Women and Exile

Book Description

Biblical narratives about women have profoundly shaped Western civilization's understanding of gender, marriage, family structures, and social roles for millennia. This scholarly exploration delves into how women were portrayed and understood during one of the most transformative periods in biblical history: the exile and its aftermath.

Halvorson-Taylor brings together diverse academic voices to examine three interconnected dimensions of this complex topic. The first strand investigates how women were conceptualized and depicted during the exilic era, revealing the cultural forces that shaped these representations. The second addresses the methodological challenges scholars face when studying women's experiences during this pivotal time. The third engages with contemporary scholarship, fostering dialogue between established researchers and emerging perspectives.

The collection spans compelling case studies, from Ruth's journey as a woman returning to her ancestral homeland to the tensions surrounding foreign wives and intermarriage depicted in Ezra. Contributors analyze how communities navigated the presence of outsiders who brought different cultural practices and family connections into established social structures. These examinations illuminate broader patterns of how gender identity was constructed during the exilic and early post-exilic periods.

For readers interested in understanding how ancient texts continue to influence modern perspectives on women's roles and identity, this work offers valuable insights into the enduring impact of biblical narratives on contemporary spiritual and cultural conversations about belonging, otherness, and gender.