Longing for Egypt and Other Unexpected Biblical Tales

"Readers of all persuasions have a tendency to privilege simple interpretations over complex, unsettling, readings. The more fraught the issue, the more often we find in the history of interpretation that a simple reading has been generated that masks its complexity." "Longing for Egypt and Other Unexpected Biblical Tales explores seven cases of textual complexity masked by simple readings. All seven chapters share a focus on the formation of identity. Arguably the Bible's most sensitive subject, for its authors and for present-day readers, this topic has generated a host of simple readings that conceal immense complexity."--BOOK JACKET.

Diana Lipton is Lecturer in Hebrew Bible and Jewish Studies at King's College, London.