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Document Details :

Title: Observations on Women in the Genealogies of 1 Chronicles 1-9
Author(s): LABAHN, Antje , BEN ZVI, Ehud
Journal: Biblica
Volume: 84    Issue: 4   Date: 2003   
Pages: 457-478
DOI: 10.2143/BIB.84.4.3194487

Abstract :
These observations address the construction of women and their roles in the genealogies of 1 Chronicles 1-9. References to women in these chapters construed them as fulfilling a variety of roles in society, and characterized and identified them in various ways. To be sure, the genealogies reflected and reinforced the main construction of family and family roles in a traditional ancient near eastern society. But, numerous references in these genealogies indicated to the early (and predominantly male) readers of the book that ideologically construed gender expectations may and have been transgressed in the past and with good results. By implication, these references suggested to the readers that gender (and ethnic) boundaries can and even should be transgressed on occasion, with divine blessing, and resulting in divine blessing.

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