Wom(b)An: A Cultural-Narrative Reading of the Hebrew Bible Barrenness Narratives

Erscheinungsjahr 2018
ISBN: 978-90-04-36097-6
Verlag: Brill

Buch, Englisch, Band 162, 320 Seiten, Format (B × H): 155 mm x 235 mm, Gewicht: 658 g

Reihe: Biblical Interpretation Series

In Wom(b)an: A Cultural-Narrative Reading of the Hebrew Bible Barrenness Narratives Janice Pearl Ewurama De-Whyte offers a reading of the Hebrew Bible barrenness narratives. The original word “wom(b)an” visually underscores the centrality of a productive womb to female identity in the ANE and Hebrew contexts. Conversely, barrenness was the ultimate tragedy and shame of a woman. Utilizing Akan cultural custom as a lens through which to read the Hebrew barrenness tradition, De-Whyte uncovers another kind of barrenness within these narratives. Her term “social barrenness” depicts the various situations of childlessness that are generally unrecognized in western cultures due to the western biomedical definitions of infertility. Whether biological or social, barrenness was perceived to be the greatest threat to a woman’s identity and security as well as the continuity of the lineage. Wom(b)an examines these narratives in light of the cultural meanings of barrenness within traditional cultures, ancient and present.

Autoren/Hrsg.

de-Whyte, Janice P

Fachgebiete

• Sozialwissenschaften Soziologie | Soziale Arbeit Soziale Gruppen/Soziale Themen Gender Studies, Geschlechtersoziologie
• Geisteswissenschaften Christentum, Christliche Theologie Bibelwissenschaften Altes Testament: Exegese, Geschichte

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Acknowledgments
Abbreviations

1 Wom(b)an: An Introduction

2 (In)Fertility in the Ancient Near East

3 (In)Fertility in the Akan Culture

Part 1: Biological Barrenness

Introduction to Part 1

4 Sarah, Rebekah and Rachel: Beautiful and Barren

5 Infertility in the Former Prophets

Conclusion to Part 1

Part 2: Social Barrenness

Introduction to Part 2

6 Leah and Michal: Estranged Wives

7 Dinah and Princess Tamar: Violated Women

8 Tamar and Naomi–Ruth: Widows

9 Conclusion

Bibliography
Index

Über Autor(innen)

Janice Pearl Ewurama De-Whyte, Ph.D. (2014), McMaster Divinity College, is Assistant Professor of Hebrew Bible & Theological Studies at the School of Religion, Loma Linda University, California.