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BREAKDOWN
As I write (2008), 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: how much,
or rather how little, do we know about 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 has taken four years of full-time work to reach a clearer understanding of the language.
Another surprise has been to discover that the
biblical plot of Sodom is unrelated to sex.
SOPHISTICATION
Probably I am not at the end of the road with Sodom. A number of textual problems remain under-researched.
My work draws attention to a much-overlooked fact:
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 rape. The deeper agenda, however, is strongly political.
AS WITH A WOMAN?
I suspect Leviticus 18:22 has not yet been properly understood. Traditionally the translation "With a man you
shall not lie 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 "the lyings-down of a woman". Much more
work needs to be done.
Firstly, the Hebrew text does not say "man" but "male". Secondly, the prepositions "as with" are absent. Thirdly,
the plural form mishkevey, "lyings-down", is extremely rare. Given the context, the most likely meaning is "you
shall not commit incest with a male next of kin".
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 full-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.
HIS FATHER'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 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 the exegetes than in the textual
realities of Biblical Hebrew.
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.
"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.
In some cases it 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. | 
