Abstract
The social environment of the Biblical world can be distinguished in the Eastern Mediterranean (Semitic) and the Western Mediterranean (Greco-Roman) contexts. From a historical chronological perspective these contexts first functioned separately and then later merged because of Hellenisation. In both these Mediterranean contexts sexuality, religion and marriage were intertwined, but the values attributed to them, were different. The Old Testament mostly mirrors the Eastern Mediterranean world, whereas the New Testament represents a syncretism of the values of the Eastern and Western Mediterranean worlds. In order to understand the changes in the values attributed to sexuality, religion and marriage over time – from premodern, to modern, to postmodern times – it is necessary to investigate the social dynamics in the different eras. The aim of the article is to explore the nature of the interconnections and the values attributed to sexuality, religion and marriage in Biblical times.
Highlights
The social environment of the Biblical world can be distinguished in the Eastern Mediterranean (Semitic) and the Western Mediterranean (Greco-Roman) contexts
The Old Testament mostly mirrors the Eastern Mediterranean world, whereas the New Testament represents a syncretism of the values of the Eastern and Western Mediterranean worlds
In order to understand the changes in the values attributed to sexuality, religion and marriage over time – from premodern, to modern, to postmodern times – it is necessary to investigate the social dynamics in the different eras
Summary
Every society has a status system as part of its cultural rules. According to this system privileged people (those with status) have access to resources and the disprivileged are debarred from controlling and consuming resources. The role of the father of a household was to beget children, and to provide for and protect the family (cf Matthews & Benjamin 1993:8). The sons, on the other hand, were encouraged to marry women who were not related to the family In this way the family could be strengthened by gaining new members from the outside. Marriages were part of a competitive (agonistic) society in which the heads of families aggressively attempted to attain greater geopolitical power at the cost of outsiders This strategy presupposed polygamy and the ruthless authority of the head over his family. In a society in which the honour and social identity of a man, were determined by his status as a member of the family of Abraham and his contribution to the physical continuation of that family, being unmarried had serious implications
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