Sex, Wives, and Warriors : Reading Old Testament Narrative with Its Ancient Audience

An analysis showing how the cultural milieu in which the Ancient Israelites read the Scriptures reveals new insights into the significance of the texts. Suggesting new ways to read Old Testament narrative and giving reasons why we should, Esler, with the aid of Mediterranean anthropology, sets out an approach that helps us to interpret a selection of narratives with a cultural understanding close to that of an ancient Israelite. Interpreted in this way, these narratives allow us to refresh the memory that links us with pivotal stories in Jewish and Christian identities and how they foster our capacity for intercultural understanding.