The present book is about the Israelite law codes found in the Hebrew Bible. In Hebrew Bible there are casuistic laws and apodictic laws. Casuistic laws unlike apodictic are not in favor of all the weaker sections of the society especially Women. It focuses not only to identify the roots and further growth of the Biblical law system but also serves as a guiding tool in knowing the influence of AWA (Ancient West Asia) legal system on it.

The author has attempted to re-examine the position of the women in the Pentateuchal law codes especially Covenant code, to explore how the re-reading of the laws by employing postcolonial womanist approach can lead for a better and harmonious society and to seek a space where members of our differing worlds can be involved and be partakers in creating a world of freedom, world of balanced coexistence, and a world free from exploitation or suppression.

The projection of the book is to initially bring out the position of women in the Deuteronomic and Holiness codes and then to investigate how the position of women in the Book of the Covenant Code differs from that of the other two codes. Additionally, it provides a platform to re-read the legal text that affirms the right to independence & freedom and to explicate how the postcolonial womanist readings of the laws can contribute & promote a society for its betterment. This scholarly work is a must have for Lawmakers, Sociologists, Religious leaders, Christian Laity, Church Clergies, Institutions, Students and Researchers.

Contents

Acknowledgements

List of Abbreviations

Abstract

Introduction

1. Contextual Methods of Reading the Bible

2. Status of Women in the Ancient West Asian Laws

3. The Status of Women in the Deuteronomic Code

4. The Status of Women in the Holiness Code

5. The Status of Women in the Book of the Covenant Code

6. Evaluation : A Postcolonial Womanist Reading of Biblical Law Codes

Conclusion

Bibliography

Index of Subjects

Index of Authors

The author is an ordained minister of Christian Evangelistic Assemblies. His theological journey started in the year 1992. He did Bachelor of Divinity from Faith Theological Seminary, MTh (Old Testament) from Union Biblical Seminary, and Doctorate in Theology from United Theological College; all these Colleges and Seminaries being affiliated to the Senate of Serampore College (University).

The author served with Gospel for Asia in different capacities (1996-1999) and presently serving at New Theological College as Assistant Professor and Dean of Academic Affairs. Some of his articles are: Ruth, a Moabite Gentile Woman blessing the nation Israel: A Subaltern Reading; Qumran Interpretation of the Hebrew Bible and its significance in Christian writings. Few more of his works are in the pipeline and will be published in the near future like Deuteronomy and Women rights: A Subaltern reading; Kingship in Israel: Traditions in Conflict?