2009/08/11 by K. Lings · 1 citation
Arts and Humanities · Psychology · Social Sciences · #Art #Biblical Studies and Interpretation #Biblical studies #Context (archaeology) #Development, Ethics, and Society #Feminism #Gender studies #Hebrew Bible #History #Homosexuality #Literature #Philology #Philosophy #Psychoanalysis #Psychology #Scope (computer science) #Sociology #Subject (documents)
paper · doi:10.1558/tse.v15i2.231
openalex publication_date 2009/08/11 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/06/14
This article offers a philological/literary analysis of a short biblical text in the book of Leviticus. Whenever discussions arise on the subject of homosexuality in the Bible, Lev. 18.22 is quoted. Most modern translations present this text as self-explanatory, which contrasts with the opacity of the original. The ambiguities embedded in the Hebrew wording have received limited attention. Put differently, Bible readers have not been invited to appreciate the internal logic of the text. Perhaps Lev. 18.22 does not prohibit all erotic expression between men. The overall context seems to indicate that the scope of this verse is far more restricted. If the text is analysed and translated carefully, there are reasons to believe that Lev. 18.22 is proscribing incest between male family members.