*Subversive Scribes and the Solomonic Narrative*considers 1 Kgs1-11 through the optics of propaganda and subversion with primary attentiongiven to subversive readings of portions of the Solomonic narrative. Seibertexplores the social context in which scribal subversion was not only possiblebut perhaps even necessary and examines texts that covertly undermine the**legitimacy or the...
*Subversive Scribes and the Solomonic Narrative*considers 1 Kgs1-11 through the optics of propaganda and subversion with primary attentiongiven to subversive readings of portions of the Solomonic narrative. Seibertexplores the social context in which scribal subversion was not only possiblebut perhaps even necessary and examines texts that covertly undermine the**legitimacy or the legacy of Solomon.The book is divided into two parts. In the first, Seibert developsdefinitions of propaganda and subversion and notes other studies which haveunderstood certain biblical texts to function in these ways. Primaryconsideration is given to developing a theory of subversive scribal activity inthis section of the book. An important distinction is made between "submissivescribes," individuals who wrote what they were told, and "subversive scribes,"individuals who did otherwise. Since many scribes were writing for the verypeople who paid them, those wanting to engage in subversive literary activityhad to do so carefully, and to a certain extent covertly, lest they be detectedand exposed. Yet their critique could not be so obscure that none could detectit. There needed to be enough clues to allow like-minded scribes to read thetext and appreciate the critique, but not so many that opponents could chargesuch scribes with sedition.In the second part of the book, Seibert applies this theory of scribalsubversion to various passages in 1 Kgs 1-11. An extended discussion is givento 1 Kgs 1-2 with the remainder of the Solomonic narrative being treated moreepisodically. The focus is on passages which look suspiciously like the work ofa subversive scribe and/or which have subversive potential. It is argued thatscribes could-and sometimes did-intentionally encode a critique of theking/kingship in the text and that one of the most effective ways theyaccomplished this was by cloaking scribal subversion in the guise of propaganda.**
*Subversive Scribes and the Solomonic Narrative*considers 1 Kgs1-11 through the optics of propaganda and subversion with primary attentiongiven to subversive readings of portions of the Solomonic narrative. Seibertexplores the social context in which scribal subversion was not only possiblebut perhaps even necessary and examines texts that covertly undermine the**legitimacy or the...
*Subversive Scribes and the Solomonic Narrative*considers 1 Kgs1-11 through the optics of propaganda and subversion with primary attentiongiven to subversive readings of portions of the Solomonic narrative. Seibertexplores the social context in which scribal subversion was not only possiblebut perhaps even necessary and examines texts that covertly undermine the**legitimacy or the legacy of Solomon.The book is divided into two parts. In the first, Seibert developsdefinitions of propaganda and subversion and notes other studies which haveunderstood certain biblical texts to function in these ways. Primaryconsideration is given to developing a theory of subversive scribal activity inthis section of the book. An important distinction is made between "submissivescribes," individuals who wrote what they were told, and "subversive scribes,"individuals who did otherwise. Since many scribes were writing for the verypeople who paid them, those wanting to engage in subversive literary activityhad to do so carefully, and to a certain extent covertly, lest they be detectedand exposed. Yet their critique could not be so obscure that none could detectit. There needed to be enough clues to allow like-minded scribes to read thetext and appreciate the critique, but not so many that opponents could chargesuch scribes with sedition.In the second part of the book, Seibert applies this theory of scribalsubversion to various passages in 1 Kgs 1-11. An extended discussion is givento 1 Kgs 1-2 with the remainder of the Solomonic narrative being treated moreepisodically. The focus is on passages which look suspiciously like the work ofa subversive scribe and/or which have subversive potential. It is argued thatscribes could-and sometimes did-intentionally encode a critique of theking/kingship in the text and that one of the most effective ways theyaccomplished this was by cloaking scribal subversion in the guise of propaganda.**
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