In the seventh century B.C., Judean King Josiah systematically destroyed the cult sites where his own people worshipped in order to purify Israelite religion and consolidate religious authority in the hands of the Jerusalem temple priests. This violent assertion of Israelite identity, described in the Book of Kings, is portrayed as a pivotal moment in the development of monotheistic Judaism.

In "Josiah's Reform and the Dynamics of Defilement" (Oxford University Press), Lauren Monroe, assistant professor of Near Eastern studies at Cornell, argues that the use of cultic and ritual language in the account of the reform is key to understanding the history of the biblical text's composition.

Monroe is particularly interested in how what it meant to be "Israelite" changed over time, and how such changes are reflected in the layers of the biblical text and in archaeological sites. In "Josiah's Reform," Monroe describes how Josiah's acts of destruction fit within the larger context of Israelite ritual, and how a range of ancient voices from different periods are preserved in the biblical account of the reform. Her work unveils a dialogue on sacred space, sanctified violence and the nature of Israelite religion that was formative in the development not only of the Book of Kings, but of the historical books of the Bible more broadly.

Monroe will discuss the main themes of her new book May 20 at 12:30 p.m. in the Cornell Store Book Department, with an introduction by Kim Haines-Eitzen, chair of Near Eastern studies, and then answer questions. Light refreshments will be available, and copies of "Josiah's Reform and the Dynamics of Defilement" will be discounted 20 percent for this event.

Linda B. Glaser is a staff writer for the College of Arts and Sciences.