**William G. Dever**

Lycoming College, Williamsport, PA 17701, USA; gaber@lycoming.edu

Received: 14 November 2019; Accepted: 26 November 2019; Published: 12 December 2019

**Abstract:** This article will summarize and interpret archaeological data that may be used to illuminate the religion of ancient Israel, ca. 1200–600 BCE, while using a phenomenal approach. The resultant portrait will be compared with one drawn from the texts of the Hebrew Bible, which suggests both convergences and significant differences. The conclusion will emphasize that archaeology does best in providing a real-life context for both artifact and texts. However, it is mostly limited to religious practice, rather than belief.

**Keywords:** ancient Israel; Israelite religion; folk religion; family religion
