A masterful and redemptive retelling of the biblical story of the princess Tamar and her determination to reclaim her life and God-given purpose
Ahoti brings to life the Old Testament story of the biblical princess Tamar, the daughter of David, King of Israel. Tamar’s search to overcome humiliation and betrayal after being assaulted by her brother takes her away from her childhood home and forces her to navigate the machinations of royal courts and play a fateful role in the lives of far-off kingdoms.
The familiar Bible story ends with Tamar living “desolate” (2 Samuel 13:20), but master storytellers Miriam Feinberg Vamosh and Eva Marie Everson take readers beyond this sorrowful ending to a horizon of hope, thanks to their brilliant adaptation of an ancient anonymous manuscript, purportedly written by Gad the Seer (1 Chronicles 29:29), which was discovered in India in the early 18th century. Beyond the biblical text, this manuscript provides a surprising conclusion, which has powerful modern-day significance.
Rich with cultural, biblical, and historical detail, and spiritually compelling, Ahoti will inspire readers to overcome humiliation, pain, betrayal, and bitterness, to embrace a life of purpose.
Ahoti brings to life the Old Testament story of the biblical princess Tamar, the daughter of David, King of Israel. Tamar’s search to overcome humiliation and betrayal after being assaulted by her brother takes her away from her childhood home and forces her to navigate the machinations of royal courts and play a fateful role in the lives of far-off kingdoms.
The familiar Bible story ends with Tamar living “desolate” (2 Samuel 13:20), but master storytellers Miriam Feinberg Vamosh and Eva Marie Everson take readers beyond this sorrowful ending to a horizon of hope, thanks to their brilliant adaptation of an ancient anonymous manuscript, purportedly written by Gad the Seer (1 Chronicles 29:29), which was discovered in India in the early 18th century. Beyond the biblical text, this manuscript provides a surprising conclusion, which has powerful modern-day significance.
Rich with cultural, biblical, and historical detail, and spiritually compelling, Ahoti will inspire readers to overcome humiliation, pain, betrayal, and bitterness, to embrace a life of purpose.
MY THOUGHTS.....
Authors Miriam Feinberg Vamosh and Eva Marie Everson transport readers to King David's era in a powerful story that could have come out of today's headlines! Tamar was sexually victimized by her half-brother Amnon and she was equally traumatized by her father's inaction and her brother using her in his power play against Amnon. Ahoti means "my sister" in Hebrew and this is how Amnon addressed Tamar before his brutal attack. Her hurt, shame, and betrayal are vividly portrayed and the biblical account tells us that this daughter of King David spent the rest of her life in a desolate existence at her brother's house.
Gut-wrenching, for sure, but ancient documents offer proof that Tamar may have experienced much more and this is why the authors choose to offer a different scenario. Why couldn't Tamar find her mother after years of being without her? Why shouldn't she experience happiness after enduring so much pain? Was it possible that her shame and despair evolved into hope and redemption?
Gut-wrenching, for sure, but ancient documents offer proof that Tamar may have experienced much more and this is why the authors choose to offer a different scenario. Why couldn't Tamar find her mother after years of being without her? Why shouldn't she experience happiness after enduring so much pain? Was it possible that her shame and despair evolved into hope and redemption?
This is a thought-provoking novel that features both historical and fictional details so I urge you to keep this in mind as you read it. I believe that biblical fiction is meant to be enjoyed but we must always refer back to God's Word for the true account! Tamar's story is but a short snippet in The Holy Bible but her tragic story is a beacon for today's women. I recommend Ahoti: A Story of Tamar to all who want to learn more about women of the Bible.
I received a copy of this novel from Paraclete Press. There was no obligation for a positive review.
I received a copy of this novel from Paraclete Press. There was no obligation for a positive review.
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
AUTHORS Q & A
1. What is the background of the "Ahoti" project? Tell us more about the ancient document that led to the writing of the book.
Miriam: My scientific adviser on the book I wrote about the daily life of children in the Bible was Prof. Meir Bar-Ilan, an expert on the subject. At the launch dinner for that book, I was to discover that he was an expert in another area – an ancient document called the Book of Gad the Seer. It’s actually mentioned in the Bible (1 Chron. 29:29) but was believed to have been lost, like the other books mentioned in that same verse. But as it turned out, it wasn’t lost. A copy of this book had been preserved by the ancient Jewish community of Cochin, India, whose elders said it had been brought to them by the Jews of Yemen, who had come to Yemen when they were exiled from their homeland by the Babylonians after the destruction of the First Temple. There it remained, unrecognized, until Western scholars first laid eyes on it in the 18th century. Eventually, when the Scottish theologian Claudius Buchanan, became head of the Anglican Church in India he traveled to Cochin, captivated by the idea that the Jewish community there might be descended from the original Twelve Tribes. He was shown the document, which he recognized for the treasure that it was, and took it with him to England in 1809. It’s there to this day, at Cambridge University. And that’s where Prof. Bar-Ilan began his research, in the 1980s, which culminated in the publication of his definitive book on the subject The Words of Gad the Seer in 2015, introducing to a wider audience the commentaries of the author on various Bible stories about the reign of David. It was at that launch dinner that Prof. Bar-Ilan leaned over and whispered to me: “I have a story that needs telling, and I think you’re the one to tell it.” It was the story of Tamar, David’s daughter, who was raped by her half-brother Amnon (2 Sam. 13) and later remained “a desolate woman in her brother Absalom’s house.” But “Gad the Seer” takes the story much further. And so, based on the words of this ancient author, I believe Eva Marie and I are the first to turn one of its ancient tales into a contemporary novel with a resonant message for men and women today.
2. As you researched the story, what stood out the most to you about Tamar?
Miriam: My research led me to contemporary scholars who saw Tamar not only as a victim of sexual violence, as if that were not enough, but the pawn in a grand palace intrigue, the likes of which we can only imagine from hints in Scripture but make perfect sense once these scholars tied it all together. So I’d say what struck me most about Tamar was the enormity of what she had to overcome. In addition to the sexual violence, she endured at the hands of her half-brother, her father’s inaction and her brother Absalom’s grand plot, which led to her having to flee the palace and everything she knew and loved. But overcome she did, and her story, as Eva Marie and I imagined, can be our story – the story of every woman who faced insurmountable odds on the way to vindication.
Eva Marie: The moment that struck me the hardest was when we got to the part of Absalom’s death at the hands of their uncle, Joab. The Scriptures tell us that he had raped his father’s concubines (2 Samuel 16) and that David, upon returning to the palace (after running from his own son), had declared that he would take care of them for life. I said to Miriam (and we included this in the book), “How is it that King David took care of his concubines, but not his daughter?”
3. Tell us more about the Wise Woman of Abel and how you worked her into the story.
Miriam: Eva Marie and I put Tamar on an actual journey through the Holy Land, from Jerusalem, through the hill country of Samaria, past the Sea of Galilee, to a city that bore the same name as her mother, Maacah, David’s wife, whom David had, as we imagined it, exiled from the palace when Tamar was almost too young to remember her. This city is called “Abel Beit [Beth] Maacah” in the Bible (2 Sam. 20). There, a “wise woman” lived who plays a major role in the story of the rebellion of one Sheba son of Bichri against David. According to the story, Sheba hid in Abel and David’s general Joab was sent to capture him. My idea was that the “wise woman of Abel” was none other than Tamar herself, who had reached the city and begun a new life there in disguise, until it would be safe to continue her journey – to her mother’s home in Geshur. And why not? We don’t know her identity, and as Eva Marie pointed out, Scripture shows that she recognized Joab right away. What we did with that part of the story I think might be one of the most dramatic parts.
4. Was there a moment in the story that took your breath away as you were writing?
Miriam: And that excellent question allows me to continue the previous answer. How we pictured Tamar, as the “wise woman of Abel” diffusing the situation with planning, wisdom, and yes, a good dose of shrewdness – all characteristics that the heroines of the Bible used to save themselves and often the lives of others.
Eva Marie: The end. But I won’t give it away!
5. What do you hope is the takeaway from Ahoti?
Miriam: After reading Ahoti, I hope readers realize that Tamar’s story of despair, though it happened thousands of years ago and thousands of miles away for most, is still the story of so many women today who are victims of sexual violence. To this day, despite all the advances society has made, we still have to find within ourselves every bit of fortitude and determination we can to survive and thrive. Her story is our story.
Eva Marie: While rape and abuse and even betrayal is a part of too many women’s stories, it is only a small portion. We are women. We are strong (we have to be). So many see us as the “weaker sex,” but anyone who has ever lived as a woman knows that is just not true. We. Are. Strong. When I speak to women about the effects of rape, I reiterate: “You are not a victim. You are a victor. This is a moment in your life. It is not the moments of your life. Grab hold of what God has given and not what life has taken away.”
6, What's next after Ahoti?
Miriam: When I wrote Prof. Bar-Ilan that the seed he planted of the story of Tamar in Gad the Seer had borne fruit, he was thrilled, and immediately emailed me back the next stories he wants us to tell!
Eva Marie: I’m excited to see what happens next with Miriam. Working with her is simply amazing. I do have another work of Southern fiction that I’m about to sign a contract for (Title: Beth Bettencourt). And, as soon as we’re done with all the promotion for this book, I’m gonna take a long nap!
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Miriam's husband Aaron passed away in 2023 and she is the mother of two wonderful daughters and sons-in-law and grandmother of five. She lives in Har Adar northwest of Jerusalem, in a “biblical triangle” that includes Kiriath Jearim, Chephirah (Josh. 9:17) and Emmaus (Luke 24:13–35).
You can learn more by visiting her Website
Eva Marie Everson is a CBA bestselling and multiple award-winning author and speaker, including an ECPA Gold Medallion, Christy finalist, a Silver Medallion winner, a Carol, several Maggie and Golden Scroll awards, and an Inspirational Retailers Choice Award. She is one of the original five Word Weavers members, which began in 1997. In 2022, Eva Marie was awarded the Yvonne Lehman Legacy Award and the AWSA Lifetime Achievement Award. Receiving both, she said, was among the highlights of her career.
She is a graduate of Andersonville Theological Seminary and The Tzemach Institute. Her theological focus has always been the tie between the Testaments with a greater understanding of Christianity’s Jewish roots.
Born and reared in Georgia, Eva Marie and her husband make their home in Central Florida where they are owned by one very spoiled cat and two hearts full of grandchildren.
GIVEAWAY!
Would you like a chance to win a FREE copy of Ahoti? Paraclete Press has graciously provided a copy of this exceptional book for me to gift to a lucky reader.
To Enter: In the comments below, please answer this question. Are you familiar with the story of King David's daughter, Tamar? You MUST also include first name and your email address in a non-spam format. Example: Your Name(AT)Domain(DOT)com, This is required so that I can contact you for your mailing address!
NOTE: This giveaway is limited to US winners only and you must be 18+ to win. It closes on Thursday, June 6, 2024, at 11:59 PM.
I have learned more about Tamar from this post and would love to win this book to read this version of her life after such tragedy!
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