Nature as David’s Sacred Ally in the Death of Absalom
The death of Absalom in 2 Samuel 18 takes place in the midst of a civil war in the woods of Ephraim when his hair is unceremoniously caught in a terebinth tree, personified as a secret ally of his father, David. Adding to the anthropomorphism, the text cryptically states that the woods "devoure...
| Subtitles: | Zimrat JAH: A Tribute To Ann Hackett |
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| Main Author: | |
| Contributors: | |
| Format: | Print Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
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| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
Western Academic Press
2021
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| In: |
Maarav
Year: 2021, Volume: 25, Issue: 1/2, Pages: 183-203 |
| Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains: | B
Bible. Samuel 2. 18
/ Absalom
/ Nature
/ Oak
/ Hair
/ Personification
/ Murder
/ Justification
/ Concealment
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| IxTheo Classification: | HB Old Testament |
| Further subjects: | B
Hair
B forest B mule B tree B Absalom B Festschrift B Hackett, Ann |
| Parallel Edition: | Electronic
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| Summary: | The death of Absalom in 2 Samuel 18 takes place in the midst of a civil war in the woods of Ephraim when his hair is unceremoniously caught in a terebinth tree, personified as a secret ally of his father, David. Adding to the anthropomorphism, the text cryptically states that the woods "devoured" more people on the day of battle than the sword. This paper explores the significance of the various natural components in the narrative of Absalom's demise in 2 Samuel 18. In so doing, I argue that the description of the context of Absalom 's death-namely, the placement of the battle in the liminal space of the forest, the mysterious personification of mules, hair, trees, and woods, and finally, the description of Absalom as hanging in the space "between heaven and earth"-attempts to conceal and justify the treacherous and underhanded assassination of Absalom by his father, David. |
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| ISSN: | 0149-5712 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: Maarav
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