Possible psychoanalytic meanings of the foreskin in the Hebrew Bible

Amongst the approximately 250 body parts which are mentioned in the Hebrew Bible, the foreskin is mentioned infrequently, even when it is closely linked to circumcision, an essential religious, national, and identity marker. While the foreskin must therefore be highly cathected, this background posi...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Van der Zwan, Pieter (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
Check availability: HBZ Gateway
Fernleihe:Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste
Published: Unisa Press 2019
In: Journal for semitics
Year: 2019, Volume: 28, Issue: 1, Pages: 1-22
Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains:B Foreskin / Circumcision (Man) / Psychoanalysis / Identity / Shame
IxTheo Classification:HB Old Testament
Further subjects:B Patriarchy
B Body-part
B Prepuce
B Psychoanalytic
B Shame
B Purity
B Foreskin
B Nakedness
B Idealisation
B Circumcision
B Meaning
Online Access: Presumably Free Access
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Summary:Amongst the approximately 250 body parts which are mentioned in the Hebrew Bible, the foreskin is mentioned infrequently, even when it is closely linked to circumcision, an essential religious, national, and identity marker. While the foreskin must therefore be highly cathected, this background position may be indicative of either unconscious or constantly assumed meaning(s) which it has in its literary contexts. A psychoanalytic exploration of its possible significance can widen the hermeneutic horizon by investigating what has remained unsaid. This can range from idealisation to shame and can at least serve as a heuristic stimulant.
Contains:Enthalten in: Journal for semitics
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.25159/2663-6573/4298
HDL: 10520/EJC-1a95a4232e