'They shall know that I am Yahweh': The Vindication of Yahweh in Ezekiel's Oracles against the Nations

<p>This study examines the theological purpose of the oracles against the nations in the book of Ezekiel (Ezek. 25-32). Through detailed exegesis, this thesis contends that the recognition formula, 'they shall know that I am Yahweh', is the vehicle for this theological purpose since...

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Main Author: Langley, A
Other Authors: Barton, J
Format: Thesis
Language:English
Published: 2017
Subjects:
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author Langley, A
author2 Barton, J
author_facet Barton, J
Langley, A
author_sort Langley, A
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description <p>This study examines the theological purpose of the oracles against the nations in the book of Ezekiel (Ezek. 25-32). Through detailed exegesis, this thesis contends that the recognition formula, 'they shall know that I am Yahweh', is the vehicle for this theological purpose since it is fundamentally a statement of the vindication of Yahweh. Having specified in chapter 1 that the primary thesis is supported by two further theses, 'the recognition formula illuminates Yahweh's wrath and his mercy', and 'the recognition formula invites a human response', the work begins with a review of recent Ezekiel research in general that includes a background sketch delineating the context and authorship of the book. Possible original settings of oracles against nations are discussed, as well as a survey of topical scholarly output. A review of work undertaken on the recognition formula continues the preliminary discussion. In chapter 2, the basic form of the saying is defined and this allows the phrases that have expansions or are related by close resemblance to be categorised. The study proceeds with a consideration of the formula found elsewhere in the Hebrew Bible. Chapter 3 examines the formula as it appears in Ezekiel outside the oracles against the nations, paying particular attention to the formula's expansions. In chapter 4, detailed exegesis begins with the oracles against Israel's Palestinian neighbours. It is suggested that Ezekiel uses language for its potential to remind the people of their own culpability and the possibility is mooted that Ezekiel is projecting the guilt and punishment of Israel onto the nations. Chapter 5 contends that Ezekiel's illustrations are aimed at alleviating the exiles' concern about the future by helping them appreciate a bifurcated reality of the unseen present, and that the purpose of the oracles against the nations may be perceived when the relationship between divine wrath and divine mercy is understood to be elucidated by the above theses concerning the recognition formula.</p>
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spelling oxford-uuid:a1b086c1-5305-455b-9c2e-45023f7c2c1d2022-03-27T02:14:58Z'They shall know that I am Yahweh': The Vindication of Yahweh in Ezekiel's Oracles against the NationsThesishttp://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_db06uuid:a1b086c1-5305-455b-9c2e-45023f7c2c1dTheology, biblical studies, Old Testament, Prophets, Ezekiel, Oracles against foreign nationsEnglishORA Deposit2017Langley, ABarton, J<p>This study examines the theological purpose of the oracles against the nations in the book of Ezekiel (Ezek. 25-32). Through detailed exegesis, this thesis contends that the recognition formula, 'they shall know that I am Yahweh', is the vehicle for this theological purpose since it is fundamentally a statement of the vindication of Yahweh. Having specified in chapter 1 that the primary thesis is supported by two further theses, 'the recognition formula illuminates Yahweh's wrath and his mercy', and 'the recognition formula invites a human response', the work begins with a review of recent Ezekiel research in general that includes a background sketch delineating the context and authorship of the book. Possible original settings of oracles against nations are discussed, as well as a survey of topical scholarly output. A review of work undertaken on the recognition formula continues the preliminary discussion. In chapter 2, the basic form of the saying is defined and this allows the phrases that have expansions or are related by close resemblance to be categorised. The study proceeds with a consideration of the formula found elsewhere in the Hebrew Bible. Chapter 3 examines the formula as it appears in Ezekiel outside the oracles against the nations, paying particular attention to the formula's expansions. In chapter 4, detailed exegesis begins with the oracles against Israel's Palestinian neighbours. It is suggested that Ezekiel uses language for its potential to remind the people of their own culpability and the possibility is mooted that Ezekiel is projecting the guilt and punishment of Israel onto the nations. Chapter 5 contends that Ezekiel's illustrations are aimed at alleviating the exiles' concern about the future by helping them appreciate a bifurcated reality of the unseen present, and that the purpose of the oracles against the nations may be perceived when the relationship between divine wrath and divine mercy is understood to be elucidated by the above theses concerning the recognition formula.</p>
spellingShingle Theology, biblical studies, Old Testament, Prophets, Ezekiel, Oracles against foreign nations
Langley, A
'They shall know that I am Yahweh': The Vindication of Yahweh in Ezekiel's Oracles against the Nations
title 'They shall know that I am Yahweh': The Vindication of Yahweh in Ezekiel's Oracles against the Nations
title_full 'They shall know that I am Yahweh': The Vindication of Yahweh in Ezekiel's Oracles against the Nations
title_fullStr 'They shall know that I am Yahweh': The Vindication of Yahweh in Ezekiel's Oracles against the Nations
title_full_unstemmed 'They shall know that I am Yahweh': The Vindication of Yahweh in Ezekiel's Oracles against the Nations
title_short 'They shall know that I am Yahweh': The Vindication of Yahweh in Ezekiel's Oracles against the Nations
title_sort they shall know that i am yahweh the vindication of yahweh in ezekiel s oracles against the nations
topic Theology, biblical studies, Old Testament, Prophets, Ezekiel, Oracles against foreign nations
work_keys_str_mv AT langleya theyshallknowthatiamyahwehthevindicationofyahwehinezekielsoraclesagainstthenations