The Physically Disabled in Ancient Israel According to the Old Testament and Ancient Near Eastern Sources

In a unique way this study probes the linguistic, sociological, religious and theological issues associated with being physically disabled in the ancient Near East. By examining the law collections, societal conventions and religious obligations towards individuals who were physically disabled Fiorello gives us an understanding of the world a disabled person would enter. He explores the connection between the literal use of disability language and the metaphorical use of this language made in biblical prophetic literature as a prophetic critique of Israel's dysfunctional relationship with God.

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"In this well-researched volume Michael Fiorello has made a significant contribution to the study of disability in the Bible in the context of its ancient Near Eastern world. Fiorello's work needs to be taken seriously in the church, the academy, and the world."
- Richard E. Averbeck, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, USA

Michael Fiorello earned a Ph.D. and Th.M. from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, focusing on the Old Testament in its ancient Near Eastern context and the use of the Old Testament in the New. He has worked as an archaeological intern in the Sinai, been a church-planter in New England, pastored a church in western Pennsylvania, served as a Marriage and Family Counselor, and taught classes at Columbia International University.