New Books in Biblical Studies Elliott Rabin, "The Biblical Hero: Portraits in Nobility and Fallibility" (Jewish Publication Society, 2020)
Oct 20, 2025
Elliott Rabin, author of "The Biblical Hero: Portraits in Nobility and Fallibility," explores how biblical heroes like Moses and Esther embody both greatness and flaw. He discusses the Bible’s portrayal of heroism compared to other literary traditions, revealing a complex chiaroscuro of noble actions and moral ambiguities. Rabin argues for early engagement with complex character portrayals in education, highlighting how these themes resonate during crises. He also touches on the comparative analysis of biblical figures with world literature and shares insights on God’s partnership in human heroism.
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Zoom Out To See Biblical Character Patterns
- Elliott Rabin argues Jewish interpretation often zooms in close and rarely steps back to view biblical characters in wider context.
- He uses that wider view to compare biblical heroes to world literature to reveal distinctive portrayals.
Bible Demotes Divine-Style Heroism
- Rabin shows the Bible is suspicious of ancient hero-models that confer semi-divinity on people.
- The biblical term gibor denotes strength, not divine heroism, and moral self-mastery outranks brute might.
Chiaroscuro Portraits Encourage Emulation
- Rabin contends the Bible presents its major heroes in chiaroscuro: both noble and morally troubled.
- This duality lets ordinary readers see themselves as capable of heroic acts despite flaws.
