Biblical Seductresses

Abstract

Within the texts of the Bible, there are seductresses who are portrayed as resisting the patriarchal values of biblical society by employing their feminine wiles to manipulate powerful males. These women sacrifice their own virtue by taking initiative in sexually daring acts and subordinating their victim of seduction to further their pursuits. Numerous female biblical figures are praised after utilizing their feminine weapons to achieve their ends; however, these seducers, some of whom are married, engage in questionable means. Since the Bible does not render an explicit evaluation, I aim to investigate such seductive behavior in an effort to assess the conduct of biblical seductresses and illuminate the role of women depicted in the Bible. A close reading of the texts and an examination of rabbinic interpretations of episodes in which Lot’s daughters, Tamar, Jael, Ruth and Esther each perform seductive acts can be used as a resource to further support contemporary feminist readings which justify biblical female characters’ use of morally dubious means to accomplish noble aims.