Yahweh versus Baal: A Narrative-Critical Reading of the Gideon/Abimelech Narrative *
The story of Gideon and his son Abimelech lies at the center of the book of Judges. This article offers a reading of this narrative that lends a clearer understanding of the book as a whole. Gideon and Abimelech are seen as human representatives of Yahweh and Baal. In this way, the narrative is seen...
| Published in: | Journal for the study of the Old Testament |
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| Main Author: | |
| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
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| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
Sage
2008
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| In: |
Journal for the study of the Old Testament
Year: 2008, Volume: 33, Issue: 2, Pages: 173-195 |
| Further subjects: | B
Narrative Criticism
B Judges B Gideon B Judges 6—9 B Abimelech |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) |
| Summary: | The story of Gideon and his son Abimelech lies at the center of the book of Judges. This article offers a reading of this narrative that lends a clearer understanding of the book as a whole. Gideon and Abimelech are seen as human representatives of Yahweh and Baal. In this way, the narrative is seen as a fight between the two gods for Israel's fidelity. Yahweh defeats Baal, yet the Israelites still reject Yahweh and turn to the defeated god. After this, Yahweh's activity with the Israelites is less frequent and more ambiguous. The text suggests that Israel's problems with fidelity will be solved once a human representative of Yahweh sits on the throne of Israel. |
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| ISSN: | 1476-6728 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: Journal for the study of the Old Testament
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| Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.1177/0309089208099255 |