A critical study of the 'settlement narratives' in Judges 1-5 using insights from Postcolonial Studies, to consider the relevance of these texts for the peoples of Israel/Palestine today

The fundamental issue addressed in this thesis is use of the Hebrew Bible to assert right of possession of the whole land of Israel/Palestine. It is structured in four parts, as follows.

PART I INTRODUCTORY CONCERNS.

A Preface outlines key terms and basic issues in contemporary Israel/Palestine. It includes important dates and critical historical events that still affect the peoples of the land today.

Chapter 1– General Introduction: this summarises use of the Bible to warrant possession of the ‘land of Israel’; it then outlines insights from postcolonial studies relevant to the study of the Bible and to contemporary Israel/Palestine. Postcolonial study of the Bible considers its development over many centuries within the context of a series of empires.

PART II QUESTIONS OF INTERPRETATION

Chapter 2– General Interpretative Approaches: discussion of Archaeology and History.

Chapter 3– Biblical Interpretation: Dating of the Bible and Historical Critical approaches.

PART III STUDY OF JUDGES chapters 1-5

Chapter 4– General Introduction to Judges: this includes discussion of Judg. ch. 1 and the Book of Joshua; ANE Texts; Dating and Context of Judges; Possible Sources of Judges.

Chapter 5– Major Themes in Judges 1:1-36: Socio-political Background to Judg. ch.1;

study of Judah’s conquests in southern Canaan and limited successes of the northern tribes.

Chapter 6– Major Themes in Judges 2:1-5: close study of the Hebrew text examines issues

such as the Exodus traditions; YHWH’s promise of the land; ideologies of the Canaanites.

Chapter 7– Israel in the days of the Judges (Judges 2:6-5:31). This is in two sections:

Key themes in 2:6-3:6 include apostasy and judgement; the judges; enemies all around.

Major Themes in 3:7-5:31 include the significance of the Kenizzites and Kenites; origins

and development of Yahwism; Israel’s responses to oppression; women in Judges 1-5.

PART IV CONTEMPORARY ISRAEL/PALESTINE

Two major issues that emerged in our textual studies and are reflected in Israel/Palestine today are discussed: Naming/renaming (in Chapter 8); and Terror/terrorism (in Chapter 9). Both issues open a wide range of significant areas for scrutiny. First, relevant biblical references are summarised; this is followed by discussion of similar contemporary issues. In conclusion, Chapter 10 Reflections considers various ways in which concerns that were expressed in the opening chapters have been addressed during the course of this study.