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Quiz – 15min, Thursday, Oct. 5, beginning of class (2:45 sharp)
1.
The three main “methods” into which we’ve delved
a.
Sources of the Text (Source Criticism)
1. Sources of the Text:
In the Sources of the Text approach, analysis is done to identify earlier written documents that
have been combined by editors or redactors. The hypothesis that the Bible is a compilation of
texts written over a significant period is fundamental to this approach. It categorizes the sources
of the Bible into J (Yahwist), E (Elohist), D (Deuteronomist), and P (Priestly), each associated with
unique characteristics and terminology, particularly names for God.
Arguments for Multiple Documents in Creation Story:
The lecture notes that there are fundamental differences in vocabulary, style, and content in the
two creation stories in Genesis 1-3. The creation stories should be separated and viewed as
composed by different authors. Evidence of distinct style, terminology, and perspective further
fortifies this claim, necessitating an extended sequence of passages for solid literary evidence.
2. Comparison to Earlier Ancient Near Eastern Material:
The Comparison to Earlier Ancient Near Eastern Material approach underscores the influence of
cultural and literary traditions of the ancient Near East on the Bible. The comparative study of
similar stories or themes in other texts from the same period and region highlights this
connection. For instance, the flood narrative in the Bible and the Epic of Gilgamesh share
discernible similarities, suggesting shared or overlapping cultural and literary contexts.
3. The Literary Approach:
The Literary Approach is a literary analysis focused on the Bible's writing style, structure, and
language use to decipher its meaning. This approach considers the Bible as a literary work,
subject to techniques similar to those used in other literary analyses. It pays significant
attention to the repetition of phrases, stories, or themes, and the concept of intertextuality,
assisting in unearthing deeper textual and contextual understanding.
What Can We Learn From the Different Emphases and Worldviews of the Two Creation Stories?
Although the lecture did not address this, analyzing the differing emphases and worldviews in
the creation stories using the outlined methods enhances our understanding of the text's
richness and multifaceted nature. It unearths diverse perspectives and themes, offering more
comprehensive insights into the text's historical and cultural contexts.
What Details are Included? Style? Character Portrayal? Messages Conveyed? Observations in
the Text?
The lecture suggests that an intricate literary evidence analysis involves assessing style,
terminology, and perspective. The Literary Approach, emphasizing writing style, structure, and
language use, aids in understanding the text's meaning and unearthing detailed insights into
character portrayal, thematic messages, and other textual details.
Key Elements for Analyzing Biblical Texts:
Analyzing how human-divine and human-human relationships are depicted forms an essential
part of understanding biblical texts. The lecture suggests that the Literary Approach can
elucidate these depictions, contributing to a more profound thematic and relational
understanding of the text.
In Conclusion:
These approaches do not "rip apart the sacred text" but rather enhance the comprehension of
its layered complexity, historical context, and literary richness. They provide tools for a
multifaceted analysis, allowing for a more in-depth exploration and understanding of the biblical
texts, highlighting the intricate interplay of history, culture, and literature within its pages.
OTHER ANSWER:
Similarities and Differences Between Biblical and Ancient Near Eastern Flood Stories:
Based on the information provided in the lecture:
Similarities:
Both the Biblical and Ancient Near Eastern flood stories (like those in the Epic of Gilgamesh and
the Atrahasis epic) share several common elements, as mentioned in the recount of the lecture.
The hero is depicted as close to their respective deity in both traditions.
Sacrifices play a crucial role in the aftermath of the flood.
The ark or boat in both stories rests on a mountain post-flood.
The decision of bringing about a flood is a divine one in both narratives.
Differences:
While these elements are common, the specifics, like the name of the mountain, the shape of
the ark, and the number of flood days, diverge in the different traditions.
The Biblical flood story in Genesis concludes one epoch and commences another in human
history, transitioning from Creation to the advent of the people of Israel.
Unique Aspects of the Bible’s Flood Story:
Regarding the second question, the lecture does not provide explicit information, but drawing
upon the detailed analysis of the first question:
Uniqueness of the Bible’s Version:
The Bible’s flood story uniquely situates itself in a grand narrative between Creation and the rise
of the Israelite people.
This strategic placement indicates a transition and a fresh beginning, showcasing a pivotal
moment in Biblical history.
What It Reveals About Differing Worldviews:
This placement within a larger narrative framework reflects the distinctive worldview and
beliefs of the Israelites.
It highlights their understanding of divine intervention, judgment, and renewal, and underlines
the significance of historical and cosmic events working together to shape human history as
perceived by the Israelites.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the lecture effectively emphasizes the need for diverse methods to study the
Bible, demonstrating their application in understanding intricate narratives like the flood story.
By considering the sources, comparing to earlier Ancient Near Eastern texts, and employing a
literary approach, one can achieve a more robust comprehension of Biblical texts, as evident
from the detailed examination of the flood narratives. This multi-faceted analysis not only offers
insight into the narratives themselves but also provides a window into the historical, cultural,
and religious contexts that shaped and were shaped by these foundational stories.
2.
Things we’ve repeated/seen repeatedly are important, and some recall of at least a few
specifics
Repetitive Elements and Their Importance:
Number 40:
The number 40 is repeated in the flood story.
It may symbolize a period of testing or purification.
Understanding the symbolism behind the number can provide deeper insight into the text's
meaning and the cultural or religious context of the ancient Israelites.
Genealogies:
Genealogies are another element repeated in the Bible.
This repetition may serve to emphasize lineage, connections, and the continuity of God's
covenant with humanity through specific individuals or families.
Specific Phrases or Motifs:
Certain phrases or motifs reappear throughout the Bible.
Noting these repetitions can illuminate underlying themes and provide a richer understanding
of the text.
Thematic Repetition:
Themes are also repeatedly emphasized in the Biblical narrative.
For instance, themes of exile and return are highlighted in the book of Ezra, portraying the story
of the Jews returning to Jerusalem after exile in Babylon.
Understanding these recurring themes assists in deciphering the overarching narrative and
messages of the Bible.
Specifics in Context of Lecture:
Flood Stories:
The lecture cites the flood story in Genesis as a narrative with parallels in other ancient texts.
By recognizing and analyzing these repeated narratives across different cultures and texts, the
similarities and differences can be examined to glean a more profound understanding of the
flood story in its historical and cultural context.
Creation Stories:
The lecture also touches upon the different creation stories in Genesis.
Analyzing these stories using the Sources of the Text method reveals different perspectives on
God and humanity.
In conclusion, the lecture underscores the significance of repetition in Biblical studies. Paying
attention to repeated elements such as numbers, motifs, and themes offers a multifaceted
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insight into the text, elucidating its broader themes, cultural context, and the deeply ingrained
messages meant to be conveyed to its readers over generations. The lecture's examination of
the flood story and creation narratives exemplifies the application of this approach,
demonstrating the value of noticing and analyzing repetition in the Biblical text.
OTHER ANSWER:
the aspect that has been repeated and seems to be of importance is the literary techniques
utilized in the biblical texts, specifically in the book of Genesis. The use of literary elements such
as foreshadowing, irony, and symbolism in the stories highlights the depth and complexity of
the narratives and their underlying themes. The detailed examination of these literary elements
contributes to a richer understanding of the text’s meaning.
Literary Techniques in Genesis:
Foreshadowing:
The story of Joseph’s dreams foreshadows his future ascendancy over his siblings, hinting at the
later events where his brothers bow down to him, unknowingly, in Egypt.
Irony:
The Joseph narrative again provides a significant example of irony. Joseph's brothers sell him
into slavery, an act that ironically leads to their eventual salvation during the famine.
Symbolism:
Joseph’s multicolored coat is a symbol of his father’s favoritism, which stokes the jealousy and
anger of his brothers, setting the stage for the events that follow.
Metaphor:
The relationship dynamics in the Joseph narrative serve as a larger metaphor for themes of
favoritism and jealousy, pervasive throughout the text.
Examples and Themes:
Joseph's Dreams:
The Joseph narrative serves as a pertinent example. The dreams and the subsequent
relationship with his siblings operate as a metaphor, symbolizing larger themes of favoritism and
jealousy in the text. This narrative section elucidates the familial discord and the ensuing
consequences.
Stories of Abraham and Jacob’s Children:
The stories about Abraham emphasize the importance of faith and obedience to God. The
narratives surrounding Jacob’s children underscore the significance of family, loyalty, and the
lasting repercussions of sin and betrayal.
Upcoming Topics:
Biblical Dietary Rules:
In preparation for upcoming discussions on biblical dietary laws, reviewing examples and details
concerning clean and unclean animals and the rationale behind these dietary regulations is
emphasized. This focus reinforces the importance of these laws in the larger context of biblical
texts and themes.
Conclusion:
The repeated emphasis on literary techniques, such as foreshadowing, irony, and symbolism,
along with the exploration of themes and narratives like those of Joseph, Abraham, and Jacob’s
children, underlines their significance in understanding the biblical texts. The forthcoming
exploration of biblical dietary rules continues this trend of in-depth examination, reinforcing the
importance of these elements and themes in comprehending the biblical narratives and their
enduring relevance.
OTHER ANSWER:
Recurring Themes and Elements:
1. The Concept of Covenant:
a) Preamble and Historical Prologue:
Repeatedly, the elements of the preamble and historical prologue emerge. The preamble
introduces the suzerain, and the historical prologue recounts the history and the relationship
between the suzerain and the vassal.
Recall Specific: The nature of YHWH, the reliable suzerain, is highlighted in the historical
prologue, emphasizing God’s gracious acts for Israel.
b) Stipulations, Witnesses, Curses and Blessings:
The repeated mention of these components emphasizes their significance in making the
covenant official and binding.
Recall Specific: The stipulations include not killing, not worshiping other gods, and observing the
Sabbath. Witnesses make the text official, and curses and blessings underscore the
consequences of obeying or violating the covenant.
2. The Role of Moses:
a) Mediator and Deliverer:
Moses is consistently seen as the intermediary between God and the Israelites.
Recall Specific: Moses is responsible for delivering the terms of the covenant to the people,
emphasizing his crucial role in the covenant establishment.
3. Comparison with Ancient Near Eastern Material:
a) Laws of Hammurabi:
The comparison to ancient Near Eastern material like the Laws of Hammurabi is frequently
cited.
Recall Specific: The Covenant Code in Exodus and the Laws of Hammurabi both deal with civil
and criminal laws but emphasize different societal values and structures.
b) Law Codes and Society:
A continuous comparison between different law codes and the societal visions they reflect.
Recall Specific: The Covenant Code emphasizes social justice and protection of the vulnerable,
contrasting the hierarchical society reflected in the Laws of Hammurabi.
4. Monotheism and Monolatry:
a) Distinction in Worship:
The distinction between monotheism and monolatry in the context of the covenant is
repeatedly addressed.
Recall Specific: Monotheism as the belief in one God, and monolatry as the worship of one God
without denying others' existence, showcasing varied perspectives on divine worship within the
covenantal framework.
5. Consequences of Covenant Violation:
a) Curses and Punishments:
The consequences of violating the covenant, including curses and punishments, are a recurring
theme.
Recall Specific: Emphasis on the importance of adherence to the covenant for avoiding adverse
outcomes.
Conclusion:
These recurrent themes and elements within the content are fundamental in comprehending
the complexity and multifaceted nature of the covenant in the Hebrew Bible. Each repeated
aspect, from the structured components of the covenant to the roles of significant figures like
Moses, and the continuous comparative analysis with ancient Near Eastern material, collectively
enhance the understanding of the covenant’s depth and breadth in the biblical narrative. The
specific recalls further spotlight the critical elements and distinctions within the covenantal
context, providing a richer and more detailed insight into the covenant’s significance in the
Hebrew Bible and the Israelite tradition.
3.
Material you will prepare for class 10 on the biblical dietary rules (it will be fairly basic,
asking from some examples/details)
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