Masculinity in the Bible
Masculinity in the Bible
Masculinity is defined by Susan Haddox to have four major characteristics. “1) Strength and skill as a warrior, 2) honor, including generosity and protecting ones family and clan, 3) bravery, and 4) persuasiveness, honesty and forthrightness.”1 These four characteristics of masculinity can be applied to many of the characters in the biblical stories including Gideon, David, and Jesus. The masculine traits mentioned are examples of hegemonic masculinity which means the dominant view of masculinity within a society. The hegemonic masculinity traits are not the only measures of masculinity, and many of them do not apply to some of the most masculine characters within the bible.
Hegemonic masculinity propagates through the institutions and power structures of society becoming entrenched in the social structure and reproduced, even if it is not an accurate model of how most men live.2
Hegemonic masculinity is often the stereotypical view of a man within society. “One of the strongest expectations of masculinity in the ancient near eastern context is prowess in warfare.”3 The most common example of masculinity in the bible is violence. From the story of Cain and Abel, and on, violence and men are synonymous with each other, until the stories of Jesus. “The tendency for violence and revenge to spiral out of control among males.”4 Violence from men occurs early in the bible and the violence escalates as more and more men become violent. Even the violence committed by women in the bible is described as masculine. “Jael is masculinized in her victory, while Sisera is feminized in defeat.”5 This reinforces the masculine association with violence.
Gideon is considered a stereotypically masculine figure in the bible due to his strength and skill as a warrior, bravery, and persuasiveness. There are many instances of Gideon’s strength and skill as a warrior. He defeated the Midianites in his first battle and captured and killed Zebah
Masculinity is defined by Susan Haddox to have four major characteristics. “1) Strength and skill as a warrior, 2) honor, including generosity and protecting ones family and clan, 3) bravery, and 4) persuasiveness, honesty and forthrightness.”1 These four characteristics of masculinity can be applied to many of the characters in the biblical stories including Gideon, David, and Jesus. The masculine traits mentioned are examples of hegemonic masculinity which means the dominant view of masculinity within a society. The hegemonic masculinity traits are not the only measures of masculinity, and many of them do not apply to some of the most masculine characters within the bible.
Hegemonic masculinity propagates through the institutions and power structures of society becoming entrenched in the social structure and reproduced, even if it is not an accurate model of how most men live.2
Hegemonic masculinity is often the stereotypical view of a man within society. “One of the strongest expectations of masculinity in the ancient near eastern context is prowess in warfare.”3 The most common example of masculinity in the bible is violence. From the story of Cain and Abel, and on, violence and men are synonymous with each other, until the stories of Jesus. “The tendency for violence and revenge to spiral out of control among males.”4 Violence from men occurs early in the bible and the violence escalates as more and more men become violent. Even the violence committed by women in the bible is described as masculine. “Jael is masculinized in her victory, while Sisera is feminized in defeat.”5 This reinforces the masculine association with violence.
Gideon is considered a stereotypically masculine figure in the bible due to his strength and skill as a warrior, bravery, and persuasiveness. There are many instances of Gideon’s strength and skill as a warrior. He defeated the Midianites in his first battle and captured and killed Zebah
Bibliography: 1. Dennis T. Olson. “Untying the Knot? Masculinity, Violence, and the creation-Fall Story of Genesis 2-4” In Engaging the Bible in a Gendered World. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2006. 2. Haddox, Susan E. 2010. “The Lord is with you, you mighty warrior”: the question of Gideon’s masculinity.” Proceedings (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 30, 70-87. 3. Rowe, Jonathan. "Is Jonathan really David 's 'wife '? a response to Yaron Peleg." Journal For The Study Of The Old Testament 34, no. 2 (December 1, 2009): 183-193. 4. Angel, Hayyim. "When love and politics mix: David and his relationships with Saul, Jonathan, and Michal." Jewish Bible Quarterly 40, no. 1 (January 1, 2012): 41-51. 5. Mayordoma-Marin, Moises. 2011. “Act like men!” (1 Cor 16:13): Paul’s exhortation in different historical contexts.” Cross Currents 61, no. 4: 515-528.