Table Of ContentElness-Hanson_cover_Holternewcb.qxd 9/17/2017 8:04 AM Page 1
24
Although the demographics of World Christianity demonstrate a population
G C
shift to the Global South, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa, the preponderance ENERATIONAL URSES
of biblical scholarship continues to be dominated by Western scholars in pursuit
P
of their contextual questions that are influenced by an Enlightenment-oriented G IN THE ENTATEUCH
worldview. Unfortunately, nascent methodologies used to bridge this chasm often IN E
N
continue to marginalize indigenous voices. In contradistinction, Beth E. Elness- T E
H R
Hanson’s research challenges biblical scholars to engage stronger methods for E A
T
dialogue with global voices, as well as encourages Majority World scholars to share PI
E O
their perspectives with the West. N N
T A
A L
T
Elness-Hanson’s fundamental question is: How do we more fully understand the EC
U U
“generational curses” in the Pentateuch? The phrase, “visiting the iniquity of the C R
H S
fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation,” appears four E
S
times in the Pentateuch: Exod 20:4–6; Exod 34:6–7; Num 14:18; and Deut
5:8–10. While generational curses remain prevalent within the Maasai worldview
in East Africa, an Enlightenment-influenced worldview diminishes curses as a
phenomenon. However, fuller understandings develop as we listen and learn
A
from each other.
In
nt A
erm
This research develops a theoretical framework from Hans-Georg Gadamer’s “fusion cuer
of horizons” and applies it through Ellen Herda’s anthropological protocol of “par- ltuica
ticipatory inquiry.” The resulting dialogue with Maasai theologians in Tanzania, ral An an
builds bridges of understanding across cultures. Elness-Hanson’s intercultural analy- nd
a M
sgiesn oerfa Atiomnearli ccaunr saens dd eMmaoanssatir aintetse rtphraett aitniotenrsc uolft utrhael Pdieanltoagtueeusc hinalc rteeaxstes uonnd tehr-e lysisaas
a
standings, which otherwise are limited by one worldview. i
An American and Maasai
EB
L E
Beth E. Elness-Hanson(Ph.D., VID Specialized University, Stavanger, Norway) NE TH Intercultural Analysis
S
is Lecturer in Old Testament at Johannelunds Teologiska Högskola in Uppsala, S E
-.
Sweden, an institution with over 150 years of relationships within East Africa. H
A
N B E T H E . E L N E S S - H A N S O N
S
O
N
P
E
T
E
R
L
A
N
G
www.peterlang.com
Elness-Hanson_cover_Holternewcb.qxd 9/17/2017 8:04 AM Page 1
24
Although the demographics of World Christianity demonstrate a population
G C
shift to the Global South, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa, the preponderance ENERATIONAL URSES
of biblical scholarship continues to be dominated by Western scholars in pursuit
P
of their contextual questions that are influenced by an Enlightenment-oriented G IN THE ENTATEUCH
worldview. Unfortunately, nascent methodologies used to bridge this chasm often IN E
N
continue to marginalize indigenous voices. In contradistinction, Beth E. Elness- T E
H R
Hanson’s research challenges biblical scholars to engage stronger methods for E A
T
dialogue with global voices, as well as encourages Majority World scholars to share PI
E O
their perspectives with the West. N N
T A
A L
T
Elness-Hanson’s fundamental question is: How do we more fully understand the EC
U U
“generational curses” in the Pentateuch? The phrase, “visiting the iniquity of the C R
H S
fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation,” appears four E
S
times in the Pentateuch: Exod 20:4–6; Exod 34:6–7; Num 14:18; and Deut
5:8–10. While generational curses remain prevalent within the Maasai worldview
in East Africa, an Enlightenment-influenced worldview diminishes curses as a
phenomenon. However, fuller understandings develop as we listen and learn
A
from each other.
In
nt A
erm
This research develops a theoretical framework from Hans-Georg Gadamer’s “fusion cuer
of horizons” and applies it through Ellen Herda’s anthropological protocol of “par- ltuica
ticipatory inquiry.” The resulting dialogue with Maasai theologians in Tanzania, ral An an
builds bridges of understanding across cultures. Elness-Hanson’s intercultural analy- nd
a M
sgiesn oerfa Atiomnearli ccaunr saens dd eMmaoanssatir aintetse rtphraett aitniotenrsc uolft utrhael Pdieanltoagtueeusc hinalc rteeaxstes uonnd tehr-e lysisaas
a
standings, which otherwise are limited by one worldview. i
An American and Maasai
EB
L E
Beth E. Elness-Hanson(Ph.D., VID Specialized University, Stavanger, Norway) NE TH Intercultural Analysis
S
is Lecturer in Old Testament at Johannelunds Teologiska Högskola in Uppsala, S E
-.
Sweden, an institution with over 150 years of relationships within East Africa. H
A
N B E T H E . E L N E S S - H A N S O N
S
O
N
P
E
T
E
R
L
A
N
G
ADVANCE PRAISE FOR
Generational Curses in the Pentateuch
“Refusing to ‘Other’ the historically disenfranchised voices such as African voices and
through her employ of what she has called a ‘dialogical’ exegesis and a ‘contextual
conceptual paradigm of reconciliation,’ Beth E. Elness-Hanson has ably and convincingly
re-read the four generational curses in the Pentateuch through the lenses of the Maasai
and American interpreters within the framework of intercultural hermeneutics. A
refreshing study on the generational curses indeed!”
—Madipoane Masenya (ngwan’a Mphahlele), Professor of Old Testament Studies,
Department of Biblical and Ancient Studies, University of South Africa
“This book is a must for everyone who is interested in intercultural biblical hermeneutics
and dialogue, and it offers insights that will both excite and challenge the reader. Beth E.
Elness-Hanson provides the reader with valuable theoretical perspectives and practical
methods for doing exegesis across boundaries. The volume shows how an awareness of
other ways of interpreting a text can add to the author’s own perspective, and can thus
challenge the reader to rethink own hermeneutical perspectives.”
—Marta Høyland Lavik, Professor of Biblical Studies, VID Specialized University/
Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway
“This volume represents an exemplary exercise in the religious-theological paradigm of
interpretation within the spectrum of contemporary biblical criticism. Its framework is
that of World Christianity, described in terms of an ever greater presence of the Global
South alongside enduring marginalization in interpretation on the part of the Global
North. Its approach is that of intercultural criticism, bringing voices together from
different areas of the world for dialogue. Indeed, the exercise proves quite successful in
every respect. The result is a most insightful reading of both the Maasai and American
interpretations in context, with mutual illumination of both in the process. The result is
also a most persuasive argument for diversity in the critical task. Altogether, therefore,
Beth E. Elness-Hanson has produced an excellent example of intercultural analysis and
issued an excellent call for dialogical reading within World Christianity at all levels,
academic as well as popular.”
—Fernando F. Segovia, Oberlin Graduate Professor of New Testament
and Early Christianity, Vanderbilt University
Generational Curses
in the Pentateuch
Bible & Theology in Africa
Knut Holter
General Editor
Vol. 24
This book is a volume in a Peter Lang monograph series.
Every volume is peer reviewed and meets
the highest quality standards for content and production.
PETER LANG
New York Bern Frankfurt Berlin
Brussels Vienna Oxford Warsaw
Beth E. Elness-Hanson
Generational Curses
in the Pentateuch
An American and Maasai
Intercultural Analysis
PETER LANG
New York Bern Frankfurt Berlin
Brussels Vienna Oxford Warsaw
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Elness-Hanson, Beth E., author.
Title: Generational curses in the Pentateuch: an American and Maasai
intercultural analysis / Beth E. Elness-Hanson.
Description: New York: Peter Lang, 2017.
Series: Bible and theology in Africa; v. 24 | ISSN 1525-9846
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Identifiers: LCCN 2017026106 | ISBN 978-1-4331-4121-8 (hardcover)
ISBN 978-1-4331-4122-5 (ebook pdf) | ISBN 978-1-4331-4123-2 (epub)
ISBN 978-1-4331-4124-9 (mobi)
Subjects: LCSH: Blessing and cursing—Biblical teaching.
Bible. Pentateuch—Criticism, interpretation, etc.—United States.
Bible. Pentateuch—Criticism, interpretation, etc.—Kenya.
Bible. Pentateuch—Criticism, interpretation, etc.—Tanzania.
Maasai (African people)
Classification: LCC BS1225.6.B5 E46 2017 | DDC 222.106—dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2017026106
DOI 10.3726/b11479
Bibliographic information published by Die Deutsche Nationalbibliothek.
Die Deutsche Nationalbibliothek lists this publication in the “Deutsche
Nationalbibliografie”; detailed bibliographic data are available
on the Internet at http://dnb.d-nb.de/.
Cover image: A Maasai blessing gourd (photo by Beth E. Elness-Hanson).
Enculturating Maasai symbolism, Spiritan Brother Ned Marchessault uses a similar
gourd in Roman Catholic worship services in Maasai regions in Northern
Tanzania. Blessings—carried by a drop of milk in water—spray out through a
grass-topped calabash. See Chapter 3 for the meaning behind these symbols.
© 2017 Peter Lang Publishing, Inc., New York
29 Broadway, 18th floor, New York, NY 10006
www.peterlang.com
All rights reserved.
Reprint or reproduction, even partially, in all forms such as microfilm,
xerography, microfiche, microcard, and offset strictly prohibited.
To Anya
with blessings and love
