View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by Stellenbosch University SUNScholar Repository Sit at My Right Hand: The Chronicler’s Portrait of the Tribe of Benjamin in the Social Context of Yehud by Benjamin D. Giffone Dissertation presented for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at the University of Stellenbosch Promoter: Prof. Louis C. Jonker Faculty of Theology Department of Old and New Testament April 2014 Stellenbosch University http://scholar.sun.ac.za Declaration By submitting this thesis/dissertation electronically, I declare that the entirety of the work contained therein is my own, original work, that I am the sole author thereof (save to the extent explicitly otherwise stated), that reproduction and publication thereof by Stellenbosch University will not infringe any third party rights and that I have not previously in its entirety or in part submitted it for obtaining any qualification. March 2014 Copyright © 2014 University of Stellenbosch All rights reserved ii Stellenbosch University http://scholar.sun.ac.za Abstract The book of Chronicles is a form of consensus-building literature. The Chronicler’s portrayal of Benjamin in relation to Judah reflects an inclusive vision of “all Israel” that walks a fine line: simultaneously valuing Benjamin as an equal partner with Judah (as his “right hand”), yet still protecting the primacy of David as YHWH’s chosen ruler, the Levites as the priestly tribe, and Jerusalem as the proper cultic center. Chronicles’ portrait of Benjamin differs from that of the Deuteronomistic History, which portrays Benjamin’s relation to Judah as varied and complex. The Chronicler attempts to smooth over these difficulties by highlighting the historically close relationship between the two tribes. In this regard his goals and strategy differ from that of the Deuteronomist, who presents both the high and low points of Judah-Benjamin relations. The Chronicler’s reconstrual of the Judah-Benjamin relationship reflects the socio-political situation of late Persian Yehud, in which the relatively poor Jerusalem cult struggled to gain material support from landed nobility in the region. Material evidence indicates that the historically Benjaminite regions prospered during the Neo-Babylonian and early Persian periods. The Jerusalem cult competed with historically Benjaminite and Josephite cultic locations for the support of wealthier Benjaminite landowners. The Chronicler rewrote Israel’s narrative partly in order to garner Benjaminite support for the Jerusalem cult. This study attempts to synthesize both literary and historical observations: demonstrating a literary phenomenon—the divergent portraits of Benjamin in the Deuteronomistic History and Chronicles—and situating that phenomenon within the historical context of Persian Yehud. The study contributes to the understanding of Yehud during this period, elaborates an important motif in these two sections of the Hebrew Bible, and furthers the investigation of the so-called “Benjaminite substratum” in the Hebrew Bible. iii Stellenbosch University http://scholar.sun.ac.za Opsomming Die boek Kronieke is ‘n vorm van konsensus-vormende literatuur. Kronieke se voorstelling van Benjamin in verhouding tot Juda weerspieël ‘n inklusiewe visie van “die hele Israel” wat ‘n fyn lyn bewandel: Benjamin word tegelyk as ‘n gelyke vennoot van Juda (as sy “regterhand”) gewaardeer, terwyl die prioriteit van Dawid as JHWH se uitverkore heerser, van die Leviete as priesterlike stam, en van Jerusalem as eintlike kultiese sentrum beskerm word. Kronieke se beeld van Benjamin verskil van dié van die Deuteronomistiese Geskiedenis, wat Benjamin se verhouding tot Juda as geskakeerd en kompleks uitbeeld. Die Kronis probeer hierdie oneffenhede gelykstryk deur die histories eng verhouding tussen die twee stamme te beklemtoon. Hierin verskil sy doel en strategie van dié van die Deuteronomis, wat beide die hoogtepunte en laagtepunte van die Juda-Benjamin verhouding aanbied. Die Kronis se her-uitbeelding van die Juda-Benjamin verhouding weerspieël die sosio- politieke situasie van die laat Persiese Jehud, waarin die relatiewe karige Jerusalem kultus gesukkel het om materiële steun te kry van die landbesitters in die streek. Materiële bewyse dui daarop dat die streke wat histories met Benjamin geassosieer is, ekonomies opgebloei het gedurende die Neo- Babiloniese en vroeë Persiese periodes. Die Jerusalem kultus het meegeding met die kultiese plekke wat histories met Benjamin en Josef geassosieer is om die steun van die ryker Benjaminitiese landbesitters te verkry. Die Kronis het Israel se verhaal herskryf, onder andere om Benjaminitiese steun vir die Jerusalem kultus te kry. Hierdie studie probeer om beide literêre en historiese waarnemings te integreer: die literêre fenomeen word verduidelik—naamlik die uiteenlopende uitbeeldings van Benjamin in die Deuteronomistiese Geskiedenis en Kronieke—terwyl die fenomeen in die historiese konteks van Persiese periode Jehud geplaas word. Die studie dra by tot ‘n beter verstaan van Jehud gedurende hierdie periode, brei uit oor ‘n belangrike motief in hierdie twee dele van die Hebreeuse Bybel, en dra by tot navorsing oor die sogenaamde “Benjamin substratum” in die Hebreeuse Bybel. iv Stellenbosch University http://scholar.sun.ac.za Acknowledgements I am one of those unusual readers who enjoys reviewing the “acknowledgements” section of (especially) the most academic of books, because the acknowledgments provide a small window into the author’s context. As I dedicate this study and reflect upon all those who have aided and supported me through it, I worry that I might inadvertently minimize the contributions of some by the mention of others—that is certainly not my intention. I am grateful for teachers, colleagues and friends at Cairn University and Westminister Theological Seminary who introduced me to the ancient world of the Bible: Doug Green, Mike Kelly, John Oliff, Fred Putnam, Gary Schnittjer, Brian Toews, and Karyn Traphagen. My brothers and sisters at Lansdale Presbyterian Church, where my wife and I have worshiped and ministered for several years, have demonstrated patience and encouragement toward me throughout this period of study. Special thanks are due to Scott Wilson, who challenged me and prodded me along when I became tired or discouraged. I could never have completed this project largely in absentia from Stellenbosch without access to the libraries and resources of Westminster Theological Seminary and Princeton Theological Seminary. My colleagues and supervisors at ICON Clinical Research also encouraged me as I spent many hours reading and writing at my desk after normal business hours. I am especially grateful to Geoff Desiato and Elvis Longin for their support. When I began graduates studies, I read several “how-to” books on completing a thesis/dissertation. These books filled my head with horror stories of candidates whose dissertations languished for years under the neglect or heavy-handedness of poor doctoral advisors or committees. Professor Louis Jonker has been for me the exact opposite of all these worst fears. His thoughtful comments, constructive criticism, and timely encouragement have enabled the completion of this dissertation. I am grateful to him for taking a chance on an unknown American student, and for allowing me to build upon his careful scholarship in Chronicles and the Persian period. I am also grateful to my examiners, Professors Mark Boda, Hendrik Bosman and Gerrie Snyman, for their thoughtful comments and corrections. The shortcomings that remain in this study are entirely my responsibility. I am grateful to my parents, Ralph Giffone and Susan Soesbe, for instilling in me a love of learning from a very early age, and for being my primary teachers for the first eighteen years of life. My sister, Rebekah Devine, is my constant dialogue partner in all things pertaining to biblical studies. My younger siblings, Deborah and Michael, keep me on my toes with interesting questions about the Hebrew Bible. v Stellenbosch University http://scholar.sun.ac.za The marathon that is a doctoral dissertation takes its toll not only on the student but on the student’s family. My wife, Corrie, has sacrificed more than anyone else to make this project a success. Corrie has given willingly of her time and energy to manage a household as a working mother of two—to say nothing of the opportunity cost: thousands of hours of her husband’s attention, support, and earnings. Not only does she give freely, she takes interest in my work and .אֵ֫שֶׁ ת חַ֫ יִל supports me daily in prayer, word and deed. She is truly an My wife’s parents, Rev. Joseph and Claudia Hesh, have tirelessly supported me in my graduate work, teaching, and writing over the last seven years in ways that are too numerous to list. Their love, sacrifice and encouragement have been freely given during times of incredible difficulty for them, including three life-threatening illnesses. Even now, as Joe battles brain cancer, their thoughts and efforts are constantly devoted to others, especially to me, my wife, and our two children. This dissertation is dedicated to Joe and Claudia: may this study bring glory and honor to the God whom they love and serve with all their hearts. vi Stellenbosch University http://scholar.sun.ac.za Table of Contents Abstract ......................................................................................................................................... iii Opsomming ..................................................................................................................................