanted World: The Shared Religious Landscape of Late Antiquity, will be published by Princeton University Press (see here) in February 2026, and around the same time in Italian by Bollati Boringhieri.
Return
This episode traces the first two returns from Babylonia to Jerusalem, first under Sheshbazzar and then under the dual leadership of Zerubbabel and Joshua, and the building of the Second Temple (539 BCE - 516).I strive to make my work free, accessible, and without advertising. Hence, I depend on listener support and generosity to continue to do so. If you feel you have receive something of value
Exile
This episode discusses the events that led to the destruction of the first temple in Jerusalem in 586 BCE, and the exile of some Judahite families to Babylonia.I strive to make my work free, accessible, and without advertising. Hence, I depend on listener support and generosity to continue to do so. If you feel you have receive something of value from it, please considering making a donation thr
The Religion of Israel
A discussion of the religion of the ancient Israelites, as reflected in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) and archaeological finds.I strive to make my work free, accessible, and without advertising. Hence, I depend on listener support and generosity to continue to do so. If you feel you have receive something of value from it, please considering making a donation through the link on the homepage
Between Faith and Reason
An introduction to the podcast. How can we reconcile the academic study of religion with its lived experience?I strive to make my work free, accessible, and without advertising. Hence, I depend on listener support and generosity to continue to do so. If you feel you have receive something of value from it, please considering making a donation through the link on the homepage of http://www.mlsat
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