191 research outputs found
Intertextuality in the Book of Jubilees
Intertextuality in the Book of JubileesThe second century BCE Book of Jubilees presents the contents of Genesis-Exodus in a new form. This article studies the techniques used in Jubilees 23. It indicates how Psalm 90:10 was used to link the death of Abraham to a declining-inclining scheme of longevity. This scheme was then combined with a heptadic jubilee scheme. To this the author added a Deuteronomistic retributive scheme of sinpunishment- repentance-salvation. On this combination an apocalyptic framework was finally superimposed
Did Ms Wisdom of Proverbs 8 become a mystery in 4QInstruction?
The Hebrew Bible is quoted and alluded to in 4QInstruction. There is an obvious similarity between the way the raz nihyeh of 4QInstruction and Lady Wisdom in Proverbs 8 function. This intertextual study investigates this phenomenon by comparing 4Q416 2 III 8–21 and 4Q417 1 I with Proverbs 8:12–21 and 8:22–31. It is concluded that apocalyptic influence changed the character of Lady Wisdom but not her essential function
Doomsday movements in Africa: Restoration of the Ten Commandments of God
This article investigates Kibwetere’s Movement for the Restoration of the Ten Commandments of God. A brief summary of the Movement’s short history is followed by an outline of the movement’s main beliefs. This Ugandan cult’s socio historic context is thereupon analyzed. The cult’s document, “A Timely Message”, is summarized and their relationship with a similar Marian movement in Australia is indicated. Finally, the phenomenon of their suicide is discussed in terms of doomsday apocalypticism and depicted as a result of Roman Catholic apocalyptic thinking
Kanon: Eenheid en diversiteit Pieter
Canon: Unity and diversityAn analysis of the present post modern situation indicates resistance to the idea of “canon” understood in terms of a normative final collection of literature. The disciplines of textual criticism and canon history show that canons function in a larger social context and cannot be understood only in terms of its literary aspect. At present two parallel viewpoints on canon are found in the Christian church. The “objective” viewpoint stresses the final literary form of the Biblical canon. It cannot, however successfully indicate the unity of the canon without acknowledging the social context of the users of the canon. The ”subjective” viewpoint clearly indicates the contingent aspect of the canon, but has problems with the way its authority operates. The probable way to go about the postmodern society is to acknowledge the paradigmatic character of the canon’s contents and the dynamical process of canonization and decanonization in which a canon is involved
Die huwelik as identiteitsmerker in die Ou Testament
Marriage as identity marker in the Old Testament The formularies used for consecrating marriages in the Nederduitsch Hervormde Church reflect this church’s view on matrimony. As the biblical bases of the formularies are deficient, new ways of exploring biblical information on this subject should be followed. This article proposes that data on marriage in the Bible always be used in conjunction with other concepts to form theological constructs to outline who God is and who his people are. It is always intended to be an identity marker to the members of the church. In the three Genesis cycles of Genesis 11:10-25:11; 25:12-35:29 and 36:1-50:26 heirship, marriage and land are used in an integrated construct to indicate the identity of the post-exilic community in Yehud. In the penitential prayers of Ezra 9:6-15 and Nehemia 9:5b-37 the concepts law, land and marriage are jointly used to depict the identity of the “real” Israel. The conclusion drawn from this investigation is that the Bible does not present models for marriage, but rather theological constructs to understand the relationship with the Lord in metaphorical terms and to reflect on the meaning of everyday life of that relationship including matrimony under ever changing social circumstances
A contribution from Proverbs and Daniel to reflection on Ecodomy
Ecodomy studies need heuristic models to inform Christians how to cope with their world. The Bible presents different appropriate models. These models are to be read in conjunction with each other. The models presented by the sapiential literature in Proverbs and the apocalyptic literature in Daniel are studied in this chapter. The Books of Proverbs and Daniel seem to present opposite viewpoints on what life should be. Proverbs propagates a life of faith, wisdom and participation in the orderly world God created. Daniel�s advice is to wait upon God in this chaotic world. It is proposed that these seemingly opposing viewpoints are to be read in dialogue with each other. Their juxtaposition presents a lifestyle that is optimistic as well as realistic, trusting God�s superior reign
The function of the Ammonite Achior in the book of Judith
An intertextual analysis of the character of Achior in the book of Judith shows that the author
of the book proposes a changed Judaean identity. The way in which he depicts the character
of Judith and her alter ego, Achior, illustrates the author’s ideology that people like proselytes
and marginalised widows are not only to be included in the society, but can even be the leaders
of the community. A nationalistic and exclusivist approach is entwined in the narrative with
an inclusivist viewpoint propagating a new identity for the people of that time.http://www.hts.org.z
Did Ms Wisdom of Proverbs 8 become a mystery in 4Qinstruction?
The Hebrew Bible is quoted and alluded to in 4QInstruction. There is an obvious similarity
between the way the raz nihyeh of 4QInstruction and Lady Wisdom in Proverbs 8 function.
This intertextual study investigates this phenomenon by comparing 4Q416 2 III 8–21 and
4Q417 1 I with Proverbs 8:12–21 and 8:22–31. It is concluded that apocalyptic influence changed
the character of Lady Wisdom but not her essential function.This research is part of the
project, `Old Testament
Apocrypha, Pseudepigrapha
and Qumran Texts Studies’
directed by Prof. Pieter
Venter, Emeritus Professor,
Department of Old Testament
Studies, Faculty of Theology,
University of Pretoria.The National Research Foundationhttp://www.hts.org.zaam2016Old Testament Studie
The dissolving of marriages in Ezra 9–10 and Nehemiah 13 revisited
The ‘harsh’ decision in Ezra 10:1–44 and Nehemiah 13:23–31 to terminate marriages with
‘foreign’ women falls strange on modern ears. This article reads these sections against the
background of identity formation in Ezra-Nehemiah. It is proposed that these two passages
should be studied on more than just one level. It states that synchronic, literary-redactional
and socio-historical methods are to be combined in an effort to better understand why
marriages were dissolved in Ezra and Nehemiah.http://www.hts.org.zaam2018Old Testament Studie
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