The Oxford Encyclopedia of the Bible and Gender Studies

As the first major encyclopedia of its kind, The Oxford Encyclopedia of the Bible and Gender Studies(OEBGS) is the go-to source for scholars and students undertaking original research in the field. Extending the work of nineteenth and twentieth century feminist scholarship and more recent queer studies, theEncyclopedia seeks to advance the scholarly conversation by systematically exploring the ways in which gender is constructed in the diverse texts, cultures, and readers that constitute "the world of the Bible." With contributions from leading scholars in gender and biblical studies as well as contemporary gender theorists, classicists, archaeologists, and ancient historians, this comprehensive reference work reflects the diverse and interdisciplinary nature of the field and traces both historical and modern conceptions of gender and sexuality in the Bible.

The two-volume Encyclopedia contains more than 160 entries ranging in length from 1,000 to 10,000 words. Each entry includes bibliographic references and suggestions for further reading, as well as a topical outline and index to aid in research. The OEBGS builds upon the pioneering work of biblically focused gender theorists to help guide and encourage further gendered discussions of the Bible.

Julia M. O'Brien is the Paul H. and Grace L. Stern Professor of Hebrew Bible/Old Testament at Lancaster Theological Seminary. She is the co-editor (with Chris Franke) ofAesthetics of Violence in the Prophets (T & T Clark, 2010), and the author of Challenging Prophetic Metaphor: Theology and Ideology in the Prophets (Westminster John Knox, 2008);Nahum through Malachi in the Abingdon Old Testament Commentary Series (Abingdon, 2004); and Nahum (Sheffield Academic Press, 2001; second edition Sheffield Phoenix, 2009). She has been a contributor to various Oxford reference works (two editions of the New Oxford Annotated Bible; Oxford Encyclopedia of Archaeology in the Near East; and theOxford Bible Commentary), as well as other reference volumes including Theological Bible Commentary; New Interpreter's Dictionary of the Bible;Feasting on the Word; New Interpreter's Study Bible; Women in Scripture; HarperCollins Bible Commentary; HarperCollins Bible Dictionary;Anchor Bible Dictionary; and Women's Bible Commentary, second edition (in progress). She holds the M.Div. and Ph.D. degrees from Duke University.