Synopsis:Text, Theology, and Trowel consists of ten essays on the understanding and reception of the Hebrew Bible in Judaism and Christianity. Textual exegesis, historical contexts, and modern reception of the Hebrew text are placed side by side to encourage interdisciplinary study. Two theologically minded essays are included to help overcome the biblical studies/theology dichotomy. By placing such divergent approaches together, this volume will help expand ways of thinking about the Bible and its cognate fields.Endorsements:"This collection of articles by promising young scholars in the field of Religious Studies, especially Biblical Studies, indicates that interdisciplinary research combining theology with literary studies, archaeology, and historical and sociological research is leading into new directions and opening up new fields of enquiry."-Catherine Hezser, SOAS, University of LondonAuthor Biography:Lidia D. Matassa has a number of previous publications on the archaeology of synagogues, including several articles in Encyclopaedia Judaica. Jason M. Silverman is the editor of the collection, A Land Like Your Own (Pickwick Publications, 2010).