Programme
The research group focuses on the different conceptions of leadership in
the Hebrew Bible. By analyzing the diverse and sometimes even
contradictory concepts of leadership it aims at reconstructing the
history of religious and/or political “authorities” in Israel and Early
Judaism. Various functions and aspects of human leadership like “judge”,
“priest”, “prophet”, “king” will be examined in a literary, (religious
and tradition) historical and theological perspective with special
emphasis on conceptual changes, developments and shifts. In
methodological respect, the unit appreciates multiple approaches (e. g.
from literary studies, sociology, cultural studies) and seeks to combine
synchronic and diachronic perspectives. It will be asked, which aspects
and functions are portrayed positively or negatively and how the
relation between human and divine leadership is described and evaluated.
Moreover, the respective literary and theological contexts of the
different human leadership concepts and their relation to Ancient Near
Eastern traditions will be analyzed. A further important aspect concerns
changes or discrepancies within the biblical illustration of
leadership: Can the alternation or transformation of leadership concepts
be linked to the phenomenon “innerbiblical interpretation”? How can
discrepancies between the texts be explained? Do changes in the attitude
towards certain aspects and functions of human leadership follow a
linear development throughout the biblical history? Are there any hints
at the “Trägerkreise” behind the texts? By addressing these questions,
the research group seeks to contribute to biblical theology and the
relation between the history of Israel/Early Judaism and the literary
history of the Hebrew Bible.
Keywords:
Leadership, Kingship, Priesthood, Prophets, Judges