Mothers and their children as victims in war : Amos 1:13 against the background of the Ancient Near East
Date
2016
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Old Testament Society of South Africa
Abstract
This article investigates a war atrocity mentioned in Amos 1:13, viz. "ripping open pregnant women. " Twice the combination "ripping open pregnant women " appears in close proximity with "dashing in pieces the little ones" (2 Kgs 8:12; Hos 14:1). The latter topic is also occasionally referred to in other prophetic passages (Isa 13:16; Nah 3:10). After the presentation of comparable evidence from a variety of ANE literary genres, it is concluded that these types of literary topoi were not essentially meant to convey a historical truth. They were rather employed as rhetorical devices to amplify the seriousness of the given (war) scenario.
Description
CITATION: Kruger, P. A. 2016. Mothers and their children as victims in war : Amos 1:13 against the background of the Ancient Near East. Old Testament Essays, 29(1):100-115, doi:10.17159/2312-3621/2016/v29n1a7.
The original publication is available at http://www.scielo.org.za
The original publication is available at http://www.scielo.org.za
Keywords
Bible. Amos, I, 13 -- Criticism, interpretation, etc., Bible. Old Testament -- Criticism, interpretation, etc., War -- Biblical teaching, Bible. Amos -- War atrocities, Ancient Near East -- War atrocities
Citation
Kruger, P. A. 2016. Mothers and their children as victims in war : Amos 1:13 against the background of the Ancient Near East. Old Testament Essays, 29(1):100-115, doi:10.17159/2312-3621/2016/v29n1a7