SCRIBAL COMPOSITION: MALACHI AS A TEST-CASE Sheree Elizabeth Lear A Thesis Submitted for the Degree of PhD at the University of St Andrews 2014 Full metadata for this item is available in St Andrews Research Repository at: http://research-repository.st-andrews.ac.uk/ Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/10023/6341 This item is protected by original copyright Scribal Composition: Malachi as a Test-Case Sheree Elizabeth Lear This thesis is submitted in partial fulfilment for the degree of PhD at the University of St Andrews 20th February 2014 Abstract The Hebrew Bible is the product of scribes. Whether copying, editing, conflating, adapting, or authoring, these ancient professionals were responsible for the various text designs, con- structions and text-types that we have today. This thesis seeks to investigate the many prac- tices employed by ancient scribes in literary production, or, more aptly, scribal composition. An investigation of scribal composition must incorporate inquiry into both synchronic and di- achronic aspects of a text; a synchronic viewpoint can clarify diachronic features of the text and a diachronic viewpoint can clarify synchronic features of the text. To understand the text as the product of scribal composition requires recognition that the ancient scribe had a com- municative goal when he engaged in the different forms of scribal composition (e.g. author- ing, redacting, etc.). This communicative goal was reached through the scribal composer’s implementation of various literary techniques. By tracing the reception of a text, it is possible to demonstrate when a scribal composer successfully reached his communicative goal. Using Malachi as a test-case, three autonomous yet complementary chapters will illustrate how in- vestigating the text as the product of scribal composition can yield new and important in- sights. Chapter 2: Mal 2.10-16 focuses on a particularly difficult portion of Malachi (2.10-16), noting patterns amongst the texts reused in the pericope. These patterns give infor- mation about the ancient scribe’s view of scripture and about his communicative goal. Chap- ter 3: Wordplay surveys Malachi for different types of the wordplay. The chapter demon- strates how a poetic feature such as wordplay, generally treated as a synchronic element, can also have diachronic implications. Chapter 4: Phinehas, he is Elijah investigates the reception of Malachi as a finished text. By tracing backwards a tradition found throughout later Jewish literature, it is evident that the literary techniques employed by the composer made his text successfully communicative. I, Sheree Lear, hereby certify that this thesis, which is approximately 70,016 words in length, has been written by me, and that it is the record of work carried out by me or principally by myself in collaboration with others as acknowledged, and that it has not been submitted in any previous application for a higher degree. I was admitted as a research student in September, 2010 and as a candidate for the degree of PhD in December, 2011; the higher study for which this is a record was carried out in the University of St Andrews between 2010 and 2014. Date Signature of candidate I hereby certify that the candidate has fulfilled the conditions of the Resolution and Regulations appropriate for the degree of PhD in the University of St Andrews and that the candidate is qualified to submit this thesis in application for that degree. Date Signature of supervisor In submitting this thesis to the University of St Andrews I understand that I am giving permission for it to be made available for use in accordance with the regulations of the University Library for the time being in force, subject to any copyright vested in the work not being affected thereby. I also understand that the title and the abstract will be published, and that a copy of the work may be made and supplied to any bona fide library or research worker, that my thesis will be electronically accessible for personal or research use unless exempt by award of an embargo as requested below, and that the library has the right to migrate my thesis into new electronic forms as required to ensure continued access to the thesis. I have obtained any third-party copyright permissions that may be required in order to allow such access and migration, or have requested the appropriate embargo below. PRINTED COPY Embargo on all or part of print copy for a period of 5 years on the following ground(s): Publication would preclude future publication. Per my supervisor's recommendation, I request an embargo on this thesis for five years. This thesis will be submitted for publishing and thus, I do not want it in the public domain. ELECTRONIC COPY Embargo on all or part of electronic copy for a period of 5 years on the following ground(s): Publication would preclude future publication Per my supervisor's recommendation, I request an embargo on this thesis for five years. This thesis will be submitted for publishing and thus, I do not want it in the public domain. Date Signature of candidate Signature of supervisor Acknowledgments The study to follow, though typed with my own fingers, with my own words, exists because of so many other people. These people, who provided me love, support, encouragement and stimulation during the time I wrote my PhD thesis, must be thanked. First, I would like to thank the faculty at the University of St Andrews, St Mary's College. St Mary's College allowed me the space to ask questions and to find answers. There I learned to be confident and experienced how addictive the drug of learning can be. Many thanks especially to Dr. Mark Elliott for giving me a chance and for taking the time to remind me of what is important throughout these four years. Thanks also to Dr. Grant Macaskill for telling me I could do it. At the beginning, your vote of confidence was all that kept me going. Thanks also to Lynda Kinloch for your help and friendliness in the library. You were kind to me beyond anything that could be expected. I would also like to thank Humboldt Universität zu Berlin and Prof. Dr. Dr. Bernd Schipper who allowed me to come research for a year and the DAAD for funding my stay. My year in Berlin opened a whole new world in scholarship and life experience. Thanks also to Dr. Sonja Ammann for your friendliness to me, the foreigner, and for your amazing patience in allowing me to always speak to you in German. Many thanks to the University of Pretoria, Department of Ancient Languages. You gave me a space to complete the final editing of this study. I appreciate your interest and your encouragement. I look forward to working with you in the future. Thanks also to my Doktorbrüder and Schwester Allen Jones, Sean Cook, Garrick Allen, Adam Harger and Penny Barter. The hours spent around the Tooman table discussing Hebrew Bible will not be forgotten. I hope that we will continue to converse in the future. I thank the Hadow Room guys, Shawn Bawulski, John Dunne, John Frederick, Cole Matson, Toby Karlowitz, Allen Jones, and Sean Cook for the many discussions we had that not only extended my knowledge, but also grew my ability to think through problems. - i - There were several “families” I gained throughout these past four years. Being allowed into your lives and to love and be loved by you gave me the framework that enabled me to successfully research and write. Thanks to Ian, Corrie, Aed, and Asher Church. You are some of the best friends I have ever made. Thank you to Tricia, Bill, Liam and Cole who took me in when I was in a bad housing situation. You gave up your space, shared your food, and loved me. I cannot exaggerate how influential you have been on who I am today. Thank you also to my family in Germany, Iris, Paula and Hanna Hofstetter. Danke sehr für eure Freundschaft, eure Geduld und eure Liebe. Ich lernte so viel von euch. Ohne euch wäre meine Zeit in Deutschland einsam gewesen. Ich bin sehr dankbar, dass ich euch kennenlernen durfte. To my parents, Joe and Alice Lear, I owe thanks for so much more than just your support for these four years. You made sure I received a good education and had to give up a lot to make sure that I did. I am filled with gratitude for the many sacrifices you had to make. To my brother and sister-in-law: thanks for your support and help in the editing of my dissertation. My husband, Ronald van der Bergh, who I met during this time (thanks to Prof. Kristin DeTroyer), I thank for the hours he has spent helping me edit. Your attention to detail astounds me. You encouraged me so much through these last ups and downs in the completion of this study. Lastly, I would like to thank Dr. William A. Tooman. You have given me so much through your teaching, editing, and friendship. I am glad I could be on your team for this time. Thanks especially for Saturday morning coffee with Hebrew Bible (and whatever else) discussion times, and for all the other extra hours you invested to make sure that I succeeded. I am forever grateful. - ii - Abbreviations: ABD ed. D. N. Freedman. The Anchor Bible Dictionary. 6 vols. New York, 1992. BDB F. Brown, S. R. Driver, S. A. Briggs. Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament. Oxford 1907. GKC A. E.