Revealing the Name
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1 Revealing the Name: An Investigation of the Divine Character through a Conversation Analysis of the Dialogues between God and Moses in the Book of Exodus Mark Paul Arnold A thesis submitted to the University of Gloucestershire in accordance with the requirements of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Faculty of Media, Arts and Technology. August 2015 2 3 Abstract has been much discussed by biblical ,אֶ הְיֶה אֲ שֶׁ ר אֶ הְיֶה ,YHWH’s statement to Moses scholars and theologians. For much of the last century this discussion related to matters of etymology or history of religion, or the precise grammar of the text. However, recently there has been renewed interest in understanding the statement in its present context as part of the book of Exodus, and in particular its role in the call of Moses. My thesis seeks to deepen understanding of the implications of this statement through a close reading of the dialogues between Moses and YHWH. My close reading of individual dialogues involves three steps: first investigation of the way in which the narrator portrays the actions of the characters, then the manner in which the narrator portrays individual speech of the characters and finally the way in which an analysis of the dialogues utilising principles from the socio-linguistic field of Conversation Analysis adds to an understanding of the characters. is best understood as אֶ הְיֶה אֲ שֶׁ ר אֶ הְיֶה Through this close reading I show that the phrase linking the meaning of the name YHWH to the verb “to be” and in particular God’s promise to “be with” Moses in 3:12. The phrase affirms both YHWH’s presence with Moses and his freedom to be present in the manner he chooses and the implications of this affirmation of presence and freedom are worked out more fully in the narrative of Exodus. In the thesis my reading of the dialogues in Exodus 3-4 shows that YHWH transforms Moses into the means by which YHWH delivers his people from Egypt and also by which YHWH is present with his people. My examination of the dialogues in Exodus 5-7 demonstrates that YHWH’s plans are accomplished by his speech which re-designates and reshapes those with and about whom he is speaking. My analysis of Exodus 19-24 finds that the dialogues demonstrate YHWH’s freedom to be present as he chooses to different people at different points. Exodus 32:7-33:11 gives further meaning and significance to the divine name in terms of YHWH’s withdrawal in response to the idolatry of the people. From the final section of dialogue, Exodus 33:12-34:35, I show that the intercession of Moses is critical to the demonstration of YHWH’s mercy and compassion. My analysis of each of these dialogues demonstrates that a key means by which YHWH is present to his people is in and through Moses. 4 Author’s Declaration I declare that the work in this thesis was carried out in accordance with the regulations of the University of Gloucestershire and is original except where indicated by specific reference in the text. No part of the thesis has been submitted as part of any other academic award. The thesis has not been presented to any other educational institution in the United Kingdom or overseas. Any views expressed in the thesis are those of the author and in no way represent those of the University. Signed Date 9 May 2016 5 Acknowledgements Over the three years of working on this thesis a large number of people have been of invaluable assistance in many ways. First of all, I thank my supervisor Professor Gordon McConville whose wise advice and direction has been invaluable at all stages of this work. My initial second supervisor Dr Lloyd Pieterson gave useful advice at the early stages of my research. Dr Michelle Straw of the University of Gloucestershire took the time to give me a number of helpful pointers in the area of linguistic and sociolinguistic study. I also thank Len Mathews, my father in law, for his proof reading services. There are various organisations who helped with donations along the way, in particular contributions from the Tyndale House Erasmus Fund, the Leaders of Worship and Preachers Trust and the Sola Trust have been invaluable. Likewise, a number of individuals have given generously to assist with the costs of the PhD and family life, including, but not limited to: Tudor and Jo Boddam-Whetham, Rich and Emma Castro, Rachel Webb and Kath and Kevin Cunningham. We have been assisted in numerous other ways, particularly by the generosity of the community at St Michael’s Bishops Cleeve. Especially of note is the generous loan of their summer house, for office space, and car, for family transport needs, by David and Denise Ratcliffe. Our own families, Paul and Marjorie Arnold, and Len and Jan Mathews, have provided support for us in numerous ways over the course of our studies. In particular, I owe a debt of gratitude to my parents, Paul and Marjorie, for an upbringing that exemplified Deuteronomy 6:7. It remains to thank my wife Roz, and children, Matthew (7), Jonathan (4) & Ruth (2) for their support, encouragement and entertainment during the course of my studies. It has been a joy to see our children learning and growing during this time, and our hope and prayer is that they will grow to know more and more of the God of compassion and mercy revealed in the Exodus narrative. I thank Roz for her demonstation of love in being an unstinting source of joy, support and encouragement in our life together, and in particular in the process of working on this thesis. יְהוָה יְהוָה אֵל רַ חוּם וְחַנּוּן :And supremely I offer heartfelt thanks to the one who is indeed 6 On Names: “‘I am not going to tell you my name, not yet at any rate.’ A queer half-knowing, half-humorous look came with a green flicker into his eyes. ‘For one thing it would take a long while: my name is growing all the time, and I've lived a very long, long time; so my name is like a story. Real names tell you the story of things they belong to in my language.’” Treebeard in: JRR Tolkein, The Two Towers, Lord of the Rings. 7 Abbreviations & Notes Abbreviations follow those in the SBL Handbook of Style (1999 edition). For ease of reference I have not abbreviated journals that are not listed in SBL Handbook of Style. All translations offered in the analysis of the dialogues are my own. I have generally sought to render the Hebrew into reasonably idiomatic English, although I have kept more literal renderings where these are important to note in the analysis. I have used YHWH for the divine name (see p25-26 for further explanation), although I have kept Yahweh or YHWH in quotations from others. 8 9 Contents Abstract .................................................................................................................................. 3 Author’s Declaration .............................................................................................................. 4 Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................ 5 Abbreviations & Notes .......................................................................................................... 7 Contents ................................................................................................................................. 9 Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 21 Chapter 1 Approaching Exodus 3:13-15 .............................................................................. 25 1.1. Introduction: Exodus 3:13-15 ....................................................................................... 25 25 .......................................................................................... אֶ הְיֶה אֲשֶׁר אֶ הְיֶה Understanding .1.2 1.2.1. The Etymology of YHWH ....................................................................................... 26 26 ....................................................................................... היה A Hiphil Form of .1.2.1.1 1.2.1.2. An Old Name Infused with a New Significance ............................................. 29 30 ............................................................................. היה Wordplay on the Qal of .1.2.1.3 1.2.2. Exodus 3:14 Containing the Giving of a Name ......................................................... 31 as a Name of God ........................................................................ 31 אֶ הְיֶה אֲשֶׁר אֶ הְיֶה .1.2.2.1 because I am” ......................................................................................... 32 אֶ הְיֶה“ .1.2.2.2 as a Name ................................................................................... 32 אֶ הְיֶה – 3:14b .1.2.2.3 I am he who is” ............................................................................... 34“ אֶ הְיֶה אֲשֶׁר אֶ הְיֶה .1.2.3 The idem per idem Construction ........................................................... 37 - אֶ הְיֶה אֲשֶׁר אֶ הְיֶה .1.3 1.3.1. Certainty and Control ............................................................................................. 37 1.3.2. Indefiniteness ......................................................................................................... 38 10 1.3.3. Emphasis ................................................................................................................ 38 1.3.4. Termination of discussion ...................................................................................... 39 1.3.5. Totality or Intensification