This book offers a careful study of biblical texts on menstruation and childbirth in the light
of their ancient Near Eastern background. Close reading of the biblical texts based on
classical and feminist biblical interpretation and supported by comparative study of ancient
Near Eastern sources and anthropology reveals a rich and varied picture of these female
events. Fertility and impurity are closely connected to menstruation and childbirth but their
place and importance are different in priestly and nonpriestly writings of the Bible which are
therefore separately dealt with. This book contributes to a better understanding of
physiological social cultural and religious aspects of menstruation and childbirth in the
larger context of body and society and women and men.
