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Title: The Origins of Deuteronomy 32

The Origins of Deuteronomy 32

Intertextuality, Memory, Identity

by Tina Dykesteen Nilsen (Author)
©2018 Monographs XII, 274 Pages
Theology & Philosophy

Summary

The remarkable poem in Deut 32:1–43 is a triple conclusion to the life of Moses, to Deuteronomy and to the Pentateuch/Torah. In content and style, it is an encapsulation of history, prophecy, and wisdom, of a poetic quality hard to surpass. The song was supposed to be learned by heart, was given its own scroll in Qumran, and was, as far as we know, the first Hebrew text to be written colographically. Yet, the poem is shrouded in vagueness and ambiguity, and scholars have pondered its origins, function, meaning, and message.
The Origins of Deuteronomy 32: Intertextuality, Memory, Identity plunges into the debate. Extensive theoretical discussions form the foundations for an analysis of similarities and dissimilarities between Deut 32 and other texts from many different perspectives. This indicates a close relationship to the Persian period edition of the Book of Isaiah. In light of a reconstruction of Yehud, theories of social memory and social identity formation are employed in a discussion on the functions of Deuteronomy and the Book of Isaiah, yielding results for our understanding of Deut 32. The origins and textual relationships are considered in light of newer insights on scribes working together. This radically changes the framework within which we must see the origins of Deut 32 (or any text) and its textual relationships. With its combination of theoretical expositions and applications to the text, this book will be useful for both scholar and student.

Table Of Contents

  • Cover
  • Title
  • Copyright
  • About the author(s)/editor(s)
  • About the book
  • This eBook can be cited
  • Table of Contents
  • Acknowledgements
  • Part I. Question and Text
  • Chapter 1. Introduction
  • Chapter 2. A History of Research
  • Introduction
  • The Origins of Give Ear
  • The Debate: Beginnings and Complexities
  • Linguistics
  • Historical Allusions
  • Form
  • Redaction
  • Similarities to Other Texts
  • The Relationship of Give Ear to Other Texts
  • A Variety of Similar Texts
  • Give Ear Influenced the Book of Isaiah
  • The Book of Isaiah Influenced Give Ear
  • Mutual Influence
  • Summary
  • Notes
  • Chapter 3. Preliminary Issues
  • Introduction
  • Delimitation
  • Relationship to Framework
  • Integrity
  • Textual Criticism
  • Verses 1–4
  • Verses 5–6
  • Verses 7–9
  • Verses 10–12
  • Verses 13–14
  • Verse 15
  • Verses 16–18
  • Verses 19–22
  • Verses 23–25
  • Verses 26–27
  • Verses 28–30
  • Verses 31–33
  • Verses 34–35
  • Verses 36–38
  • Verses 39–42
  • Verse 43
  • Summary
  • Notes
  • Part 2. What and When? Intertextual Connections
  • Chapter 4. Theories and Methods of Intertextuality
  • Introduction
  • Intertextuality and Influence
  • Synchronic Intertextuality
  • Influence Studies
  • Synthesis
  • Methodology
  • Method
  • Methodological Considerations
  • Summary
  • Notes
  • Chapter 5. Similes and Metaphors
  • Introduction
  • Theoretical Perspectives
  • What Is Metaphor?
  • What Is Simile?
  • The Functions of Metaphors and Similes
  • How Are Metaphors and Similes Identified?
  • Metaphors and Similes in This Book
  • Metaphors and Similes Compared and Contrasted
  • Simile 1: Speech is like Precipitation (Deut 32:2)
  • Simile 2: Yahweh Guards His People like The Apple of His Eye (Deut 32:10)
  • Simile 3: Yahweh is like a Vulture (Deut 32:11)
  • Metaphor 1: Yahweh (and the Gods) is a Rock (Deut 32:4.15.18.30.31.37)
  • Metaphor 2: Yahweh and His People are Parent and Child (Deut 32:5–6.10.11.13.18–20)
  • Metaphor 3: Yahweh has Handed Over His people by Selling it (Deut 32:30)
  • Metaphor 4: God’s People are Vines of Sodom and Gomorrah (Deut 32:32)
  • Metaphor 5: Serpentine Venom (v. 33)
  • Conclusion
  • Notes
  • Chapter 6. Lexemes and Phrases
  • Introduction
  • Lexemes and Phrases
  • Deut 32:1
  • Deut 32:2
  • Deut 32:3
  • Deut 32:4
  • Deut 32:5
  • Deut 32:6
  • Deut 32:7
  • Deut 32:8
  • Deut 32:9
  • Deut 32:10
  • Deut 32:11
  • Deut 32:12
  • Deut 32:13
  • Deut 32:14
  • Deut 32:15
  • Deut 32:16
  • Deut 32:17
  • Deut 32:18–19
  • Deut 32:20
  • Deut 32:21
  • Deut 32:22
  • Deut 32:23–25
  • Deut 32:26
  • Deut 32:27
  • Deut 32:28
  • Deut 32:29
  • Deut 32:30
  • Deut 32:31
  • Deut 32:32–33
  • Deut 32:34
  • Deut 32:35
  • Deut 32:36
  • Deut 32:37
  • Deut 32:38
  • Deut 32:39
  • Deut 32:40
  • Deut 32:41
  • Deut 32:42
  • Deut 32:43
  • Conclusion
  • Notes
  • Chapter 7. Archaisms, Forms, Themes and Biblical Parallels
  • Introduction
  • Limitations
  • Positive or Negative Results?
  • The Difficulty of Literary Structures
  • Archaisms
  • Forms
  • Forms of Give Ear
  • Forms of the Book of Isaiah
  • Observation on Two Formulas
  • Themes
  • Theoretical Considerations
  • Divine and Mythical Beings
  • Yahweh and People
  • Food and Drink
  • Remembrance and Forgetting, Understanding and Foolishness
  • Non-Themes
  • Themes: Summary
  • Biblical Parallels
  • Theoretical Considerations
  • Historical Traditions and Deuteronomy
  • Hosea and Micah
  • Earlier Parts of Isaiah (Isa 2–23; 28–33)
  • Jeremiah and Ezekiel
  • Psalms
  • Lamentations
  • Wisdom Traditions
  • Biblical Parallels: Summary
  • Conclusion
  • Notes
  • Chapter 8. Diachronic Explanations
  • Introduction
  • Synchronic Results
  • Diachronic Explanations
  • The Book of Isaiah: The Date and Place of Composition
  • Could the Similarities Be Accidental?
  • Could Give Ear Be Older?
  • Could Give Ear Be Younger?
  • Could Give Ear Be Contemporaneous?
  • Conclusion
  • Notes
  • Part 3. Why and by Whom? Memory, Identity and Scribal Production
  • Chapter 9. Theories of Social Memory and Identity Formation
  • Introduction
  • Social Memory and Identity Formation
  • Theories of Social Memory: Early Development
  • Theories of Social Memory: Studies on the Hebrew Bible
  • Social Identity Theories: Beginnings and Developments
  • Social Identity Theories: Studies on the Hebrew Bible
  • Yehud: Identity through Memory
  • Persia: An Imperial Backcloth
  • Neighbors: Close Identities?
  • Inner-Yehudite Groups
  • Text, Memory and Identity: Some Recent Studies
  • Persian Sub-Periods?
  • Summary: Discussions and Application
  • Notes
  • Chapter 10. Memory and Identity in Deuteronomy and the Function of Give Ear
  • Introduction
  • Deuteronomy
  • The Origins of Deuteronomy
  • The Memory of Moses
  • Memory and Identity in Deuteronomy
  • Memory and Identity in Give Ear
  • Give Ear without Deuteronomy
  • Give Ear within Deuteronomy
  • Conclusion
  • Notes
  • Chapter 11. Isaianic Memory and Identity and the Work of Scribes
  • Introduction
  • A Non-Deuteronomic Composition
  • Non-Deuteronomistic Poems in the Deuteronomistic History
  • Give Ear: An Isaianic Poem?
  • Isaianic Texts in the Deuteronomistic History?
  • Give Ear: Isaianic Memories and Identities?
  • Memory and Identity in the Book of Isaiah
  • The Book of Isaiah and Deuteronomy: Bordering Memories and Identities
  • Give Ear: Isaianic Memories and Identities?
  • Give Ear and Textual Production in Yehud
  • The Work of Scribes
  • Give Ear as a Scribal Product
  • Give Ear: Imitation and Authority
  • Conclusion
  • Notes
  • Chapter 12. Conclusion
  • Index of Modern Authors

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LEXEMES AND PHRASES

Introduction

This chapter compares lexemes and phrases in Give Ear (Deut 32:1–43) with those of other texts, providing an analysis also of function and context. The comparative material is delimited to the Hebrew Bible, as identical language is required. To avoid too much overlapping with the previous chapter, identical lexemes that were discussed as parts of metaphors or similes are mentioned only briefly in this chapter.

Lexemes and Phrases

Details

Pages
XII, 274
Publication Year
2018
ISBN (Hardcover)
9781433151125
ISBN (PDF)
9781433151132
ISBN (ePUB)
9781433151149
ISBN (MOBI)
9781433151156
DOI
10.3726/b13429
Language
English
Publication date
2018 (June)
Published
New York, Bern, Berlin, Bruxelles, Oxford, Wien, 2018. XII, 274 pp.
Product Safety
Peter Lang Group AG

Biographical notes

Tina Dykesteen Nilsen (Author)

Tina Dykesteen Nilsen is Associate Professor of Biblical Studies at VID Specialized University, Stavanger. She earned her Ph.D. from the School of Mission and Theology (now VID). She holds the Licentiate in Sacred Scripture from the Pontifical Biblical Commission, and has studied in Dublin and Jerusalem.

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Title: The Origins of Deuteronomy 32