“Where Have All the Young Girls Gone?” Discovering the Girls of the Bible through Childist Analysis of Exodus 2 and Mark 5–7

Abstract

This article introduces the burgeoning field of childist biblical studies to feminist biblical studies through narrative exploration of Exod 2 and Mark 5–7. A brief overview of childist (or child-centered) biblical interpretation lays the groundwork for an ensuing focus on girls in these texts. The article focuses first on Exod 2, then Mark 5–7. Each discussion begins by acknowledging feminist scholarship on these texts before offering a childist analysis of each passage. The exegesis of Exod 2 demonstrates that half of the characters in this well-populated chapter should be understood as girls. Exegetical attention to Mark 5–7 subsequently reveals the critical theological role afforded to girls in these chapters. Combining tools of narrative analysis with childist hermeneutics, the authors show that girls in the Bible are more prevalent and powerful than commentators and readers often realize.