An Analysis of the Role of Shaming and Shame in the Tanakh: The Divine Response to Arrogance
[Thesis]
Kasle, Annette Levinson
Geller, Stephen A.
The Jewish Theological Seminary of America
2019
176 p.
D.H.L.
The Jewish Theological Seminary of America
2019
The phenomena of shaming/shame are found in a broad-range of circumstances described in the biblical texts including political, economic, familial and moral. These concepts apply to interpersonal relationships as well as affairs between individuals and God. They also apply to the relationship between God and the nation of Israel and God and other nations. This study utilizes literature review, lexical and textual analysis to better understand the phenomena of shaming/shame within the context of selected texts. Comparisons are made across texts to determine what patterns emerge. The study contends that the role of Yhwh is crucial to understanding the theology of shaming/shame in the Tanakh. The study will argue that the various manifestations of shaming/shame across the canon reflect a common motif of a divine response to human arrogance.