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Title Re-reading the Israelite Jubilee in Leviticus 25:8-55 in the context of land redistribution and socio-economic justice in South Africa: an African liberationist perspective
Full text http://hdl.handle.net/10500/19149
Date 2015
Author(s) Mtshiselwa, Vincent Ndikhokele Ndzondelelo
Contributor(s) Masenya, M. J. (Madipoane Joyce)
Abstract The main question of this research which focuses on the role of the Old Testament in the South African context is: If reread from an African liberationist perspective in the context of land redistribution and socio-economic justice in South Africa, could the Israelite Jubilee legislation in Leviticus 25:8-55 offer liberating and empowering possibilities for the poor in South Africa? Methodologically, both the historical-critical method and the African liberationist approach are employed in the present study. The exegesis of Leviticus 25:8-55 in which the historical-critical method is employed lays the foundation for the contextualisation of the issues arising from the exegesis. Furthermore, within the African liberationist framework, the South African context served as a lens to interpret Leviticus 25:8-55. Significantly, this study shows the misuse of power on the part of the rich élites to confiscate productive land from the poor Israelites in the pre-exilic setting. Not only were the rich élites elevated at the expense of the poor, the Levites were equally favoured economically in the Babylonian period. In post-exilic Yehud, of significance is the fact that the Jews were faced with the challenge of loss of land, indebtedness and poverty. The striking parallels between the contexts from which the text of Leviticus 25:8-55 emerged and the context of the modern reader of the Bible in South Africa are shown. It is revealed that African-South Africans who lost their productive land during the colonial and apartheid eras continue to experience indebtedness and poverty. At the same time, the political élites contribute to the present disproportionate benefits from land ownership and socio-economic injustice in the country. Like the context of Leviticus 25:8-55, in South Africa, the rich continue to be richer while many African-South Africans are trapped in the poverty cycle. In the end, it is argued that when re-read from an African liberationist perspective and in the context of the land redistribution and socio-economic justice discourse, Leviticus 25:8-55 can contribute positively to the redress of inequality and consequently to poverty alleviation in South Africa. - Philosophy, Practical & Systematic Theology - D. Litt. et Phil. (Biblical Studies (Old Testament))
Subject(s) Leviticus; Israelite Jubilee; South Africa; The élites; The poor; Poverty alleviation; Land redistribution; Socio-economic justice; Historical-critical method; African liberationist perspective; 222.1308320510968; Bible -- Leviticus XXV, 8-55 -- Black interpretations; Bible -- Leviticus XXV, 8-55 -- Criticism, interpretation, etc.; Liberalism (Religion) -- South Africa -- History -- 20th century; Social justice -- South Africa -- Religious aspects; Land reform -- South Africa -- History -- 20th century; South Africa -- Social conditions -- History -- 20th century; South Africa -- Economic conditions -- History -- 20th century; Bible -- Leviticus XXV, 8-55 -- Socio-rhetorical criticism; Religion and politics -- South Africa -- History -- 20th century
Language en
Type of publication Thesis
Format 1 online resource (xiv, 381 leaves)
Repository South Africa - University of South Africa (UNISA)
Added to C-A: 2016-11-03;08:49:45