This book, an anthology of previously published writing about Michal together with some new and original essays, is something of an experiment. Its purpose is to provide reders with raw materials for developing their own reading of the Michal story. It does not offer a unified portrait of this biblical character, but rather invites readers to form their own assessment interactively with these readings of the Michal story. At the same time, this book presents some systematic guidance for coping with these divergent interpretations of the complex and tantalizing figure of Michal.

A rich collection of innovative studies on Judah and Judaism in the postexilic age, by Davies, Garbini, Carroll, Clines, Baltzer, Marinkovic, Van Rooy, Carter, Willi, Japhet, Washington, Smith-Christopher, Judd, Grabbe and the editors. An important book in an increasingly important area of biblical research. This is the second volume of papers reflecting the work of Persian Period Group of the SBL. It is a rich collection of innovative studies on Judah and Judaism in the postexilic age, by Davies, Garbini, Carroll, Clines, Baltzer, Marinkovic, Van Rooy, Carter, Willi, Japhet, Washington, Smith-Christopher, Judd, Grabbe and the editors. This will be regarded as an important book in a field of cardinal importance for scholars of the Hebrew Bible.