본문 바로가기
  • Home

The Prophet's Conflict in Terms of Honor and Shame -Focusing on 1 Kings 13

  • Korean Journal of Old Testament Studies
  • Abbr : KJOTS
  • 2024, 30(2), pp.135-166
  • Publisher : Korean Society of Old Testament Studies
  • Research Area : Humanities > Christian Theology

Dong-Young Yoon 1

1서울장신대학교

Accredited

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study is to examine the prophet-king relationship and the prophet's conflict in 1 Kings 13 through the lens of honor and shame. The book of Kings has been considered part of the Deuteronomic history, and scholars argue that it reflects the Deuteronomic theology of sin-judgment/obedience (innocence)-blessing. However, anthropologists argue that honor and shame are fundamental social values in the Mediterranean region. They argue that honor and shame are collective cultural values of the Mediterranean region or the East, while guilt and innocence are Western values that are driven by individual social relationships. The value system of honor and shame lends itself to the analysis of prophecies about kings in the ancient Near East and Old Testament. This is because, as the representative of a nation, the king, more than anyone else, needed to maintain the honor bestowed upon him. Kings in the ancient Near East and Old Testament were portrayed as responsible for practicing justice and keeping society upright, so when they compromised the values of the community, it was perceived as a crime. However, their misdeeds shouldn't be characterized simply as crimes, because when they undermine social and religious values, they also dishonor the gods and goddesses who bestowed them. By undermining these values, kings could get into trouble and face shameful consequences. Prophecy is usually critical. It enumerates the moral and religious flaws of a king who fails to live up to the divine will and pronounces judgment on him. The prophecy is intended to cause the king moral and religious shame, exhorting him to repent of his errors and conform to the divine will.

Citation status

* References for papers published after 2023 are currently being built.