This insightful work examines the variety of ways comedy is employed in the Old Testament. Biblical comedy unveils "a comic vision that oscillates between attack and affirmation, corrective and celebration, ridicule and revel." Here Whedbee reveals the subtle uses of parody and satire to subversive effect in six biblical books. But "the Bible characteristically does not stop with subversion, for the texts usually drive on toward an affirmation of life and a celebration of the wonder and hopefulness of creation.... In sum, subversion and celebration typically belong together in a comprehensive view of biblical comedy: subversion often serving to undercut and clear away obstacles to the realization of fertility and forgiveness; and celebration finding expression in festivals of freedom and hope."