Sexual Hospitality in the Hebrew Bible: Patronymic, Metronymic, Legitimate and Illegitimate Relations (Gender, Theology and Spirituality)

Book Details

• Author: Thalia Gur-Klein

• Publisher: Routledge

• Edition: 1st Edition

• Binding: Paperback

• Number of Pages: 334

• Release Date: 30th July 2013

• ISBN: 9781845531058

• Languages: English

• Package Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.1 x 1.2 inches

About the Book

Sexual Hospitality in the Hebrew Bible by Thalia Gur-Klein offers a thought-provoking exploration of the role of women in the ancient world, particularly in the context of sacred sexuality and ritual fecundity. This book examines the socio-economic and cultural constraints on women’s lives, focusing on their roles within the patronymic marriage system and metronymic conjugal systems.

In ancient societies, a woman's life was largely shaped by her social and economic status, with her sexuality often controlled by her father and later her husband. Yet, alongside these constraints, women had certain socio-economic rights—especially in the areas of inheritance and property—that allowed them to exert a measure of agency and protect themselves.

The book spans a wide range of issues, from abstention and promiscuity to holy offering and sexual hospitality. It offers a detailed look at how women navigated their sexual lives, revealing not only the restrictions they faced but also instances of resistance and agency. Through examining patronymic and metronymic systems, Gur-Klein highlights the complexities of female roles in biblical times, challenging conventional views and offering new insights into the sacred and socio-political dimensions of their lives.

This book is a valuable contribution to the field of biblical studies, gender studies, and ancient history, and will appeal to scholars and students interested in understanding the intersection of gender, sexuality, and power in the ancient world.