Revision and Preservation in the Redaction of the Pentateuch: a Case Study of Genesis 34
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Revision and Preservation in the Redaction of the Pentateuch: A Case Study of Genesis 34 by Joshua James Arp A Thesis submitted to the Faculty of Wycliffe College and the Biblical Department of the Toronto School of Theology In partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Theology awarded by the University of St. Michael's College © Copyright by Joshua James Arp 2016 Revision and Preservation in the Redaction of the Pentateuch: A Case Study of Genesis 34 Joshua James Arp Doctor of Philosophy in Theology University of St. Michael’s College 2016 Abstract The dissertation pursues a better understanding of the interplay of scribal revision and preservation in the transmission of the texts of the Pentateuch. In critical methodology, there is a prevailing axiom that historical setting determines literary content. However, this dissertation shows that in addition to scribal revision, the critical axiom needs to take scribal preservation into account. The dissertation surveys standard and recent discussions especially pertinent to Pentateuch formation and scribal preservation. This survey demonstrates that in addition to scribal revision, scribal preservation must be factored or the critical axiom would lead one to believe that the contents of the Pentateuch would entirely reflect other late compositions. Yet, in the case of Genesis 34, in narrating Levi and Simeon's revenge of the rape of Dinah, the Pentateuch sharply differs from late compositions that explain the same incident. Genesis 34, therefore, provides a valuable case study through which to consider the role of both scribal revision and scribal preservation in the formation of the Pentateuch. The dissertation compares the exegesis of Genesis 34 with exegeses of corresponding biblical and Second Temple literature. This comparison demonstrates how the events narrated Genesis 34 evolved in time. The change in the handling of the plotline of Genesis 34 is due to its progressive disagreement with cultural tastes. Yet due to scribal preservation, at least the kernel contents of ii Genesis 34 are relics from antiquity, transmitted despite their clash with the different expectations of succeeding generations. Having demonstrated scribal preservation in the case of Genesis 34, current discussions of the composition of the Pentateuch can be reevaluated: Scribal preservation is a transmission dynamic that not only must be factored in these discussions, it is the very component begged by these discussions. Thus, although the critical axiom that historical context determines literary content remains an important consideration, this dissertation shows that the application of this axiom must be carefully nuanced. iii Table of Contents ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................................... II TABLE OF CONTENTS .............................................................................................................. IV LIST OF TABLES ........................................................................................................................ IX LIST OF FIGURES ....................................................................................................................... X CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Thesis Statement .............................................................................................................. 1 1.2 Basic Issues and Approach ............................................................................................... 2 1.3 Summary: Scribal Revision, Scribal Preservation, and the Historical- Critical Axiom ............................................................................................................... 11 CHAPTER 2 THE STATE-OF-THE QUESTION: SCRIBAL PRESERVATION..................... 14 2.1 Author Versus Redactor ................................................................................................. 15 2.2 The Minimalist Debate ................................................................................................... 18 2.2.1 Invented History...................................................................................................... 19 2.2.2 The Sectarian Character of Scripture ...................................................................... 23 2.2.3 Historical Residue in the Text................................................................................. 25 2.2.4 The Formation of the Pentateuch ............................................................................ 28 2.2.5 Minimalism Questioned .......................................................................................... 30 2.2.5.1 Philology .......................................................................................................... 31 2.2.5.2 Old Testament Theology and Ideology ........................................................... 32 2.2.5.3 Ideology ........................................................................................................... 34 2.2.5.4 Archaeology ..................................................................................................... 35 2.2.5.5 Text and Source Criticism: Lemche's "Bussmachung" ................................... 37 2.2.5.6 Socio-Economics: The Literati ........................................................................ 38 2.2.5.7 Historiography ................................................................................................. 39 2.2.5.8 The Documentary Hypothesis ......................................................................... 40 2.2.5.9 Summary .......................................................................................................... 42 2.3 Documentary Hypothesis Models .................................................................................. 43 2.3.1 Classic Documentary Hypothesis Models .............................................................. 44 2.3.1.1 Jacob Milgrom ................................................................................................. 44 2.3.1.1.1 Milgrom: Source Criticism as a Last Resort ................................................ 44 iv 2.3.1.1.2 Milgrom Integrates Both Scribal Revision and Scribal Preservation.................................................................................................. 46 2.3.1.2 Bernard Levinson ............................................................................................ 47 2.3.1.2.1 Levinson: Deuteronomy is Pre-Exilic .......................................................... 47 2.3.1.2.2 Levinson: Scribal Preservation and the Covert Plan for Deuteronomy................................................................................................ 48 2.3.1.2.3 Levinson: Deuteronomy and the King .......................................................... 49 2.3.2 Recent Documentary Hypothesis Models ............................................................... 49 2.4 Issues of Canon .............................................................................................................. 52 2.4.1 Evidence of "Literary Friction" .............................................................................. 53 2.4.2 Canon as Textual Authority .................................................................................... 56 2.4.3 Textual Authority and Literary Friction as Presented by R. Walter L. Moberly .................................................................................................................. 64 2.4.3.1 Moberly's Itemized Account of Literary Friction in the Patriarchal Narratives...................................................................................... 66 2.4.3.2 Moberly Explains the Presence of Literary Friction in the Patriarchal Narratives...................................................................................... 72 2.5 Section Four: Summaries ............................................................................................... 75 2.5.1 Scribal Practices: Preservation within Revision ..................................................... 75 2.5.2 State of the Question ............................................................................................... 76 CHAPTER 3 EXEGESIS OF GENESIS 34 AND THE FORMATION OF GENESIS .............. 78 3.1 Section One: Exegesis of Genesis 34 ............................................................................. 78 3.1.1 Exegesis of Genesis 34: Introduction ..................................................................... 78 3.1.1.1 Relevance of Genesis 34 to the Thesis ............................................................ 80 3.1.1.2 Overview of Genesis 34 .................................................................................. 81 3.1.2 Exegesis of Genesis 34: As a Unity ........................................................................ 83 3.1.3 Exegesis of Genesis 34: As a Composite ................................................................ 87 3.1.3.1 Exegesis of Genesis 34: As a Composite: Negative Assessment: Levi is Condemned ......................................................................................... 88 3.1.3.2 Exegesis of Genesis 34: As a Composite: Ambiguous Mitigation: Jacob is Weak .............................................................................. 92 3.1.3.3 Exegesis of