‘A dangerous and powerful woman?’: A feminist reading of an old story with new cultural eyes
This article explores the text of Judges 14, which describes the life of a so-called ‘hyper-masculine’ Israelite hero, Samson. However, a careful feminist and socio-historical interpretation of Samson’s character reflects a rather bleak version of an anti-hero. This is based on his behaviour, which...
| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
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| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
Univ.
2022
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| In: |
Verbum et ecclesia
Year: 2022, Volume: 43, Issue: 1, Pages: 1-7 |
| Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains: | B
Bible. Judge 14
/ Samson Biblical character
/ Masculinity
/ Hero
/ Israelites
/ Verdacht (Motif)
/ Feminist exegesis
/ Violence
/ Actualization
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| IxTheo Classification: | HB Old Testament |
| Further subjects: | B
Judges 14
B ‘hyper-masculinity’ B heroic literature B Culture B modern reading B post-modernist and feminist deconstruction |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (kostenfrei) Volltext (kostenfrei) |
| Summary: | This article explores the text of Judges 14, which describes the life of a so-called ‘hyper-masculine’ Israelite hero, Samson. However, a careful feminist and socio-historical interpretation of Samson’s character reflects a rather bleak version of an anti-hero. This is based on his behaviour, which was the antithesis to the Israelite ideal of masculinity. When the text is firmly interrogated from a post-modernist (hermeneutic of suspicion) and feminist deconstruction of power texts, it becomes evident that women are not the dangerous betrayers they appear to be. Rather, when this text is read, questions such as who holds actual power and how destructive hyper-masculinity was in patriarchal societies such as ancient Israel emerge. The questions relating to the texts of terror can be useful to critically engage with contemporary society, where personal and social change in treating women equally and justly is sorely needed. Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: This article brings theological discourse into discussion with biblical and feminist studies, hermeneutic studies, ethical studies and practical theology. It also explores the intersections between the texts in the book of Judges from a contemporary cultural context with regard to masculinity oppressing women. |
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| ISSN: | 2074-7705 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: Verbum et ecclesia
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| Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.4102/ve.v43i1.2422 |