Andrews University Digital Commons @ Andrews University Dissertations Graduate Research 2011 The Sabbath in the Pentateuch: an Exegetical and Theological Study Mathilde Frey Andrews University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dissertations Part of the Biblical Studies Commons, and the Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion Commons Recommended Citation Frey, Mathilde, "The Sabbath in the Pentateuch: an Exegetical and Theological Study" (2011). Dissertations. 51. https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dissertations/51 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate Research at Digital Commons @ Andrews University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ Andrews University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Thank you for your interest in the Andrews University Digital Library of Dissertations and Theses. Please honor the copyright of this document by not duplicating or distributing additional copies in any form without the author’s express written permission. Thanks for your cooperation. ABSTRACT THE SABBATH IN THE PENTATEUCH: AN EXEGETICAL AND THEOLOGICAL STUDY by Mathilde Frey Adviser: Roy E. Gane ABSTRACT OF GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH Dissertation Andrews University Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary Title: THE SABBATH IN THE PENTATEUCH: AN EXEGETICAL AND THEOLOGICAL STUDY Name of researcher: Mathilde Frey Name and degree of faculty adviser: Roy E. Gane, Ph.D. Date completed: March 2011 Many studies have explored the seventh-day Sabbath in the Pentateuch from historical-critical, theological, and historical perspectives. However, systematic contextual exegesis and close reading of the pentateuchal Sabbath texts have been neglected. This dissertation investigates literary features of these passages in their respective contexts and develops an integrated Sabbath theology from the viewpoint of the Pentateuch as a whole. In chapter 1, an overview of literature on the biblical Sabbath introduces the topic and describes the methodology of the study. Chapters 2 to 5 explore specific contextual, stylistic, and linguistic elements of the pentateuchal Sabbath pericopes, which contribute to expression of their theological concepts. Chapter 2 analyzes the creation Sabbath (Gen 2:1-3). Chapter 3 investigates other narrative passages involving the Sabbath (Exod 16:1- 36 and Num 15:32-36). Chapter 4 examines Sabbath laws (Exod 20:8-11; 23:12; 34:21; Deut 5:12-15). Chapter 5 focuses on the Sabbath in the context of the sanctuary (Exod 31:12-17; 35:2-3; Lev 23:3; 24:5-9; Num 28:9, 10). In chapter 6, summary of the various literary features of the Sabbath texts and their interrelatedness leads to synthesis of theological aspects of the Sabbath. Chapter 7 presents the overall results of the study. The Sabbath encapsulates and reveals God's presence in the world, regardless of its nature and condition. The Sabbath was introduced by divine cessation from work in order for holiness to enter the world for the benefit of all humanity. Holiness is the essence of the divine-human relationship, which enables human beings to fully become what they were created to be: the image of the Creator. In its rhythmic recurrence, the Sabbath signifies the Creator's constant presence in the world and his care for it. Since the Fall into sin, the Sabbath liberates people from oppressive regimes of man-made gods; it places them in proper relationships with each other; it relieves their attitude toward work in a society exhausted and stressed by hard labor; and it testifies to the sacred design in time and space whereby they can recognize and emulate the Maker of all. Thus the Sabbath is an important part of God's program for restoring imago Dei in fallen human beings. Andrews University Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary THE SABBATH IN THE PENTATEUCH: AN EXEGETICAL AND THEOLOGICAL STUDY A Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy by Mathilde Frey March 2011 ©Copyright by Mathilde Frey 2011 All Rights Reserved ! ! ! THE SABBATH IN THE PENTATEUCH: AN EXEGETICAL AND THEOLOGICAL STUDY A dissertation presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Philosophy By Mathilde Frey APPROVAL BY THE COMMITTEE: Faculty Adviser, Director, PhD/ThD Programs Roy E. Gane Tom Shepherd Professor of Hebrew Bible and Ancient Near Eastern Languages Richard M. Davidson Dean, SDA Theological Seminary Professor of Old Testament Interpretation Denis Fortin Jacques B. Doukhan Professor of Hebrew and Old Testament Exegesis Jiri Moskala Professor of Old Testament Exegesis and Theology Richard E. Averbeck Date approved Professor of Old Testament and Semitic Languages Trinity Evangelical Divinity School To the memory of my parents Sarah and Johann Konyen who weekly taught me to live six days in anticipation of the Sabbath, even under the most difficult conditions of life iii TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF TABLES ......................................... viii LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS................................... ix ACKNOWLEDGMENTS .................................... xi Chapter I. THE SABBATH IN THE PENTATEUCH: AN EXEGETICAL AND THEOLOGICAL STUDY............................. 1 Background of the Problem ........................... 1 Statement of the Problem ............................ 10 Purpose of the Study .............................. 11 Justification of the Study ............................ 11 Delimitations .................................... 11 Methodology .................................... 12 II. THE CREATION SABBATH .............................. 14 Introduction ..................................... 14 The Sabbath in Genesis 1:1-2:3 ........................ 17 Literary Analysis ............................. 17 Structural Features ......................... 17 Aspectual Features ......................... 23 The Sabbath in Genesis 2:1-3.......................... 33 Literary Analysis ............................. 33 The Phrase yoybvh Mwøy “the Seventh Day” ........ 38 The Noun hkalm “Work” ................... 41 The Verb hlk “Finish, Complete”............... 42 The Verb tbv “Cease” ..................... 43 The Verb Krb “Bless” ...................... 44 The Correlation between tbv “Cease” and!vdq “Sanctify” ..................... 46 The Clause Myhla arb “God Created” ........... 52 The Infinitive tcol “to Make” ................ 53 iv Theological Implications ........................ 55 Wholeness as the Foundation of Creation .......... 57 Separation as a Principle of Creation ............ 62 Ceasing as the Reason for Holiness .............. 65 Holiness as the Goal of All Creation ............. 69 III. SABBATH NARRATIVES IN THE PENTATEUCH............... 73 Introduction ..................................... 73 The Sabbath in Exodus 16:1-36 ........................ 74 Literary Analysis ............................. 77 Literary Context .......................... 77 Literary Setting ........................... 81 Literary “Disorganization” .................... 84 Literary Structure .......................... 86 Structural Units ........................... 93 Structural Coherence ....................... 103 Leitworte and Key Words .................... 104 Theological Implications ........................ 108 Sabbath as the Reason for the Manna ............. 109 Sabbath as a Test of Faith .................... 112 Sabbath as Rationale for Sanctuary Worship ....... 115 The Sabbath in Numbers 15:32-36 ...................... 118 Literary Analysis.............................. 121 Literary Structure .......................... 121 Key Words .............................. 124 Theological Implications ........................ 127 Sabbath and Rebellion ...................... 127 Sabbath and Remembering ................... 131 IV. SABBATH LAWS IN THE PENTATEUCH .................. 133 Introduction ..................................... 133 The Sabbath in Exodus 20:8-11 ........................ 134 Literary Analysis ............................. 137 Literary Context .......................... 137 The Verb rkz “Remember” ................... 146 Literary Structure .......................... 152 Theological Implications ........................ 154 Sabbath and Remembrance ................... 154 Sabbath and Relationship .................... 157 The Sabbath in Deuteronomy 5:12-15 .................... 158 Literary Analysis.............................. 160 Literary Context .......................... 160 The Verb rmv “Keep” ...................... 165 The Verb vdq “Sanctify” .................... 167 v Theological Implications ........................ 169 The Sabbath in Exodus 23:12.......................... 170 Literary Analysis.............................. 171 The Verb vpn “Be Refreshed” ................. 172 The Noun hcom “Work” .................... 174 The Ktma_Nb “Son of Your Maidservant”.......... 177 The Expression rgh “The Alien” ................ 179 Theological Implications ........................ 181 Sabbath and the Oppressed ................... 181 Sabbath and Work ......................... 182 The Sabbath in Exodus 34:21.......................... 184 Literary Analysis.............................. 184 Theological Implications ........................ 188 V. SABBATH AND SANCTUARY .......................... 189 Introduction ..................................... 189 The Sabbath in Exodus 31:12-17 ....................... 193 Literary Analysis