„…ki találhat bölcs asszonyt?” Némi betekintés a 16–17. századi papnék műveltségébe

“Who Can Find a Wise Woman?” Some Insights into the Education of the Wives of 16th-17th-Century Calvinist Priests. The paper examines the literacy of pastors’ wives during the 16th-17th centuries. For a long time, the opportunity for women to acquire literacy was only the privilege of the upper social strata, but literacy was not widespread among them either. This trend came to an end in the 17th century, for which period we also found examples of the literacy of urban citizens. The daughters of the lower social strata were prepared primarily to be good wives, housewives, and good mothers in the family, especially next to their mothers. Examining the preachers’ wives as a well-defined social group is a problem due to the scarcity of resources. In most cases, we know nothing but the name of the preacher’s wife, and we do not have information about their origins and families; if we do, however, then their social situation and the occupation of their parents provide a basis for research into their education. The conclusion of the research is that even if they did not receive a formal education, the 16th-17th-century Calvinist pastors’ wives were educated women. In many cases, this knowledge – primarily wisdom, life experience, and piety – and the virtues necessary for the roles of housewife, mother, and wife were the main aspects of choice for their husband. Keywords: pastor’s wife, Protestantism, literacy, 16th-17th century

Margaryta Ivanivna Hohol

On January 23, 2021, Margarita Ivanivna Khokhol celebrated her 90th birthday. and a wise woman.

Abigail of Maon and the Wise Woman of Abel: Speaking Truth to Power

In 1 Samuel Abigail of Maon and then in 2 Samuel the Wise Woman of Abel dare to Speak Truth to Power. Each woman employs the wisdom of a moral appeal to the male aggressor’s better inclinations to deescalate a situation where her community is seriously threatened with violent and immediate annihilation.

Four Women in Samuel Confront Power, Part 2: Views from the Targum, the Rabbis, and the Church Fathers

In 1-2 Samuel Abigail of Maon, the Medium of Endor, the Wise Woman of Tekoa, and the Wise Woman of Abel all dare to confront power. The Aramaic Bible, the Targum Jonathan; ancient Rabbinic sources; as well as the Church Fathers refer to them and draw different conclusions from their actions.

Four Women in Samuel Confront Power—Part 1: Contemporary Views

Abigail of Maon, the Medium of Endor, the Wise Woman of Tekoa, and the Wise Woman of Abel: at personal risk, all dared to confront power. In part 1 of this article contemporary scholars comment on their actions. Part 2, to be published in our next issue (BTB 51/2—May, 2021), discusses their appearance in the Aramaic Bible, the Targum Jonathan; and in the writings of both the ancient Rabbis and the Church Fathers.