Antje Labahn - Ehud Ben Zvi, «Observations on Women in the Genealogies of 1 Chronicles 1–9», Vol. 84 (2003) 457-478

These observations address the construction of women and their roles in the genealogies of 1 Chronicles 1–9. References to women in these chapters construed them as fulfilling a variety of roles in society, and characterized and identified them in various ways. To be sure, the genealogies reflected and reinforced the main construction of family and family roles in a traditional ancient near eastern society. But, numerous references in these genealogies indicated to the early (and predominantly male) readers of the book that ideologically construed gender expectations may and have been transgressed in the past and with good results. By implication, these references suggested to the readers that gender (and ethnic) boundaries can and even should be transgressed on occasion, with divine blessing, and resulting in divine blessing.

of Chronicles, it is understandable that Chronicles would emphasize and approve the contribution of women for the enduring life of the family household, as well as for the Israelite society in general which is conceived in terms of a larger encompassing household — one which, to be sure, is constructed as having a particular relation with the deity, and a particular set of books and traditions that are grounded in such claimed relations.

        The latter consideration leads to the question of the people of foreign origin or "foreigners" who are included in the ideal portrait of ‘all Israel’ in the genealogies in Chronicles. It is possible that such openness is related to the realia of the Persian period, in which provinces are linked with one another through administrative and economical traits. Under these conditions questions of self-identity and the shaping of borders for inclusion and exclusion are likely to arise. One option is to keep that openness and set Yehud apart from other provinces by theological or ideological claims about its relation with YHWH (see above). Within that frame outsiders may become Israelites and may join the genealogies of Israel (the encompassing household) if they are Israelitized⁶⁸.