23. Deconstructing Divine Vengeance (Elisha and the Bear Mauling)

Deconstructing the Myth

In this week’s episode we discuss a confusing passage found in 2 Numbers 2:23-24 where the prophet Elisha curses a group of boys who just insulted him for being bald, which is followed by two bears emerging and mauling 42 of the youths. This passage brings up issues concerning translation errors and modern interpretative lenses imposed on an ancient text, as well as touching on the controversial topic of divine vengeance. Join us, Liz Mall (Biola M.A. in Christian Apologetics) and historian Jenny White (Harvard M.A. in Museum Studies) as we begin to deconstruct this passage together by asking the tough questions and providing resources to get you started on your own journey of digging below the surface of the Bible’s toughest passages. Check out our show notes and resources at: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rDUb53KOLBSqBDOsNf2A0ovjbgFRkcxvZv-tjSXJL5w/edit