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BREAKDOWN
As I write (2011), many Christian churches are locked in
a sterile controversy over gender and sexuality issues, particularly homosexuality. The Bible, so the argument
goes, is at the heart of the problem. Little progress, if
any, has been made in recent years. We are witnessing
a tense situation of theological breakdown.
ASSUMPTIONS
One of the main obstacles to progress is the underlying assumption that we all know what the Bible has to say.
My biblical work throws up the question: do we really understand these texts? Are we basing our attitudes
on assumptions rather than solid research?
If my doctoral experience with the story of Sodom and
Gomorrah is anything to go by, we still know fairly little.
My detailed linguistic exploration of the Hebrew text in Genesis 18–19 has brought surprises. The main surprise
has been the fact that it took me four years of full-time work to reach a clearer understanding of the language.
Another major surprise has been to discover that the
biblical plot of Sodom is unrelated to sex.
SOPHISTICATION
In the story of Sodom, numerous textual problems
remain under-researched. My work draws attention to a
much-overlooked fact: all the biblical texts that are
quoted in current conflicts are far from simple or straightforward. On the contrary, they are fraught
with pitfalls and dense with ambiguity.
This is true of Sodom and Gomorrah and the terror drama
of Gibeah in Judges 19–20. These stories are highly
sophisticated. The narrators employ brilliant literary techniques, including suspense and understatement.
On the surface the Gibeah story is about a brutal murder incident involving gang rape. The deeper agenda, however, is strongly political. It reflects the bitter feud between King Saul and his successor David.
AS WITH A WOMAN?
Leviticus 18:22 may not yet have been properly
understood. Traditionally the translation "With a man
you shall not lie down as with a woman" has been taken
to prohibit sexual intimacy between men. However, there
is no compelling linguistic evidence in the Hebrew
passage for such a sweeping interpretation. On the
contrary, the Hebrew wording is obscure.
There is no simple way of translating the phrase "With
a male you shall not lie down the lyings-down of a
woman". Much more work needs to be done. First, the
Hebrew text does not say "man" but "male". Second, the prepositions "as with" are absent. Third, the plural form mishkevey, "lyings-down", is extremely rare. Fourth, the
text does not say "female" but "woman". Given the
context, the most likely meaning of the entire phrase
seems to be "you shall not commit incest with a male".
ADAM'S "RIB"
Since the days of early Christianity commentators and translators have taught that woman was created from one
of man's ribs, in reference to Genesis 2. The trouble with
this reading is that it clashes with the original Hebrew.
Before the life-changing operation, the original "man" was
not a fully-fledged male but a "groundling" of dual gender. Moreover, the Hebrew noun tsela' does not mean "rib".
An accurate translation is "side". This very complex text
has been made simple and, unfortunately, misogynistic.
NOAH'S NAKEDNESS
Over the centuries speculation has been rife about what actually went on in Genesis 9 as Ham saw his father
Noah's "nakedness". When this happened, the latter was
drunk. Noah's other sons acted with respect towards their father while Ham did not. For this reason Ham's son
Canaan was cursed. Because of Noah's angry reaction
to his son's impertinence, some commentators have
suggested that the episode denotes sexual assault.
However, the Hebrew wording of this passage is untypical
of rape and sexual violence. Again it may be suspected
that the popular sexual assumptions have more basis in
the imagination of exegetes than in the textual
realities of the book of Genesis.
THE CONSECRATED ONES
The Hebrew noun qedeshim means "consecrated ones". It
is sometimes mistranslated as "cult prostitute" or "temple prostitute". This raises questions given that evidence of temple prostitution in ancient Canaan is virtually non-
existent. Even more irresponsibly, some Bible translators render qedeshim as "catamites", "sodomites", or the
modern word "homosexuals".
In this not-so-subtle manner, an anachronistic link is established to current issues, particularly the ongoing
Bible/homosexuality conflict. Two major problems are
the result: (1) the biblical message is distorted; (2) an
additional theological burden is placed on the shoulders
of lesbian, gay and bisexual people.
Much more research into Deuteronomy 23:17 is needed.
A likely meaning of the "consecrated ones" is
"priestly workers".
"TO KNOW IN THE BIBLICAL SENSE"
This humorous saying is often heard in everyday
conversation. The curious thing is that it has no basis
in the Hebrew Bible. I have scrutinized the book of
Genesis and drawn the conclusion that the Hebrew verb
yada', "to know", is not to be taken in a sexual sense.
The sexual connotation in relation to "knowing"
originated in ancient Greek literature. Hence it would be
more accurate to say "to know in the Greek sense".
In some cases Hebrew yada' is more appropriately viewed
as a technical term in the legal sphere used for the formal
initiation of covenants, marriage contracts, and judicial enquiries. The biblical language of betrothal, marriage
and sex is a related, under-researched area.
FRESH RESEARCH
To me all of these reasons are so important that I wish to continue undertaking fresh research on the Bible. The above texts have had—and are having—a huge impact on the life of Judaism and, particularly, Christianity. When such
passages are mistranslated, as often happens, they are capable of poisoning the lives of millions. Women as well as lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people have
been among the most affected.
Clearly gender and sexuality are pivotal issues that will
generate debate for a long time. The biblical witness
needs exploring with much greater attention to detail.
To address this burning issue for modern Christianity,
it is crucial to promote solid, text-based research. | 
