The Word of God in Transition: From Prophet to Exegete in the Second Temple Period

Schniedewind, William M.

ISBN 10: 0567625206 / ISBN 13: 9780567625205

Published by Sheffield Academic Pr, 2009

About this Item

275 pages. 9.00x6.00x0.50 inches. In Stock.

Seller Inventory # x-0567625206

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Word of God in Transition: From Prophet to Exegete in the Second Temple Period
• Publisher: Sheffield Academic Pr
• Publication Date: 2009
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0567625206
• ISBN 13: 9780567625205
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: Brand New
• Weight: 0.41 kilograms

About this title

Synopsis

The Chronicler distinguishes between "traditional prophets" and "inspired messengers", and thereby highlights a radical transition in the meaning of the "word of God" which takes place in the post-exilic period. The Chronicler summarizes his perspective in 2 Chron. 36.16, saying that Israel rejected "his prophets", "the messengers of God", and "his word" (i.e. Torah). This distinction is reflected in the forms and functions of prophetic speech in the books of Chronicles. Thus, the prophets speak to the king, and the inspired messengers (e.g. priests, levites) speak to the people. The prophets interpret narrative events for the king; they explain how God acts. The inspired messengers exhort the people, admonishing them how they should act. The prophets' speeches usually do not use any kind of inspiration formula, but the inspired messengers' speeches are prefaced with possession formulas. These possession formulas are not typical of classical prophecy and mark the rise of a new kind of prophecy, namely, the inspired interpretation of texts. These inspired messengers are thus forerunners of the inspired interpreters of scripture in Qumran, early Christianity and Judaism.

About the Author

William Schniedewind is Assistant Professor, Biblical Studies and North-West Semitic Languages, Department of Near Eastern Languages and Cultures, University of California, Los Angeles.