Jefte i jego ślub (Sdz 11,29-40) – lektura kontekstualna

Janusz Lemański

doi:10.21697/ct.2020.90.4.03

Published: 2020-12-31

Vol. 90 No. 4 (2020)

Jephthah and his vow (Jdg 11:29-40) - A Contextual Reading

Janusz Lemański

Collectanea Theologica

Section: Articles

https://doi.org/10.21697/ct.2020.90.4.03

Abstract

Jephthah, his vow to God and the tragic consequences arising therefrom have long been the subjects of numerous analyses. The particular interest in the pericope lies mainly in the fact that Jephthah makes a promise and offers to God a sacrifice of a human (unintentionally, his daughter). What is astonishing to the reader is the absence in the text of a clear and unequivocal assessment of the deed: neither a moral nor a religious judgment can be found. However, a negative evaluation can be perceived during a contextual reading (Gen 22; Lev 18:21; 20:2; the prophets). For that reason, the attention in this article is mainly focused on reading the pericope Jdg 11:29-40 solely within the context of the Book of Judges. Another objective of this article is to demonstrate that the said contextual milieu permits, in a fully sufficient manner, the forming of a negative assessment of the case of Jephthah and his daughter, and of the absence of any reaction from other Israelites. Hence, the pericope presents another step towards the “Canaanization” of Israel in the period of the judges.

Keywords:

Jephthah, vow, sacrifices of children

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Lemański, J. (2020). Jephthah and his vow (Jdg 11:29-40) - A Contextual Reading. Collectanea Theologica, 90(4), 81–108. https://doi.org/10.21697/ct.2020.90.4.03

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