Nahum and the Question of Rape

In recent years, numerous biblical scholars have labelled Nah 2:8 [2:7, NRSV] and 3:4–7 as judgment by rape. This article tests this claim against an established feminist definition of rape. While these passages lead the reader to expect rape, it is argued that Nah 2:8 and 3:4–7 utilize allusions to...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Bulletin for biblical research
Main Author: COOK, GREGORY D. (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Eisenbrauns 2016
In: Bulletin for biblical research
Year: 2016, Volume: 26, Issue: 3, Pages: 341-352
Online Access: Presumably Free Access
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Parallel Edition:Non-electronic
Description
Summary:In recent years, numerous biblical scholars have labelled Nah 2:8 [2:7, NRSV] and 3:4–7 as judgment by rape. This article tests this claim against an established feminist definition of rape. While these passages lead the reader to expect rape, it is argued that Nah 2:8 and 3:4–7 utilize allusions to Ishtar and Jezebel to portray the cultic desecration of Ishtar and Nineveh. Notably, the stripping of Nineveh's queen elicits only horror in 3:7. The prophet's motive was not to entice but to appall. By means of literary disjunction, these passages reverse the Neo-Assyrian Empire's use of erotic Ishtar imagery and expose its ghastly spiritual and physical qualities.
ISSN:2576-0998
Contains:Enthalten in: Bulletin for biblical research
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.2307/26371454