Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 179:714 (Apr 2022)
Article: Household Dynamics In Ancient Israel: Genesis 34 As A Case Study
Author: Elizabeth H. P. Backfish

BSac 179:714 (April-June 2022) p. 163

Household Dynamics In Ancient Israel: Genesis 34 As A Case Study

Elizabeth H. P. Backfish

Elizabeth H. P. Backfish is associate professor of Hebrew Bible, Jessup University, Rocklin, California.

Abstract

In many respects ancient Israelite households were quite different from their modern, Western counterparts. This article explores the overall structure and ideology of ancient Israelite households, as well as the roles of its individual members. Genesis 34 provides a case study. Interpreting the story of Dinah’s defilement in light of the cultural conventions of marriage, family protection and honor, and household solidarity helps clarify some of the difficult household dynamics in the narrative so that it can be read, taught, and preached with greater understanding.

Those who teach and preach biblical texts are bridge-builders. They build two bridges. The first bridge takes congregants and classrooms back to the original historical and cultural contexts of the biblical texts, helping them understand Scripture on its own terms. Of course those who trek are always carrying a backpack full of their own cultural presuppositions and conventions, and they wear sunglasses that color how they see the ancient world. Even so, this first bridge, when built well, can help take people to a greater understanding of the biblical text in its ancient world. The second bridge takes congregants and classrooms back to their own worlds, helping them apply the ancient texts of Scripture to the specific needs of their communities.

This article will focus on that first bridge, with a particular destination in view—ancient Israelite households. The trek will begin by exploring the overall structure and ideology of ancient Israelite households. Next, the particular roles of each household

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member will be explored. Finally, Genesis 34 will provide a case study to see if the outlined understanding of ancient Israelite households helps clarify the meaning and message of that story.

The Structure And Ideology Of Ancient Israelite Households

The trek back to ancient Israelite households requires readers to unload their packs of the modern, Western conception of a “household” as a nuclear family living within their own home.1 The ancient Israelite household was generally much larger, including the extended family and any additional workers or sojourners who shared the same residence or domestic activities, and generally comprised two or three houses close together.