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Liess, Kathrin: Perspectives on Ageing and Old Age in the Old Testament, in Neumann, Christian Alexander (Ed.): Old Age before Modernity: Case Studies and Methodological Perspectives, 500 BC ‒ 1700 AD, Heidelberg: Heidelberg University Publishing, 2023 (Online-Schriften des DHI Rom. Neue Reihe: Pubblicazioni online del DHI Roma. Nuova serie, Volume 8), p. 165–183. https://doi.org/10.17885/heiup.1086.c14939

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https://doi.org/10.17885/heiup.1086
ISBN 978-3-96822-173-1 (PDF)
ISBN 978-3-96822-174-8 (Hardcover)
ISBN 978-3-96822-175-5 (Softcover)

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02/23/2023

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Authors

Kathrin Liess

Perspectives on Ageing and Old Age in the Old Testament

Abstract In recent years, an increasing interest in anthropological topics can be observed in Old Testament scholarship. In this context, the topic of “age and ageing” has also gained considerable importance in the field of Old Testament anthropology. This article provides an overview of the subject and the images of ageing and old age on the basis of selected passages from the various text genres of the Old Testament including narrative texts, wisdom literature, legal texts, or poetic literature. Three aspects of old age and ageing are considered: (1) chronological aspects: the division of life into stages and human life expectancy, (2) biological aspects: the physical ageing process with physical and mental changes, and (3) social aspects: the social position of aged and wise people and the care for the elderly.