Religion, Animals, and Desire in Eden: A Visual Critical Reconsideration of the <i>Naḥash</i>

This paper explores the narrative contribution of visual images of nonhuman animals, particularly their contribution to the biblical themes of desire and relation, by considering the exemplum of the <i>Naḥash</i>, commonly known as a serpent or snake. The Biblical textual depiction of th...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Jonathan K. Crane
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2022-10-01
Series:Religions
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/13/10/923
_version_ 1797470162124800000
author Jonathan K. Crane
author_facet Jonathan K. Crane
author_sort Jonathan K. Crane
collection DOAJ
description This paper explores the narrative contribution of visual images of nonhuman animals, particularly their contribution to the biblical themes of desire and relation, by considering the exemplum of the <i>Naḥash</i>, commonly known as a serpent or snake. The Biblical textual depiction of this creature indicates that it is not different in kind from humans but only different by degree. Later artists expand upon these possibilities in creative and provocative ways. By using a visual critical approach, the paper reviews the Garden of Eden story, and then examines an array of images that expand and challenge the text.
first_indexed 2024-03-09T19:32:50Z
format Article
id doaj.art-93049edbd7d04b03bf01ffb8f6e0eeaf
institution Directory Open Access Journal
issn 2077-1444
language English
last_indexed 2024-03-09T19:32:50Z
publishDate 2022-10-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Religions
spelling doaj.art-93049edbd7d04b03bf01ffb8f6e0eeaf2023-11-24T02:16:33ZengMDPI AGReligions2077-14442022-10-01131092310.3390/rel13100923Religion, Animals, and Desire in Eden: A Visual Critical Reconsideration of the <i>Naḥash</i>Jonathan K. Crane0Center for Ethics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USAThis paper explores the narrative contribution of visual images of nonhuman animals, particularly their contribution to the biblical themes of desire and relation, by considering the exemplum of the <i>Naḥash</i>, commonly known as a serpent or snake. The Biblical textual depiction of this creature indicates that it is not different in kind from humans but only different by degree. Later artists expand upon these possibilities in creative and provocative ways. By using a visual critical approach, the paper reviews the Garden of Eden story, and then examines an array of images that expand and challenge the text.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/13/10/923nonhuman animalsartnachashGarden of Edendifference
spellingShingle Jonathan K. Crane
Religion, Animals, and Desire in Eden: A Visual Critical Reconsideration of the <i>Naḥash</i>
Religions
nonhuman animals
art
nachash
Garden of Eden
difference
title Religion, Animals, and Desire in Eden: A Visual Critical Reconsideration of the <i>Naḥash</i>
title_full Religion, Animals, and Desire in Eden: A Visual Critical Reconsideration of the <i>Naḥash</i>
title_fullStr Religion, Animals, and Desire in Eden: A Visual Critical Reconsideration of the <i>Naḥash</i>
title_full_unstemmed Religion, Animals, and Desire in Eden: A Visual Critical Reconsideration of the <i>Naḥash</i>
title_short Religion, Animals, and Desire in Eden: A Visual Critical Reconsideration of the <i>Naḥash</i>
title_sort religion animals and desire in eden a visual critical reconsideration of the i nahash i
topic nonhuman animals
art
nachash
Garden of Eden
difference
url https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/13/10/923
work_keys_str_mv AT jonathankcrane religionanimalsanddesireinedenavisualcriticalreconsiderationoftheinahashi