The strange woman

by Gail P. Streete

Adultery. Harlotry. Independence. Power. Few today would say that all these are equal. But to the male-dominated, male-documented world of ancient Israel and early Christianity, a woman who asserted herself was the equivalent of a prostitute. In a world where religious law severely limited women's opportunities, those who did use prostitution and adultery to find a form of freedom not readily available to most women were castigated for their actions. This new book from Gail Corrington Streete examines the treatment some of these women received and illustrates how biblical texts often apply the term "adultery" to any independent female behavior - sexual or not.