Author Description
The Opening Sector Of The Book Of Exodus Is A Powerful Narrative And A Striking Example Of The Artistic Qualities Of The Pentateuch, A Facet Of The Text That Occasionally Is Neglected In High-level Scholarship. Exodus 1-2 Is Finely Choreographed Work That Compresses A Vast Amount Of Material Onto A Limited Textual Canvas, Creating A Story That Appeals To Readers Of Every Age. Resuming Where The Book Of Genesis Leaves Off-the Last Image Of Genesis 50 Is A Coffin In Egypt, Primed For A Sequel-the First Two Chapters Of Exodus Combine A Fast-moving Plot With Some Unique Shades Of Characterization: Israel's Growth In Egypt, The Rise Of A Malevolent New King, The Birth Of A Hero And Early Experiences Of Adversity For The Main Character In The Story To Come. The Burden Of Slavery And Miracle Of Salvation Are Introduced In This Sector Of Text, And Become Paradigmatic Examples Of Divine Redemption That Reverberate Throughout The Hebrew Bible And Beyond. An Ark On The Nile: The Beginning Of The Book Of Exodus Is A Close-reading Of Exodus 1-2 That Analyzes The Story As A Reasonably Self-contained Unit, But Suggesting That Major Plot Movements In The Book Of Exodus Are Foreshadowed And Anticipated Here. Applying A Number Of Insights From Literary Theory, Keith Bodner Offers An Illustration Of Further Integration Of Biblical Studies With Cross-disciplinary Narrative Interpretation.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
How do the opening chapters of the Book of Exodus function as a self-contained literary unit that establishes the thematic and narrative trajectory for the entire Pentateuch? Keith Bodner, a scholar of biblical literature, utilizes literary theory to examine the artistic composition of Exodus 1-2. He argues that these chapters are not merely introductory but are a finely choreographed sequence that introduces the core motifs of slavery, divine redemption, and heroism that define the subsequent biblical narrative.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- A detailed close-reading of Exodus 1-2.
- Analysis of character development and plot compression in early Hebrew narrative.
- Application of cross-disciplinary literary theory to ancient religious texts.
Scope Limits
- The analysis is strictly limited to the first two chapters of Exodus.
- The book does not provide a comprehensive commentary on the entirety of the Book of Exodus.
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Scholars and students of biblical studies recognize this work as a focused exercise in literary exegesis that highlights the artistic sophistication of the Pentateuch. Readers frequently note that the text successfully bridges the gap between traditional theological study and modern narrative analysis.
Page Count:
232
Publication Date:
2016-01-01
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
0191086819
ISBN-13:
9780191086816
Religion
Literary Criticism
Theology
Exegesis