The Ethics of Violence in the Story of Aqhat

231 Pages·2008·1.261 MB·English

by  Chloe Sun

The Ethics of Violence in the Story
of Aqhat
GORGIAS DISSERTATIONS
34
NEAR EASTERN STUDIES 9
The Ethics of Violence in the Story
of Aqhat

CHLOE SUN

GORGIAS PRESS
2008
First Gorgias Press Edition, 2008
Copyright © 2008 by Gorgias Press LLC
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Published in the United States of America by Gorgias Press LLC, New Jersey

ISBN 978-1-59333975-3

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Sun, Chloe, 1967-
The ethics of violence in the story of Aqhat / Chloe Sun. -- 1st Gorgias Press
ed.
p. cm. -- (Gorgias dissertations ; 34. Near Eastern studies ; 9)
Includes bibliographical references (p. ) and index.
ISBN-13: 978-1-59333-975-3 (alk. paper) 1. Aqhat epic. 2. Violence in litera-
ture. I. Title.
PJ4150.Z77A6533 2008
892'.67--dc22

2008006652
The paper used in this publication meets the minimum requirements of the
American National Standards.

Printed in the United States of America
To Eddie and Jed

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Acknowledgments..................................................................................................ix
Abbreviations..........................................................................................................xi
Introduction.............................................................................................................1
PART ONE: THEORY........................................................................................5
1 Methodology...................................................................................................7
A Text-Oriented Approach..........................................................................7
A Behind-the-Text-Oriented Approach...................................................22
The Benefits of the Combination Approach...........................................25
2 Previous Interpretation................................................................................27
Previous Works on the Text-Oriented Approaches to the Story Of
Aqhat.....................................................................................................27
Previous Interpretation of Anat’s Violence.............................................35
The Revelance of the Topic And Its Contribution to the Discipline..44
The Summary of the Story Of Aqhat........................................................45
Conclusion to Part One...............................................................................50
PART TWO: IMPLEMENTATION...............................................................51
3 Divine Characters’ Points of View (I): El And Baal...............................53
El 54
Baal 70
Summary And Conclusion..........................................................................89
4 Divine Characters’ Points of View (II) – Anat And Yatpan.................91
Anat 91
Yatpan..........................................................................................................110
Summary And Conclusion........................................................................116
5 Human Characters’ Points of View: Dan’il, Pughat, Aqhat................117
Dan’il............................................................................................................117
Pughat...........................................................................................................134
Aqhat............................................................................................................147
Summary And Conclusion........................................................................151
Conclusion to Part Two............................................................................152
vii
viii THE ETHICS OF VIOLENCE IN THE STORY OF AQHAT

PART THREE: RELIABILITY CHECK......................................................155
6 The Hypothetical Actual Audience’s Point of View.............................157
A Profile of the Hypothetical Actual Audience.....................................157
Summary of the Profile.............................................................................181
How Would the Hypothetical Actual Audience View the Two Acts
of Violence in the Story of Aqhat?.................................................182
Conclusion to Part Three..........................................................................185
Conclusion............................................................................................................189
The Power of Characterization................................................................190
The Dynamics of Point of View..............................................................190
The Ethics of Violence..............................................................................192
The Purpose of Ambiguity And Openness............................................193
Conclusion...................................................................................................194
Areas for Further Research................................................................................194
The Ethics of Violence in the Other Ugaritic Texts.............................195
The Ethics of Violence in Other Ancient Near Eastern Texts...........195
The Ethics of Violence in the Hebrew Bible.........................................196
The Ethics of Violence in Modern Middle East...................................199
Bibliography.........................................................................................................201
Primary Sources..........................................................................................201
Secondary Literature..................................................................................201
Index......................................................................................................................215
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The whole dissertation process for me has been not only an academic quest
but also an emotional and a spiritual journey. There were times when I
could not foresee the end of it. There were also times when I was so excited
by the new insights that I could not fall asleep. Many laments and thanks-
givings characterize this period of my life. And it is indeed ending in praise.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Professor John Goldin-
gay for “adopting” me as one of his students. His redirection of the focus
of this dissertation turned the whole process around. In light of his busy
teaching and writing schedule, his availability and promptness in reading the
materials that I have sent him are incredible. I especially appreciate his in-
tegrity, humor, and intellectual creativeness. It is really a privilege to have
him as my primary mentor.
Special thanks go to Professor Tremper Longman III for his encour-
agement, helpful comments and prompt feedback. His training and experi-
ence in the disciplines of Ancient Near Eastern Studies and the Old Testa-
ment and his interest in theological and ethical issues made him an ideal
person to guide this topic. I am truly honored to have him as my second
reader.
I am obliged to Dr. Joel Hunt for directing me to write this particular
topic in the first phase of the writing. His many insights are still visible
through the pages. I am indebted to Dr. Glen Stassen for discussing with
me the various concepts involved in ethics and violence. Thanks also go to
my fellow graduate student and friend, Athena Gorospe, for her offering of
ideas and suggestions throughout the different stages of this dissertation.
I would also like to thank the Dean of the School of Theology, Dr.
Howard Loewen, the Associate Dean, Dr. David Scholer, and the then pro-
gram director for the Center for Advanced Theological Studies, Dr. Robert
Hurteau, for their support and commitment to help me through the diffi-
cult transition in the course of writing. I also want to thank Nancy Gower
for proofreading the earlier draft of the dissertation and for my brother, Dr.
Chun Tse, who proofread the later draft. Special thanks also go to my par-
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x THE ETHICS OF VIOLENCE IN THE STORY OF AQHAT

ents who sacrificed much to make it possible for me to receive a higher
education in the United States.
This dissertation would not be complete without the editing work
done by my fellow graduate student and friend, Deb Flagg. Her gentle and
insightful comments saved me from many mistakes. I am truly thankful for
her interest in this study from the very beginning and for her dedication to
polish this work in the midst of her various challenges.
Thanks also due to my collegue and friend Ekron Chen for his help in
formatting the dissertation to be published. Without this part of the work,
there will not be a book!
I appreciate Gorgias Press for taking on this project. Dr. Steve Wig-
gins has shown tremendous patience in anwering my questions and helping
me solve different technical issues. His help makes the whole project possi-
ble.
Finally, I would like to thank my husband, Eddie, for his patience, lov-
ing support, encouragement, and prayer during the long years of my life as a
graduate student. He gave me the space and time needed to complete this
study. I would like to thank my son, Jedidiah, for constantly reminding me
of the vitality, the joy, and the beauty of life. May my long years as a semi-
nary student inspire him to persevere and to be faithful to the calling of
God. To them I dedicate this work.
All the acknowledgements cited above culminate in my thanks and
praise to Jesus, my Lord and Savior, who is behind all the people I men-
tioned above, and who is the reason and motivation of my pursuit of theo-
logical education. I see the struggles and challenges that I encountered in
the course of writing this book as a part of his plan to mold me into the
person he wants me to be. To him be the glory.