Slave wives and transgressive unions in biblical and ancient Near East law

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Abstract

This essay contends that biblical narratives were composed in the knowledge that audiences were familiar with different ancient Near East (ANE) legal codes in cuneiform, as well as Hebrew biblical laws on conjugal relations and inheritance laws involving slave wives. It is suggested that much of the drama in the Bible is created by main characters contravening written biblical and ANE laws, and that audiences would be aware that such frissons were being referenced. Indeed, the characters’ contraventions add so much depth and dramatic irony to the narratives that it is unlikely that they have not been created or harmonised in this reverse way
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationLeviticus and Numbers
EditorsA Brenner, ACC Lee
PublisherAugsburg Fortress
Pages55-75
Number of pages21
ISBN (Print)9780800699369
Publication statusPublished - 1 Mar 2013

Publication series

NameTexts@Contexts
PublisherAugsburg Fortress

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