Von Mutterhäusern, Landestöchtern und Stadtfrauen. Raum und Geschlecht im Alten Testament

Abstract

This paper deals with the connection of space and gender within the Old Testament. It proceeds on the assumption that space is not a static scenery but something dynamic. According to Martina Löw, space is a “relational ordering of living entities and social goods” and is constituted by people’s (or literary characters’) actions. Different aspects and texts concerning the correlation of space and gender are examined: There are problems with or criticizing of foreign women (Genesis 24:6-8; 1 Kings 11; Ezra 9-10; Nehemiah 13:23-31), the betrayal of the ancestress in the foreign country (Genesis 12.20.26) and violence against foreigners (Genesis 19.34; Judges 19). The personification of the city is another important aspect concerning space and gender. On the one hand, the image of Mother Zion in Isaiah 66:7-14 is analysed. On the other hand, the Daughters of Jerusalem play an important role in the Song of Songs. Finally, the concept of the house, which is related either to the father (Genesis 38), the brother (2 Samuel 13) or the mother (Gensis 24:28; Ruth 1:8; Song of Songs 3:4; 8:2), is taken into account.