Micah 1–3 and Cultural Trauma Theory: An Exploration

Abstract Trauma studies have seen rapid growth in popularity within the past two decades, moving from a psychological phenomenon to concept utilized by literary critics, sociologists, and now biblical scholars. Yet, most of work on trauma theory focuses aspects instead sociological or cultural trauma. Drawing Jeffery Alexander’s trauma, reading Micah 1–3 reveals how as book transforms Micah’s localized become national explaining why scribes preserved 1–3. Like holocaust testimony that became his for all Judea. To create define divine punishment through an Assyrian invasion due breakdown social order corrupt owners, rulers, religious leaders. This then becomes one early texts shape later writers’ understanding punishment. article offers different perspective shows explains were preserved.