In the time of a global pandemic that has forced us to rethink our stance on life and death, the question of the human condition has become even more relevant and pertinent. Stuart Lasine, professor of religion at Wichita State University, offers an insightful and engaging probe into the question whether the Hebrew Bible “allow[s] its readers to remain optimistic about their existence in God’s world” (p. xii).
The volume is divided into two parts, totaling seven chapters, a conclusion (pp. 114–34), a substantial bibliography (pp. 135–54), and two indexes (pp. 155–65). Part 1 discusses different perspectives on the human condition in the HB focusing on a number of biblical narratives and text bodies that include, as should be expected, Qoheleth, Deut 31, Jonah 1–2, Ps 107, and 2 Kgs 13. The section concludes with a chapter dealing with the idea of reading about death in the biblical narrative where...