✍ Scribed by Nevada Levi DeLapp
No coin nor oath required. For personal study only.
An examination of the presence of theophanic scenes in the final form of the Pentateuch, which argues that rather than there being a single, over-arching theophanic “type-scene” there are multiple such scenes which reflect the individual theological tendencies of the biblical books within which they appear.
The Genesis type-scene revolves around YHWH’s promises in crisis situations (i.e., YHWH only appears when there is a crisis or threat to the Abrahamic promise). The Exodus type-scene typically includes the appearance of YHWH’s dangerous fiery presence (Kabod Adonai), a communal setting, and divine action constituting or preserving Israel as a people in preparation for the Abrahamic inheritance. In Leviticus the theophanies augment the Exodus type-scene with a liturgical setting where a specific priestly action brings forth a theophanic response.
DeLapp then shows how Numbers recontextualizes each of the preceding type-scenes as it retells the exodus narrative post-Sinai. When read synchronically the three type-scenes build on each other and follow the developing narrative logic of Israel’s larger story. Deuteronomy then re-reads the Exodus type-scene (and indirectly the Genesis type-scene) to ensure that later readers read the theophanies appropriately (i.e., YHWH only appeared as “formless” and shrouded in “fire”).
Cover
Title
Copyright
Dedication
Contents
Acknowledgments
Abbreviations
Chapter 1. Seeing the Unseen in the Pentateuch
1. Introduction
2. The Lay of the Land
3. Place, Method, and Scope of the Present Study
a. Place within the Discipline
b. Methodological Questions and Controls
c. The Program of This Study
Chapter 2. To See or Not to See: The Appearances of God in Genesis
1. Introduction
2. Genesis and the “Appearances” (ראה) of God
a. God Appears to Abraham, Sarah, and Hagar
b. God Appears to Isaac
c. God Appears to Jacob
d. Summary
Chapter 3. Hidden in the Clouds: The Appearances of God in Exodus
1. Introduction
2. Theophanies in Exodus
a. God Appears to Moses Pre-Sinai
b. God Appears to Israel Pre-Sinai
c. God Appears at Mt. Sinai
d. God Appears at the Tent of Meeting/Tabernacle
3. The Canonical Interchange and Theological Implications
Chapter 4. Cultic Theophanies and the Levitical Theophanic Type-Scene: The Appearances of God in Leviticus
1. Introduction
2. Leviticus within a Theophanic Context
3. Theophanic Narratives in Leviticus
a. YHWH’s Kabod Appears After Aaron’s Proper Sacrifices
b. YHWH’s Kabod Appears After Aaron’s Sons’ Improper Incense
Chapter 5. Theophanies (Re)Contextualized: The Appearances of God in Numbers
1. The Theophanic Hook with Exodus
2. Theophanies for the Murmuring: Exodus Redux
3. Korah and Boundaries: Leviticus Redux
4. The Balaam Story: Genesis Redux
5. Conclusion
Chapter 6. “There Was No Form”: Re-Reading the Type-Scenes with Deuteronomy
1. Deuteronomy as sui generis
2. Rereading the Horeb Theophany
a. Memory #1: Deuteronomy 4
b. Memory #2: Deuteronomy 5
c. Memory #3 and Forecasting a Horeb-like Theophany in Deuteronomy 9
d. Memory #4: Horeb and Forecasting a New Prophet in Deuteronomy 18
3. Resumption of Narrative, the Tent of Meeting, and the Return of the Exodus Type-Scene
4. The Blessing of Moses and the Death of Moses
a. The Blessing Song
b. The Death Epilogue
5. Conclusion
Chapter 7. Conclusions
1. Summary of Argument
2. The Discourse
3. Suggestions for Further Research
Bibliography
Index of References
Index of Authors
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