Joshua M. McNall, Perhaps: Reclaiming the Space Between Doubt and Dogmatism

Abstract

differing conclusions. Two specific strengths merit mentioning for their acute insights. First, his essay on prostitution and vows paints a helpful portrait of Israelite women who engaged in religious activities (e.g., vows). Second, for those unaware of the larger realm of divinity in the ANE, the essays in part 3 will be edifying. From the outset, van der Toorn explains that he is not providing any substantive revision to previously published essays. Although his rationale is reasonable and typically standard for a collection of essays, several essays could have been revised to provide an up-to-date treatment of the subject matter. One example will suffice. In chapter 1, van der Toorn provides a wonderful summary and analysis of the scholarly development of the Israelite religion. The original essay was published in 2002. Several significant developments have occurred in the field of study since the publication of the original essay, and van der Toorn could have chosen to provide readers with an excellent updated summary of the field from 1870 to 2018. While working through the immense depth of many essays, readers may grow frustrated with the poor editing of the book. Throughout the monograph are several misspelled words and typos (e.g., on pp. 45, 52, 71, 110, 158, 161, and 245). Spelling and typos aside, Mohr Seibeck and van der Toorn should be applauded for collecting, arranging, and publishing these essays into one volume. Scholars interested in the religion of the ANE, scribes and scribal traditions, and deities and demons will return to the riches of this volume several times over.