The Bible as Literature The Hebrew Bible BEN

The Bible as Literature: The Hebrew Bible BEN 52901 Class Time: Tuesdays 78 (3: 30 -5: 20) Room R 1006

The Bible as literature Literature in the Bible: This approach looks for the most beautiful writing. (This is not our approach) Bible as literature: the Bible considered in terms of its human authors, contemporary subjects and literary forms, original languages and translations, and development through time as an anthology of documents. When we study the Bible as literature, it is not important to think about whether the events actually happened or not. What is most important to think about is what did the authors think about the events they wrote about and what did they want their readers to think?

A Literature Class n n The most important thing for you to do in this class is to read the assigned reading each week. You can use Chinese to help you understand, but Read in English. Know the Bible language and stories in English.

The Ta. Na. K (the 3 -part Hebrew Bible) Torah (The Law, Books of Moses, Pentateuch) n Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy Nevi’im (The prophets) n n The former prophets: Joshua, Judges, 1&2 Samuel, 1&2 Kings The latter prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, The scroll of the twelve (Amos, Hosea, Micah, Joel, Obadiah, Jonah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi) Kethuvim (The Writings) (written after exile) n n n Psalms, Job, Proverbs Ruth, Song of Songs (Song of Solomon), Ecclesiastes, Lamentations, Esther Daniel, Ezra-Nehemiah, 1 -2 Chronicles

Christian Old Testament Pentateuch Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers Deuteronomy *Yellow text designates books in the Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox Old Testament Historical Books Poetry and Wisdom Prophetic Joshua Judges Ruth 1 Samuel 2 Samuel 1 Kings 2 Kings 1 Chronicles 2 Chronicles Ezra Nehemiah Tobias Judith Esther 1 Macabees 2 Macabees Job Psalms Proverbs Ecclesiastes Song of Solomon Wisdom of Solomon Sirach Isaiah Jeremiah Lamentations Baruch Ezekiel Daniel (additions) Hosea Joel Amos Obadiah Jonah Micah Nahum Habakkuk Zephaniah Haggai Zechariah Malachi Books

Documentary hypothesis n n n The view that the Pentateuch and books immediately following were artfully created by combining a number of older documents into a single, sustained account. Scholars have come up with 4 discernable sources they have named: P, J, D, and E. The ancient editors who created finished versions of texts out of earlier materials are called redactors.

P “Priestly” Source n n Scholars think this source was the latest written. Concerned particularly with religious ritual and the regulation of behavior. Emphasizes genealogies, formal language, legal codes, ritual. Opens and closes the Pentateuch.

J “Yahwist” source n n n Scholars think this is the earliest source characterized by an anthropomorphic view of the deity, whom it designates as "Yahweh, " (also “Jehovah”) and by its fine storytelling and its earthiness. Emphasizes important role of women.

D “Deuteronomic” source n n n Scholars think this was the third source written. notable for its declamatory style and its insistence upon the view that faithfulness brings rewards, unfaithfulness brings punishment Some think this source is almost exclusively found in Deuteronomy.

E “Elohist” source n n Scholars think this is the second oldest narrative strand. characterized by its representing the deity, whom it designates as "Elohim, " as appearing to humans in dreams and through angels “Elohim, ” rather than “Yahweh” is the preferred name of God. Often exists as small fragments combined closely with J’s narrative.

Read Genesis 1 and 2 n n Note the different versions of the creation story. Name as many differences as you can. Especially, note how God is characterized differently. What are his qualities in each account? The first chapter of B'reshit, or Genesis, written on an egg in the Israel Museum.

Who wrote the first creation account? Who wrote the second creation account?

Reading for next week n n What happens repeatedly in almost each of the 4 primeval narratives? What does the writer want readers to think about God? n n n Adam & Eve in the Garden (sin enters world) Cain & Abel (first murder) Noah (second chance) Babel (challenging God) Also look for two distinct narrative strands in the flood story. Who do you think wrote which?

Creation of Adam (1510) MICHELANGELO Buonarroti Ceiling of the Sistene Chapel n painting