DOCSLIB.ORG

A Thesis Submitted to the University of Gloucestershire in Accordance With

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
A Thesis Submitted to the University of Gloucestershire in Accordance With THE THEME (S) OF THE JOSEPH STORY: A LITERARY ANALYSIS James Bombo Sellee A thesis submittedto The University of Gloucestershire In accordancewith the requirementsof the degreeof Doctor of Philosophy in the Faculty of Arts and Humanities October 2003 ýý. All . r.. +ý F ". CL-Nm .1 Author's Declaration I declarethat the work in this thesis was carried out in accordancewith the regulations of The University of Gloucestershireand is based on my own work except where indicated in the thesis.No part of the thesishas been submitted as part of any academicaward. The views expressedare my own, and in no way representthose of the university. James B. Sellee 11 THE THEME (S) OF THE JOSEPH STORY: A LITERARY ANALYSIS ABSTRACT Since the 1970sthe application of narrative analysis to the JosephStory has enriched its reading. But those who apply this method to the narrative produce significantly different results in terms of what its theme is. The aim of this thesis is to investigatethe reasonsfor this and to articulate as objectively as possible the theme of the JosephStory. Chapter One establishes the context of this investigation by evaluating the major narrative readings of the Joseph Story. It reveals that those who apply narrative methodologies to the story come to different conclusions about what its theme is. It notes that the different results could be due to different narrative approaches, the literary context of the narrative, and the complex nature of the text itself. We choose Humphreys, Longacre, and Turner as our dialogue partners because they represent different narrative methods of reading the Joseph Story. The reference terms `narrative criticism' and `theme' are then defined. Chapter Two argues that the way to overcome the confusion concerning the theme (s) of the Joseph Story is to use a methodology that addresses the limitations of the literary approaches applied to the narrative and takes note of the wider literary context of Genesis and the rich nature of the text. This chapter then proposes a narrative methodology of `triangulation' that comprises plot analysis, text-linguistics and poetics. Chapters three, four and five apply this methodology to the entire narrative in Genesis 37-50 via a detailed analysis of Genesis 37,44-45, and 49-50, the beginning, middle and end of the narrative, respectively. The motifs that emerge from our analysis are family breakdown, power, providence, blessing, and land. Chapter six concludes that each of these motifs is a key concern of the Joseph Story but none by itself adequately articulates the story's theme. It is the ecology of these motifs that enunciates the theme: God's providential work with and through Jacob's dysfunctional family, preserving it and blessing others. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I thank the following people without whose support this research would not have been possible: Langhain Partnership International for offering me a grant that covered my tuition fees and living expenses for four years in the UK; especially Dr. John Stott the founder of the partnership, Canon Paul Berg the Secretary General for scholarships, and the Scholarship Committee. Bishop Edward Neufville of the Episcopal Church of Liberia deserves to be thanked for his moral and financial support. Special thanks and appreciation go to Dr. Craig Bartholomew, my primary supervisor, for his painstaking reading of my many impossible drafts and his care and support that went beyond supervision, and Professor Gordon McConville, my secondary supervisor, for his superb advice and support. I remain eternally grateful to Professor Gordon Wenham, Professor Gordon McConville and Pat Green for teaching me Hebrew, Jürgen Nickel for teaching me German, and Dr. John Burne for proofreading this thesis, and Christine Hahn and Bernhard Schneider for checking my French and German respectively. I thank Rosemary Hales for her friendship and support. The moral and practical support of the following made my stay in the UK bearable and enjoyable: St. Matthew's Church for Christian fellowship and the right spiritual environment, my colleagues in the School of -Theology and Religious Studies, University of Gloucestershire, especially Alison Lo, Misgana Mathewos and his wife, Tsehai. I thank Dr. Herman and Versia Browne, Terry Halewood and Doreen Ingham, Margaret Johnson, David and Kristien Johnson, and Franklin, Violet and Godson Rogers for providing practical support that made me unwind from time to time. I owe 'a debt of gratitude to my fiancee, Korlah Sangai, for her love and care at all times. Above all I thank Almighty God for what and where He has from taken me and to what and where He is taking me. This thesis is dedicated to my late Kpanah grandmothers, Konah and Mama Ngasowo who made it possible for me to go to school. iv , Table of Contents Author's Declaration ii Abstract lll Acknowledgements iv Table of Contents V Abbreviations Xll Chapter One: Introduction 1 1.1 Narrative Readings of the Joseph Story 1 1.1.1 The Art of Biblical Narrative 1 1.1.2 The Poetics of Biblical Narrative 3 1.1.3 Joseph and His Family: A Literary Study 4 1.1.4 Joseph: A Story of Divine Providence 5 1.1.5 Announcements of Plot in Genesis 6 1.1.6 Narration and Discourse in the Book of Genesis 8 1.1.7 Word Biblical Commentary 9 1.1.8 Reading for Good 10 1.1.9 Genesis: The Story We Haven't Heard 11 1.1.10 Genesis: A Commentary 12 1.1.11 Differences in the Narrative Readings of the Joseph Story 12 1.2 The Purpose of this Study 13 1.3 Defining and Describing the Two Key Components of This Study: Narrative Criticism and Theme 15 1.3.1 On Narrative in General and Biblical Narrative in Particular 15 1.3.1.1 Narrative Criticism: Definition 16 1.3.1.2 Narrative Components 16 1.3.1.3 The Elements of Narrative 19 1.3.2 Defining Theme 22 V 1.3.3 Definitions 22 1.3.4 Deriving the Theme From a Work 25 Chapter Two: An Appropriate Narrative Methodology for Reading the Joseph: `Triangulation' 29 2.1 An Appropriate Narrative Methodology for this Study 29 2.1.1 Plot Analysis 31 2.1.2 The Rise and Potential of Text-linguistics 32 2.1.2.1 The Origins of Text-linguistics 32 2.1.2.2 The Diverse Nature of Text-linguistics 33 2.1.2.3 The Aims of Text-linguistics 34 2.1.2.4 Text-linguistics and Biblical Studies 35 2.1.2.5 Tagmemics and Its Potential 36 2.1.2.6 The Key Features of Tagmemics 37 2.1.3 The Poetics of Narrative 44 2.1.3.1 SomeWorking Definitions of Gaps 47 2.1.3.2 The Opening of Gaps 48 2.1.3.3 Types of Gaps 49 2.1.3.4 The Rationale of Gaps 49 2.1.3.5 Gap Filling 50 2.1.3.6 Norms That Guide Gap Filling 52 2.1.4 SelectedTexts for FocusedAnalysis 55 2.1.5 This Study and the Rest of Genesis 56 2.2 The Assumptions and Presuppositions of This Study 57 2.2.1 A Synchronic Reading of the Joseph Story 57 2.2.2 The Historical Critical Approach and This Study 57 2.3 The Plan of This Study 59 Chapter Three: Narrative Analysis of Genesis 37 60 V1 3.1 Plot Analysis of Genesis 37 60 3.1.1 The Structure of Genesis 37 60 a. Deciding the Scenes of Genesis 37 62 b. Does the Joseph Story Begin With Genesis 37: 1? 65 3.1.2 The Scenes of Genesis 37 67 3.1.3 Characters in Genesis 37 71 3.1.4 Cause and Effect 75 3.1.5 The Relevance of Joseph Encountering a Strange Man 76 3.1.6 Core Concepts and Theme (s) of Genesis 37 76 3.2 Text-linguistic Reading of Genesis 37 78 3.2.1 Scene Divisions of Genesis 37 79 3.2.2 Exposition of Genesis 37 (1-4) 81 3.2.3 Scene One: Joseph's Dreams (5-11) 84 3.2.4 Scene Two: Jacob Sends Joseph After His Brothers (12-17) 88 3.2.5 Scene Three: The Brothers Plot Against Joseph (18-22) 93 3.2.6 Scene Four: Joseph Is Sold (23-28) 95 3.2.7 Scene Five: The Impact of Joseph's Absence on His Family (29-35) 99 3.2.8 The Peak of Genesis 37 and Its Significance 102 3.2.9 Dialogue and Genesis 37 103 3.2.10 The Implications of Our Text-linguistic Reading of Genesis 37 105 3.3 The Poetics of Genesis 37 108 3.3.1 Repetition 108 3.3.2 Point of View 112 3.3.3 Disparity of Knowledge 114 3.3.4 Gaps of Genesis 37 115 3.4 `Triangulation' and Genesis 37 119 Chapter Four: Narrative Analysis of Genesis44: 14-45:28: The Question Of Conflict Resolution and the Theme (s) of the Joseph Story 125 4.1 The Reasons for Beginning Our Analysis at 44: 14 125 vii 4.2 A Summary of the Events Between Genesis 37 and 44-45 in 38-43 126 4.2.1 Genesis 38 and the Rest of the Joseph Story 126 4.2.2 The Rise and Fall of Joseph (39-41) 128 4.2.3 The Brothers' First and Second Visits to Egypt (42-43) 129 4.3 Plot Analysis of Genesis 44: 14-45: 28 130 '4.3.1 The Structure of Genesis 44: 14-45: 28 130 4.3.2 The Scenes and How They Are Connected to Each Other 131 4.3.3 Characters in Genesis 44 and 45 136 4.3.4 The Central Ideas That Unite the Scenes 139 4.4 Text-linguistic Analysis of Genesis 44: 14-45: 28 143 4.4.1 The Syntactic Structure of Genesis 44 and 45 144 4.4.2 The Scenes of Genesis 44: 14-45: 28 145 a.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Two Spotlights of Inductive Bible Study and Narrative Criticism | 7
    The Two Spotlights of Inductive Bible Study and Narrative Criticism | 7 The Two Spotlights of Inductive Bible Study and Narrative Criticism Suzanne Nicholson Asbury University [email protected] Abstract Narrative criticism and inductive Bible study share many key features, such as intensive investigation of textual details, recognition of the im- portance of viewing a book as a whole, and specific techniques for analyzing passages. Biblical narratives do not simply describe the events in the lives of Israelite kings, prophets, or Jesus and the early church. Rather, these highly crafted narratives lead the reader to theo- logical conclusions through creative plot structures, characterizations, point of view, and other tools. Theological truth springs from literary art. When IBS intentionally includes narrative criticism as part of its analysis of biblical narrative, a deeper understanding of the text will emerge. This paper will focus on examples from the Gospels and Acts, with a more detailed look at Acts 15. Keywords: Narrative Criticism, Gospels, Acts, Acts 15 Seeking meaning in a text can sometimes feel like wandering in a dark forest at midnight with nothing but a tiny flashlight. Greater clarity occurs, however, when the explorer brings multiple spotlights to bear 8 | The Journal of Inductive Biblical Studies 8/1:7−58 (Winter 2021) upon a text. By intentionally incorporating the hermeneutical approach of narrative criticism into the Inductive Bible Study (IBS) method, in- terpreters can more effectively uncover the nuances embedded in bib- lical narratives. IBS offers interpreters a deep understanding of Scrip- ture through careful analysis of the details of the text while simultane- ously paying attention to the structure of the book as a whole.
    [Show full text]
  • Ironic Authority
    IRONIC AUTHORITY: A Rhetorical Critical Analysis of the Stability of Irony in the Fourth Gospel Passion Narrative Kevin W. Sarlow MTh, BTh, Dip Theol © March 2017 The Department of Theology, The School of Humanities and Creative Arts, The Faculty of Education, Humanities and Law, Flinders University, South Australia. This thesis is submitted to Flinders University to fulfil the requirements of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. i For Jenn, Nath, Loz and Em and their families ii - iii TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................ vii DECLARATION ...................................................................................................... viii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ......................................................................................... ix ABBREVIATIONS....................................................................................................... x LIST OF TABLES AND DIAGRAMS ....................................................................... xi INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................... 1 The Research Topic: Ironic Authority .......................................................................... 1 Contextualising the Thesis ............................................................................................ 2 The Research Question ......................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Theory and Interpretation of Narrative) Includes Bibliographical References and Index
    Theory and In T e r p r e Tati o n o f n a r r ati v e James Phelan and Peter J. rabinowitz, series editors Postclassical Narratology Approaches and Analyses edited by JaN alber aNd MoNika FluderNik T h e O h i O S T a T e U n i v e r S i T y P r e ss / C O l U m b us Copyright © 2010 by The Ohio State University. All rights reserved Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Postclassical narratology : approaches and analyses / edited by Jan Alber and Monika Fludernik. p. cm. — (Theory and interpretation of narrative) Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN-13: 978-0-8142-5175-1 (pbk. : alk. paper) ISBN-10: 0-8142-5175-7 (pbk. : alk. paper) ISBN-13: 978-0-8142-1142-7 (cloth : alk. paper) ISBN-10: 0-8142-1142-9 (cloth : alk. paper) [etc.] 1. Narration (Rhetoric) I. Alber, Jan, 1973– II. Fludernik, Monika. III. Series: Theory and interpretation of narrative series. PN212.P67 2010 808—dc22 2010009305 This book is available in the following editions: Cloth (ISBN 978-0-8142-1142-7) Paper (ISBN 978-0-8142-5175-1) CD-ROM (ISBN 978-0-8142-9241-9) Cover design by Laurence J. Nozik Type set in Adobe Sabon Printed by Thomson-Shore, Inc. The paper used in this publication meets the minimum requirements of the American National Standard for Information Sciences—Permanence of Paper for Printed Library Materials. ANSI Z39.48-1992. 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Contents Acknowledgments vii Introduction Jan alber and monika Fludernik 1 Part i.
    [Show full text]
  • A Glossary of New Testament Narrative Criticism with Illustrations
    religions Article A Glossary of New Testament Narrative Criticism with Illustrations James L. Resseguie Winebrenner Theological Seminary, Findlay, OH 45840, USA; resseguiej@findlay.edu Received: 10 February 2019; Accepted: 15 March 2019; Published: 21 March 2019 Abstract: This is the first stand-alone glossary of New Testament narrative-critical terms in the English language. It is an alphabetical listing of prominent terms, concepts, and techniques of narrative criticism with illustrations and cross-references. Commonly used terms are defined and illustrated, these include character, characterization, double entendre, misunderstanding, implied author, implied reader, irony, narrator, point of view, plot, rhetoric, and other constitutive elements of a narrative. Lesser-known terms and concepts are also defined, such as carnivalesque, composite character, defamiliarization, fabula, syuzhet, hybrid character, MacGuffin, masterplot, primacy/recency effect, and type-scene. Major disciplines—for example, narratology, New Criticism, and reader-response criticism—are explained with glances at prominent literary critics/theorists, such as Aristotle, Mikhail Bakhtin, Wayne Booth, Seymour Chatman, Stanley Fish, E. M. Forster, Gérard Genette, Wolfgang Iser, and Susan Sniader Lanser. Keywords: narrative criticism; narratology; literary terms; literary criticism; reader-response criticism; New Criticism; close reading 1. Introduction Narrative criticism focuses on how the New Testament works as literature. The “what” of a narrative (content) and the “how” (rhetoric and structure) are analyzed as a complete tapestry, an organic whole. Narrative critics are concerned primarily with the literariness of New Testament narratives or the qualities that make them literature. It is a shift away from traditional historical-critical methods to how the text communicates meaning as a self-contained unit, an undivided whole.
    [Show full text]
  • “I Love to Tell the Story:” a Narrative Critical Approach to the Gospels of Mark and John with Attention Given to Joseph of Arimathea
    “I LOVE TO TELL THE STORY:” A NARRATIVE CRITICAL APPROACH TO THE GOSPELS OF MARK AND JOHN WITH ATTENTION GIVEN TO JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA by JONATHAN RIKARD BROWN (Under the Direction of Wayne Coppins) ABSTRACT This thesis explores the field of Narrative Criticism and its application to Biblical Literature. It zeroes in on the application of this method as it is applied to The Gospel of Mark and the Gospel of John. This is be done by examing the field of narrative criticism outside of the Bible, and then focusing on the two pioneering works in this area, mainly Mark as Story by David M. Rhoads, and The Anatomy of the Fourth Gospel by R. Alan Culpepper. This thesis attempts to show how the results of this type of study do not contradict historical studies, and can in some case work to compliments other types of Biblical Criticism. This is done by examining the literary function of Joseph of Arimathea. INDEX WORDS: Narrative Criticism, Mark, John, Joseph of Arimathea David M. Rhoads, R. Alan Culpepper “I LOVE TO TELL THE STORY:” A NARRATIVE CRITICAL APPROACH TO THE GOSPELS OF MARK AND JOHN WITH ATTENTION GIVEN TO JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA by JONATHAN RIKARD BROWN B.A., Brevard College, 2007 A Thesis Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of The University of Georgia in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree MASTER OF ARTS ATHENS, GEORGIA 2011 © 2011 Jonathan Rikard Brown All Rights Reserved “I LOVE TO TELL THE STORY:” A NARRATIVE CRITICAL APPROACH TO THE GOSPELS OF MARK AND JOHN WITH ATTENTION GIVEN TO JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA by JONATHAN RIKARD BROWN Major Professor: Wayne Coppins Committee: Carolyn Jones Medine David S.
    [Show full text]
  • Ancient Literary Criticism Oxford Readings in Classical Studies
    Oxford Readings in Ancient Literary Criticism Oxford Readings in Classical Studies Greek Religion Edited by Richard Buxton Homer’s Iliad Edited by Douglas L. Cairns Virgil’s Aeneid Edited by S. J. Harrison The Roman Novel Edited by S. J. Harrison Aristophanes Edited by Erich Segal Greek Tragedy Edited by Erich Segal Menander, Plautus, and Terence Edited by Erich Segal The Greek Novel Edited by Simon Swain All available in paperback Oxford Readings in Ancient Literary Criticism Edited by ANDREW LAIRD 3 3 Great Clarendon Street, Oxford ox2 6dp Oxford University Press is a department of the University of Oxford. It furthers the University’s objective of excellence in research, scholarship, and education by publishing worldwide in Oxford New York Auckland Cape Town Dar es Salaam Hong Kong Karachi Kuala Lumpur Madrid Melbourne Mexico City Nairobi New Delhi Shanghai Taipei Toronto With oYces in Argentina Austria Brazil Chile Czech Republic France Greece Guatemala Hungary Italy Japan Poland Portugal Singapore South Korea Switzerland Thailand Turkey Ukraine Vietnam Oxford is a registered trade mark of Oxford University Press in the UK and in certain other countries Published in the United States by Oxford University Press Inc., New York © Oxford University Press 2006 The moral rights of the author have been asserted Database right Oxford University Press (maker) First published 2006 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the prior permission in writing of Oxford University Press, or as expressly permitted by law, or under terms agreed with the appropriate reprographics rights organization.
    [Show full text]
  • Tragedy in the Gospel of Mark
    Tragedy in the Gospel of Mark Amelinda Berube Faculty of Religious Studies McGill University, Montréal August 2003 A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Master of Arts © Amelinda Berube, 2003 Library and Bibliothèque et 1+1 Archives Canada Archives Canada Published Heritage Direction du Branch Patrimoine de l'édition 395 Wellington Street 395, rue Wellington Ottawa ON K1A ON4 Ottawa ON K1A ON4 Canada Canada Your file Votre référence ISBN: 0-612-98416-8 Our file Notre référence ISBN: 0-612-98416-8 NOTICE: AVIS: The author has granted a non­ L'auteur a accordé une licence non exclusive exclusive license allowing Library permettant à la Bibliothèque et Archives and Archives Canada to reproduce, Canada de reproduire, publier, archiver, publish, archive, preserve, conserve, sauvegarder, conserver, transmettre au public communicate to the public by par télécommunication ou par l'Internet, prêter, telecommunication or on the Internet, distribuer et vendre des thèses partout dans loan, distribute and sell th es es le monde, à des fins commerciales ou autres, worldwide, for commercial or non­ sur support microforme, papier, électronique commercial purposes, in microform, et/ou autres formats. paper, electronic and/or any other formats. The author retains copyright L'auteur conserve la propriété du droit d'auteur ownership and moral rights in et des droits moraux qui protège cette thèse. this thesis. Neither the thesis Ni la thèse ni des extraits substantiels de nor substantial extracts from it celle-ci ne doivent être imprimés ou autrement may be printed or otherwise reproduits sans son autorisation. reproduced without the author's permission.
    [Show full text]
  • On the Use of Fictionality for Persuasion and Pedagogy Victor Robert Perry Iowa State University
    Iowa State University Capstones, Theses and Graduate Theses and Dissertations Dissertations 2018 On the use of fictionality for persuasion and pedagogy Victor Robert Perry Iowa State University Follow this and additional works at: https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/etd Part of the Communication Commons, English Language and Literature Commons, and the Rhetoric Commons Recommended Citation Perry, Victor Robert, "On the use of fictionality for persuasion and pedagogy" (2018). Graduate Theses and Dissertations. 16434. https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/etd/16434 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Iowa State University Capstones, Theses and Dissertations at Iowa State University Digital Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion in Graduate Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Iowa State University Digital Repository. For more information, please contact [email protected]. On the use of fictionality for persuasion and pedagogy by Victor Robert Perry A dissertation submitted to the graduate faculty in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Major: Rhetoric and Professional Communication Program of Study Committee: Richard Crosby, Co-major Professor David Roberts, Co-major Professor Gloria Betcher Michael Dahlstrom Margaret LaWare The student author, whose presentation of the scholarship herein was approved by the program of study committee, is solely responsible for the content of this dissertation. The Graduate College will ensure this dissertation is globally accessible and will not permit alterations after a degree is conferred. Iowa State University Ames, Iowa 2018 ii TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT iii CHAPTER 1. FICTIONALITY AND RHETORICAL ANALYSIS 1 CHAPTER 2.
    [Show full text]
  • Irony in the Matthean Passion Narrative
    1 Irony and the Matthean Passion Narrative Purpose Irony (εἰρωνεία, ) is a literary-rhetorical device of the implied author eirōneia by which he reveals (reality) behind (appearance). what is hidden what is seen The reading of irony must parse both of these dimensions of meaning. Irony defies one-dimensional reading and underlines the complexity of reality. In the story world, the implied reader cannot perceive the deeper meaning of the ironic words, situations or character dynamics merely through a surface level reading but only through a “delightful leap of intuition,”1 which is a result of persuasion based on the so-called “implicit flattery”2 between the ironist, the implied author, and his reader. As result, irony offers its reader a superior understanding through which he is able to perceive the distinction between the reality and its shadow. In the story world of the First Gospel, irony is well observed. The Matthean implied author shapes the narrative in an ironic fashion by embedding crucial information through a strategic choice of words, an intentional arrangement of the story and a revealing characterization. He employs irony within his narrative in an omniscient manner and intends his implied reader, whom he believes capable of understanding irony, to detect his literary technique so that the reader may arrive at an ideal understanding of the story’s reality. At the beginning of Matthew, the implied author provides his reader with a particular divine perspective as the norm of the story that Jesus will save his people from their sins (1:21). The fact that this divine perspective on the 1.
    [Show full text]
  • The Nature of Irony and a Rationale for Its Prevalence in the Gospel of John
    THE MIDWIFE OF TRUTH: THE NATURE OF IRONY AND A RATIONALE FOR ITS PREVALENCE IN THE GOSPEL OF JOHN. BY BRUCE W. BELL A thesis submitted to the Victoria University of Wellington in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Victoria University of Wellington (2014) 1 ABSTRACT The Gospel of John is renowned for its pervasive use of irony. While this phenomenon is widely recognized by scholars, there have been only a few attempts to explain the “how” of Johannine irony and no meaningful attempt to explain its “why.” The last major treatment of the topic was by Paul Duke in his 1985 work, Irony in the Fourth Gospel, which provides an account of how Johannine irony works through an analysis of local and extended ironies. Other examinations, such as Gail O’Day’s Revelation in the Fourth Gospel in 1986, explore irony as a corollary of some other thematic concern. The reticence of scholars to delve deeper into the nature of Johannine irony is understandable given that as Duke puts it, irony laughs at all pretensions, especially the pretension of claiming to have grasped irony. This study undertakes the demanding but necessary task of describing irony to a level that allows meaningful engagement with ironic texts, while accepting that it remains ultimately indefinable. Particular attention is paid to historical shifts of understanding of the nature of irony and the implications this has for appreciating irony at a conceptual level. From a survey of the Johannine scholarship, a comprehensive but non-exhaustive overview of the Fourth Gospel’s use of irony is derived.
    [Show full text]
  • Between Eden and Egypt: Echoes of the Garden Narrative in the Story of Joseph and His Brothers Brian Osborne Sigmon Marquette University
    Marquette University e-Publications@Marquette Dissertations (2009 -) Dissertations, Theses, and Professional Projects Between Eden and Egypt: Echoes of the Garden Narrative in the Story of Joseph and His Brothers Brian Osborne Sigmon Marquette University Recommended Citation Sigmon, Brian Osborne, "Between Eden and Egypt: Echoes of the Garden Narrative in the Story of Joseph and His Brothers" (2013). Dissertations (2009 -). Paper 263. http://epublications.marquette.edu/dissertations_mu/263 BETWEEN EDEN AND EGYPT: ECHOES OF THE GARDEN NARRATIVE IN THE STORY OF JOSEPH AND HIS BROTHERS by Brian O. Sigmon A Dissertation Submitted to the Faculty of the Graduate School, Marquette University, in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Milwaukee, Wisconsin May 2013 ABSTRACT BETWEEN EDEN AND EGYPT: ECHOES OF THE GARDEN NARRATIVE IN THE STORY OF JOSEPH AND HIS BROTHERS Brian O. Sigmon Marquette University, 2013 The Joseph story (Gen 37-50) is often recognized for its remarkable literary unity and depth. At the same time, much of its richness derives from its relationship with the rest of Genesis, as the Joseph story’s context is an essential aspect of its meaning and message. This dissertation explores the Joseph story’s relationship with the beginning of Genesis, by illuminating its connections with the Eden narrative and the story of Cain and Abel (Gen 2:4-4:26). It argues that the Joseph story’s allusions to these narratives deepen its literary themes and theological vision by setting it in its proper context for interpretation. Using the concepts of intratextuality and narrative analogy, this project traces various patterns of correspondence between Gen 37-50 and Gen 2-4.
    [Show full text]
  • Life Preservation in Genesis and Exodus: an Exegetical Study of the Tebāh
    Life Preservation in Genesis and Exodus: An Exegetical Study of the Tebāh by Joshua Joel Spoelstra Dissertation presented for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Faculty of Theology at Stellenbosch University Supervisor: Prof. Louis C. Jonker December 2013 i Stellenbosch University http://scholar.sun.ac.za DECLARATION By submitting this 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. Date: 31 August 2013 Copyright © 2013 Stellenbosch University All rights reserved ii Stellenbosch University http://scholar.sun.ac.za ABSTRACT hbt, that rare word appropriated for the vessels of Noah and Moses and nowhere else in the Hebrew Bible, seems to indicate an inter-textual relationship and invites investigation; in fact, hbt has undergone very little treatment in past scholarship. There are several oddities to this seemingly straightforward problem, though. The two vessels are drastically different from one another, both aesthetically and contextually; the word is in fact a loan word, not native to the Hebrew language; the term in the LXX is disharmonious in each respective story: kibwto/j for Noah and qi=bij for Moses. What had the author(s)/redactor(s) in mind when making the hbt lexical link; and why have the Septuagint translators severed the terminological nexus? After thorough synchronic and diachronic exegesis of the Flood (Gen 6-9*) and Foundling (Ex 2*) narratives, it is argued that the donor language from whence the Hebrews loaned hbt is the Egyptian ḏbȝ.t meaning ―coffer, coffin; Götterschrein.‖ Whereas the lexeme in question is Egyptian in origin, the form and content of the Flood and the Foundling narratives are germane to Akkadian–Babylonian literature.
    [Show full text]