An archetype is an original pattern, model or symbol, that represents an idea or concept. It is a typical or classic example of a pattern for other things of the same type. The Bible has many archetypes being embodied by the characters. In this blogpost, five characters in the Old Testament will be characterized as to how they embody an archetype: Eve as the Femme Fatale, Rahab as the Divine Prostitute, Ruth as the Damsel in Distress, Joseph as the Hero, and Job as the Innocent Sufferer.
One of the most considered Femme Fatales in the Bible is Eve, the first woman. A Femme Fatale (French, “Deadly Woman”), according to Encarta Dictionaries, is “a woman who is considered to be highly attractive and to have a destructive effect on those who succumb to her charms”. A Femme Fatale brings disaster to a man or men who become involved with her. In the Bible, Eve is the archetype of a Femme Fatale because of her seductive beauty that lead Adam, the first man, to eat the forbidden fruit in the garden of Eden which then lead to a destructive effect. She is therefore considered to be the Femme Fatale because of her involvement with the fall of men. She was first succumbed to temptation when the evil serpent persuades her to eat the forbidden fruit and therefore lead Adam’s downfall. It is in Genesis 3:12 where Adam told God of Eve’s fault, “And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.” (KJV). And the destruction that Eve, the Femme Fatale, had caused was stated in Genesis 3:23-24, “Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming
sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.” (KJV). Adam who was first trusted by God to obey his rules was driven to the disastrous situation-- the fall of man-- caused by Eve, the Femme Fatale.
sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.” (KJV). Adam who was first trusted by God to obey his rules was driven to the disastrous situation-- the fall of man-- caused by Eve, the Femme Fatale.
Rahab, the harlot, is considered as the archetype of a Divine Prostitute. To briefly explain the archetype, Rahab was a prostitute who was turned into a faithful follower of God – from a sinner to a saint. She was placed at the edge of the society, geographically and morally. Her house was located on the wall of the city of Jericho to strategically lodge travellers. When she had heard of the God of Israel, she acted on faith by hiding the spies from the authorities for them to search the whole city and help them escape peacefully. She knew that God has sent the spies and that God has chosen her to help them. In spite of the risk that the authorities might find them in her abode, she chose to follow God’s will to help the spies. She decided to act in faith for God than to tell the King of Jericho about the men she kept. However, she did not perish with the people of the city because Rahab had made the spies swear that they shall protect her and her family for she has also protected them (spies). From being a prostitute, she became one of the ancestors of Jesus Christ because of faith: "by faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had received the spies in peace" - Hebrews 11:31 (KJV). The Divine Prostitute has a sinful past yet she became a faithful believer of God. Sin is not a barrier to being chosen and blessed by God and Rahab, being an archetype of a Divine Prostitute, is a beautiful example of that embodiment.
Ruth is the Damsel in Distress in the Bible. A Damsel in Distress is a damsel (a young woman) who needs someone to rescue her from distress. Ruth, after her husband’s death, went with Naomi, her mother-in-law, in her return to Bethlehem. Ruth needs a husband to be a kinsman or redeemer for her and Naomi. Saving her from distress, Boaz, a kind landowner, helped Ruth in getting plenty of grain for her and her mother-in-law since there is no man who is taking care of them, and he eventually married her. Ruth, a Moabitess, had preserved her deceased husband’s wealth because of Boaz, the Bethlehemite. It is difficult for a Moabitess like Ruth to find a husband in a Hebrew society because Moab and Bethlehem had a history. Like a fairy-tale, the Damsel in Distress is rescued by a Prince Charming, who is her Knight in Shining Armour. Boaz saved Ruth in spite of their ethnic difference. Thanks to his kindness. Ruth and Boaz, the grandparents of King David, lived happily ever after, like in a fairty-tale.
An archetype of a Hero is embodied by Joseph of Egypt. A Hero is someone who is admired for his remarkable courage or outstanding qualities. An archetypal hero, based on the Archetypal Literary Theory, may have unusual circumstances of birth, have left his family and lived with others, have a traumatic event that leads to quest, a special weapon, and/or have a supernatural help. Joseph left his family from the time that his brothers sold him into slavery, telling their father that Joseph is dead. He was sold to Potiphar, a high-ranking official in Egypt, and that would be considered as a traumatic event for Joseph leading him to quest, working as a slave in Egypt. When the time came that Joseph was greatly favored by the Pharaoh, Potiphar’s flirtatious wife accuses Joseph of trying to sleep with her, leading Potiphar to throw him in prison. This again is a traumatic event that changed the life of the hero. Joseph, as an archetypal hero, has a special weapon which is his ability to interpret dreams. He interprets the Pharaoh’s dream and warns him of a famine that will strike Egypt after seven years. Joseph was then elected to be the highest official who will manage setting food in preparation for the famine. The famine came when his brothers knew of the Egyptian supply of food and went to Joseph for help. However, they did not recognize Joseph but Joseph easily recognized them. It is the supernatural or divine guidance of God that made these things to happen so that Joseph can be reunited with his family. After all the toying and revelations, Joseph sent his brothers back to Canaan to bring Jacob, their father, to Egypt and live with his family of seventy. Having the traits mentioned earlier, Joseph is a good archetypal hero.
Job embodies an archetype of the Innocent Sufferer. An Innocent Sufferer is a person who goes through the process of suffering without knowing his faults. In the Old Testament, Job is a just and a good man who lived his life pleasing God. God gave him all prosperity, but Satan is jealous with him so God allowed Satan to take away all of Job’s wealth, cattle, servants, and even his children, to show how faithful Job is to him. When Job showed his patience in his sufferings, Satan was put to shame and had God gave him another chance to test Job’s faith. Job was stricken with the most terrible disease – leprosy. His wife asked him to complain against God, while his friends spouted him of poor and theologically unsound advice. Eventually, Job questions God’s injustice towards the wicked and the innocent. But Elihu, another friend, explains that God wants the innocent to realize God’s forgiveness and love when he is well again from a physical pain. God also explained to Job of his greatness and Job then acknowledged God’s unlimited powers and admits his limited knowledge. God afterwards regained Job’s prosperity. Job, the Innocent Sufferer, has remained patient in spite of his sufferings. For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.—Jobs 19:25-27.
The archetypes embodied by these Biblical characters are the images or symbols used repeatedly in art and literature.
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