Figure of the Widow in the Hebrew Bible

Christie Gilfeather explores the role of the widow in the Hebrew Bible, examining the appearance and significance of widowhood in numerous biblical texts, from Job and Deuteronomy to Leviticus and Lamentations . Gilfeather argues that the patterns found in contemporary ethnographic accounts of the lives of widows have significant parallels with biblical texts; the widow is often found on the periphery of narratives which centre on powerful men, and thus their contribution has often been overlooked, making it possible for novel questions to be asked about the texts at hand. With a combination of detailed exegesis and interdisciplinary investigation, Gilfeather examines biblical widowhood in a greater degree of detail than has ever been achieved before.

Gilfeather first discusses themes which the reader already associates with the widow, primarily poverty and social justice. Focusing on texts from Deuteronomy, Job and 1-2 Kings, she addresses issues including food poverty, advocacy and inheritance; and also explores the way in which the widow functions as a tool in books such as Job, utilised by the protagonist as a reference point for their own moral standing. Gilfeather then builds on the more unexpected findings of her research, particularly sexuality, and analyses how the widow’s sexual past was understood in priest marriage laws, Ruth and Genesis 38. She finally discusses widowhood’s association with death, in particular its use as a metaphor in Lamentations and the widow''s role as a public mourner.