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Theophanies in the Minor Prophets: a Cross-Analysis of Theophanic Texts in Micah, Habakkuk, and Zechariah

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Theophanies in the Minor Prophets: a Cross-Analysis of Theophanic Texts in Micah, Habakkuk, and Zechariah THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF AMERICA Theophanies in the Minor Prophets: A Cross-Analysis of Theophanic Texts in Micah, Habakkuk, and Zechariah A DISSERTATION Submitted to the Faculty of the School of Theology and Religious Studies Of The Catholic University of America In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements For the Degree Doctor of Philosophy By Jamie Aislinn Banister Washington, D.C. 2013 Theophanies in the Minor Prophets: A Cross-Analysis of Theophanic Texts in Micah, Habakkuk, and Zechariah Jamie Aislinn Banister, Ph.D. Director: Alexander A. Di Lella, O.F.M., Ph.D. Storm-god and warrior-god theophanic motifs were widely used throughout the Ancient Near East (ANE), both in mythological and historical texts. Theophanies and theophanic motifs in the Old Testament (OT) are often found in passages, especially hymns, whose originality within the surrounding literary context is questionable; one example in the Twelve (Minor) Prophets is Habakkuk 3. A detailed cross-analysis of three theophanic texts found in Micah 7, Habakkuk 3, and Zechariah 9 provides insights into the use of storm- /warrior-god theophanic motifs within the Twelve Prophets. This study begins with an overview of theophanies in the OT and the use of the storm-/warrior-god motifs in the ANE, followed by a survey of the history of research pertaining to compilation/redaction theories for the Twelve Prophets and to each book in which the three passages of interest appear (Mic 7:7-20; Hab 3:1-19; Zech 9:9-16). Then, I provide a close exegetical reading for each of the three passages with special attention to the use of the storm-/warrior-god motifs within each, followed by a summary of findings. Habakkuk 3 (at least vv. 3-15) is likely the earliest of these three texts. The core theophanic material (vv. 3-15) reveals strong mythological connections with other ANE texts, including personifications of cosmic phenomena which also could be references to attendant deities. In contrast, Mic 7:7-20 and Hab 3:2, 16-19 carefully avoid any implication that Yhwh has a physical form even while employing similar vocabulary and motifs, such as a clear modification of the battle-against-the-sea motif in Mic 7:7-20 in which Yhwh battles sin and iniquity rather than mythological or historical enemies, albeit without any mention of the deity’s weapons. Finally, Zech 9:9-16 reintroduces Yhwh’s weapons; however, rather than Yhwh using traditional theophanic weapons, Yhwh’s people will function as his weapons against their enemies. Thus, a cross-analysis of these three passages specifically with respect to the storm-/warrior-god motifs reveals a pattern that parallels the theological development from a polytheistic or henotheistic perspective (which is deeply rooted in ANE mythology) to one that is more strictly monotheistic (which avoids mythological aspects of the storm-/warrior-god motifs). This dissertation by Jamie Aislinn Banister fulfills the dissertation requirements for the doctoral degree in Biblical Studies approved by Alexander A. Di Lella, O.F.M., Ph.D. as Director, and by Christopher T. Begg, S.T.D., Ph.D. and Joseph Jensen, O.S.B., S.T.D. as Readers. _______________________________________ Alexander A. Di Lella, O.F.M., Ph.D., Director _______________________________________ Christopher T. Begg, S.T.D., Ph.D., Reader _______________________________________ Joseph Jensen, O.S.B., S.T.D., Reader ii Dedicated to Amelia Pauline (Holzwarth) Banister July 4, 1910 – _________ in memoriam Robert (Bob) James Banister November 19, 1909 – August 14, 1999 iii Ø lvwrym swsw ~yrpam bkr-ytrkhw ~ywgl ~wlv rbdw hmxlm tvq htrknw And I will expel the chariot from Ephraim, And the horse from Jerusalem. And the bow of war will be expelled, And he will proclaim peace to the nations. Zech 9:10a-b iv TABLE OF CONTENTS Abbreviations ……………………………………………………………………………… xi Acknowledgments ……………………………………………………………………….... xii Chapter I: Introduction: Theophanies ……………………………………………………… 1 1. Form / Structure of Theophanies ………………………………………………......... 3 1.1. Theophany as a Literary Genre ……………………………………………….. 3 1.2. Theophany as Part of ANE / Israelite Tradition ………………………………. 5 1.3. Theophany as Type Scene …………………………………………………….. 7 2. Sitz im Leben of Theophanies in the Old Testament ………………………………... 9 3. Theophanies in the Old Testament …………………………………………………. 11 3.1. Sinai Theophanies & Moses ………………………………………………….. 11 3.2.“Old Poetry” in Prose Passages ……………………………………………….. 13 3.3. Theophanies in the Psalms …………………………………………………… 17 3.4. Theophanies in the Prophetic Literature ……………………………………… 21 3.5. Appearances to the Patriarchs & Call Narratives …………………………….. 23 3.6. Mt. Horeb and Elijah: 1 Kings 19 …………………………………………….. 25 4. Storm-god and Warrior-god Motifs in the ANE …………………………………..... 26 4.1. Atmospheric and Natural Elements as Weapons …………………………. 27 4.2. Mythic Battles …………………………………………………………….. 29 4.3. Effects on Nature ………………………………………………………….. 30 4.4. Smiting Enemies ………………………………………………………….. 31 4.5. Storm- and/or Warrior-gods and Mountains …………………………….... 31 5. Conclusion ………………………………………………………………………….. 32 v Chapter II: Background Research on Micah, Habakkuk, Zechariah, and Redaction of the Twelve Minor Prophets ……………………………………………… 34 1. Redaction / Formation of the Twelve Minor Prophets ……………………………… 34 1.1. David Noel Freedman ………………………………………………………… 35 1.2. James Nogalski ……………………………………………………………….. 38 1.3. Barry Alan Jones ……………………………………………………………… 40 1.4. Aaron Schart ………………………………………………………………….. 42 1.5. Erhard S. Gersternberger ……………………………………………………… 43 1.6. Jacob Wöhrle ………………………………………………………………….. 44 1.7. Conclusion …………………………………………………………………….. 46 2. Micah ………………………………………………………………………………… 47 2.1. Hermann Gunkel (1924) ………………………………………………………. 48 2.2. Artur Weiser (1967) …………………………………………………………… 48 2.3. Theodor Lescow (1972; 1995) ………………………………………………… 49 2.4. Bernard Renaud (1977) ……………………………………………………….. 50 2.5. Hans W. Wolff (1982) ………………………………………………………… 51 2.6. Burkard M. Zapff (1997) ……………………………………………………… 51 2.7. Jörg Jeremias (2007) ………………………………………………………….. 53 2.8. Bruce Waltke (2007) …………………………………………………………. 53 2.9. Alain Decorzant (2010) ……………………………………………………….. 55 2.10. Conclusion …………………………………………………………………… 56 3. Habakkuk ……………………………………………………………………………. 56 3.1. Bernhard Stade (1884) ………………………………………………………… 57 vi 3.2. Bernhard Duhm (1906) ……………………………………………………….. 57 3.3. Paul Humbert (1944) …………………………………………………………. 58 3.4. William F. Albright (1950) …………………………………………………… 59 3.5. Sigmund Mowinckel (1953) ………………………………………………….. 60 3.6. John H. Eaton (1964) …………………………………………………………. 61 3.7. Theodore Hiebert (1986) ……………………………………………………… 63 3.8. Henrik Pfeiffer (2005) ………………………………………………………… 64 3.9. John E. Anderson (2011) ……………………………………………………… 65 3.10. Conclusion …………………………………………………………………… 66 4. Zechariah ……………………………………………………………………………. 66 4.1. Bernhard Stade (1881-1882) ………………………………………………….. 67 4.2. Hinckley G. Mitchell (1912) ………………………………………………….. 68 4.3. Paul Lemarche (1961) ………………………………………………………… 70 4.4. Benedikt Otzen (1964) ………………………………………………………... 71 4.5. Henning Graf Reventlow (1993) …………………………………………….... 72 4.6. Paul L. Redditt (1995) ……………………………………………………….... 73 4.7. Byron G. Curtis (2006) ………………………………………………………... 73 4.8. Ina Willi-Plein (2007) …………………………………………………………. 75 4.9. Anthony R. Petterson (2009) ………………………………………………….. 75 4.10. Conclusion …………………………………………………………………… 77 5. Summary ……………………………………………………………………………. 77 Chapter III: Micah 7:7-20 …………………………………………………………………. 80 1. Text, Syntax, and Translation ……………………………………………………. 82 vii 2. Authenticity and Dating …………………………………………………………. 95 3. Exegetical Analysis and Commentary …………………………………………... 96 3.1. Introduction / Bridge (7:7) ………………………………………………….. 97 3.2. Strophe I: Zion/Jerusalem’s Song of Trust in Yhwh (7:8-10) ……………... 99 3.3. Strophe II: Oracle of Promise in Response to Zion/Jerusalem (7:11-13) …. 102 3.4. Strophe III: Petition to Yhwh (7:14-17) …………………………………… 109 3.5. Strophe IV: Song of Praise (7:18-20) ……………………………………… 113 4. Storm-/Warrior-god Theophanic Motifs and Vocabulary ……………………….. 116 4.1. Effects upon Nature …………………………………………………………. 117 4.2. Effects upon Humans ……………………………………………………….. 117 4.3. God’s Anger / Wrath ………………………………………………………... 118 4.4. God as Savior, Rock, etc. …………………………………………………… 119 4.5. Place Names ………………………………………………………………… 119 5. Summary …………………………………………………………………………. 119 Chapter IV: Habakkuk 3 …………………………………………………………………. 121 1. Text, Syntax, and Translation ……………………………………………………. 122 2. Authenticity and Dating …………………………………………………………. 158 3. Exegetical Analysis and Commentary …………………………………………… 163 3.1. Heading/Superscription (3:1) ……………………………………………….. 165 3.2. Strophe I: Introduction (3:2) ……………………………………………….... 166 3.3. Strophes II-III: Theophany: Coming of the Deity & Reaction (3:3-7) ……… 170 3.4. Strophes IV-V: Theophany: Divine Warrior (3:8-15) ………………………. 175 3.5. Strophe VI: Conclusion (3:16-19) …………………………………………... 183 viii 4. Storm-/Warrior-god Theophanic Motifs and Vocabulary ………………………... 185 4.1. Effects upon Nature ………………………………………………………….. 186 4.2. Effects upon Humans ………………………………………………………... 187 4.3. God’s Anger / Wrath ………………………………………………………… 188 4.4. God’s Weapons / Battle Motifs ……………………………………………... 189 4.5. God as Savior, Rock, etc. ………………………………………………….... 190 4.6. Place Names ……………………………………………………………….... 190 5. Summary …………………………………………………………………………. 191 Chapter V: Zechariah 9:9-16 …………………………………………………………….. 195 1. Text, Syntax, and Translation ……………………………………………………. 198 2. Authenticity and Dating ………………………………………………………….
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