Sex and Gender in Ancient Israel

An investigation of Israelite views of the sexes, restrictions on sexual expression, and the construction of gender as evidenced by biblical sources and archeological data. Topics include creation stories on human origins and the human condition, including the origin of the two sexes and reproduction; marriage and family life (inheritance, intermarriage, divorce, the widow, status of the fetus); sexual boundaries (adultery, rape, incest, prostitution, homoeroticism); purity and sexual expression; male and female religious professionals and votaries; constructing gender: masculine and feminine behaviors.