Episode 28: Envy and Jealousy in the Hebrew Bible with Anthony Ellis

It Means What It Means

In this conversation, Anthony Ellis discusses the concept of kina (envy/jealousy) in the Hebrew Bible. He explores the different interpretations and implications of kina, both in human relationships and in the context of divine jealousy. Ellis highlights the story of Joseph and his brothers as an example of envy among siblings and the moral lessons it conveys. He also delves into the theological significance of divine jealousy and its association with monotheism. Additionally, Ellis examines the concept of vicarious jealousy, where individuals feel jealousy on behalf of others, particularly in relation to God's jealousy for his people. This conversation explores the concept of divine jealousy in the Hebrew Bible and its linguistic nuances. The discussion delves into the prophetic vision of divine jealousy, the sticking point in the latest tradition, and the complexity of relationships and communication. It also highlights the long durée of Bible scriptures and the incredible variety in language. The importance of academic work on biblical texts and the history of jealousy and envy are also discussed. Recommended readings and resources are provided for further exploration.

Further Reading

On Envy and Jealousy:

Ben-Ze’ev, A. 2000. The Subtlety of Emotions. Cambridge, MA.

D’Arms, J. 2017. ‘Envy’, in E. N. Zalta (ed.) The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Spring 2017 Edition), https://plato.stanford.edu/archives/spr2017/entries/envy/ (accessed 15 March 2022).

Ellis, B. A. 2023 ‘Envy, Jealousy and Class Conflict in Classical Athens: Φθόνος and the Manipulation of Unacceptable Emotions’, Transactions of the American Philological Association 153.1: 43–83.

Hart, S. L., Legerstee, M. 2010. Handbook of Jealousy. Theory, Research, and Multidisciplinary Approaches. Malden, MA.

Hupka, R. B. 1981. ‘Cultural Determinants of Jealousy’, Alternative Lifestyles 4: 310–56.

Konstan, D. and Rutter, N. K. (eds) 2003. Envy, Spite, and Jealousy: The Rivalrous Emotions in Ancient Greece. Edinburgh.

Protasi, S. 2021. The Philosophy of Envy. Cambridge.

Salovey, P. (ed.) 1991. The Psychology of Jealousy and Envy. New York.

Sanders, E. 2014. Envy and Jealousy in Classical Athens. A Socio-Psychological Approach. Oxford.

Sissa, G. 2017. Jealousy: A Forbidden Passion. Cambridge.

Smith, R. H. (ed.) 2008. Envy: Theory and Research. New York.

Toohey, P. 2014. Jealousy. New Haven, CT.

On Envy and Jealousy in the Bible, Judaism, and Christianity:

Adkin, N. 1984. ‘Pride or Envy? Some Notes on the Reason the Fathers Give for the Devil’s Fall’, Augustiniana 34: 349–51.

Brongers, H. A. 1963. ‘Der Eifer des Herrn Zebaoth’, Vetus Testamentum 13: 269–84.

De Riva, R. 2021. ‘Jealousy in Akkadian Love Literature: Zarpanītu in the Divine Love Lyrics’, in S.-W. Hsu and J. Llop-Raduà S.-W (eds), The Expression of Emotions in Ancient Egypt and Mesapotamia. Leiden – Boston, 306–34.

Elliott, J. H. 2007. ‘Envy, Jealousy, and Zeal in the Bible: Sorting Out the Social Differences and Theological Implications – No Envy for YHWH’, in R. B. Coote (ed.), To Break Every Yoke: Essays in Honor of Marvin L. Chaney. Sheffield, 344–64.

Ellis, B. A. 2023 ‘The Rot of the Bones: קנאה (Jealousy/Envy) in the Hebrew Bible’, Journal of Biblical Literature 142.3: 385–408.

Lang, B. 2011. ‘Le Dieu de l’Ancien Testament est-il un Dieu jaloux? Essai de réponse’, in H. Rouillard-Bonraisin (ed.), 159–71.

Renaud, B. 1963. Je suis un Dieu jaloux: Évolution sémantique et signification théologique de qine'ah. Paris.

Reuter, E. 1990. ‘qn’ ’, in Theologisches Wörterbuch zum Alten Testament vii: 51–62.

Villareal, Erin. 2022. Jealousy in Context: The Social Implications of Emotions in the Hebrew Bible. Eisenbaum.