Judah and Tamar (Genesis 38) in Ancient Jewish Exegesis: Studies in Literary Form and Hermeneutics (Supplements to the Journal for the Study of Judaism, 51) [Hardcover]

Esther Marie Menn (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 1997 | ISBN-10: 9004106308 | ISBN-13: 978-9004106307

This study argues that the religious significance of biblical narrative emerges through a dialectic interaction between ancient text and members of later, historically-situated, communities of faith. It consists largely of a case study of this type of hermeneutic interaction, involving close analysis of the story of Judah and Tamar (Genesis 38) and three distinctive interpretations of the biblical narrative in ancient Jewish literature ("The Testament of Judah", "Targum neofiti", and "Genesis Rabbah"). The first part of the text concentrates on Genesis 38 itself, while the second part turns to the post-biblical reception of Genesis 38 as a scripture in two major cultural spheres - the Hellenistic and the Palestinian.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'"Menn's study is a very fine and highly recommendable book to see how readers give meaning to a text.'
Walter A. Vogels, "Review of Biblical Literature.
'"this book is an important contribution to the field'
Barry D. Walfish, "The Journal of Religion, 1999.
'"Menn's study is a very fine and highly recommendable book'
Walter A. Vogels, "Review of Biblical Literature, 2000.
'"a carefully researched, clearly written, and always informative book'
Robert Hayward, "Journal of Semitic Studies, 2000.
'"This book is a valuable and important contribution to the study of comparative midrasha carefully researched, clearly written, and highly detailed study...'
Eric Bellavance, "The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 2000.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 412 pages
• Publisher: Brill Academic Pub (August 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9004106308
• ISBN-13: 978-9004106307
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,371,771 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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