Genesis 15: A Theological Compendium of Pentateuchal History

264 Pages·1989·4.627 MB·English

by  John Ha

John Ha
Genesis 15
A Theological Compendium of
Pentateuchal History
w
DE
_G
Walter de Gruyter · Berlin · New York
1989
Beiheft zur Zeitschrift für die alttestamentliche Wissenschaft
Herausgegeben von Otto Kaiser
181
Printed on acid free paper
(ageing resistent — pH 7, neutral)
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Ha, John, 1947-
Genesis 15 : a theological compendium of pentateuchal history /
John Ha.
p. cm. Beiheft zur Zeitschrift für die altestamentli-
che Wissenschaft, ISSN 0934 2575 ; 181)
Revision of the author's thesis (doctoral—Pontifical Biblical
Institute, 1986)
Bibliography: p.
Includes indexes.
ISBN 0-89925-291-5 (U.S. : alk. paper)
1. Bible. Ο. T. Genesis XV—Criticism, interpretation, etc. I.
Title. II. Title: Genesis fifteen. III. Series: Beihefte zur
Zeitschrift für die alttestamentliche Wissenschaft ; 181.
BS410.Z6 vol. 181
[BS1235.2]
221.6 s —dc20
[222.1106] 89-12080
CIP
Deutsche Bibliothek Cataloguing in Publication Data
Ha, John:
[Genesis fifteen]
Genesis 15 : a theological compendium of Pentateuchal history /
John Ha. - Berlin ; New York : de Gruyter, 1989
(Beiheft zur Zeitschrift für die alltestamentliche Wissenschaft ;
181)
Zugl.: Rom, Päpstl. Bibelinst., Diss., 1986
ISBN 3-11-011206-X
NE: Zeitschrift für die alttestamentliche Wissenschaft / Beiheft
ISSN: 0934-2575
© Copyright 1989 by Walter de Gruyter & Co., Berlin 30.
Printed in Germany — Alle Rechte des Nachdrucks, einschließlich des Rechts der Herstellung
von Photokopien — auch auszugsweise — vorbehalten.
Druck: Werner Hildebrand, Berlin 65
Bindearbeiten: Lüderitz & Bauer, Berlin 61
Gratefully dedicated to
My Father and Mother,
my first teachers of God's Word;
Frs. J. L'Hour, MEP, and A. Cody, OSB,
my first teachers of biblical
exegesis

PREFACE
This work is a slightly revised edition of my doctoral
dissertation defended at the Pontifical Biblical Institute,
Rome, on June 2nd, 1986.
The dissertation was written under the competent direction
of Professor J. Alberto Soggin. I am deeply grateful to him
for his scholarly advice and friendly encouragement. My
sincere thanks also go to R.P. Horacio Simian-Yofre, SJ, the
second reader of my dissertation. His suggestion and sharp
observations proved to be invaluable for my work. I would
like to record a word of thanks to R.P. Aelred Cody, OSB,
who guided my studies during my doctoral year. I am deeply
indebted to Professor Otto Kaiser for graciously accepting
this work for the series, Beihefte zur Zeitschrift für die
alttestamentliche Wissenschaft.
Without the financial support of the Congregation for the
Evangelization of Peoples, Rome, it would have been impos-
sible for me to pursue my studies at the Pontifical Biblical
Institute. My heartfelt thanks therefore go to the Cardinal
Prefect and Secretary General of the Congregation for the
scholarship they awarded me. At this juncture I would also
like to thank my local Ordinary, Archbishop Peter Chung, for
his kind approval of my study leave.
Finally, I would like to assure my many relatives and
friends of my ever profound gratitude to them for their un-
failing support and encouragement throughout the years of
my work.
I deem it useful to note that due to lack of access to
adequate library facilities, I have been unable to update my
bibliography.
Kuching (Malaysia), February, 1989 John Ha

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction 1
Part Onei Genesis 15 - Unity and Prophetic Influence 13
Chapter 1: Text, Problems and Solutions 15
I - Text 15
1. Translation and Division 15
2. Comments 17
V. lbB 17
V. 2bA 18
V. 2bB 19
V. 3b 22
V. 4bA 22
V. 6 23
V. 12b 25
V. 18c 25
II - Problems 27
III - Solutions 30
1. Literary and Redactional Analysis 30
2. Studies treating Gen. 15 as a Literary Unity 33
P. Heinisch ( 1930) 33
J. Hoftijzer (1956) 34
L.A. Snijders (1958) 35
J. Van Seters ( 1975) 35
H.H. Schmid ( 1976) 35
R. Rendtorff (1980) 36
C. Westermann (1981) 36
3. Theological Approach - H. Gross 37
Chapter 2: Unity and Organization of Gen. 15 39
I - Literary Characteristics 40
1. Progressive Doublets 40
2. Apparent Discrepancies 40
3. Antitheses 41
X Table of Contents
4. Apparent Discontinuity 41
II - Literary Unity 43
V. 1 43
Vv. 2-3 and 4 44
V. 5 45
V. 6 47
V. 7 48
V. 8 49
Vv. 9-10 50
V. 11 50
V. 12 51
Vv. 13-16 52
V. 17 55
Vv. 18, 19-21 57
III - Literary Organization 59
1. Analysis based on the Two Personages of Chapter .... 59
2. Analysis of Details 60
Chapter 3: Prophetic Influence 63
I - Typically Prophetic Language 65
1. The Formula of the Advent of the Divine Word 65
2. bamma]}äzeh 65
3. 'Sdönäy yhwh 68
II - Two Specific Texts 71
1. Jer. 34:18-20 71
2. Is. 7:1-17 78
Part Two: Genesis 15 - Theological Compendium of Pentateuchal
History 91
Chapter 1: Gen. 15 knew the Pentateuch almost in its Final
Form 93
I - Expressions claimed as Traces of Deuteronomic /
Deuteronomistic and Priestly Schools in the Chapter .... 94
II - YHWH as "Shield" 96
III - Verse 7 vis-a-vis Verses 18-21 100
Chapter 2: Recapitulation of Patriarchal History 105
I - Divine Oath to the Patriarchs 106