Her influence: The constructive roles of women in the lives of Moses and Boaz

This article critiques the constructive roles of women in the lives of Moses and Boaz applying feminist biblical criticism as a theory. By critiquing the significant yet often downplayed contributions of women such as Jochebed, Miriam, Ruth and Naomi, the aim is to provide a more inclusive and multi...

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Main Author: Mlamli Diko
Format: Article
Language:Afrikaans
Published: AOSIS 2024-12-01
Series:Verbum et Ecclesia
Subjects:
Online Access:https://verbumetecclesia.org.za/index.php/ve/article/view/3238
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author Mlamli Diko
author_facet Mlamli Diko
author_sort Mlamli Diko
collection DOAJ
description This article critiques the constructive roles of women in the lives of Moses and Boaz applying feminist biblical criticism as a theory. By critiquing the significant yet often downplayed contributions of women such as Jochebed, Miriam, Ruth and Naomi, the aim is to provide a more inclusive and multifaceted understanding of their roles in different biblical texts. In the process, feminist biblical criticism, as a theory, unmasks the pervasive influence of sexism in both the biblical texts and their interpretive traditions, contesting traditional readings that subjugate women’s voices and agency. Ultimately, this article makes two notable findings. Firstly, the central role of Jochebed and Miriam in ensuring Moses’ survival and rise to leadership underscores how their actions were fundamental to the unfolding of Israel’s history. Secondly, the proactive agency of Ruth and Naomi demonstrated through their strategic decisions and mutual support, facilitated social and familial redemption and thereby transformed Boaz’s life and legacy. These notable findings underline the indispensable contributions of women in the two biblical figures and call for a (re)consideration of their roles in biblical history and contemporary contexts. Inevitably, I conclude that by reclaiming the voices and experiences of women, this article advocates for a more unprejudiced (re)interpretation of sacred canon, promoting gender justice and inclusivity in contemporary religious and cultural practices. Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: Examining the constructive roles of women challenges male-orientated interpretations in theology and intersects with literary, historical, sociological, gender and cultural discourses, advancing inclusive and non-partisan understandings of biblical texts.
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spelling doaj-art-1df33cebbdf14e15be0797b973f10cd92025-08-20T02:38:51ZafrAOSISVerbum et Ecclesia1609-99822074-77052024-12-01451e1e1010.4102/ve.v45i1.32382012Her influence: The constructive roles of women in the lives of Moses and BoazMlamli Diko0Department of African Languages, College of Human Sciences, University of South Africa, PretoriaThis article critiques the constructive roles of women in the lives of Moses and Boaz applying feminist biblical criticism as a theory. By critiquing the significant yet often downplayed contributions of women such as Jochebed, Miriam, Ruth and Naomi, the aim is to provide a more inclusive and multifaceted understanding of their roles in different biblical texts. In the process, feminist biblical criticism, as a theory, unmasks the pervasive influence of sexism in both the biblical texts and their interpretive traditions, contesting traditional readings that subjugate women’s voices and agency. Ultimately, this article makes two notable findings. Firstly, the central role of Jochebed and Miriam in ensuring Moses’ survival and rise to leadership underscores how their actions were fundamental to the unfolding of Israel’s history. Secondly, the proactive agency of Ruth and Naomi demonstrated through their strategic decisions and mutual support, facilitated social and familial redemption and thereby transformed Boaz’s life and legacy. These notable findings underline the indispensable contributions of women in the two biblical figures and call for a (re)consideration of their roles in biblical history and contemporary contexts. Inevitably, I conclude that by reclaiming the voices and experiences of women, this article advocates for a more unprejudiced (re)interpretation of sacred canon, promoting gender justice and inclusivity in contemporary religious and cultural practices. Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: Examining the constructive roles of women challenges male-orientated interpretations in theology and intersects with literary, historical, sociological, gender and cultural discourses, advancing inclusive and non-partisan understandings of biblical texts.https://verbumetecclesia.org.za/index.php/ve/article/view/3238feminist biblical criticismwomenmosesboazrolescontributions.
spellingShingle Mlamli Diko
Her influence: The constructive roles of women in the lives of Moses and Boaz
Verbum et Ecclesia
feminist biblical criticism
women
moses
boaz
roles
contributions.
title Her influence: The constructive roles of women in the lives of Moses and Boaz
title_full Her influence: The constructive roles of women in the lives of Moses and Boaz
title_fullStr Her influence: The constructive roles of women in the lives of Moses and Boaz
title_full_unstemmed Her influence: The constructive roles of women in the lives of Moses and Boaz
title_short Her influence: The constructive roles of women in the lives of Moses and Boaz
title_sort her influence the constructive roles of women in the lives of moses and boaz
topic feminist biblical criticism
women
moses
boaz
roles
contributions.
url https://verbumetecclesia.org.za/index.php/ve/article/view/3238
work_keys_str_mv AT mlamlidiko herinfluencetheconstructiverolesofwomeninthelivesofmosesandboaz