I am He: The Interpretation of 'Anî Hû' in Jewish and Early Christian Literature

375 Pages·2000·36.67 MB·English

by  Catrin H. Williams

Catrin H. Williams
I am He
,
The Interpretation of Anî Hû'
in Jewish and Early Christian Literature
Mohr Siebeck
CATRIN H.WILLIAMS was born 1964; 1985 B.A. in Biblical Studies at the University of Wales,
Bangor; 1996 Ph.D. University of Cambridge; since 1988 lecturer in New Testament Studies
at the University of Wales, Bangor.
Die Deutsche Bibliothek - Cl Ρ ׳Einheitsaufnahme:
Williams, Catrin H,:
I am He. The Interpretation of 'anî hûי in Jewish and early Christian literature /
Catrin H.Williams. - Tübingen : Mohr Siebeck, 2000
(Wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zum Neuen Testament : Reihe 2 ; 113)
ISBN 3-16-147098-2
© 2000 J. C B. Mohr (Paul Siebeck) Tübingen.
This book may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, in any form (beyond that permitted by
copyright law) without the publisher's written permission. This applies particularly to
reproductions, translations, microfilms and storage and processing in electronic systems.
The book was printed by Guide-Druck in Tübingen on non-aging paper from Papierfabrik
Niefern and bound by Buchbinderei Heinr. Koch in Tübingen. Printed in Germany
ISSN 0340-9570

For my parents,
Cynwil and Carol Williams
Gyda diolch am bopeth

Acknowledgements
This book represents a revised version of a doctoral dissertation submitted to
the Faculty of Divinity at the University of Cambridge in 1996. I wish to thank
a number of individuals and institutions for their assistance during the
preparation of this work.
First of all I must acknowledge my enormous debt to the late Dr. Ernst
Bammel, who supervised my dissertation during and beyond my period as a
graduate student. His incisive comments, stimulating suggestions and never-
failing patience encouraged me at all times to persevere with my research. I
spent many a memorable week with Dr. Bammel and his late wife, Dr. Caroline
Bammel, at their home in Cambridge, and I greatly appreciated their guidance
and warm friendship during those visits. The dissertation would probably not
have seen completion without their unstinting support, and it was only a few
weeks after Dr. Bammel passed away that this work was accepted for
publication.
Several scholars have also assisted me by reading the dissertation or
commenting on parts of the work. Professor John O'Neill and Professor
William Horbury, who acted as the examiners of the thesis, made a number of
valuable suggestions which helped me to clarify the arguments set out in the
study. I have also profited enormously from the advice I received from
Professor Martin Hengel and, during the semester I spent at the University of
Tübingen, from Professor Otto Betz, to whom I am particularly grateful for his
kindness and encouragement. A special debt of gratitude is owed to Revd.
Brian Mastin, my former colleague at Bangor, for his comments on portions of
the first chapter, and to Professor W.D. Davies for the interest he continues to
show in my work. During the final stages I was also given expert advice by
Professor John Barton of the University of Oxford and by Dr. Ceri Davies of
the Department of Classics and Ancient History, University of Wales,
Swansea.
I am grateful to Professor Martin Hengel and Professor Otfried Hofius for
accepting this work for publication in the WUNT 2 series, as well as to Herr
Georg Siebeck and Herr Rudolf Pflug at J.C.B. Mohr (Paul Siebeck) for their
patience and valuable assistance in the production of the book.
viii Acknowledgements
Special thanks are due to my colleagues at the School of Theology and
Religious Studies, University of Wales, Bangor, who have offered support and
encouragement in a number of ways. The roots of this study go back, in fact, to
my undergraduate days at Bangor, for it was Professor Gwilym H. Jones and
Revd. Dr. Owen E. Evans who first kindled my interest in divine self-
declaratory pronouncements. I greatly value the support these two scholars
have given me over the years.
I gratefully acknowledge the funding I received from the British Academy
during my three years at Cambridge and for the award of a research grant in
1998 which enabled me to spend two months revising the dissertation at the
University Library in Cambridge. In addition, a rewarding period of study in
Tübingen was made possible as a result of a scholarship from the Deutscher
Akademischer Austauschdienst.
Finally, this work owes much to the unwavering support of my family and
close friends, who have shared with me the various stages of writing and
preparing the manuscript for publication. It is to my parents that I dedicate this
book with much gratitude and affection.
Bangor C.H.W.
St. David's Day, 2000