Data Over Dogma

Episode 68: Take My Wife... Please!

Jul 22, 2024

In this episode, the podcast dives into Biblical misogyny, focusing on the story of Tamar and levirate marriage. They discuss harsh laws in Deuteronomy 22 regarding extramarital affairs, shedding light on societal norms and ancient customs. The hosts explore challenging themes, feminist perspectives, and the complexity of moral judgments in biblical narratives.

01:07:33

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Quick takeaways

The podcast discusses the concept of levirate marriage through the tragic story of Tamar in the Bible, highlighting the complexities and implications of this practice.

The examination of laws in Deuteronomy reveals harsh punishments for adultery, shedding light on the patriarchal nature of these regulations and their impact on women's agency and protection.

Deep dives

Specific Laws Regarding Sexual Conduct in Deuteronomy Explained

In the discussion of laws in Deuteronomy concerning adultery and sexual assault, it is highlighted that certain actions are considered punishable by death to purge evil from the community. Adultery involving a married woman ends in the deaths of both the man and the woman, emphasizing the severity of the violation. The case of an engaged woman is presented differently, where if the assault occurs in the city and she does not cry out, both parties face death. Alternatively, if the assault happens in an open field and she cries for help, only the man is condemned, offering a stark contrast based on location and response. Further laws address situations involving a virgin who is not engaged, stipulating compensation to the woman's father and mandatory marriage to the perpetrator as a means of providing for the non-marriable victim.

Intro

2min

Exploring Levered Marriage and Biblical Narratives

17min

Exploring Conflicts, History, and Collateral Negotiation Story

4min

Exploring Biblical Themes and Societal Norms

11min

Exploring Levered Marriage in Biblical Narratives

7min

Analysis of Biblical Laws on Adultery and Sexual Assault

23min

Reconsidering Beliefs and the Moral Imperative to Discard Them

2min

It's Biblical misogyny day here at the Data Over Dogma show [well, it's one of them- this is the Bible we're talking about after all], and we've got some real doozies for you. First, we're looking at the strange, sad tale of Tamar. Things start fine(ish) for her--she finds herself married into a prominent family--but then all heaven breaks loose. Which is to say that God kills her husband. This launches her on one of the most insane paths in the whole Bible. BUT, that insane path gives us a chance to talk about a weird concept called "levirate marriage".

Next, we're going to law school. We're taking as our text Deuteronomy 22, and it is ROUGH! These are laws governing extra-marital affairs, and let's just say you might find them a little harsh. Or a lot harsh. Or extremely harsh.

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