In Potiphar′s House – The Interpretive Life of Biblical Texts - Softcover

Kugel, James L

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0674445635 ISBN 13: 9780674445635

Publisher: Harvard University Press, 1994

Synopsis

In this study of early biblical interpretation, James Kugel examines a series of exegetical stories that elaborate on the Joseph narrative in Genesis. These stories - which appear in such diverse sources as rabbinic midrash, early Christian writings, liturgical poetry, and the Qur'an - often contain details of whole incidents not found in the Bible itself. In tracing the development and function of these tales, Kugel reveals a dynamic interpretive process: the living, changing significance of texts through generations of discussion, analysis and application.

About this title

Review:

[A] masterful literary study of ancient biblical exegesis...Kugel makes a compelling case for the existence in antiquity of a broad intercommunal communication regarding the meaning of biblical texts...While the formulation and modes of transmission of such a tradition remain a mystery, the rich literary evidence assembled here will give many historical scholars food for thought. -- Martin S. Jaffe "Religious Studies Review"

About the Author:

James Kugel is Starr Professor of Hebrew Literature, Harvard University.

About this edition

• Publisher: Harvard University Press
• Publication date: 1994
• ISBN 10: 0674445635
• ISBN 13: 9780674445635
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 296