Francoise Mirguet
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Phone: 480-965-2663
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Arizona State University School of International Letters and Cultures P.O. Box 870202 Tempe, AZ 85287-0202
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Mail code: 0202Campus: Tempe
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Francoise Mirguet's current research focuses on emotions and the history of the self in late antique Jewish literature, written in Hebrew and Greek. She teaches Biblical Hebrew, ancient Jewish literature, and the beginnings of Christianity. She also teaches an interdisciplinary course on compassion, as well as a team-taught course entitled "Emotions across languages, cultures, and history."
Mirguet's new book is entitled An Early History of Compassion: Emotion and Imagination in Hellenistic Judaism (Cambridge University Press, 2017). Her short article Compassion: Between a Mosaic Precept and a Common Human Potential (2017) gives an aperçu of the book.
Her first book, La représentation du divin dans les récits du Pentateuque, was published in 2009 by Brill. She has also published several peer-reviewed articles in different journals. Some of her latest articles include Josephus's Lamentations in the Judean War: Body, Emotional Resistance, and Gender (Journal for the Study of Judaism 53, 2022), Innovative Practices of the Self in Early Jewish Narratives (Journal of Jewish Identities 14, 2021), The Study of Emotions in Early Jewish Texts (Journal for the Study of Judaism 50, 2019), and What is an 'Emotion' in the Hebrew Bible? An Experience that Exceeds Most Contemporary Concepts (Biblical Interpretation 24, 2016).
During the academic year 2016-2017, Mirguet was a Harry Starr Fellow at the Center of Jewish Studies at Harvard. In fall 2015, she was a fellow at the Katz Center for Advanced Judaic Studies, at the University of Pennsylvania. She spent spring 2013 at the Harvard Center for Hellenic Studies, in Washington, DC.
Mirguet co-chairs the section Emotions and the Biblical World in the European Association for Biblical Studies.
- Ph.D., Louvain, 2007
- M.A., Harvard, 2006
- M.A., Louvain, 2004
- B.A., Louvain, 2002, 2004.
Topics:
- Emotions
- Compassion and other emotional responses to others' pain
- Touch
- History of the self
- Body and embodiment
- Gender and its history
- Space
- Pseudepigraphy
- Authorship
Literary Corpuses:
- Hebrew Bible and cognate literature
- Greek scriptures
- Philo and Josephus
- Pseudepigrapha
- Jewish literature in its Hellenistic and Roman context
Books (authored):
2017 An Early History of Compassion: Emotion and Imagination in Hellenistic Judaism. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press (278 pages).
2009 La représentation du divin dans les récits du Pentateuque. Médiations syntaxiques et narratives. VT.Sup 123; Leiden/Boston: Brill (544 pages).
Peer-Reviewed Articles:
“Touch and Responses to Pain in the Hebrew Bible: Between Biology and Cultural Construction.” Submitted to Hebrew Bible and Ancient Israel on October 30, 2022; accepted with revisions.
2022 “Josephus’s Lamentations in the Judean War: Body, Emotional Resistance, and Gender.” Journal for the Study of Judaism 53, 524-566.
2021 “Innovative Practices of the Self in Early Jewish Narratives.” Journal of Jewish Identities 14/2, 213-240.
2019 “The Study of Emotions in Early Jewish Texts: Review and Perspectives.” Journal for the Study of Judaism 50/4-5, 1-47.
2019 “Changes in Emotions in Late Antique Judaism: The New Functions of Compassion and Envy.” Svensk Exegetisk Årsbok 84, 1-13.
2016 “What is an ‘Emotion’ in the Hebrew Bible? An Experience that Exceeds Most Contemporary Concepts.” Biblical Interpretation 24/4-5, 442-465.
2016 “Emotions in Ancient Jewish Literature: Definitions and Approaches” (with D. Kurek-Chomycz). Biblical Interpretation 24/4-5, 435-441.
2014 “Emotional Responses to the Pain of Others, in Josephus’ Rewritten Scriptures and the Testament of Zebulun: Between Power and Vulnerability.” Journal of Biblical Literature 133, 838-857. With responses by Sarah J. Pearce, Donald Lateiner, and David Konstan.
2011 “Tracing Gender in the Story of the Oven of Akhnai: The Beit Midrash Between the Divine and Female Realms.” Nashim 22, 88-110.
2011 “Introductory Reflections on Embodiment in Hellenistic Judaism.” Journal for the Study of the Pseudepigrapha 21, 5-19.
2011 “Implicit Biblical Motifs in Almodóvar’s Hable con ella and Volver.” Journal of Religion and Popular Culture 23, 27-39.
2010 “Attachment to the Body in the Greek Testament of Abraham: A Reappraisal of the Short Recension.” Journal for the Study of the Pseudepigrapha 19, 251-275.
2008 “Numbers 16: The Significance of Place. An Analysis of Spatial Markers.” Journal for the Study of the Old Testament 32, 311-330.
2007 “’Raconter Dieu’ dans le Pentateuque.” Revue Théologique de Louvain 37, 488-551.
2005 “Interprétation de récit, récit d’interprétations. L’exemple de Nombres 16.” Biblical Interpretation 13, 424-437.
2005 “L’effacement du narrateur devant le personnage de Jésus dans le quatrième Évangile. Une inversion des rôles narratifs.” Sémiotique et Bible 120, 27‑40.
2005 “Essai d’interprétation de Lévitique 10.” Études Théologiques et Religieuses 80, 103-113.
2005 “Le motif des cassolettes en Nombres 16,1-17,15. Une riposte théâtralisée.” Estudios Bíblicos 63, 3‑19.
2004 “Les titres shiphah et ’amah. Recherche de lexicographie biblique.” Zeitschrift für die Alttestamentliche Wissenschaft 116, 242-250.
2003 “Isaac et Ismaël en Genèse 21,1-21. Quand l’entente suscite le rire.” Science et Esprit 55, 75-88.
2003 “Genèse 21-22: Maternité et paternité à l’épreuve.” Ephemerides Theologicae Lovanienses 79, 307-328.
Peer-Reviewed Book Chapters:
“Emotions in Josephus’s Writings.” In: K. Atkinson (ed.), Oxford Handbook of Josephus. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Submitted on October 5, 2021; accepted for publication (7,203 words).
“Love and Hate in Deuteronomy.” In: D.C. Benjamin (ed.), Oxford Handbook of Deuteronomy. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Submitted on January 7, 2020; Revised version submitted on August 2, 2020; accepted for publication (8,488 words).
2023 “The Root נחם Niphal and Hitpael in the Hebrew Bible: Broken Continuity and Disengagement.” In: P. Van Hecke, H. van Loon (eds.), Where is the Way to the Dwelling of Light? Studies in Genesis, Job and Linguistics in Honor of Ellen van Wolde. Biblical Interpretation 207; Leiden: Brill, 360-386 (in press, 2023 copyright).
2022 “Interrupting the Cycle of Violence without Forgiveness? The Story of Joseph in the Bible and Early Jewish Literature.” In: M.-S. Lotter, S. Fischer (eds.), Guilt, Forgiveness, and Moral Repair: A Cross-Cultural Comparison. Cham: Palgrave Macmillan, 57-77.
2020 “Gender in Early Jewish Literature.” In: M. Henze, R. Werline (eds.), Early Judaism and Its Modern Interpreters. Atlanta: SBL Press, 93-114.
2018 “Coincidence and the Expression of Powerlessness: From Ahiqar to the Life of Aesop and Esther.” In: H. Ausloos, D. Luciani (eds.), Temporalité et Intrigue: Hommage à André Wénin. Bibliotheca Ephemeridum Theologicarum Lovaniensium (BETL) 296; Leuven: Peeters, 185-193.
2018 “They Visited Heaven and Refused to Die: Anxieties of Discontinuity in the Testament of Abraham and in Ezra Traditions.” Forthcoming in: T. Nicklas, J.N. Bremmer (eds.), The Figure of Ezra between Early Judaism and Ancient Christianity. Studies in Early Christian Apocrypha; Leuven: Peeters.
2014 “Beyond Authority: The Construction of Scriptures in the Testament of Abraham.” E. Tigchelaar (ed.), Old Testament Pseudepigrapha and the Scriptures. Bibliotheca Ephemeridum Theologicarum Lovaniensium (BETL) 270; Leuven: Peeters, 211-230.
2012 “Flavius Josèphe construit son image. Quelques postures d’auteur dans la Vie.” C. Clivaz, et al. (eds.), Écritures et réécritures : La reprise interprétative des traditions fondatrices par la littérature biblique et extra-biblique. BETL 248; Leuven: Peeters, 35-48.
2012 “’And Aseneth Saw Joseph’: Body Language and Emotions in Joseph and Aseneth 6,1.” A. Wénin, G. van Oyen (eds.), La surprise dans la Bible. BETL 247; Leuven: Peeters, 381-391.
2008 “La représentation littéraire d’une réalité à venir. La terre promise dans les Nombres.” T. Römer (ed.), The Books of Leviticus and Numbers. BETL 215; Leuven: Peeters, 507-517.
2007 “Voir la mort de Jésus. Quand le ‘voir’ se fait récit.” G. van Belle (ed.), The Death of Jesus in the Fourth Gospel. BETL 200; Leuven: Peeters, 469-479.
2005 “La mise en scène de l’écriture et de la lecture dans le Quatrième Évangile.” Y.‑M. Blanchard, É. Latour, F. Mirguet, B. Oiry, Raconter, voir, croire. Parcours narratifs du quatrième évangile. Cahiers de la Revue Biblique; Paris: Gabalda, 13-31.
Edited Special Issues:
2016 Guest editors, Françoise Mirguet and Dominika Kurek-Chomycz: Emotions in Ancient Jewish Literature: Definitions and Approaches. Biblical Interpretation 24/4-5.
2011 Guest editor: Embodiment and the Construction of Identity in Pseudepigrapha and Apocrypha. Journal for the Study of the Pseudepigrapha.
Non Peer-Reviewed Publications:
2017 “Compassion: Between a Mosaic Precept and a Common Human Potential.” The Bible and Interpretation.
2015 “Emotions in Deuteronomy.” Contribution to D.C. Benjamin, The Social World of Deuteronomy: A New Feminist Commentary. Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 91-94.
2014 “Dieu et l’art de (le) raconter: Ou comment en finir avec le narrateur omniscient.” C. Dionne, Y. Mathieu (eds.), Raconter Dieu : Entre récit, histoire et théologie. Le Livre et le Rouleau 44; Namur: Lessius, 49-73.
2013 “Compassion in the Making: Lexicographic Explorations in Judeo-Hellenistic Literature.” Center for Hellenic Studies Research Bulletin 1/2 (online).
Encyclopedia Entries:
2020 “αἰσθάνομαι – αἴσθησις – αἰσθητήριον.” Historical and Theological Lexicon of the Septuagint (Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck). Submitted and accepted. Publication is projected between 2015 and 2021.
2013 “Emotions in Hellenistic Judaism and the Dead Sea Scrolls.” Encyclopedia of the Bible and Its Reception (Berlin: de Gruyter).
Book Reviews:
2017 A. Wénin, Abraham ou l’apprentissage du dépouillement: Gn 11,27 – 25,18. Lire la Bible; Paris: Cerf, 2016. Revue Théologique de Louvain 48, 388-389.
2017 D. Lambert, How Repentance Became Biblical: Judaism, Christianity, and the Interpretation of Scripture. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2016. Jewish Review of Books, Spring 2017, 14-16; with a response in Summer 2017 issue.
2014 A. Chaniotis (ed.), Unveiling Emotions. Sources and Methods for the Study of Emotions in the Greek World (Habes 52). Stuttgart: Franz Steiner, 2012. Classical Review 64/2, 1-3.
2013 V. D. Arbel, Forming Femininity in Antiquity: Eve, Gender, and Ideologies in the Greek Life of Adam and Eve. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2012. Journal for the Study of Judaism 44, 384-385.
2012 W. Loader, The Pseudepigrapha on Sexuality. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2011. Review of Biblical Literature (online).
2011 W. Loader, The Dead Sea Scrolls on Sexuality: Attitudes Towards Sexuality in Sectarian and Related Literature at Qumran. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2009. Journal for the Study of Judaism 42, 418-419.
2009 “The Francophone Appropriation and Continuation of Narrative Criticism Applied to the Bible: The Example of Point of View.” Poetics Today 30, 353-362.
Courses
2025 Spring
Course Number | Course Title |
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SLC 492 | Honors Directed Study |
SLC 790 | Reading and Conference |
SLC 799 | Dissertation |
SLC 590 | Reading and Conference |
SLC 792 | Research |
SLC 795 | Continuing Registration |
HEB 233 | Intermediate Biblical Hebrew |
KOR 420 | Emotion Acrs Lang, Cltre & Hst |
SLC 420 | Emotion Acrs Lang, Cltre & Hst |
JST 233 | Intermediate Biblical Hebrew |
REL 233 | Intermediate Biblical Hebrew |
SLC 598 | Special Topics |
KOR 598 | Special Topics |
2024 Fall
Course Number | Course Title |
---|---|
SLC 590 | Reading and Conference |
2024 Spring
Course Number | Course Title |
---|---|
SLC 790 | Reading and Conference |
SLC 799 | Dissertation |
SLC 590 | Reading and Conference |
SLC 792 | Research |
SLC 795 | Continuing Registration |
HEB 334 | Biblical Hebrew Literature II |
JST 334 | Biblical Hebrew Literature II |
REL 334 | Biblical Hebrew Literature II |
SLC 320 | Compassion: A Dialogue |
HON 394 | Special Topics |
2023 Fall
Course Number | Course Title |
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GRK 492 | Honors Directed Study |
SLC 590 | Reading and Conference |
HEB 411 | Judaism/BeginningsChristianity |
HEB 598 | Special Topics |
HEB 333 | Biblical Hebrew Literature I |
JST 411 | Judaism/BeginningsChristianity |
REL 411 | Judaism/BeginningsChristianity |
JST 333 | Biblical Hebrew Literature I |
REL 333 | Biblical Hebrew Literature I |
SLC 795 | Continuing Registration |
2023 Spring
Course Number | Course Title |
---|---|
SLC 790 | Reading and Conference |
SLC 799 | Dissertation |
SLC 590 | Reading and Conference |
SLC 792 | Research |
SLC 795 | Continuing Registration |
2022 Fall
Course Number | Course Title |
---|---|
SLC 590 | Reading and Conference |
HEB 131 | Biblical Hebrew I |
REL 131 | Biblical Hebrew I |
JST 131 | Biblical Hebrew I |
2022 Spring
Course Number | Course Title |
---|---|
SLC 790 | Reading and Conference |
SLC 799 | Dissertation |
SLC 590 | Reading and Conference |
SLC 792 | Research |
SLC 795 | Continuing Registration |
HEB 232 | Biblical Hebrew IV |
REL 232 | Biblical Hebrew IV |
JST 232 | Biblical Hebrew IV |
2021 Fall
Course Number | Course Title |
---|---|
SLC 590 | Reading and Conference |
HEB 231 | Biblical Hebrew III |
JST 231 | Biblical Hebrew III |
REL 231 | Biblical Hebrew III |
2021 Spring
Course Number | Course Title |
---|---|
SLC 590 | Reading and Conference |
KOR 494 | Special Topics |
SLC 494 | Special Topics |
SLC 598 | Special Topics |
KOR 598 | Special Topics |
SLC 590 | Reading and Conference |
2020 Fall
Course Number | Course Title |
---|---|
HEB 499 | Individualized Instruction |
SLC 590 | Reading and Conference |
HEB 131 | Biblical Hebrew I |
HEB 411 | Judaism/BeginningsChristianity |
HEB 598 | Special Topics |
REL 131 | Biblical Hebrew I |
JST 131 | Biblical Hebrew I |
JST 411 | Judaism/BeginningsChristianity |
REL 411 | Judaism/BeginningsChristianity |
HON 494 | Special Topics |
2020 Spring
Course Number | Course Title |
---|---|
SLC 590 | Reading and Conference |
SLC 394 | Special Topics |
HEB 232 | Biblical Hebrew IV |
REL 232 | Biblical Hebrew IV |
JST 232 | Biblical Hebrew IV |
HON 394 | Special Topics |
2019 Fall
Course Number | Course Title |
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HEB 499 | Individualized Instruction |
SLC 590 | Reading and Conference |
HEB 231 | Biblical Hebrew III |
KOR 494 | Special Topics |
SLC 494 | Special Topics |
SLC 598 | Special Topics |
KOR 598 | Special Topics |
REL 231 | Biblical Hebrew III |
JST 231 | Biblical Hebrew III |
Service to the Discipline (selection):
Member, Steering Committee, “Bible and Emotion” Group, Society of Biblical Literature (National Meetings) (2017-present);
Member, editorial board of the Journal for the Study of Judaism (2017-present);
Member, advisory board of the Journal for the Study of Judaism – Supplement Series (2017-present);
Co-chair of the “Emotions and the Biblical World” Unit, European Association of Biblical Studies (2013-present);
Member, Steering Committee, “Pseudepigrapha and Apocrypha” Unit, Society of Biblical Literature (International Meetings) (2009-2014);
Member, then co-chair, Steering Committee, “Ancient Israel Religions” Unit, Society of Biblical Literature (International Meetings) (2009-2011).