survey of background materials

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Survey of Background Materials

Negative Assessments of WomenNegative Assessments of Women• Ben Sirach (ca. 180 BC) “better the Ben Sirach (ca. 180 BC) “better the

wickedness of a man than a woman wickedness of a man than a woman who does good (42:14)who does good (42:14)

• Philo (ca. 20 BC to AD 50) warns that Philo (ca. 20 BC to AD 50) warns that women are likely to be deceived women are likely to be deceived because they are gentler, more because they are gentler, more accepting (accepting (Questions in GenesisQuestions in Genesis 1.33) 1.33)

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Negative Assessments of WomenNegative Assessments of Women• Josephus (AD 27- -ca.100) The Law Josephus (AD 27- -ca.100) The Law

regards women as inferior in “all regards women as inferior in “all things.” Even so Josephus can divorce things.” Even so Josephus can divorce his wife simply because she displeased his wife simply because she displeased him (Life 426).him (Life 426).

• Josephus claims women’s testimony is Josephus claims women’s testimony is not admitted by the Jews because of the not admitted by the Jews because of the “levity and boldness” of their sex “levity and boldness” of their sex (Antiquities 4.219).(Antiquities 4.219).


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Negative Assessments of WomenNegative Assessments of Women• The Essenes also had a less than The Essenes also had a less than

positive assessment, regarding women positive assessment, regarding women as lascivious and unfaithful (Jewish Wars as lascivious and unfaithful (Jewish Wars 2.121), and for this reason they 2.121), and for this reason they practiced celibacy. practiced celibacy.

• Rabbinic material – Most famous is the Rabbinic material – Most famous is the Jewish male’s thanksgiving that he was Jewish male’s thanksgiving that he was not a woman (t. Ber 7:18), though this not a woman (t. Ber 7:18), though this might be less misogyny than might be less misogyny than gratefulness for fuller access to the gratefulness for fuller access to the Temple.Temple.


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Negative Assessments of WomenNegative Assessments of Women• Rabbi Eliezer – “better to burn the words of Rabbi Eliezer – “better to burn the words of

Torah than to give them to a woman” (y. Sota Torah than to give them to a woman” (y. Sota 3.4) for to do so was like teaching a daughter 3.4) for to do so was like teaching a daughter lechery (m. Sota 3.4).lechery (m. Sota 3.4).

• Gospel of Thomas has Jesus saying – “Lo, I shall Gospel of Thomas has Jesus saying – “Lo, I shall lead her, so that I may make her male, that lead her, so that I may make her male, that she too may become a living spirit, resembling she too may become a living spirit, resembling you males. For every woman who makes you males. For every woman who makes herself a male will enter the kingdom of herself a male will enter the kingdom of heaven” (114).heaven” (114).


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Positive Assessments of WomenPositive Assessments of Women• Ben Sirach (ca. 180 BC) “do not let pass the Ben Sirach (ca. 180 BC) “do not let pass the

opportunity to have a wise and good wife, for opportunity to have a wise and good wife, for her grace is more precious than gold” (7:19)her grace is more precious than gold” (7:19)

• Josephus has no hesitation in recognizing Josephus has no hesitation in recognizing exceptionally able women such as the “wise” exceptionally able women such as the “wise” Alexandra (Antiquities 14.405-32) or the Alexandra (Antiquities 14.405-32) or the calculating Cleopatra whose machinations calculating Cleopatra whose machinations rivaled Herod’s (Antiquities 15.88-107).rivaled Herod’s (Antiquities 15.88-107).


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Positive Assessments of WomenPositive Assessments of Women• Philo can even have Leah typify the rational Philo can even have Leah typify the rational

part of the soul (Preliminary Studies 26ff).part of the soul (Preliminary Studies 26ff).• Rabbis – While a man was the ultimate Rabbis – While a man was the ultimate

authority in the home (m. Ker 6.9), a wife could authority in the home (m. Ker 6.9), a wife could retain some control over her own property (m. retain some control over her own property (m. Ketub. 8-9) and if necessary precipitate a Ketub. 8-9) and if necessary precipitate a divorce (m. Ned. 11.12; m. Kettub 7.2-10). divorce (m. Ned. 11.12; m. Kettub 7.2-10). Strikingly, only women are said to have a right Strikingly, only women are said to have a right to sexual pleasure (m. Ketub. 5.6; Ketub. 62a; to sexual pleasure (m. Ketub. 5.6; Ketub. 62a; b. Sanh. 75a).b. Sanh. 75a).


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Positive Assessments of WomenPositive Assessments of Women• Against Rabbi Eliezer, other affirm Against Rabbi Eliezer, other affirm

teaching women Torah (m. Ned. 4.3; m. teaching women Torah (m. Ned. 4.3; m. Sota 3.4) with some women actually Sota 3.4) with some women actually being consulted on points of oral law (cf. being consulted on points of oral law (cf. b. Qidd. 70a-b).b. Qidd. 70a-b).

• For nearly every negative view a For nearly every negative view a positive counterpart of some kind can positive counterpart of some kind can be found.be found.


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Some of the more negative Some of the more negative statements may bear a less statements may bear a less offensive readingoffensive reading• Even our friend Ben Sirach may be Even our friend Ben Sirach may be

using hyperbole to make his point. using hyperbole to make his point. • PC was not an essential way of lifePC was not an essential way of life• Larger Principle: That which brings the Larger Principle: That which brings the

greatest good can also do the greatest greatest good can also do the greatest harm (i.e., A good and wise woman harm (i.e., A good and wise woman brings joy but can also bring a man to brings joy but can also bring a man to devastation).devastation).

Summary of Background Materials

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Some of the more negative Some of the more negative statements may bear a less offensive statements may bear a less offensive readingreading• The frequency of complaints about The frequency of complaints about

“strong-willed” daughters and “strong-willed” daughters and “tiresome” wives is prima facie evidence “tiresome” wives is prima facie evidence that informally at least male authority that informally at least male authority was not everywhere meekly accepted. was not everywhere meekly accepted.


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Some of the more negative Some of the more negative statements may bear a less offensive statements may bear a less offensive readingreading• Societies are rarely homogenous. Societies are rarely homogenous. • Women are rarely offered education and Women are rarely offered education and

apparently often married to men of apparently often married to men of somewhat older and more experienced somewhat older and more experienced than themselves. than themselves.


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Some of the more negative statements Some of the more negative statements may bear a less offensive readingmay bear a less offensive reading• 4 Observations:4 Observations:• 1. Whatever else, this considerable diversity 1. Whatever else, this considerable diversity

scuttles any notion of there being “a Jewish scuttles any notion of there being “a Jewish view” of women or that was intrinsically view” of women or that was intrinsically misogynist.misogynist.

• 2. Undoubtedly this was a patriarchal society. 2. Undoubtedly this was a patriarchal society. • Woman is mostly discussed in relation to males Woman is mostly discussed in relation to males

as wife, daughters, or temptress; marriage, for as wife, daughters, or temptress; marriage, for the vast majority, was simply assumed. the vast majority, was simply assumed.


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Some of the more negative statements Some of the more negative statements may bear a less offensive readingmay bear a less offensive reading• 3. We actually know very little about the 3. We actually know very little about the

day-to-day situation of women among day-to-day situation of women among the common people. the common people.

• 4. We have no way of knowing how 4. We have no way of knowing how representative this second century representative this second century document is of pre-AD 70 sentiments document is of pre-AD 70 sentiments and whether its various ideas represent and whether its various ideas represent a later reactionary conservatism. a later reactionary conservatism.


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Some of the more negative Some of the more negative statements may bear a less offensive statements may bear a less offensive readingreading• Matthew reminds his readers that Matthew reminds his readers that

David’s line is no stranger to “scandal.” David’s line is no stranger to “scandal.” Whatever the exact reason it is clear Whatever the exact reason it is clear that these women, even if of dubious that these women, even if of dubious origin or circumstance, are also part of origin or circumstance, are also part of God’s plan. God’s plan.


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Some of the more negative Some of the more negative statements may bear a less offensive statements may bear a less offensive readingreading• Intriguingly, in a setting where women Intriguingly, in a setting where women

were regarded at least by some (if not were regarded at least by some (if not many) males as lascivious threats to many) males as lascivious threats to holiness, Jesus in his teaching on lust holiness, Jesus in his teaching on lust directs his attention to the problems in directs his attention to the problems in men (Mt. 5:27-30).men (Mt. 5:27-30).


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