What was the social structure in ancient Israel?

Answer 1

The people based their livelihood mainly on agriculture and herding livestock, though there were also fisher-folk, tradespeople, crafts-workers, functionaries such as judges and teachers, etc.
In terms of economic classes in the populace, the more wealthy could typically include those close to the king.

Middle income could include tradespeople, merchants and artisans; and the least income would be that of unskilled laborers. Farmers would in many cases be low to middle-income.

However, in Israelite society, the Torah and Prophets put so much emphasis on social justice that the people tended to avoid the practice of neglecting the poor or judging people by their financial status. There were twenty-four types of tithe-"taxes" given to the Kohanim; a full ten percent of produce was given to the Levites; and a portion was given to the poor.

The result of all this was that the gap between the wealthy and the rest of the people was much less than in other nations.

• Link: Social justice
  

As regards Torah-scholarship, anyone could become a great Sage; and in the study-halls, scholars of great wealth and of no wealth sat side by side and learned together.

But there were some individuals, men with positions of power, who misused that power. As was the case concerning the avoidance of idolatry, not everyone heeded the prophets.
Specifically, the monarchy and its hangers-on, and the judges and people holding public office, included a minority that took advantage of those who had no such power.

See also the other Related Links.

Link: More about Israelite society

Link: Life as a servant in ancient Israel

Answer 2

The people based their livelihood mainly on agriculture and herding livestock, though there were also fisher-folk, tradespeople, crafts-workers, functionaries such as judges and teachers, etc.
In terms of economic classes in the populace, the more wealthy could typically include those close to the king.

Middle income could include tradespeople, merchants and artisans; and the least income would be that of unskilled laborers. Farmers would in many cases be low to middle-income. (See also: Life as a servant in ancient Israel.)

However, in Israelite society, the Torah and Prophets put so much emphasis on social justice that the people tended to avoid the practice of neglecting the poor or judging people by their financial status. There were twenty-four types of tithe-"taxes" given to the Kohanim; a full ten percent of produce was given to the Levites; and a portion was given to the poor.

The result of all this was that the gap between the wealthy and the rest of the people was much less than in other nations.

As regards Torah-scholarship, anyone could become a great Sage; and in the study-halls, scholars of great wealth and of no wealth sat side by side and learned together.

But there were some individuals, men with positions of power, who misused that power. As was the case concerning the avoidance of idolatry, not everyone heeded the prophets.
Specifically, the monarchy and its hangers-on, and the judges and people holding public office, included a minority that took advantage of those who had no such power.

See also:

More about Israelite society

Answer 3

The people based their livelihood mainly on agriculture and herding livestock, though there were also fisher-folk, tradespeople, crafts-workers, functionaries such as judges and teachers, etc.
In terms of economic classes in the populace, the more wealthy could typically include those close to the king.

Middle income could include tradespeople, merchants and artisans; and the least income would be that of unskilled laborers. Farmers would in many cases be low to middle-income. (See also: Life as a servant in ancient Israel.)

However, in Israelite society, the Torah and Prophets put so much emphasis on social justice that the people tended to avoid the practice of neglecting the poor or judging people by their financial status. There were twenty-four types of tithe-"taxes" given to the Kohanim; a full ten percent of produce was given to the Levites; and a portion was given to the poor.

The result of all this was that the gap between the wealthy and the rest of the people was much less than in other nations.

As regards Torah-scholarship, anyone could become a great Sage; and in the study-halls, scholars of great wealth and of no wealth sat side by side and learned together.

But there were some individuals, men with positions of power, who misused that power. As was the case concerning the avoidance of idolatry, not everyone heeded the prophets.
Specifically, the monarchy and its hangers-on, and the judges and people holding public office, included a minority that took advantage of those who had no such power.

See also:

More about Israelite society

Answer 4

Upper class land owners government officials army officials, middle class merchants artisans, lower class unskilled laborers farmers, Slaves and Servants