Caryn A. Reeder - The Enemy in the Household: Family Violence in Deuteronomy and Beyond

Many people have influenced the development of this book over the years, providing encouragement, offering criticism, and asking incisive questions that sharpened my thoughts and arguments in countless ways. The end result is the better for them (and needless to say, the weaknesses that remain are entirely my own).

This book represents a substantial revision of my doctoral dissertation at the University of Cambridge. I would like to thank James Carleton Paget, my supervisor, for his many helpful suggestions and in particular for his ability to ask the right questions at the right moments. Duncan Dormor at St. Johns College was a valuable conversation partner, as were many colleagues at Tyndale House. Thanks are also due to my examiners, William Horbury and Steven Barton, for their comments and criticisms. In addition, friends and family at St. Johns College, Tyndale House, and St. Marks Church, Newnham, made the drudgery of doctoral research more than bearable.

My colleagues and students at Westmont College have encouraged me through the process of revising the original dissertation, providing sounding boards and fresh insight into the texts and traditions of family violence. In particular, Emily Thomas read and commented on the completed book; her thoughtfulness is much appreciated. I also want to thank Shirley Decker-Lucke at Hendrickson for her help in beginning the process of publication, Jim Kinney and the editors at Baker Academic for continuing to guide the book along, and Peter Enns for his careful reading and insightful comments and questions, all of which helped me deepen and tighten my arguments.

Special recognition is due to Emily Varner, John Walton, Craig and Kim Hovey, Zhang Ling, Helen Rhee, and Alicia Baker for their ongoing support, friendship, and cheerleading. Finally, my parents, Allen and Lynnette Reeder, and siblings, Megan, Ryan, and Sara, have provided constant support and encouragement: I would not be who I am today without them.