Temptation Transformed

Temptation Transformed is a serious study of a biblical topic, which should appeal primarily to biblical scholars. * Washington Jewish Week * If Genesis speaks only of the forbidden 'fruit,' how and when did that fruit become an apple? To answer, Yadin-Israel leads us from Genesis to the Song of Songs, through an iconographic survey worthy of Erwin Panofsky, into medieval languages, and even a brief history of apples in ancient and modern horticulture. This visual and literary masterpiece will serve as a methodological guide for future research, but its ultimate subject is nothing less than the pictorial representation of human sinfulness and the hope for redemption. -- James Kugel, author of 'The Bible as It Was' A fascinating cornucopia of insights from language, literature, and art history, Temptation Transformed offers the tantalizing fruit of rigorous textual and iconographic research into the identification of the forbidden fruit. Yadin-Israel provides compelling evidence for a new understanding of the development of the apple tradition in medieval France. I will use his historical insights every time I teach Genesis. -- John H. Walton, author of 'The Lost World of Adam and Eve' Temptation Transformed traces the rise of the forbidden fruit across centuries-from ancient Hebrew manuscripts to wall paintings and more. This is an engaging and beautiful book. -- Miri Rubin, author of 'Mother of God: A History of the Virgin Mary'