Discovering Eve: Ancient Israelite Women in Context [Paperback]

Carol Meyers (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 10, 1991 | ISBN-10: 0195065816 | ISBN-13: 978-0195065817

This groundbreaking study looks beyond biblical texts, which have had a powerful influence over our views of women's roles and worth, in order to reconstruct the typical everyday lives of women in ancient Israel. Meyers argues that biblical sources alone do not give a true picture of ancient Israelite women because urban elite males wrote the vast majority of the scriptural texts and the stories of women in the Bible concern exceptional individuals rather than ordinary Israelite women. Analyzing the biblical material in light of recent archaeological discoveries about rural village life in ancient Palestine, Meyers depicts Israelite women not as submissive chattel in an oppressive patriarchy, but rather as strong and significant actors within their families and society.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Page-turning excitement."--The Catholic Bible Quarterly

"Only archaeology, with its emphasis on the unedited material, not the textual remains of the cult, can give back to Israelite women their lost history. Meyers grasps this point intuitively; and her attempt to reconstruct the overall domestic roles of women in ancient Israel is laudable, particularly as it uses the model of the 'domestic mode of production.'"--Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research

"Super!"--Barry M. Gittlen, Baltimore Hebrew Univ.

"A highly readable study of women and gender roles in the 'highland' period of pre-monarchical Israel. Extraordinarily well informed by a wide range of disciplines."--Lauree Hersch Meyer, Bethany Theological Seminary

"Truly an interdisciplinary study that will reward scholars and students....The interpretations of the evidence are judicious."--Religious Studies Review

"A unique endeavor, and her interdisciplinary approach deserves close attention, as it could virtually be a paradigm of a new approach."--Journal of the American Academy of Religion

"Well written and should be highly recommended to the non-specialist and specialist alike....Its strength lies in its attempt to understand women's lives in context through the interrelationship of archaeological data, biblical texts, and social scientific models."--Critical Review

"A most welcome contribution to the growing body of literature on women in Israelite society. Meyers helps us to imagine more faithfully the REAL woemn of the Bible, their life situations, daily activities, contributions to society. Excellent!"--Barbara E. Bowe, Catholic Theological Union

"An excellent and carefully written book that illuminates the social history of women in tribal Israelite society. Excellent for an introductory course in Hebrew scriptures."--Stephenson Humphries-Brooks, Hamilton College

"This book makes a significant contribution to the field. Nothing of its kind is presently available. The clarity of style and avoidance of technical jargon should render it accessible to the general reader. The book will certainly be an important resource for women's studies courses, courses on women in the Bible, and general Old Testament survey courses."--J. Cheryl Exum, Boston College

About the Author

Carol Meyers is Professor of Religion at Duke University.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (January 10, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195065816
• ISBN-13: 978-0195065817
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #203,887 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars beautiful, bold, and balanced, August 31, 2003

By 

Theophanu (Hattiesburg, MS USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Discovering Eve: Ancient Israelite Women in Context (Paperback)

I first read this book several years ago, when putting together an undergraduate course on ancient and medieval women, and have yet to find anything that comes even close to Meyers' beautifully written and convincing account of ancient Israelite women. The book's greatest strength is the way the author blends archaeological and linguistic information, building a convincing portrait of early women that gets past the wall of later Jewish patriarchal thought. Meyers is by no means a "rabid feminist," but gives a great deal of food for thought about how women "fell out" of the Bible and how cultural expectations have led to centuries of misinterpretation.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoying our legacy, September 25, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Discovering Eve: Ancient Israelite Women in Context (Paperback)

Carol Meyers has an easy to read writing style. I read it and wanted more. She adds flesh to the bones of the people of ancient Israel especially the women. I would recommend it to any one but especially women who want a better understanding of our heritage and a clearer understanding of the part our early mothers played. It made me hungry for more.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars basic text for understanding women in Hebrew Scripture, December 5, 2005

By 

Wes Howard-Brook (Issaquah, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Discovering Eve: Ancient Israelite Women in Context (Paperback)

I first read this book years ago while researching the book of Genesis. I continue to refer it to students and others seeking to understand the Garden of Eden story and other sometimes confused stories from the Hebrew Scriptures involving women. This book should be read by all interesting in allowing the Hebrew Scriptures to speak in their own voices, including the voices of women.