Durham E-Theses Joseph: A Death and Resurrection Figure in the Old Testament and Second Temple Judaism PULSE, JEFFREY How to cite: PULSE, JEFFREY (2017) Joseph: A Death and Resurrection Figure in the Old Testament and Second Temple Judaism, Durham theses, Durham University. Available at Durham E-Theses Online: http://etheses.dur.ac.uk/12425/ Use policy The full-text may be used and/or reproduced, and given to third parties in any format or medium, without prior permission or charge, for personal research or study, educational, or not-for-prot purposes provided that: • a full bibliographic reference is made to the original source • a link is made to the metadata record in Durham E-Theses • the full-text is not changed in any way The full-text must not be sold in any format or medium without the formal permission of the copyright holders. Please consult the full Durham E-Theses policy for further details. Academic Support Oce, Durham University, University Oce, Old Elvet, Durham DH1 3HP e-mail: [email protected] Tel: +44 0191 334 6107 http://etheses.dur.ac.uk 2 JOSEPH A Death and Resurrection Figure In the Old Testament And Second Temple Judaism Written and submitted by Jeffrey Howard Pulse Qualification for a Doctor of Theology Degree In the Department of Theology and Religion Durham University, Durham, England 2016 Jeffrey Howard Pulse Joseph: A Death and Resurrection Figure In Old Testament and Second Temple Judaism ABSTRACT The story of Joseph has enjoyed immense popularity in both parochial and secular contexts and yet it continues to perplex most modern biblical scholars. Why is this material found here in the patriarchal accounts? What purpose is there to the plethora of detail and information set forth? In this thesis I am advocating a hermeneutic that reads the text of Scripture as a Unified Theological Narrative. Such a hermeneutic is not new, but has fallen into obscurity. A return to this method will reveal various biblical motifs as threads that are the woven fabric of the text and provide the key to understanding the text as one, unified narrative. Using this approach, this thesis examines the Masoretic text of the Joseph Narratives with an eye toward the biblical motifs that define the intended meaning. The overriding emphasis, brought out by the Masoretic Text, portrays Joseph as a death and resurrection figure. I examine in greater detail this Death and Resurrection Motif and its many manifestations, as well as Joseph’s place in the motif. Reading the text as a Unified Theological Narrative reveals this biblical motif which unveils the greater reality associated with Joseph’s character and story. The final part of my thesis deals with other biblical and extra-biblical texts and their treatment of the character of Joseph. Although the Septuagint focuses more subtly upon his salvific nature, while Targum Onqelos uses him as a moral and ethical model, they both maintain his death and resurrection character. I use Joseph’s death and resurrection character as a means to support his resurrected use in second temple times. The Joseph Narratives have suffered a form of neglect by the majority of scholars over the course of centuries. This thesis is an attempt to “resurrect” the character of Joseph and present him as he was intended to be seen—as a death and resurrection figure. Statement of Copyright: The copyright of this thesis rests with the author. No quotation from it should be published without the author’s prior written consent and information from it should be acknowledged. I dedicate this thesis to my wife who has given new definition to the phrase “Long Suffering” i Contents INTRODUCTION____________________________________________________1 PART I: BIBLICAL INTERPRETATION_________ _______________________ Chapter One: Biblical Interpretation and the Joseph Narratives Introduction 14 Brevard Childs: A Canonical Approach 17 Robert Alter: A Poetic Reading 24 Jon Levenson 27 A Narrative Reading 35 R.W.L. Moberly: A Theological Interpretation 39 Walter Brueggemann: A Postmodern Interpretation 41 In Conclusion 43 Chapter Two: Reading Scripture as a Unified Theological Narrative: A Recommended Methodology Introduction 45 A Recommended Methodology 46 Reading Scripture as a Unified Theological Narrative 47 Biblical Motifs and the Text 51 A Unified Theological Narrative and the Joseph Narratives 56 PART II: THE TEXT OF GENESIS 37-50________________________________ Chapter One: The Masoretic Text of the Joseph Narratives Introduction 62 Genesis 37 64 Genesis 38 78 Genesis 39 87 Genesis 40 92 Genesis 41 95 Genesis 42 105 Genesis 43 111 Genesis 44 115 Genesis 45 120 Genesis 46 124 Genesis 47 126 Genesis 48 133 Genesis 49 138 Genesis 50 148 In Conclusion 153 Chapter Two: Joseph and His Character: Perceived Problems and Difficulties Introduction 157 Chapter 37: A Bad Report—Joseph the Spy 158 ii Chapter 37: A Spoiled Son and an Arrogant Brother 160 Chapter 37: Clueless 162 Chapter 37: Unclean 162 Chapter 38: Judah and Canaanite Women 163 Chapter 38: Sexual Liaison 164 Chapter 38: Who is More Righteous? 164 Chapter 39: An Ill-Advised Return 165 Chapter 40: A Sudden Self-Reliance 167 Chapters 41-50: Joseph, the Egyptian 168 Chapters 42-44: Testing, Testing, Testing 172 Dysfunction and Deception: A Family Heritage 174 Conclusion 175 Chapter Three: The Death and Resurrection Motif in the Joseph Narratives Introduction 177 The Death and Resurrection Motif of the Joseph Narratives 177 Separation and Reunion 180 Three Day/Three Stage Separation and Restoration 182 Barren Womb and the Opening of the Womb 186 Being Cast Down into a Pit/Sheol and Being Raised Up/Lifted Up 189 Going Down to Egypt and Up to Canaan/The Promised Land 193 Slavery and Freedom 196 Thrown into Prison and Released from Prison 197 Famine and Deliverance (Drought and Rain/Dew) 200 Seeds/Planting and Growth/Fertility/Fruitfulness 204 Going Down into the Water/Being Drowned and Being Brought Up Out of the Waters/New Life 205 Exile and Return from Exile 206 Stripped and Clothed 209 Conclusion 212 PART III: Other Texts of Genesis 37-50 Chapter One: The Septuagint in Comparison to the Masoretic Text Introduction 215 The Text: The Septuagint in Comparison to the Masoretic Text of Genesis 37-50 217 The Attitude and Approach to the Text 218 Translation Trends and their Effect upon the Text 221 Cultural Reflections of Third Century BCE Jewish Alexandria 224 Joseph’s Image Supplemented 227 Joseph’s Image Tarnished 229 Conclusion 231 Chapter Two: A Comparison of Targum Onqelos with the Masoretic Text Introduction 236 A Comparison of Targum Onqelos with the Masoretic Text of Genesis 37-50 238 Targum Onqelos as Interpretation: A Commentary to Explain the Text 238 The Piety of Targum Onqelos: A Reflection of Talmudic and Rabbinic Tradition 241 Cultural Reflections of the Roman Era 244 iii Images Improved 245 The Septuagint and Targum Onqelos in Comparison 252 Joseph’s Blessing in Genesis 49:22-26 255 “Dew” and “Bones” 265 Targum Onqelos and Resurrection 272 Conclusion 276 Chapter Three: The Second Temple “Resurrection” of Joseph Introduction 278 Exilic and Post-exilic Biblical References 279 Pseudepigraphal and Other Writings 281 Talmudic Rabbis 284 Why the “Resurrection” of Joseph? 285 Conclusion 287 Chapter Four: Joseph, “The Adopted One”: The Use of Joseph Introduction 290 The Masoretic Text 291 The Septuagint 292 Targum Onqelos 293 Philo 294 Josephus 296 A Dramatic Narrative 297 Conclusion 297 Chapter Five: Traveling Bones—Death and Resurrection Introduction 299 Bones in the Masoretic Text 300 The Bones of Joseph in Second Temple Literature 303 Traveling Bones 307 Patriarchal to Tribal 307 Joseph’s Confession 309 Completing the Cycle 310 Conclusion 312 CONCLUSION 313 Results 313 Implications 314 Broadening the Discussion 316 BIBLIOGRAPHY___________ 318 1 Introduction Aim and Scope The pages of this dissertation focus upon the character of Joseph as recorded in the Joseph Narratives of Genesis 37-50. Specifically explored is the particular aspect of his character identifying him as a death and resurrection figure in the Old Testament and Second Temple Judaism. Many scholars over the centuries have engaged with Joseph and his story, and their efforts have often borne useful fruit. Indeed, some of their valuable insights and discoveries have informed the writing of this thesis, and they will be duly noted where they occur. One aspect of Joseph’s story, however, has been somewhat neglected. We shall suggest that a “dying and rising” theme in Genesis 37-50 plays a prominent part in the Hebrew text as we have received it in its final form. The intention of the dissertation, therefore, is to attempt to recapture this characteristic of the Joseph Narratives, and to explore it in detail, noting its impact on the canonical figure of Joseph. PART I: Biblical Interpretation In order to accomplish this, an examination of the history of biblical interpretation1 is required. PART I explores this history. However, this history can never be seen as a straight, unadulterated line which demonstrates a logical, sequential progression. Nor can one assume clean and clear lines of demarcation between the various hermeneutics. Too often these assumptions have encouraged the false notion that the history of biblical interpretation has been a positive, progressive evolution. In reality, 1 I have specifically relied upon R.N. Whybray, The Making of the Pentateuch, 1987; Brevard Childs, Old Testament Theology in a Canonical Context, 1985; Jon D. Levenson, The Hebrew Bible, the Old Testament and Historical Criticism, 1993; Robert Alter, The Art of Biblical Poetry, 1985; Ellen Davis and Richard Hays, The Art of Reading Scripture, 2003; R.W.L. Moberly, Old Testament Theology: Reading the Hebrew Bible as Christian Scripture, 2013; John J. Collins, The Bible after Babel: Historical Criticism in a Post Modern Age, 2005.