Language:
English
Year of publication:
2021
Titel der Quelle:
Zeitschrift für die Alttestamentliche Wissenschaft
Angaben zur Quelle:
133,4 (2021) 442-455
Keywords:
Bible. Criticism, interpretation, etc.
;
Deuteronomistic history (Biblical criticism)
;
Good and evil Biblical teaching
;
Punishment Biblical teaching
;
Hebrew language, Biblical Terms and phrases
;
Jewish law Biblical teaching
Abstract:
This article argues for the importance of the purging formula in Judg 20:13. In the Deuteronomic Code, this formula provides the motivation for capital punishment in two areas relevant to the Judges narrative: first, apostasy and incitement to it, and, second, the perversion of Deuteronomic legal procedures. This study argues that both motifs are present in and important to Judges’ rendering of the Sodom-like outrage in Gibeah. The first is obvious. With regard to the second, the article argues that the Israelites err in their investigation of the case, and therefore their decisions and subsequent action lead to more violence and confusion. It is further argued that the triple oracular inquiry of YHWH in Judg 20:18–28 is presented as an inadequate substitute for proper forensic adjudication; it therefore does not lead to the establishment of order and justice.
DOI:
10.1515/zaw-2021-4002
URL:
Locate this publication in Israeli libraries
Permalink