Human and Divine Authority and Human Emotions in Hebrew Narrative and Greek Tragedy
Human and Divine Authority and Human Emotions in Hebrew Narrative and Greek Tragedy

Summary/Abstract: This article examines the narrative of the compassionate response of two Hebrew midwives and Pharaoh’s daughter to Pharaoh’s command that Hebrew boys be killed at birth (Ex 1:8­2:10), and of Medea’s vengeful to her husband Jason’s infidelity in Euripides’ tragedy Medea. The paradox of Medea’s character is reflected in her decision to murder her two sons, whom she loves immeasurably, because by this absurd act she hurts the traitorous Jason to the utmost humanly possible degree. The Hebrew midwives save Hebrew children because they “fear God,” Pharaohs daughter saves a Hebrew child from her father’s murderous plan without explaining the reasons, and Medea, in preparing and carrying out the murderous plan invokes the authority of the gods who mercilessly punish human transgressors. The aim of the article is to show how the Hebrew story, on the one hand, and the Greek drama, on the other hand, present, indicate or explicitly express the reasons for the behaviour of literary characters in relation to human and divine authority.

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