Cannibal Mothers and Me: A Mother's Reading of 2 Kings 6.24–7.20

Abstract

The cannibal mother of 2 Kgs 6.24—7.20 has had little critical attention. Her story becomes an illustration of the results of covenantal disobedience. Her consumption of her child is considered an extreme and disturbing example of inhumanity. However, if the story is read with the position of the mother in focus, an equally disturbing picture of betrayal and powerlessness is revealed. I offer a reading informed by my own experience of motherhood and then engage with recent critical attention, particularly that of Stuart Lasine. Finally the story is brought into conversation with a contemporary story from my own social context in an effort to underline the continuing danger of mis(sed)-readings.