A Comparison of the Incidence and Function of Female Prophecy in the Hebrew Bible in Its Ancient Near Eastern Context

Abstract

Although the Hebrew Bible devotes a predominance of space and context to male prophets there are nevertheless notable females who emerge in the Bible as exceptional intermediaries who interpreted the word of the Divine, influencing both monarchy and nation. This paper compares and contrasts the status and influence of female prophecy in the Hebrew Bible with female prophecy simultaneously existing throughout the Ancient Near East in a polytheistic environment.

Presenters

Deborah Gruber
Assistant Professor, Classical Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, CUNY Queens College, New York, United States

Details

Presentation Type

Paper Presentation in a Themed Session

Theme

Religious Community and Socialization

KEYWORDS

PROPHECY, POLICY