Characters and Characterization in the Book of Judges

Keith Bodner is Professor of Religious Studies and Stuart E. Murray Chair of Christian Studies at Crandall University, Canada.Benjamin J.M. Johnson is Associate Professor of Biblical Studies at LeTourneau University, USA.

• Contributors Abbreviations Time Would Fail Me to Tell: An Introduction Character Study in the Book of Judges Benjamin J.M. Johnson, LeTourneau University, USA 1. Humor, characterization, and the theology of JudgesJoel Kaminsky, Smith College, USA2. Ehud and Eglon: Cunning Behavior in the BibleGreger Andersson, Örebro University, Sweden3. Deborah – If Not a Deliverer, What Kind of Leader was She?Yairah Amit, Tel-Aviv University, Israel4. Blessed Destroyer: The Characterization of Jael as a Warrior in Command and an Instrument of YahwehElizabeth P. Backfish, William Jessup University, USA5. Gideon: Epic Hero, Biblical Judge, and Political Subversive Susan Niditch, Amherst College, USA6. The Man Who Would Be KingBenjamin J.M. Johnson, LeTourneau University, USA7. A Gileadite Responder: Verbing the Character of Jephthah Tammi J. Schnieder, Claremont Graduate University, USA8. Jephthah’s Daughters, Ethical and Unethical: Characterization and Ethics David Janzen, Durham University, UK9. Domesticating Samson Robert Kawashimi, University of Florida, USA10. Delilah’s Mysterious Role in Samson’s Destiny: The Dynamics of Power, Knowledge, and Mystery Athena Gorospe, Asian Theological Seminary, The Philippines11. Samson as Everyman in Israel Gregory T.K. Wong, Evangel Seminary, Hong Kong12. Mother’s Little Helper: Micah and His Big Idea Robin Baker, University of Winchester, UK13. A Mother, a Son, a Levite and a Tribe (Judg 17–18) Susanne Gillmayr-Bucher, Catholic Theological Private University of Linz, Austria14. “Of all the characters in scripture, she is the least”: the Levite’sconcubine and the discourse of silence Francis Landy, University of Alberta, Canada15. Six Characters in Search of a Deity: Talking about God in the Book of Judges Keith Bodner, Crandall University, USAAfterword J. Cheryl Exum, University of Sheffield, UKBibliography Index

Characters and Characterization underscores the importance of attending closely to characters. Moreover, the ethical orientation of several of the essays helpfully pushes readers to consider the implications of strategies for character engagement, not only for interpreting the book of Judges, but for engaging texts (and people) ethically.