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Biblical Studies

Studia Antiqua

Fertility

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Why She Ran: Hebrew Bible Well Symbolism In The Protevangelium Of James 11.1–4, Rachel Huntsman Aug 2020

Why She Ran: Hebrew Bible Well Symbolism In The Protevangelium Of James 11.1–4, Rachel Huntsman

Studia Antiqua

There are aspects of the annunciation scene—as portrayed in the Protevangelium of James—which have not yet been examined by modern scholars. These issues are important when relating to the history of well symbolism in the Hebrew Bible, which symbolism continued in force through the Second Temple period. This paper examines the symbolism of wells, fertility, and marriage and how the author of the Protevangelium of James consciously knew about this symbolism and wrote his narrative in a way that distanced Mary, the mother of Jesus, from any ideas saying that she was less than virginal.