Violence and Personhood in Ancient Israel and Comparative Contexts
Book Description
This groundbreaking scholarly work examines the complex relationship between violence, identity, and social power in ancient Israel, offering profound insights that resonate with contemporary spiritual and social understanding. T. M. Lemos presents the first comprehensive exploration of how personhood was understood and constructed in ancient Israelite society, revealing how deeply intertwined concepts of violence and human dignity were in this foundational culture.
The author demonstrates how social hierarchies and power structures fundamentally shaped who was considered a full person in ancient Israel. Through careful analysis, Lemos shows how personhood itself was fluid and could be stripped away through acts of domination and brutalization. The study uncovers a troubling pattern where those in positions of authority could dehumanize and harm subordinates, reducing them to less than fully human status.
What makes this work particularly relevant for modern readers is Lemos's connection between ancient patterns and contemporary social dynamics. The author argues that similar mechanisms of dehumanization continue to operate in today's world, with devastating effects on marginalized communities. This connection between past and present offers valuable perspective for those seeking to understand how power, violence, and human dignity intersect across cultures and time periods.
For readers interested in biblical studies, social justice, or understanding the roots of systemic oppression, this scholarly examination provides essential historical context for ongoing conversations about human worth and dignity.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~8 hours)
📄 Length: 280 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Study Bible from spiritual perspective
- ✓ Explore Male domination (Social structure)
- ✓ Explore Israel, social conditions
- ✓ Explore Respect for persons (Jewish law)
- ✓ Explore Masculinity
- ✓ Explore Violence in the Bible
- ✓ Explore Jews, history, to 70 a.d.
- ✓ Explore Biblical teaching
