ABSTRACT
Phyllis Trible produced seminal work in the field of literary-feminist biblical criticism. The reasons why a feminist might consider these texts especially deserving of consideration are manifest. A more general objection to Trible’s argument is that, given the social context of ancient Israel, it would fit for the text to be androcentric and patriarchal but strike an incongruous chord for the text to accord with feminist principles. Thus, as an exercise in rhetorical criticism there are several points at which the sustainability of Trible’s case is called into doubt. Susan Lanser’s argument undercuts the principles upon which Trible’s methodology rests. She presses the point that Trible’s literary-critical method depends upon an understanding of language as formal code. It is the metaphor of the image of God, male and female, which guides Trible’s interpretation as her topical clue. Trible reflects on her work: Clearly, the patriarchal stamp of scripture is permanent.
