Description
The striking scene of Judith cutting off Holofernes's head with his own sword in his own bed has inspired the imaginations of readers for millennia. But there is more to her story than just this climactic act and more to her character than just beauty and violence. This volume offers a comprehensive examination of gender ideologies in the book of Judith, from the hyper-masculine machinations of war and empire to the dynamics of class in Judith's relationship with her enslaved handmaid. Overall, this commentary investigates the book of Judith through a feminist lens, informed by critical masculinity studies, queer theory, and reception criticism.
About the Author
Jennifer L. Koosed is professor of religious studies at Albright College in Reading, Pennsylvania. She is the author of several books, including (Per)mutations of Qohelet: Reading the Body in the Book (Continuum, 2006); Gleaning Ruth: A Biblical Heroine and Her Afterlives (University of South Carolina, 2011); and Reading the Bible as a Feminist (Brill, 2017). She is also the editor of several works, including The Bible and Posthumanism (SBL Press, 2014) and Reading with Feeling: Affect Theory and the Bible (with Fiona C. Black; SBL Press, 2019).
Robert Paul Seesengood is associate dean of academic affairs and associate professor of Bible and cultures at Drew Theological School. He received his ThM (New Testament) from Princeton Theological Seminary and his PhD (History of Ancient Christianity) from Drew University. He is a frequent lecturer, an editor, and an author of several essays and monographs, including Philemon (Bloomsbury, 2017), Paul: A Brief History (Wiley-Blackwell, 2010), and, with Jennifer L. Koosed, Jesse's Lineage: The Legendary Lives of David, Jesus and Jesse James (T & T Clark, 2013).
Reviews
"There are many ancient Jewish stories that feature women, but in the book of Judith the woman fully dominates. This volume achieves every goal of the Wisdom Commentary series. This beautifully written introduction to Judith is a treat; great reading for students, scholars, religious professionals, and a general audience, as well. In keeping with the series, the authors bring a feminist and an intersectional approach, but manage also to include literary and comparative studies and art history. This book is as engaging as its subject matter!"
Lawrence M. Wills, author of Judith in Hermeneia series
"Koosed and Seesengood offer the best of what feminist criticism has to offer in this eminently readable commentary on the book of Judith. Masculinity studies, gender theory, and queer theory are all skillfully deployed to illuminate the shifting performances of gender at the center of this book. The result is a nuanced, provocative, and fascinating analysis of the book of Judith. Readers will especially benefit from the authors' suspicion of easy resolutions for this complex narrative featuring a wealthy, pious, seductive, and slave-owning heroine."
Colleen M. Conway, Seton Hall University
"This sophisticated commentary illuminates the textual issues and clarifies the historical from the literary. Not your grandmother's commentary, and suitable for readers who want their worlds widened."
WATER
"Clear, well-written, and engaging. Explicit methodology that is consistently followed throughout the commentary. Draws the reader into the story, no small task for a commentary!"
Catholic Media Association
"Altogether a fine investment."
Catholic Books Review
Book Information
ISBN 9780814681152
Author Jennifer L. Koosed
Format Hardback
Page Count 272
Imprint Liturgical Press
Publisher Liturgical Press
Weight(grams) 590g
Dimensions(mm) 229mm * 152mm * 25mm
