Love - Sex and love in the Hebrew Bible Flashcards
What was God’s first command to Adam and Eve? what does this show about love?
‘be fruitful and multiply’
eros = important - allows for procreation
What does the story of Lileth show about the importance of love and sex?
Adam and Lileth sexually incompatible - split up
impotance of sex in marriage
What is love seen as in the Hebrew Bible?
gift from God
What was the view of the Hebrew Bible on Polygamy?
acceptable - only monogamous relationship = Isaac + Rebecca
How do rules in the Hebrew Bible demonstrate the importance of sex within marriage?
rules about how often a husband had to have sex with his wife e.g:
sailor - once every 6 months
scholar - once a week
unemployed - every day
How many wives and concubines did King Solomon have?
300 wives
700 concubines
How does the story of Jacob, Leah and Rachel show the importance of love?
Jacob tricked into marrying Leah
Jacob loved Rachel
had to work to marry Rachel
Could both men and women have sex with anyone, even if they were married?
no - men could, women could not
Example of circumstances where it would be acceptable for a man to have sex with a concubine when he was already married?
wife could not have children
Quote from Proverbs 9:13 describing eros love?
‘intoxicated by her love’
What view is presented in the Hebrew Bible regarding homosexuality + quote from Leviticus?
forbidden
punishable by death
male transvestism and homosexuality = associated with worship of other Gods
‘man shall not lie with another man, that is an abomination’
Sodom and Gomorrah
What is the view on rape in the Hebrew Bible?
crime
rapist killed or forced to marry victim - could not divorce
seen in part as fault of father of victim - no protecting her
violating a woman’s body = violating God’s law
What is the view of the Hebrew Bible on adultery + quote from Exodus 20:13?
punishable by death - stoned to death
King David committed adultery - murdered + God cursed his family - whole community suffers if adultery happens
‘thou shalt not commit adultery’
How is the importance of procreation shown in the Hebrew Bible?
Sodom and Gomorrah
What does Song of Songs / Song of Solomon show about love?
only by act of love can man and woman become one flesh - celebrates physical love
equality
