HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies ISSN: (Online) 2072-8050, (Print) 0259-9422 Page 1 of 11 Original Research ‘How shall we kill him? By sword, fire or lions?’: The Aramaic Targum and the Midrashic narrative on Haman’s gallows Author: The Midrashic literature and biblical translations focus majorly on the verses that describe the 1 Abraham O. Shemesh gathering in Haman’s house and the preparing of the gallows for Mordechai the Jew (Es 5:14). Affiliation: The goal of this study is to discuss the narrative shaped by the Targum and Midrashic sources 1Department of Israel and to examine both the realistic domain concerning methods of punishment that were Heritage, Faculty of Social suggested and the theological–educational meaning of the punishment and the type of tree Sciences and Humanities, chosen. Targum Rishon develops the contents of the conversation in Haman’s house as to how Ariel University, Ariel, Israel Mordechai should be executed. While according to the text, the suggestion to hang Mordechai Corresponding author: appears to have been the only method agreed upon by all those present at the meeting, Targum Abraham Shemesh, Rishon includes several forms of killing and torture that were proposed and considered. While
[email protected] Targum Rishon presents the theological meaning of the choice to kill Mordechai specifically by Dates: hanging him from a gallows, a Midrash aggadah attempts to clarify the species of the tree used Received: 07 Oct. 2019 to prepare Mordechai’s gallows and comes to the surprising conclusion that it was a type of Accepted: 25 Mar.