Language:
English
Year of publication:
2020
Titel der Quelle:
Violence in the Hebrew Bible; Between Text and Reception
Angaben zur Quelle:
(2020) 190-213
Keywords:
Jael
;
Bible. Criticism, interpretation, etc.
;
Bible Appreciation
;
Women in the Bible
;
Violence in the Bible
Abstract:
Jael (based on the account of her actions in Judges 4–5) has been viewed in many ways, including as a courageous hero and as a deceitful murderer. However, a literary-rhetorical study of the song indicates another purpose of the accounts, one that is not related to her character. Rather a more compelling interpretation is that the two texts, particularly the song, were composed to stir the tribes to participate in Yhwh’s cause, in battle against the enemy. The climax of the account (based on the literary rhetoric) is Jael’s actions. For Israel at that time, Jael was a hero. But how do women today view Jael’s “violent act”? Is violence ever seen as a necessary act for them?This chapter is based on groups in South Africa studying and performing Judges 4–5, with particular focus on the texts relating to Jael. The first group is made up of “Coloured” women who grew up in the violence of Cape Flats, some of whom deal with “violent men” in their lives through manslaughter. The second group is made up of (educated) young African refugees from societies in which women traditionally submit to men. The study looks at their interpretations of Jael’s actions and evaluates them in the light of the Hebrew text.
DOI:
10.1163/9789004434684_012
URL:
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