Power and Marginality in the Abraham Narrative - Second Edition (Princeton Theological Monograph)

Who will speak for Hagar or Isaac or Sarah or the daughters of Lot? With an interpretive trajectory that moves from the margin to the center, this book gives voice to the marginalized and voiceless in the Abraham Narratives. Further, this approach is based on the premise that there is a continuum of power in the various characters in these narratives and that the most powerful are those who are lodged at the center while those with the least power are on the margin or beyond. The intent of this study is to direct and perhaps re-direct our attention to the text and with fresh eyes seek a sometimes radical realignment of roles and power. It is true that many of the characters focused on in this book are women. This is not, however, only a book about women, though clearly women are the principal characters on the margin.

Hemchand Gossai is Associate Dean of Liberal Arts at Northern Virginia Community College, Annandale. He is the author of several books including Social Critique by Israel's Eighth-Century Prophets, Barrenness and Blessing, and Power and Marginality in the Abraham Narratives. He speaks widely on civic engagement and social justice issues.