Discovering Eve: Ancient Israelite Women in Context

By Carol L. Meyers

Book Overview

Traditionally, many feminist scholars have looked to the Bible for clues to the sources of contemporary sexist attitudes; yet, the "biblical position" of women has been discussed only in light of the scriptural texts themselves. In an illuminating and critical analysis, Meyers argues that it is impossible to reconstruct a picture of the typical everyday life of women in ancient Israel using biblical sources alone. Scriptural texts, she contends, were written by a mostly male, urban elite, while women of the period were mostly rural villagers. In addition, the stories of women in the Bible generally concern exceptional, not ordinary, women. For these reasons, Meyers approaches the problem in a new way, complementing biblical source material with the results of recent archaeological investigations of village life and the insights of anthropology. This interdisciplinary approach enables her to present, for the first time, a picture of the way of life and status of women in biblical times based on hard data.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0195049349
• ISBN13: 9780195049343
• Release Date: November 1988
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, Incorporated
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.92 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.5" x 0.9" x 5.8"

Customer Reviews

Fundamental to studying women in the bible.

This book is a well written one that sure to be an enlightening experience. Although this book was written in the late 70s, it was written at a time when academic feminist research of the bible was in it's infancy and consequently I find it a must read for any serious study of the subject. The book discusses a survey of feminist research both religious and otherwise up to the point the book was written and addresses various flaws and misdirections the author feels exists in the methodologies that predate this book (I personally find these same flaws and misdirections just as current as they ever were). I feel it's most important contribution is that it provides a fundamental, responsible perspective to studying the bible apart from political or social agendas and the bias of modern day perspectives of both feminism and patriarchal society and women in ancient history. In many respects I consider this book to be so far ahead of its time that we are still trying to catch up in many respects.

basic text for understanding women in Hebrew Scripture

I first read this book years ago while researching the book of Genesis. I continue to refer it to students and others seeking to understand the Garden of Eden story and other sometimes confused stories from the Hebrew Scriptures involving women. This book should be read by all interesting in allowing the Hebrew Scriptures to speak in their own voices, including the voices of women.

beautiful, bold, and balanced

I first read this book several years ago, when putting together an undergraduate course on ancient and medieval women, and have yet to find anything that comes even close to Meyers' beautifully written and convincing account of ancient Israelite women. The book's greatest strength is the way the author blends archaeological and linguistic information, building a convincing portrait of early women that gets past the wall of later Jewish patriarchal thought. Meyers is by no means a "rabid feminist," but gives a great deal of food for thought about how women "fell out" of the Bible and how cultural expectations have led to centuries of misinterpretation.

Enjoying our legacy

Carol Meyers has an easy to read writing style. I read it and wanted more. She adds flesh to the bones of the people of ancient Israel especially the women. I would recommend it to any one but especially women who want a better understanding of our heritage and a clearer understanding of the part our early mothers played. It made me hungry for more.