Erich S. Gruen is the Gladys Rehard Wood Professor Emeritus of History and Classics at the University of California, Berkeley, USA.

Gruen, a master historian of antiquity and a sensitive reader of ancient texts, beautifully illustrates “The Inventiveness of Second Temple Jews”—this wonderfully accessible book’s subtitle. He shows that even from the earliest period, Jewish Scripture was never stagnant, but through creativity was reinterpreted and reinterpreted to remain ever relevant.

• PrefaceAbbreviations Introduction1. The Tower of Babel2. Abraham in Egypt3. Sarah and Hager4.The Aqedah5.The Testament of Abraham6. The Rape of Dinah7. The Conflicting Character of Joseph8. Tamar and Judah9. Moses and God10. Moses in Ethiopia11. Moses as Universal Figure12. Balaam and Wayward Prophecy13. Yael and he Death of Sisera14. Jephthah and his Daughter 15. Samson as Superhero16. The Judean Monarchy and Saul17. Solomon and the Building of the Temple18. The Travails of Job19. The Additions to EstherConclusionIndex

Erich S. Gruen is the Gladys Rehard Wood Professor Emeritus of History and Classics at the University of California, Berkeley, USA.

Gruen, a master historian of antiquity and a sensitive reader of ancient texts, beautifully illustrates “The Inventiveness of Second Temple Jews”—this wonderfully accessible book’s subtitle. He shows that even from the earliest period, Jewish Scripture was never stagnant, but through creativity was reinterpreted and reinterpreted to remain ever relevant.

• PrefaceAbbreviations Introduction1. The Tower of Babel2. Abraham in Egypt3. Sarah and Hager4.The Aqedah5.The Testament of Abraham6. The Rape of Dinah7. The Conflicting Character of Joseph8. Tamar and Judah9. Moses and God10. Moses in Ethiopia11. Moses as Universal Figure12. Balaam and Wayward Prophecy13. Yael and he Death of Sisera14. Jephthah and his Daughter 15. Samson as Superhero16. The Judean Monarchy and Saul17. Solomon and the Building of the Temple18. The Travails of Job19. The Additions to EstherConclusionIndex

Erich S. Gruen is the Gladys Rehard Wood Professor Emeritus of History and Classics at the University of California, Berkeley, USA.

Gruen, a master historian of antiquity and a sensitive reader of ancient texts, beautifully illustrates “The Inventiveness of Second Temple Jews”—this wonderfully accessible book’s subtitle. He shows that even from the earliest period, Jewish Scripture was never stagnant, but through creativity was reinterpreted and reinterpreted to remain ever relevant.

• PrefaceAbbreviations Introduction1. The Tower of Babel2. Abraham in Egypt3. Sarah and Hager4.The Aqedah5.The Testament of Abraham6. The Rape of Dinah7. The Conflicting Character of Joseph8. Tamar and Judah9. Moses and God10. Moses in Ethiopia11. Moses as Universal Figure12. Balaam and Wayward Prophecy13. Yael and he Death of Sisera14. Jephthah and his Daughter 15. Samson as Superhero16. The Judean Monarchy and Saul17. Solomon and the Building of the Temple18. The Travails of Job19. The Additions to EstherConclusionIndex