In her book Subversive Sequels in the Bible, Judy Klitsner delves into the intricate web of biblical narratives, uncovering the thematic and linguistic connections that bind them. Chapter 2, “The Rebirth of the Individual,” is particularly illuminating as it juxtaposes two seemingly unrelated stories: the Tower of Babel and the Hebrew midwives in Egypt. Klitsner illustrates how these narratives, when read in tandem, offer profound insights into the value of individual lives.
The tale of Babel (Genesis 11:1-9) describes a united humanity with a single language and a collective goal to build a city and a tower to make a name for themselves. God’s response is to confound their language and scatter them across the earth, thus disrupting their unity and ambition. Klitsner points out that the Babel story reflects a society that prioritizes uniformity and grandiose achievements over the individual (Klitsner, 2011). In contrast, the story of the Hebrew midwives, Shiphrah and Puah (Exodus 1:15-21), presents a powerful counter-narrative. Pharaoh commands the midwives to kill Hebrew male infants, but they defy this order, valuing the sanctity of each life.
Klitsner draws attention to the linguistic connections between the two stories that further emphasize this thematic dichotomy (Klitsner, 2011). For instance, the term used for “name” (shem) in the Babel story contrasts with the midwives’ actual names, suggesting that true legacy lies in the recognition of personal identity and moral action, rather than in monumental constructions.
This theme of valuing individual lives is strikingly relevant to contemporary times, where we witness both the devaluation and the celebration of the individual. We live in an era that often gravitates towards collective labels and identities, sometimes at the expense of personal autonomy and worth. Yet we also see acts of individual courage that confront oppressive systems, much as the midwives do, asserting the inestimable value of each human life.
Klitsner’s analysis serves as a reminder that the stories of our past continue to speak to our present, challenging us to consider how we value each other as individuals. The devaluing of life, whether through systemic oppression, social conformity, or otherwise, finds its counter in narratives that remind us of the power and worth of the individual.
References
Klitsner, J. (2011). Subversive sequels in the Bible: How Biblical stories mine and undermine each other. Maggid.