Robin Baker, "Hollow Men, Strange Women: Riddles, Codes, and Otherness in the Book of Judges" (Brill, 2016)
Mar 16, 2024
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Robin Baker, author of 'Hollow Men, Strange Women: Riddles, Codes, and Otherness in the Book of Judges,' discusses the encrypted messages, riddles, and exploration of otherness in the Book of Judges. The podcast delves into the symbolic significance of blindness and the motif of seven in the text, as well as the themes of sin, redemption, and the unique role of judges like Samson within Israel's history.
The Book of Judges cryptically warns of Judah's future amid Settlement of Canaan, exploring the covenant with God.
Otherness in Judges is depicted through diverse judge figures symbolizing Israel's deviation and intertwining faith with disobedience.
Deep dives
Unveiling the Judges' Rhetorical Structure
The book of Judges intricately encrypts a grim foreshadowing of Judah's future within Israel's Canaan settlement. Through vivid exploration of otherness, the Judges scrutinize God's covenant with Israel, delving deep into theological depths. The midpoint, highlighting Israel's indulgence in seven deities, symbolizes the pervasive attraction to foreign gods, emphasizing the book's pivotal warning signs. Various literary devices like parables and riddles, coupled with the unique three plus one pattern, enrich the book's profound rhetorical structure.
Deciphering Otherness through Judges' Characters
Embodied through the Judges' diversity, otherness permeates the narrative as each figure represents a distinct aspect of deviation or outsider status. From Othniel's Edomite lineage to Samson's Nazarite separation, the judges symbolize Israel's progression away from Yahweh, morphing him into an other deity. Their unconventional backgrounds and actions mirror Israel's deviance, crafting a nuanced portrayal of how otherness intertwines with faith and disobedience.
Capturing Redemption in Samson's Narrative Arc
Samson's tale epitomizes the themes of election, sin, and redemption, mirroring Israel's historical trajectory. Despite his divine empowerment, Samson's misuse of strength mirrors Israel's veer from Yahweh's path. Betrayed by those closest to him and marked by tragic choices, Samson's narrative encapsulates both personal failings and broader tribal shortcomings, illustrating the complex interplay between divine calling, human fallibility, and the overarching redemption narrative.
Spotlighting the Three Plus One Pattern in Judges
The recurring three plus one pattern infuses Judges with thematic intricacies and foreshadowing. From Samson's revealing dialogues with Delilah to Gideon's refusal of kingship, the pattern signifies impending consequences and divine intervention. The intertwining three plus one structures unveil deeper meanings in character interactions, highlighting the cyclical nature of sin, refusal, and eventual tumult within Israel's judgeship saga.
In Hollow Men, Strange Women: Riddles, Codes, and Otherness in the Book of Judges(Brill, 2016), Robin Baker provides a masterly reappraisal of Israel's experience during its Settlement of Canaan as narrated in the Book of Judges, which, he argues, subtly encrypts a grim forewarning of Judah's future. In its extensive treatment of otherness, the Book of Judges also explores the meaning of God’s covenant with Israel.
Join us as we speak with Robin Baker about his monograph on the Book of Judges!
Robin Baker is Professor Emeritus of Old Testament and Ancient Near Eastern Studies in the School of History, Archaeology and Philosophy, at University of Winchester, and Fellow of University College London. His latest monograph is Mesopotamian Civilization and the Origins of the New Testament (Cambridge University Press, 2022).