Hagar and epistemic injustice: An intercultural and post-colonial analysis of Genesis 16

Abstract

Having one’s voice heard and being known by one’s name are foundational aspects of respect and human dignity. Likewise, being able to contribute to shared understanding is at the core of epistemic justice. This intercultural and post-colonial inquiry of Gen 16 considers the Egyptian Hagar—known by her foreign Semitic name meaning “Fleeing One”—as an example of epistemic injustice. Integrating Miranda Fricker’s work on epistemic injustice, this study espouses the justice of hearing and seeing the marginalised and oppressed, as exemplified by YHWH. As the Egyptian woman’s voice— once ignored—gives testimony within the text to a fuller understanding of God, so also listening to/seeing other contemporary African scholars’ voices/writings opens one’s ears/eyes to fuller understandings of God today. These voices include the seminal work of David Tuesday Adamo, a vanguard in African biblical hermeneutics, in whose honour this examination is written.