To Kill or Not to Kill the Enemies' Women and Children? The Irony of Esther 8:11
There has been much debate over the phrase "with their children and women, and to plunder their goods" in Mordecai's edict in Esther 8:11. Does it call for the destruction of Persian children, women, and property or only allow Jews to defend themselves against enemies who are seeking...
| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
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| Interlibrary Loan: | Interlibrary Loan for the Fachinformationsdienste (Specialized Information Services in Germany) |
| Published: |
[2016]
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| In: |
Asia journal of theology
Year: 2016, Volume: 30, Issue: 2, Pages: 145-159 |
| IxTheo Classification: | HB Old Testament NCA Ethics |
| Further subjects: | B
Women
B ESTHER, Queen of Persia B Haman B Esther B IRAN; Social conditions B SOCIAL conditions of women B Bible. Ester 8,11 B Persian B Irony B Retribution B Revenge B Jewish B Purim B BAN B reversal B Polysemy B Children B Mordecai B SOCIAL conditions of children |
| Summary: | There has been much debate over the phrase "with their children and women, and to plunder their goods" in Mordecai's edict in Esther 8:11. Does it call for the destruction of Persian children, women, and property or only allow Jews to defend themselves against enemies who are seeking to annihilate Jewish children, women, and goods? While a majority of scholars follow the first option, I propose that the text allows for a polysemous reading. It is possible to read the ambiguous text as referring both to Persian and Jewish children, women, and goods. The interpretation of the text depends on the character of the interpreter: Persian enemies may read their own savagery into the text and are put to fear, while Jews will primarily see an opportunity to defend themselves and to demonstrate that they are loyal citizens in a foreign land. Thus, Mordecai's edict serves to heighten the distinction between those who oppose God and those who follow God's will. The people of God are those who act justly toward the innocent and the powerless, regardless of racial or political boundaries. |
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| ISSN: | 2815-1828 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: Asia journal of theology
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