Storytelling in the Bible / by Jacob Licht.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Licht, Jacob.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Bible. Old Testament--Criticism, interpretation, etc., Jewish.

Bible.

Bible. Old Testament.

Bible. Old Testament--Language, style.

Bible as literature.

Storytelling.

Physical Description:

154 pages ; 23 cm

Edition:

Second edition.

Place of Publication:

Jerusalem : Magnes Press, Hebrew University, 1986.

Summary:

Modern techniques of literary criticism, combined with a deep love of the Bible, have been employed by the author in this profound and original work. In six chapters and an Epilogue, the author analyses the aesthetic means by which the narrators achieved their ends. He shows us mimesis in the story of Saul and the witch of En-Dor. He shows how intense emotion led up to and was conveyed as David hears the news of Absalom's death. He uses the story of the floating Axehead (2 Kings 6, 1-7) to demonstrate the way the narrator creates scenes (and invites the reader to stage it as a play in his head). The author allows the Old Testament narrative to speak for itself. In his own comments there is an arresting freshness combined with a vigor which enlivens the scholarship illuminating the book.

Contents:

The two aspects of biblical narrative: Looking over the storyteller's shoulder; Mimesis; The narrator's double skill; The three branches of narrative; Scope and limits of storytelling in the Bible; The purchase of Machpelah

Scenes and basic structures: The floating axehead; Typical features; Scenes; Four modes of narrative; Tendency to write in the scenic mode; The three men's visit to Abraham; The witch of En-Dor; Absalom's death; Joseph meets a man

Repetitions: Shadrach, Meshach and Abed Nego; Samuel's call to prophecy; Elijah's message to Ahaziah; Textual variants and style; Repetitive situation and treatment; The Eygptian plagues; Balaam

More about repetitions: Changing the point of view; Joseph's encounters with his brothers; Small-scale repetitions; Tricola and rhythmic devices

Time: Action and its representation; The slaying of Sisera; Speech-introducing formulae; Retardation; Esther delays her petition; "Partial flashback"; Sarah in the house of Abimelech; Slow telling; The sadness of Hannah; The binding of Issac

Complex structures: Jonah; Coherence: Ruth; The book of Esther; Micah's idol, and other sequences; Elijah's assumption and Elisha's journeys; The destruction of Sodom; David and Bathsheba; Joseph and his brothers.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 150-152) and index.

ISBN:

9652235423

9789652235428

OCLC:

13769443