Abstract

In recent years the impact of Assyriology on Biblical studies and the
knowledge of the history of ancient Israel has become more and more
evident. Thanks to Assyriology the reconstructions of the history of Israel
in the period of the First Temple are much fuller and more comprehensive
than before. The same is true in regard to the very roots and nature of many
books included in the Hebrew Bible. The up-to-date results of the cooperation
of Biblical scholars and Assyriologists lead us to the conclusion that
in the 7th century B.C. there existed a strong and fruitful Israelite diaspora
in Assyria. Because information on its existence, influence and outcome
are consequently scanty in the Bible (damnatio memoriae), so Assyriology
helps to gain a new knowledge about it and to assess its impact on the religion
of ancient Israel.