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Leviticus as Discourse: Difficulty and Generativity is an inquiry into textual interpretation as an activity of self-orientation. It explores how readers orient themselves to texts they do not understand, why they do it, and what happens in the process.

Anchored in robust scholarship and close reading of the biblical text, Leviticus as Discourse demonstrates the practical value of developing transferable interpretive skills to offer a fresh take on the relevance of Leviticus for contemporary readers.

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Praise for Leviticus as Discourse

  • "Hamm writes not just about one difficult book in the Bible but about what a curious and profoundly humanizing thing it is to try to make sense of difficult books at all. Thus, she demonstrates how patient and persistent practices of interpretation shaped ancient Israel as a community. Lucidly argued, this is a book for a wide range of serious readers, even those who are not disposed to find the Bible interesting.”

    Ellen F. Davis, Amos Ragan Kearns Distinguished Professor of Bible and Practical Theology, Duke Divinity School

  • “Leviticus as Discourse beckons scholars and lay readers, ‘Don’t skip Leviticus!’ Allison Hamm is a patient and clear guide, re-introducing Leviticus not just as an instruction manual for ancient priests, but as a loving invitation to modern readers to grow and see beyond our lived experience. Reading Leviticus as Discourse reminds us that speech creates and destroys life, and it sketches the masterful weaving of law and narrative in this ancient book as a powerful antidote to the corroded public discourse that plagues our society. As a congregational rabbi, I know this book will be a great help for those ten weeks each year that our community reads Leviticus and struggles to translate its lessons for our modern world.”

    Daniel Grebyer, Rabbi, Beth El Synagogue, Durham, NC

  • “Engaging both the best biblical scholars (Douglas, Milgrom) and the best literary theorists (Steiner, Ricoeur), Allison Hamm takes up the real difficulty posed by the book of Leviticus. Combining deep theoretical insight with deft exegetical probes—all written with a beautiful pen—Hamm moves us from the book’s difficulty to its profound generativity for reading communities today. Leviticus moves from back then to here and now, with wide-ranging and life-giving consequences, even in the public square, for all who have ears to attend to this discourse. Hamm’s book is a most promising development in Leviticus studies but also has serious ramifications for the study of every book of the Bible.”

    Brent A Strawn, D. Moody Smith, Distinguished Professor of Old Testament

  • “Distilling the insights of earlier writers such as Mary Douglas and Jacob Milgrom, Allison Hamm offers an entry into Leviticus that is deeply learned and vitally alert to contemporary significance. With discernment and clarity, Hamm guides the reader to engage Leviticus anew, opening a world at once strange, delightful, and transformative. Her finely-honed scholarly judgment leads us through difficult concepts and dense passages with suppleness and grace. Hamm’s offering shows how painstaking scholarship, pedagogic generosity, and spiritual sensitivity can yield a sparkling work that addresses readers on every level. She convincingly demonstrates that Leviticus is a worthy and enriching conversation partner and invites us to partake of its wisdom for our day.”

    Nehemia Polen, Professor of Jewish Thought, Hebrew College, Newton, MA

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