The Shalvi/Hyman Encyclopedia of Jewish Women

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Rhonda Burnette-Bletsch

Rhonda Burnette-Bletsch is an Associate Professor of Religion and the Director of a Women’s Studies Program at Greensboro College. She received her Ph.D. in Hebrew Bible from Duke University. Her academic interests include biblical studies, women and religion, pedagogy and religion and film.

Articles by this author

Maacah: Bible

It is claimed that Maacah is the mother of Asa, king of Judah from 908 to 867 B.C.E., which is problematic because the same woman is alleged to be the mother of Asa’s father. Maacah’s role appears most clearly as an official functionary in the Judean cult when Asa removes her from her position as gebirah (“great lady”) after she makes a cult object associated with the goddess Asherah.