Old Testament Narrative: A Guide to Interpretation

by Jerome T. Walsh

Overview

The Old Testament's stories are intriguing, mesmerizing, and provocative not only due to their ancient literary craft but also because of their ongoing relevance. In this volume, well suited to college and seminary use, Jerome Walsh explains how to interpret these narrative passages of Scripture based on standard literary elements such as plot, characterization, setting, pace, point of view, and patterns of repetition. What makes this book an exceptional resource is an appendix that offers practical examples of narrative interpretation- something no other book on Old Testament interpretation offers.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780664234645
Publisher:	Westminster John Knox Press
Publication date:	02/01/2010
Pages:	280
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Jerome T. Walsh was Professor of Old Testament at the University of Botswana and the University of Dallas. He is the author of Style and Structure in Biblical Hebrew Narrative.

Table of Contents

Preface ix

Introduction xi

Chapter 1 Two Theoretical Preliminaries 1

Chapter 2 Plot 13

Chapter 3 Characters 23

Chapter 4 Characterization 33

Chapter 5 Point of View 43

Chapter 6 Manipulation of Time 53

Chapter 7 Gaps and Ambiguities 65

Chapter 8 Repetition and Variation 81

Chapter 9 Voice(s) of the Narrator 97

Chapter 10 Structure and Symmetry 107

Chapter 11 Responsibilities of the Reader 121

Appendixes 131

1 The Jeroboam Story 133

2 The Elijah Story 159

3 The Ahab Story 183

Notes 209

For Further Reading 247

Scripture Index 251

Subject Index 256

Editorial Reviews

"This beginner's guide is a success."—James Chukwuma Okoye, CSSp, The Bible Today, July 2010, p. 238

From the Publisher