CONSTRUCTING A DECEITFUL DEITY – THE DISEMPOWERMENT OF BEL – BEL AND THE DRAGON, VERSES 1-22 (OG/Th)

Abstract

In this article aspects of narrative critique, body, space and ancient cosmologies are combined into a spatial-body framework. This spatial-body framework is then used to analyse the first narrative episode of “Bel and the Dragon†which is described as “The disempowerment of Bel.†Simultaneously, this smaller narrative episode is read in reciprocal relationship with the larger narrative of the Greek Daniel. Such an analysis indicates a shift in the author’s personal cosmology. First, a new worldview is created within which all alien gods are false. Second, the Babylonian god Bel is recreated as a deceitful deity. Third, the identity of the Jewish deity is recreated as an omnipresent all-powerful god. By means of the narrative the editor/author creates a new reality and worldview within which the Jews in the diaspora can still be faithful to their God without being afraid of competing earthly powers or other so-called deities.