Women in the Wilderness

The 'Female Legislation' of the Book of Numbers (Num 5,11-31; 27,1-11; 30,2-17)

by Francesco Cocco

Book cover: Women in the Wilderness

Extent: 241 pages

Publisher: Mohr Siebeck

Subjects: Biblical Studies

Series: Forschungen zum Alten Testament

Series volume number: 138

Language: English

Hardback (Published)

(May 2020)

ISBN: 9783161588563

9.09 x 6.06 inches

Price: $137.00

In stock

How were legal issues featuring women treated and resolved in the Book of Numbers? Francesco Cocco studies a trio of texts and finds the prominent place afforded to women quite peculiar and, it seems, at odds with the notions of autonomy, freedom, self-determination, or whatever other synonym can be married conceptually to the idea of women in leading roles. This in-depth investigation goes beyond appearances however to reveal a broader, perhaps even unexpected, understanding of these three literary traditions – traditions which are the product of the skillful amalgamation of narrative and legislative material so characteristic of the Torah in general and the Book of Numbers in particular.

  • By (author) Francesco Cocco