“97% of primitive societies’ population were existence agrarians or artisans. They had no time or money to be educated.”
But you have many examples before you that contradict the above. Do you see them and say “no, it can't be because I've always thought this or that”?
No. You have posted some rather good examples of good literacy, but that does not indicate widespread literacy. And, as I said, almost all of the population were existence agrarians or artisans, so there is no way that they or their offspring, unless pulled into the priestly or upper class, would be able to afford either the time or the money to be educated.
“The leap to literacy was spurred on by Gutenberg's press, sure.”
must surely be an attempt at sarcastic humor so I'll say no more for now.
Not sure that I understand this statement. All historians that I know of link the surge in literacy in the West to Gutenberg's press.
The examples given, Elijah, Gideon, the men of Succoth, the prophet Amos(a nipper of figs!) David, Peter, are all from the very strata of society that you say were overwhelmingly illiterate.
If you are correct these were the rarest of examples and with the least means of obtaining literacy.
But reading/writing in ancient Israel was also part of obedience to God, to Torah not just a practical skill for secular advancement. All the elders of Israel in Moses’ day had to know how to read and write as a matter of obedience to God's command. (Deut. 31:11) (Deut. 6:1-9)
This aspect of literacy levels is sometimes overlooked or ignored and assumed levels of infant mortality and urbanization used as surrogates for literacy levels in the general populace of Israel.
“And, as I said,....”
Yes, you have. however those solid indications we have argue otherwise for ancient Israel.
“The leap to literacy was spurred on by Gutenberg's press, sure.”
must surely be an attempt at sarcastic humor so I'll say no more for now.
“Not sure that I understand this statement. All historians that I know of link the surge in literacy in the West to Gutenberg's press.”
Chicken or egg? In any event literacy during the latter middle ages was not in/the question, thank you.