The Psalmic Image of the Development of the Body in the Womb (Ps 139:13-16) – From Intuition to Knowledge
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24193/subbto.2025.1.07Keywords:
body, Psalm 139, womb, embryo, GodAbstract
The complexity of the human body has fascinated humanity since the beginning of time. Varied approaches to the human body can be observed in founding myths, visual arts, legends, writings, and religious celebrations. Historically, the body was not the central focus of ancient peoples but rather a recurring motif. In antiquity, the human body was not viewed as an isolated entity with parts to be studied in detail. Instead, it was seen as a whole that reflected the complexity of both the material and spiritual worlds. Therefore, the emphasis was on understanding the entirety of the body and its relation to other aspects of reality rather than dissecting its components. Nonetheless, some texts reveal insightful observations about the body, one of which is Psalm 139:13-16. Although this text features images characteristic of antiquity, it should not be regarded merely as a fragment of Eastern cultic literature; a higher level of knowledge inspires it. This study emphasizes how the psalmist captures the theological dimension of the body's development in the womb.
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