Appealing to Monster Theory and the ancient Near Eastern motif of 'Chaoskampf,' Safwat Marzouk argues that the paradoxical character of the category of the monster is what prompts the portrayal of Egypt as a monster in the book of Ezekiel. While on the surface the monster seems to embody utter difference, underlying its otherness there is a disturbing sameness. Though the monster may be defeated and its body dismembered, it is never completely annihilated. Egypt is portrayed as a monster in the book of Ezekiel because Egypt represents the threat of religious assimilation. Although initially the monstrosity of Egypt is constructed because of the shared elements of identity between Egypt and Israel, the prophet flips this imagery of monster in order to embody Egypt as a monstrous Other. In a combat myth, YHWH defeats the monster and dismembers its body. Despite its near annihilation, Egypt, in Ezekiel's rhetoric, is not entirely obliterated. Rather, it is kept at bay, hovering at the periphery, questioning Israel's identity.

Born 1978; PhD in Biblical Studies at Princeton Theological Seminary; ordained Presbyterian pastor with the Synod of the Nile and assistant professor of OT/HB at the Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary, Elkhart Indiana.

Autorentext

Born 1978; PhD in Biblical Studies at Princeton Theological Seminary; ordained Presbyterian pastor with the Synod of the Nile and assistant professor of OT/HB at the Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary, Elkhart Indiana.

Klappentext

Appealing to Monster Theory and the ancient Near Eastern motif of 'Chaoskampf,' Safwat Marzouk argues that the paradoxical character of the category of the monster is what prompts the portrayal of Egypt as a monster in the book of Ezekiel. While on the surface the monster seems to embody utter difference, underlying its otherness there is a disturbing sameness. Though the monster may be defeated and its body dismembered, it is never completely annihilated. Egypt is portrayed as a monster in the book of Ezekiel because Egypt represents the threat of religious assimilation. Although initially the monstrosity of Egypt is constructed because of the shared elements of identity between Egypt and Israel, the prophet flips this imagery of monster in order to embody Egypt as a monstrous Other. In a combat myth, YHWH defeats the monster and dismembers its body. Despite its near annihilation, Egypt, in Ezekiel's rhetoric, is not entirely obliterated. Rather, it is kept at bay, hovering at the periphery, questioning Israel's identity.

Zusammenfassung
Safwat Marzouk nimmt Bezug auf die Ungeheuer Theorie und das antike nahöstliche Motiv des "Chaoskampfs" und zeigt, dass der paradoxe Charakter der Kategorie des Untiers der Grund ist, warum Ägypten im Buch Ezechiel als Seeungeheuer dargestellt wird. Obwohl es von außen betrachtet so scheint, als würde das Ungeheuer schiere Andersartigkeit verkörpern, befindet sich darunter eine verstörende Ähnlichkeit. Obwohl das Monster besiegt und sein Körper verstümmelt, wird es nie vollkommen zerstört. Ägypten wird im Buch Ezechiel als Seeungeheuer dargestellt, weil Ägypten die Bedrohung durch religiöse Assimilation verkörpert. Obwohl diese Monstrosität Ägyptens ursprünglich wegen gemeinsamer Identitätselemente zwischen Ägypten und Israel konstruiert wurde, transformiert der Prophet diese Darstellung des Monsters, um Ägypten als monströses Anderes darzustellen. In einem Kampfmythos besiegt YHWH das Ungeheuer und verstümmelt seinen Körper.