Exploring images...of motherhood...in the Bible and beyond, Leila Bronner offers an array of intriguing insights and connections to all who are interested in feminist readings... -- Angela Bauer, Episcopal Divinity School As [Bronner] rightly says, whereas mothers and motherhood are the most dominant social function attributed to women in the Hebrew Bible, this subject has rarely been treated in a consistent fashion beyond generalities. Here the whole spectrum of narratives relating to mothers - universal, national, royal, wise, mothers to daughters, metaphorical, unconventional, even the maternal roles of the Hebrew God-are systematically described and analysed. -- Athalya Brenner, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands Leila Leah Bronner has produced a most readable synthetic study... The society may have been patriarchal, but the mother wielded much influence. Alongside accounts of the matriarchs, queens and wise women are presentations of mothers and daughters, metaphorical and unconventional mothers, and even a stab at the motherly role of God. The book is a good read. -- Bezalel Porten, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel This very readable book will be of interest to a wide readership. It is highly recommended. * The Bible Today *