@article{ART002794899},
author={DAE JUN JEONG},
title={Yahweh, the Scatterer: An Interpretation of COVID-19 through the Story of the Tower of Babel(Gen 11:1-9)},
journal={Korean Journal of Old Testament Studies},
issn={1229-0521},
year={2021},
volume={27},
number={4},
pages={257-290},
doi={10.24333/jkots.2021.27.4.257}
TY - JOUR
AU - DAE JUN JEONG
TI - Yahweh, the Scatterer: An Interpretation of COVID-19 through the Story of the Tower of Babel(Gen 11:1-9)
JO - Korean Journal of Old Testament Studies
PY - 2021
VL - 27
IS - 4
PB - Korean Society of Old Testament Studies
SP - 257
EP - 290
SN - 1229-0521
AB - It is the aim of this study to interpret a great disaster such as COVID-19 by comparing it with an incident in the Old Testament and to draw its meaning. In general, we tent to understand disasters like COVID-19 as God’s judgment on humanity’s sins. Although there is no overlap between them in a disease standpoint, the story of the tower of Babel and COVID-19 distinctly share the ‘scattering’ of people. The general interpretation of the tower of Babel is negative just like the way people look at COVID-19. It seems like God’s punishment to human beings for their disobedience. However, this study focuses on the fact that the narrator does not describe the story of the tower of Babel in a negative way. In addition, it closely examines and analyzes the literary structure, the use of words, and its contents. In the story of the tower of Babel, Yahweh shows His grace and love by acting directly in those who build the city and the tower, rather than punishing them. It culminates in the scattering of the people. The word “scattering” seems to have negative meaning, however, the scattering in the story the tower of Babel does not demonstrate negative connotation. Therefore, there is no reason to see the COVID-19 situation that causes people to experience voluntary or mandatory scattering due to social distancing measures as negative.
The study reveals that there is God’s concern and love to us even in incidents which are interpreted negatively. Moreover, by applying the results of the study to a tiring situation such as COVID-19, we can find a message of hope in the midst of despair.
KW - the story of the tower of Babel;COVID-19;social distancing;scattering;literary analysis
DO - 10.24333/jkots.2021.27.4.257
ER -
DAE JUN JEONG. (2021). Yahweh, the Scatterer: An Interpretation of COVID-19 through the Story of the Tower of Babel(Gen 11:1-9). Korean Journal of Old Testament Studies, 27(4), 257-290.
DAE JUN JEONG. 2021, "Yahweh, the Scatterer: An Interpretation of COVID-19 through the Story of the Tower of Babel(Gen 11:1-9)", Korean Journal of Old Testament Studies, vol.27, no.4 pp.257-290. Available from: doi:10.24333/jkots.2021.27.4.257
DAE JUN JEONG "Yahweh, the Scatterer: An Interpretation of COVID-19 through the Story of the Tower of Babel(Gen 11:1-9)" Korean Journal of Old Testament Studies 27.4 pp.257-290 (2021) : 257.
DAE JUN JEONG. Yahweh, the Scatterer: An Interpretation of COVID-19 through the Story of the Tower of Babel(Gen 11:1-9). 2021; 27(4), 257-290. Available from: doi:10.24333/jkots.2021.27.4.257
DAE JUN JEONG. "Yahweh, the Scatterer: An Interpretation of COVID-19 through the Story of the Tower of Babel(Gen 11:1-9)" Korean Journal of Old Testament Studies 27, no.4 (2021) : 257-290.doi: 10.24333/jkots.2021.27.4.257
DAE JUN JEONG. Yahweh, the Scatterer: An Interpretation of COVID-19 through the Story of the Tower of Babel(Gen 11:1-9). Korean Journal of Old Testament Studies, 27(4), 257-290. doi: 10.24333/jkots.2021.27.4.257
DAE JUN JEONG. Yahweh, the Scatterer: An Interpretation of COVID-19 through the Story of the Tower of Babel(Gen 11:1-9). Korean Journal of Old Testament Studies. 2021; 27(4) 257-290. doi: 10.24333/jkots.2021.27.4.257
DAE JUN JEONG. Yahweh, the Scatterer: An Interpretation of COVID-19 through the Story of the Tower of Babel(Gen 11:1-9). 2021; 27(4), 257-290. Available from: doi:10.24333/jkots.2021.27.4.257
DAE JUN JEONG. "Yahweh, the Scatterer: An Interpretation of COVID-19 through the Story of the Tower of Babel(Gen 11:1-9)" Korean Journal of Old Testament Studies 27, no.4 (2021) : 257-290.doi: 10.24333/jkots.2021.27.4.257
