Through the hermeneutical lens of human-animal studies, this volume explores how biblical texts help construct a precise image of animals and assign them a precise role within society. In this regard, three central moments are considered:
(a) Creation narratives: Examining the two creation narratives shows how these are functional in creating a hierarchy within the animal kingdom, elevating domestic animals over other animals and positioning humans as God's privileged interlocutors.
(b) Biblical Legislation: The second part explores how legal codes frame animals as 'objects' in a...