"Classical Hebrew in the hands of Ziony Zevit is like a cello in the hands of a master cellist. He knows all the hidden subtleties of the instrument, and he makes you hear them in this rendition of the profoundly simple story of Adam, Eve, the Serpent, and their Creator in the Garden of Eden. Zevit brings a greal deal of other biblical learning to bear in a surprisingly light-hearted book. He is playing in that sense, too. But for me it is the touch of the master in his handling of Hebrew syntax that stands out most. Others can equal him in those other regards. In this one he is without peer."—Jack Miles, author of God: A Biography
~Jack Miles
"Ziony Zevit’s new book is far more than an exploration of the Garden of Eden narrative alone. Along the way, he leads his readers into a host of related topics: ancient biblical interpretation, Jewish and Christian; the Documentary Hypothesis and modern scholars; feminist readings of the Bible; ancient Near Eastern geography; the development of the Hebrew alphabet; Egyptian garden landscaping; Israelite curse formulae; blood avengers in the biblical world—and, believe it or not, a good deal more. Without ever leaving Eden behind, his book is thus an enticing vade mecum into the various fields that make up modern biblical scholarship."—James Kugel, author of How to Read the BIble
~James Kugel
“Zevit provides a clearly written, learned, and imaginative reinterpretation of the Garden of Eden story. Drawing on his broad knowledge of the Bible, other ancient sources, as well as from modern and medieval biblical scholarship, he tests traditional views while suggesting new ways of understanding this biblical classic.”—Mark Smith, New York University
~Mark Smith
"Zevit’s careful analysis of the Garden Story significantly challenges the traditional interpretation and theological understanding of this pivotal text. All who read this book will deepen their understanding of the biblical text and future studies will have to take Zevit's conclusions into account."—Tremper Longman III, Westmont College
~Tremper Longman III
“A model of biblical scholarship that is also wholly accessible to the general reader . . . enlivened by Zevit’s wit and good humor . . . Artful, charming, and informative.”—Jonathan Kirsch, Jewish Journal
~Jonathan Kirsch, Jewish Journal
“Consistently engaging”—Mary Joan Winn Leith, Biblical Archaeology Review
~Mary Joan Winn Leith, Biblical Archaeology Review
"Zevit's captivating style makes this material not only accessible but also fascinating."—A.J. Levine, CHOICE
~A.J. Levine, CHOICE
