Nomos and Violence

The present volume is concerned with the problem of violence as reflected in the biblical texts, in their reception and interpretation. The expression `nomos' in the title of the book is understood in a broader sense, with reference to the concept of nomos as a `world of right and wrong' (Robert Cover). Therefore, the authors of the book are concerned not only with the legal texts of the Pentateuch, but also with other parts of the Old Testament / Tanak. Most of the contributors explore the theme of violence by interpreting specific narrative, legal, prophetic, and sapiential passages. Others attempt to offer a more general theological evaluation of violence in the Bible, also with constant reference to the biblical texts.

Viktor Ber teaches the Old Testament at the Faculty of Theology, University of South Bohemia in Cesk'e Budejovice, Czech Republic.