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The Women's Bible Commentary with Apocrypha
In the critically acclaimed best-seller, Women's Bible Commentary , an outstanding group of women scholars introduced and summarized each book of the Bible and commented on those sections of each book that have particular relevence to women, focusing on female charecters, symbols, life situations such as marriage and family, the legal status of women, and religious principles that affect relationships of women and men. Now, this expanded edition provides similar insights on the Apocrypha, presenting a significant view of the lives and religious experiences of women as well as attitudes toward women in the Second Temple period. This expanded edition sets a new standard for women's and biblical studies.
501 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 1992
212 people are currently reading
475 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
February 22, 2016
The Women’s Bible Commentary has continued to provide a unique opportunity for students of the Bible to observe the hermeneutical outcome of feminist scholarship for over two decades. It has brought together some the best feminist scholars in the field, which has resulted in a timely and lasting volume that has demonstrated itself as beneficial for a many. The present twentieth anniversary edition features a number of brand new or thoroughly revised essays that reflect newer thinking in feminist interpretation and hermeneutics. The scope of this volume is comprehensive and its significance is evident, regardless of an individual’s gender or theological persuasion. It covers every book of the Old Testament and the New, as well as the Old Testament Apocrypha or Deuterocanonical books.
The book opens with two important essays to position the reader with the understanding needed to discover value in the volume. The reader will find Carol A Newson’s essay on women as biblical interpreters prior to the twentieth century well-written and intriguing given the task of the present volume. As the reader enters into the commentary proper, he or she will find traditional introductory material for each book, comments on various passages in each book, and a number of brief excursuses on female figures (such as Eve, Ruth, Rahab, etc.) and their interpreters. Each chapter helpfully concludes with a bibliography to orient the reader properly for further study.
The commentary and treatment of the text therein was met with a variegated presentation of its usefulness. Some of the books are handled more judiciously than others, and some of the essays are certainly more useful than others. Moreover, there was little consistency throughout by way of interaction with opposing positions. Not that this negates the value of the resource, but I find interaction more helpful than blanket assertions, and I assume other readers do as well. Also, given the nature and focus of the volume itself, the conservative evangelical reader should anticipate disagreement. But, again, this should not negate the value of the resource. In fact, if anything, it should ultimately encourage the value of the resource as the reader should seek to interact with and dialog alongside the material and arguments that it seeks to present.
Women’s Bible Commentary is a unique resource. It provides readers of all theological persuasion and backgrounds an opportunity to interact with and observe the best that the feminist movement has to offer by way of biblical scholarship. The volume itself is helpful in many respects, but it will also provide serious concern for some readers. Regardless, it provides a hermeneutical perspective unavailable in other resources on the market, and I am more than happy to have it on my bookshelf and look forward to consulting it often. It brings much to the table for discussion and comes highly recommended for any serious student of the Bible seeking to engage the world around them.
I received a review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
The book opens with two important essays to position the reader with the understanding needed to discover value in the volume. The reader will find Carol A Newson’s essay on women as biblical interpreters prior to the twentieth century well-written and intriguing given the task of the present volume. As the reader enters into the commentary proper, he or she will find traditional introductory material for each book, comments on various passages in each book, and a number of brief excursuses on female figures (such as Eve, Ruth, Rahab, etc.) and their interpreters. Each chapter helpfully concludes with a bibliography to orient the reader properly for further study.
The commentary and treatment of the text therein was met with a variegated presentation of its usefulness. Some of the books are handled more judiciously than others, and some of the essays are certainly more useful than others. Moreover, there was little consistency throughout by way of interaction with opposing positions. Not that this negates the value of the resource, but I find interaction more helpful than blanket assertions, and I assume other readers do as well. Also, given the nature and focus of the volume itself, the conservative evangelical reader should anticipate disagreement. But, again, this should not negate the value of the resource. In fact, if anything, it should ultimately encourage the value of the resource as the reader should seek to interact with and dialog alongside the material and arguments that it seeks to present.
Women’s Bible Commentary is a unique resource. It provides readers of all theological persuasion and backgrounds an opportunity to interact with and observe the best that the feminist movement has to offer by way of biblical scholarship. The volume itself is helpful in many respects, but it will also provide serious concern for some readers. Regardless, it provides a hermeneutical perspective unavailable in other resources on the market, and I am more than happy to have it on my bookshelf and look forward to consulting it often. It brings much to the table for discussion and comes highly recommended for any serious student of the Bible seeking to engage the world around them.
I received a review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
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May 16, 2020I am reading this bit by bit on archive.org. As I finish books in the Bible, I read what the commentary says after. This is an essay-style commentary, not line-by-line, and it makes for much better reading. Besides, the content of this commentary is to specifically look at women present (or absent) in the Bible, so it doesn't make sense to do a line reading.
Each essay is written by a different woman, and they necessarily vary quite a bit in their presentation styles. The book introductions provide interesting historical and literary analyses, then the essays diverge into specific women characters in the book, the role or responsibilities of women in the book, or maybe the absence of their responsibilities. For example, the essay on Mark is divided into: women characters shown in a positive light, women characters in a negative light, and women in the Passion story. But the essay on 1 Corinthians goes into a discussion about why there might be a distinction between the groups of women that Paul refers to: unmarried women vs virgins, then moves on to the next chapter, etc.
This commentary is very easy to follow and to browse through. It is meant for the layperson to be able to pick up and grasp quickly. I would recommend it if you are looking for something interesting to ponder while you read the Bible. For people who have grown up in church and find they know the stories so well that it is hard to read with attention, this might be a good tool to get your brain engaged in the text.
Each essay is written by a different woman, and they necessarily vary quite a bit in their presentation styles. The book introductions provide interesting historical and literary analyses, then the essays diverge into specific women characters in the book, the role or responsibilities of women in the book, or maybe the absence of their responsibilities. For example, the essay on Mark is divided into: women characters shown in a positive light, women characters in a negative light, and women in the Passion story. But the essay on 1 Corinthians goes into a discussion about why there might be a distinction between the groups of women that Paul refers to: unmarried women vs virgins, then moves on to the next chapter, etc.
This commentary is very easy to follow and to browse through. It is meant for the layperson to be able to pick up and grasp quickly. I would recommend it if you are looking for something interesting to ponder while you read the Bible. For people who have grown up in church and find they know the stories so well that it is hard to read with attention, this might be a good tool to get your brain engaged in the text.
March 4, 2021
This is great and helpful.
I know what some of the fellas and fellos are thinking
Yes a Women’s Bible Commentary will be a nice supplement to a “Normal Bible Commentary.”
Actually I think this is a great commentary for all genders and everyone.
Yes it centers women voices and stuff.
I’m just saying I’m into it because it still is a great as an all purpose one. I know what you are thinking men. It’s like it does come up, what about men’s studies. Etc. i get it. I sort of cringe at it, and stuff but I also feel it. But this is a great one.
I know what some of the fellas and fellos are thinking
Yes a Women’s Bible Commentary will be a nice supplement to a “Normal Bible Commentary.”
Actually I think this is a great commentary for all genders and everyone.
Yes it centers women voices and stuff.
I’m just saying I’m into it because it still is a great as an all purpose one. I know what you are thinking men. It’s like it does come up, what about men’s studies. Etc. i get it. I sort of cringe at it, and stuff but I also feel it. But this is a great one.
August 25, 2021
A stunning work of feminist scholarship. In my opinion, best read cover-to-cover, as it builds on points it introduces. A book I lovingly underlined and will definitely come back to.
Women have been asking these questions for centuries, and while there aren't easy answers—in fact, in some cases I don't think there are answers at all—just the act of asking them is radical.
"The reading of the Bible is a never-ending task," and this book gave me company as I continue on that journey.
Women have been asking these questions for centuries, and while there aren't easy answers—in fact, in some cases I don't think there are answers at all—just the act of asking them is radical.
"The reading of the Bible is a never-ending task," and this book gave me company as I continue on that journey.
July 14, 2007
I learned more about the bible from reading this book than all 10 years of catholic school! I read this for a class in college, but I got really into it. Not only do you gain a better insight into the women characters of the bible who are usually marginal, but you learn how to interpret & understand the whole bib in general.
April 5, 2009
I'm reading this for my New Testament class. Some of the commentaries are wonderfully insightful.
January 20, 2012
Just started...
March 10, 2019
Very helpful
March 13, 2019
Some commentaries were good, many were not.
partially-read
December 14, 2023Read much of this for Intro to the Old Testament.
November 13, 2024
For a paper was fun tho
April 7, 2023
Still reading, although I admit not every day. It is reading more like a research dissertation, just a little drier than I was expecting. However I am keeping at it because the book is making some valid points
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July 7, 2015Supplemental textbook
June 27, 2012
The authors of these essays/mini-commentaries raise often neglected issues and ask really important questions. The kind of book that's extremely helpful even if you don't agree with aspects of it.
May 20, 2014
I used this book for one of my last graduate courses, it was not only a great resource but a blessing! This women put together an amazing collection!
October 23, 2016
A must read for all serious students of the Bible
May 30, 2020
This reference book points out the patriarchalism of many Bible stories. Realizing that, one can address it. The Bibliography at the end of the chapter is a rich resource for further study,
November 3, 2011
Great reference tool for lifting up a woman's point of view of the entire Bible.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews