"Ruth" story. Bedouin woman "Orpah", c.1940-1946

Title: "Ruth" story. Bedouin woman "Orpah", c.1940-1946
Description: This is a digital reproduction of an image held within the Library of Congress. This image exists as part of a series intended to depict the Old Testament Book of Ruth. The woman pictured is portraying the role of Orpah from the Book of Ruth. Orpah was the sister in law of Ruth and is usually depicted in a negative light as an antagonist. Although Ruth and Orpah are presented as sisters, they are also presented as opposites: Ruth is the mother of David; Orpah is the mother of Goliath. Orpah then, becomes a symbol of promiscuity. This may be the reason why she has been depicted as a Bedouin woman. This image is part of the Bethlehem Women collection within the Library of Congress project of the Planet Bethlehem Archive.
Identifier: pb_lc_bwo_7240718
Subject: Bethlehem; Palestine; Palestinian Diaspora; Bethlehem Women collection; Biblical gaze; Jewish Bethlehem; Bedouin; Bethlehem tattoos
References: https://www.loc.gov/item/mpc2005009397/PP/
License: CC BY 4.0
Contributor: G. Eric and Edith Matson Photograph Collection
Type: 1 negative : safety film ; 4 x 5 in.
Source: Library of Congress, Matson Collection
Rights Holder: Library of Congress. No known restrictions on publication.
Date (approximate): c.1940-1946