The Gender and Sexuality of G-d

Topics that are  often avoided within the study of Theology are the gender and sexuality of G-d. How absurd that we should avoid talking about G-d’s sexuality when she/he speaks openly about it . All through out the Biblical text, again and again, we see that G-d has a sexual nature. We need to thoroughly explore this sexuality, in order to better understand and be compassionate to the various genders and sexualities of our fellow humans.

G-d’s Gender

Gender of G-d’s Image

As to the gender of G-d, Genesis records that G-d made mankind in his image, male and female. “So G-d created man in his own image, in the image of G-d created he him; male and female created he them.” This  implies the image of G-d is both male and female.

G-d’s Gender As Mother and Father

Further proof of G-d’s dual gender and  sexuality is that throughout the Holy Texts G-d is referred to as both a mother and a father. In the book of Ruth we see G-d behaving as a mother bird. “May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, G-d of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.” Ruth 2:12.  However, my personal favorite image of G-d as Mother appears in Hosea 13:8: “Like a bear robbed of her cubs, I will attack and rip them open.” This is a sentiment shared by all mothers and has come to coin the phrase “momma bear” in our modern slang.  All mothers wish to protect their children and will destroy anyone seeking to do their child harm.

Yet, the Bible also speaks of G-d the Father.  Isaiah 63:16 states “Surely you are still our Father. Even if  Abraham and Jacob would disown us, Lord, you would still be our father. You are our Redeemer from ages past.” Thus, we clearly see that G-d takes on both the masculine and feminine qualities of a parent.

G-d’s Gender As Spirit

Finally, the Holy Spirit is feminine, yet G-d is often referred to as He in the text. In the Hebrew of the Bible, the term for spirit, ruach, is feminine.  We see this term used in the verse Genesis 1:2. “And the Earth was a formless and desolate emptiness, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the spirit  of G-d was hovering over the surface of the waters.” The word used for spirit here is Ruach. What are we to make of this since we believe G-d is one? If the Holy Spirit is G-d and the spirit is feminine, we would assume G-d is female. Yet, there are numerous more references to G-d as male. The only conclusion that can be drawn is that  G-d is of a  dual gender.

G-d’s Sexuality

G-d’s Marriage To and Sexuality With Israel

This dual gender of G-d explains his/her intimate relationships with both sexes and indeed all of Israel. Israel is referred to as married to G-d. Isaiah 54:5 declares “For your husband is your maker, whose name is the Lord of Host; and your redeemer is the The Holy One of Israel, who is called the G-d of all the Earth.”

When the Israelites mess up and worship foreign gods, we see G-d as a jealous lover calling Israel a harlot. Hosea 2:5 “For their mother hath played the harlot: She that conceived them hath done shamefully: for she said I will go after my lovers, that give me my bread and my water, my wool and my flax, mine oil and my drink.”

However, probably the most intimate image of G-d as a sexual being in The Old Testament is in the song of songs. This passage, which has often been interpreted as G-d ‘s relationship with Israel, declares: “Let him kiss me with kisses of his mouth, for your love is better than wine, better than the fragrance of your perfumes. Your name is a flowing perfume- therefore young women love you. Draw me after you! Let us run! The king has brought me to his bed chambers.” Clearly G-d perceives this relationship as intimate and even sexual.

Israel is made of both males and females. Thus, G-d is married to them both.

G-d’s Relationship and Sexuality With Mary

Though as a Jewish people we do not hold The New Testament as truth, an even more sexual scene involving G-d takes place in Luke.  Luke 1:35 says ‘The holy spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will cover you. For this reason the child will be holy and will be called the Son of G-d.” Clearly, the Christian Faith believes G-d had literal sexual relations with Mary.

The Lesson About the Gender and Sexuality of G-d.