http://queen-in-autumn.livejournal.com/ ([identity profile] queen-in-autumn.livejournal.com) wrote in [personal profile] wlotus 2008-10-20 05:55 pm (UTC)

Personally, I believe that the statement to Eve is a product of misogynistic culture, a justification for the lack of equality between the sexes.

I grew up understanding it as a judgement against Eve: You disobeyed. You will be punished. But it can equally well -- or even better? -- be read as a regretful statement of consequences. It's not God declaring that women should be ruled over by men, it's a prediction of what's going to happen.

The lack of warning to Adam -- as you observe -- helps to give the passage a sense of being a judgement.

I also believe that our ability to hear the voice of the Divine is limited by our mental-spiritual state and our conditions. I think it's entirely possible that if God had given a warning to Adam about the backlash, the original writer might not have heard it. A backlash against men for ruling women? Inconceivable!

Post a comment in response:

This account has disabled anonymous posting.
(will be screened if not on Access List)
(will be screened if not on Access List)
If you don't have an account you can create one now.
HTML doesn't work in the subject.
More info about formatting