Disability Studies And the Hebrew Bible: Figuring Mephibosheth in the David Story

by Jeremy Schipper

This text uses a fresh approach to explore issues of disability in the Hebrew Bible. It examines how disability functions into the David Story (1 Samuel 16; 1 Kings 2) by paying special attention to Mephibosheth, the only biblical character with a disability as a sustained character trait. The David Story contains some of the Bible's most striking images of disability.

158 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[luke timothy bitzkie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jeremy Schipper's "Disability Studies And the Hebrew Bible: Figuring Mephibosheth in the David Story" is a thorough study into the figure of Mephibosheth, specifically regarding his function in the story of David. However, beyond this, Schipper peered into the concept of disability in the ancient Near East. He engaged the Hebrew language to discern whether a category akin to "disability" existed. Further, he engaged royal embodiment throughout the ancient Near East and its impact on the complex literary interplay/contrast between Mephibosheth and David. I am truly thankful for Schipper's thorough study presented in this book. I am certain that it will deeply impact my work at the intersection of disability studies and biblical studies going forward.

[Rob Nicholls · Rating 5 out of 5]

A trail-blazing book and a great revelation of the important place of people living with disability in the bible.