AVSENIK NABERGOJ, Irena. 2024. Aspects of the spirituality of female characters in the Old Testament and Deborah’s song of thanksgiving (Judg 5). V: PLATOVNJAK, Ivan, ur., Women and spirituality : International scientific conference : Ljubljana, May 25th, 2024, on-line : program and abstracts, 9.

Female characters in the Bible often show a strong faith in God, hope, love, humility and obedience. Some women show gifts of discernment and wisdom, perseverance in difficult times, and a willingness to sacrifice their own desires for the good of the community. A key element of spirituality is prayer as a petition for help and thanksgiving for God’s graces. Famous examples of unconditional faith are the prayer of the prophetess Deborah (Judg 5), the petition of Hannah the mother of Samuel for a child (1 Sam 1:10-11) and her prayer of thanksgiving (1 Sam 2:1-10) as well as the prayer of Mordecai and Esther in the distress of the Jewish people at the threat of a more powerful people (Esth 4:17a-17z). Each of these and similar prayers incorporates many elements from older Hebrew spiritual experience and tradition. In this lecture, various aspects of the spirituality of biblical women will be presented. The focus will be on analysing Deborah’s poem in its original structure within its wider biblical context.

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