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September 22, 2009

Comments

Andrew Prior

I've always read this text in terms of the little ones being the church. My Harper study Bible surprised me with this text: “These sayings concern male sexuality in relation to the practice or the temptation to practice the sexual abuse of children and other sexual transgressions." 9:42-48 claiming adultery of the hand releated to masturbation, and of the foot related "to the usual sense."

Do you think the text bears this interpretation, or is it a slight forcing relating to our current panic about the issue of abuse? I suppose it could be both- the sex issue being a subtext.

Andrew Prior

My own take is at http://churchrewired.org/index.php?page=millstones-sex-and-power---mark-9-38-50

John Petty

I'm surprised that the Harper's study Bible would say that. My initial reaction is skepticism. Three body parts are mentioned. Why single out the hand as having special sexual significance?

Your site is churchrewired? I read your stuff all the time!

Andrew Prior

Hi John. It certainly sat me up, too! I was most surprised to find it, and discounted it. On reflection, I found it more persuasive.

I quote Harper's comments:
9:42-48 These sayings concern male sexuality in relation to the practice or the temptation to practice the sexual abuse of children and other sexual transgressions.... 9.43 See also Mt 5.30 Hand, probably an allusion to the Jewish prohibition of masturbation by males (see Mishnah Niddah 2.1; Babylonian Talmud Niddah 13a-b) ... 9.45 Foot, in biblical Hebrew sometimes a euphemism for the male genitals (Isa 7:20 cf Jg 3:24; Isa 6:2) The rabbis called masturbation adultery with the hand (because of the loss of seed) and adultery in the usual sense "adultery with the foot." 9.47 the idea of the eye causing one to stumble is related to the erotic gaze...

John Petty

Now you've got me curious. I'm going to look those passages up and see for myself.

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