2008/08/26 by Caroline Blyth · 1 citation
Arts and Humanities · Social Sciences · Psychology · #Biblical Studies and Interpretation #Historical and Linguistic Studies #Archaeology and Historical Studies #Depiction #Character (mathematics) #Narrative #Literature #Hebrew #Interpreter #Psychoanalysis #Hebrew Bible #Philosophy #Psychology #Art #Biblical studies #Computer science
paper · doi:10.1177/0309089208094457
openalex publication_date 2008/08/26 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/22
This article gives consideration to the apparent `rehabilitation' of the character of Shechem in the narrative of Genesis 34, following his initially negative portrayal as the rapist of Dinah, Jacob's daughter. Through a close analysis of the Hebrew language used by the narrator within this text to describe Shechem's actions and emotions, this article argues that this biblical rapist's depiction is perhaps not as `redemptive' as it may first appear. Furthermore, the article takes to task those interpreters who not only argue in favour of a textual basis for Shechem's seeming `rehabilitation', but who also suggest that such a redemption is understandable, if not merited.