| This study examines the view of women found within the Deuteronomic family laws (Deut 21:10-21, Deut 22:13-29, Deut 24:1-4, and Deut 25:5-12). It finds that these laws presuppose the dependence of women upon male-headed households and the subordinate role of women within the household. The family laws aim to support the stability of the family; they do so by undergirding hierarchical structures of authority and male-centered definitions of the family. Thus, they identify the interests of the family with the male head of the household. Some of the laws do seek to protect dependent family members. Their efforts to protect dependents do not, however, fundamentally challenge the hierarchical structure of the family.;The conclusions of this study are in sharp contrast to several recent discussions which have suggested that the Deuteronomic family laws manifest a highly positive appraisal of women's status. They are more consistent with earlier examinations of women in the Old Testament which argue that Israelite women held a dependent status within a thoroughly patriarchal family. The early studies, however, fail to differentiate between groups of texts from different historical periods, geographical areas, or social spheres in their discussion of women. This thesis seeks to analyze the status of women within a tightly controlled set of texts. |
