Why Two Swords Were Enough: Israelite Tradition History Behind Luke 22:35-38
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University of Denver Digital Commons @ DU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Graduate Studies 1-1-2009 Why Two Swords Were Enough: Israelite Tradition History Behind Luke 22:35-38 Kevin Lee Moore University of Denver Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.du.edu/etd Part of the Biblical Studies Commons Recommended Citation Moore, Kevin Lee, "Why Two Swords Were Enough: Israelite Tradition History Behind Luke 22:35-38" (2009). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 445. https://digitalcommons.du.edu/etd/445 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate Studies at Digital Commons @ DU. It has been accepted for inclusion in Electronic Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ DU. For more information, please contact [email protected],[email protected]. Why Two Swords Were Enough: Israelite Tradition History Behind Luke 22:35-38 ______ A Dissertation Presented to the Faculty of the University of Denver and the Iliff School of Theology Joint PhD Program University of Denver ______ In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy ______ by Kevin L. Moore June 2009 Advisor: Professor Gregory A. Robbins © Kevin L. Moore 2009 All Rights Reserved Author: Kevin L. Moore Title: Why Two Swords Were Enough: Israelite Tradition History Behind Luke 22:35-38 Advisor: Dr. Gregory A. Robbins Degree Date: June 2009 ABSTRACT Jesus’ charge in Luke 22:35-38 that his apostles should buy swords is one of the most enigmatic texts in the gospels. Although previous studies made use of a wide range of standard critical methods, none of these approaches satisfactorily revealed the pericope’s meaning. In a fresh re-examination of Luke’s sword-logion this project interweaves biblical and cultural intertextuality and asserts that the sword-logion is a Lukan literary foil that repudiates a well- known hagiographic tale. The provenance for this legendary saga (i.e., the “two-sword” traditum) was Gen 34 whose routine refraction in later Jewish writings led to its inclusion as part of the broader cultural milieu of the first century C.E. Based on that premise I argue that Luke 22:35-38 was Luke’s censure of a minor, but familiar HB tradition that informed and shaped the identity of Luke’s community. While this project employs an eclectic mix of standard historical critical methods, tradition and literary criticism serve as the two principal methodological strategies. Chapter two examines the provenance of the “two-sword” traditum and identifies four motifs: family identity and honor; vindication of an honored one; national identity and honor; and justified vengeance. Using the story’s main protagonists and these four motifs, the tradition’s reappearance and subsequent development in the HB is tracked. Chapter three traces the refraction of the “two-sword” traditum in extracanonical writings. Particular attention is given to the amplifications of the tradition as it is retold and rewritten in Jewish writings of the Second Temple Period. After establishing that Luke routinely made use of oblique allusions and that he and his community knew Israel’s scriptures and traditions, chapter four analyzes Luke 22:35-38 in light of that celebrated tradition. In the exegesis I argue that Luke exploits the “two-sword” traditum in order to exhort his community to reject a renowned HB tradition from their shared narrative universe. A survey of the gospel further corroborates that Luke attempts to persuade his readers to renounce the “two-sword” traditum and pursue peace instead of violence. Chapter five reviews the project and assesses its significance for future research. ii Acknowledgments I want to thank the members of my dissertation committee Dr. Richard Valantasis, Dr. Pamela M. Eisenbaum, and Dr. Gregory A. Robbins who offered many helpful suggestions and continued to support me throughout this project. I also want to thank Wolfgang Stahlberg who graciously read and corrected my German translations. Finally, my deepest appreciation is offered to Candace, my companion, dearest friend, and wife, for her constant encouragement during this lengthy endeavor. My love to you iii Contents Chapter 1: Introduction, Literature Survey, and Thesis ...................................................................1 1.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Literature Survey ..........................................................................................................4 1.2.1 Preliminary Observations ............................................................................4 1.2.2 A Brief Overview of Previous Research ......................................................5 1.2.3 Theological Criticism: Hans Conzelmann ...................................................6 1.2.4 Literary Criticism: Paul S. Minear ............................................................. 14 1.2.5 Source and Redaction Criticism: G. W. H. Lampe and Joan F. Gormley ..18 1.2.6 Form Criticism: R. Heiligenthal, H.-W. Bartsch, and A. Vööbus ................28 1.2.7 Ideological Readings: Samuel G. F. Brandon and Robert M. Price ..........40 1.2.8 Traditio-Historical Criticism: H. A. J. Kruger ..............................................51 1.2.9 An Entertaining, Eclectic Assortment of Scholars .....................................56 1.2.10 Summary of Literature Survey ..................................................................59 1.2.11 Excursus: Didactic Readings ....................................................................60 1.3 Thesis and Methodology ............................................................................................ 63 1.3.1 Thesis and Scope of the Study .................................................................63 1.3.2 Theory Base and Methodological Approach .............................................70 1.4 Anticipating the Project: Chapter Outline ....................................................................80 Chapter 2: The Provenance of the “Two-Sword” Traditum in the Hebrew Bible ............................84 2.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................. 84 2.2 The Canonical Source for the Tradition ......................................................................87 2.2.1 Preliminary Observations and a Brief Overview of the Story ....................87 2.2.2 The Canonical Provenance of the “Two-Sword” Traditum ........................ 90 2.2.3 Summary of the Canonical Provenance of “Two-Sword” Traditum ......... 134 2.3 The Transmission of the “Two-Sword” Traditum in the Hebrew Bible .......................135 2.3.1 Preliminary Observations ........................................................................135 2.3.2 Hebrew Bible References to the “Two-Sword” Traditum ......................... 137 2.3.2.1 Survey of Generic References to Simeon and Levi in the Hebrew Bible ................................................................. 137 2.3.2.2 Explicit Reference to the “Two-Sword” Traditum in the Hebrew Bible ................................................................. 139 2.3.2.3 Implicit References to the “Two-Sword” Traditum in the Hebrew Bible ................................................................. 144 2.3.2.4 Summary of References to the “Two-Sword” Traditum in the Hebrew Bible ................................................................. 160 2.4 Chapter Summary and Review .................................................................................161 2.5 Excursus: Did Shechem Rape Dinah? .....................................................................164 Chapter 3: The “Two-Sword” Traditum in the Apocrypha, Pseudepigrapha, and Other Jewish Writings of the Late Second Temple, Hellenistic, and Roman Periods ..............170 3.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................... 170 3.2 The Apocrypha .........................................................................................................173 3.2.1 Judith (Second to First Century B.C.E.) ..................................................173 3.2.2 4 Maccabees (Mid-First to Early Second Century B.C.E.) ......................178 3.2.3 Summary of the “Two-Sword” Traditum in the Apocrypha ......................181 3.3 The Pseudepigrapha ................................................................................................182 3.3.1 Jubilees (Second Century C.E.) ............................................................. 182 3.3.2 Aramaic Levi (Third to Second Century B.C.E.?) ...................................187 3.3.3 Testament of Levi (Second Century B.C.E.) ...........................................189 iv 3.3.4 Theodotus (Second to First Century B.C.E.) ..........................................194 3.3.5 Joseph and Aseneth (First Century B.C.E. to Second Century C.E.) .....197 3.3.6 Summary of the “Two-Sword” Traditum in the Pseudepigrapha............ .201 3.4 Other Jewish Writings............................................................................................ ...202 3.4.1 Philo of Alexandria (First Century C.E.) ..................................................202 3.4.2 Pseudo-Philo (Late First to Early Second Century C.E.) ........................208 3.4.3 Josephus (First Century C.E.) ...............................................................