Oh Poor Jephthah: Jephthah, Jephthah's Daughter, and Himpathy

Abstract

This article will explore how the story of Jephthah and his daughter in Judges 11 provides us with a biblical example of himpathy. Himpathy is a concept put forward by feminist philosopher Kate Manne which sees how sympathy is diverted away from the female victim(s) and is instead projected onto the male perpetrator(s). This article will look at himpathy in contemporary cases and in Judges 11 in order to draw parallels between the text and in our own culture and society. Ultimately, the aim of this article is to demonstrate the prevalence of himpathy and to show the dangers of a himpathetic mentality. Once we learn how to spot himpathy, it is hard not to see it everywhere.

Keywords

• judges 11
• jephthah
• jephthah’s daughter
• sympathy
• himpathy
• herasure