In the Old Testament warfare is the predominant context for the depiction of vio­lence. Wars are always fought against groups that are perceived as distinct from the own. Thus a definition of „the“ other is highly required in biblical war narratives. The article exa­mines the complex connection between Old Testament war ideologies and the perception of foreign protagonists. Both levels are dominated by the theological dimensions of war. To corroborate this observation, special attention will be drawn to the portrait of foreign monarchs at war against Israel (by the examples of Pharao in Exod 1–14 and Senaherib in 2Kings 18f.), as well as to those foreign protagonists, who construe bellicose conflicts by putting the emphasis on YHWH as crucial factor in the war. In addition, some of these „foreign theologians of war“ („fremde KriegstheologInnen“; Rahab in Josh 2 and 6; Achior in Judith 5,5–21 and 14,6–10) bear witness to a reflection on concepts of otherness within the Old Testament war discourse.

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Protokolle zur Bibel

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