Give me children or I shall die

By Laurel Koepf Taylor

Book Description

In a world where modern Western perspectives often shape our understanding of ancient texts, this scholarly exploration invites readers to step beyond familiar cultural assumptions about childhood and family life. Laurel Koepf Taylor guides us into the agricultural communities of biblical times, where children played essential roles in daily survival rather than existing as dependents preparing for future adulthood.

Through careful examination of Hebrew Bible texts, Taylor reveals how dramatically different social contexts create entirely different meanings. Where contemporary readers might see one thing, the original audiences understood something quite different about the children appearing in these sacred stories. The author draws on ethnographic research to illuminate the stark contrasts between subsistence agricultural societies and privileged modern Western family structures.

This cross-cultural biblical study challenges readers to recognize how their own cultural lens influences interpretation of scripture. By uncovering the original social, cultural, and historical contexts surrounding biblical references to children, Taylor demonstrates how these young figures functioned as literary devices with specific meanings for their intended audiences.

For those seeking deeper understanding of biblical texts and the cultural forces that shape interpretation, this work offers valuable insights into how context transforms meaning. Readers will discover fresh perspectives on familiar passages while developing greater awareness of their own interpretive assumptions.