This article presents the ascription of physical disability as a strategy to communicate disapproval of icons in various passages of the Hebrew Bible. Idols are characterized as unable to interact with worshipers and unable to function independently.
SKU (ISBN): 978-1-4632-0134-0
Publication Status: In Print
Publication Date: Apr 22,2013
Interior Color: Black
Trim Size: 6 x 9
Page Count: 19
Language: English
ISBN: 978-1-4632-0134-0
This article presents the ascription of physical disability (e.g., blindness, deafness, lameness, muteness) as a strategy to communicate disapproval of icons in various passages of the Hebrew Bible. Olyan identifies strategies of an author ascribing undesirable characteristics, emphasizing the manufactured/material nature and the combination with direct insults. Idols are characterized as unable to interact with worshipers and unable to function independently. The most common strategy is to imply an idol’s muteness, and this occurs in four of the five texts highlighted by Olyan. YHWH's abilities transcend material barriers.
