Supporting Cast of the Bible - Reading on Behalf of the Multitude

This book spotlights the Old Testament's "supporting cast," the vast array of nameless characters wedged in the margins of biblical stories. Often categorized as literary props or aspects of scenery, these anonymous figures ("laborers," "a creditor," "the crowd," "servants," "elders," "a midwife," etc.) frequently shoulder the burden of a story that is never theirs. Grounded in literary theory, Gina Hens-Piazza sets forth a new taxonomy for these often anonymous characters.

List of contents

Chapter 1 Making the Case for the Supporting Cast
Chapter 2 Foregrounding the Backstory
Chapter 3 Violence in Disguise: A Study of a Complementary Character in 2 Kings 6:23-31
Chapter 4 Unsung Courage and Fidelity: A Study of Bit Part Characters in 2 Kings 5:1-19
Chapter 5 Vessels of Hope vs. Hallmarks of Despair: A Study of Cameo Appearance Characters in 2 Kings 4:1-7
Chapter 6 Lost in the Telling but Still Present: A Study of Implied Characters in 1 Kings 9: 10-14

About the author

Gina Hens-Piazza is professor of Old Testament studies and Joseph S. Alemany Endowed Chair at Santa Clara University's Jesuit School of Theology, and professor of biblical studies at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California.

Product details

• Authors: Gina Hens-Piazza, Hens-Piazza Gina
• Publisher: Rowman and Littlefield
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 31.01.2020
• EAN: 9781978706934
• ISBN: 978-1-978706-93-4
• No. of pages: 134
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Religion/theology > Religious writings, prayers, songbooks, religious meditations; Christentum, Judentum, LITERARY CRITICISM / General, Biblical Studies - Old Testament - Historical Books, Christianity, biblical narrative, book of kings, character studies, characterization, minor characters, old testament, subaltern literary studies, Judaism, Literature: history & criticism, Biblical Studies & Exegesis, Criticism & Exegesis Of Sacred Texts