The Myth of the Messianic Mother in Jewish and Christian Traditions: Psychoanalytic and Gender Perspectives

Abstract

In this article, I argue that the “Mother of the Messiah” occupies a prominent place in Jewish myth and embodies a female archetype whose qualities are rooted in biblical narratives about the Davidic dynasty. While tracing the continuous development of this figure from Antiquity to the Middle Ages, I discuss the similarities and differences between Mary the mother of Jesus and the Mothers of the House of David. By using gender and psychoanalytical perspectives, my analysis revolves around issues concerning sexuality, virginity, and motherhood in Jewish and Christian messianic sources.