This is a full and helpful study of the somewhat limited Hebrew Bible data...a useful analysis of biblical mourning in reference to important wider dimensions.

Philip Johnston, Journal of Theological Studies

This book is well conceived, logically executed, and lucidly written. Accessible and comprehensive, Olyan has performed a great service in filling a notable lacuna by cataloguing the polyvalent nature of mourning as it is presented in the Hebrew Bible. Moreover, his astute insights and sensitivities to the relationship between rites and society reveal a complex and sophisticated amalgam of theological and anthropological threads. His work will no doubt stimulate, inspire and provide invaluable tools for others.

Louise J. Lawrence, Journal of Biblical Literature

I have learned much from reading Olyan's book. it is informative at the level of the evidence as well as at the level of theoretical constructions. To phrase it otherwise, this: this is a rich book.

Bob Becking, Review of Biblical Literature

Se alle

This is a fascinating book that demonstrates in an impressive way how a close reading of the biblical text can be fused with social-scientific insights, thus arriving at interesting new conclusions and classifications in relation to the biblical concept of mourning.

A. C. Hagedorn, Vetus Testamentum

Saul Olyan has, again, written an intriguing book.

Bob Becking, Utrecht University

Olyan presents us with a clear and convincing phenomenology of biblical mourning rites. The book is lucidly written and organized, the evidence is judiciously interpreted, and the argument is easily followed. It is a joy to read.

Simon B. Parker, Journal of the American Oriental Society, 125.3

A comprehensive analysis of the ritual dimensions of biblical mourning rites, this book also seeks to illuminate mourning's social dimensions through engagement with anthropological discussion of mourning, from Hertz and van Gennep to contemporaries such as Metcalf and Huntington and Bloch and Parry. The author identifies four types of biblical mourning, and argues that mourning the dead is paradigmatic. He investigates why mourning can occur among petitioners in a sanctuary setting even given mourning's death associations; why certain texts proscribe some mourning rites (laceration and shaving) but not others; and why the mixing of the rites of mourning and rejoicing, normally incompatible, occurs in the same ritual in several biblical texts.
Les mer
A comprehensive analysis of the ritual dimensions of biblical mourning rites, this book also seeks to illuminate mourning's social dimensions through engagement with anthropological discussion of mourning, from Hertz and van Gennep to contemporaries such as Metcalf and Huntington and Bloch and Parry.
Les mer
Introduction ; 1. Mourning the Dead ; 2. Petitionary Mourning ; 3. Mourning in Other Contexts ; 4. The Constraints on Mourning Rites ; 5. The Sanctioned Mixing of Mourning and Rejoicing ; Conclusion
Saul M. Olyan is Professor of Judaic Studies and Religious Studies at Brown University

Produktdetaljer

ISBN
9780199264865
Publisert
2004
Utgiver
Oxford University Press; Oxford University Press
Vekt
335 gr
Høyde
224 mm
Bredde
144 mm
Dybde
15 mm
Aldersnivå
P, 06
Språk
Product language
Engelsk
Format
Product format
Innbundet
Antall sider
184

Forfatter

Om bidragsyterne

Saul M. Olyan is Professor of Judaic Studies and Religious Studies at Brown University