This sub-volume in the Reading Scripture in Judaism and Christianity series of Journal of Ancient Judaism (JAJ) supplements has its origins in the 2014 Society of Biblical Literature (SBL) International Meeting in Vienna. This particular volume, featuring ten articles in English and German, focuses on how various female figures in the Bible were received in Jewish and early Christian exegesis. Agnethe Siquans introduces the volume by considering the difficulties inherent in attempting to hear the voices of late antique women, few of whom were allowed to write or publish and even fewer of whose writings are preserved. The first three articles focus on the complicated figure of Rahab, who was portrayed as a prophetess, a harlot, and a figure of the church. The next three articles focus on women beloved by Solomon: Pharaoh's daughter—who is the ultimate other, both a gentile and a woman, and who ultimately leads Solomon astray—and the woman in the Song of Songs—who is often seen in patristic exegesis as a type of the church. The next article shows that while modern exegesis focuses on Judith as an autonomous woman, patristic exegesis focuses on her chastity as a model for other Christians. The last two articles deal with New Testament women: the myrophorai, who come to Christ's tomb and are presented by some early Christian sources as figures of deaconesses, and Philip's four daughters, who are frequently discussed in early Christian exegesis in the context of female prophecy. This excellent volume will be of use to those interested in the intersection of Jewish and early Christian exegesis and attitudes towards women.
No CrossRef data available.