Hebrew Studies
Mary Douglas argues in Leviticus as Literature that Bible students have to choose between accepting the muddle made by imposing a Western linear reading upon an archaic text,
or trying to read the book through its own literary conventions.” She gives many examples of how to read a text “through its own literary conventions,” as well as a broad
overview in the form of an analogical reading. In this paper, Moshe Kline substantiate Douglas’ approach by systematically defining the twenty-two literary units
that compose Leviticus, as well as the larger structure that connects them.
This paper is a detailed literary study of Leviticus 24:10-23. Turning on a tragic chain of events, an unnamed man of mixed parentage invokes the Name of the LORD in a curse.
Subsequently, the LORD defends His Name with the severest punishment: death by stoning. Ironically, the Name invoked in the curse is the same Name who pronounces his punishment.
This case law concerning cursing is literarily and strategically placed in Leviticus for didactic purposes. A working knowledge of Hebrew is helpful, but not necessary.
Israel's future monarchy commences with Samuel's birth who became prophet, priest, judge and most significantly, the one who would be remembered above all for his anointing
Israel's first two kings, Saul and David. The foundation of Israel's future monarchy begins with a man's geographical hometown, his proper name, his genealogical descent
(traced to his great-great-grandfather) and lastly, his two wives' proper names (Hannah and Peninnah) and their childbearing status.
This is the next episode after 1 Samuel 1:1-2. Elkanah's repetitive annual pilgrimage to Shiloh (v. 3) encompasses and becomes the
setting for this exposition, with the remaining
narrative (vv. 4-8) detailing the catalysis for the action of the next episode (vv. 9-20).
This paper cites the seven hundred and fifty-four occurrences of the Hebrew noun nephesh in the Scriptures, an exhaustive listing as cited by the Hebrew concordance
Veteris Testamenti Concordantiae by Solomon Mandelkern, including the Hebrew text and three English translations. This concordance listing is offered as an aid to
those who may have found it very difficult to find an exhaustive listing for the Hebrew noun in English works. My personal interest in when I read many years ago Genesis 2:7
and first noticed that the noun is used literally for the composite physical being that the LORD God made: "Then the LORD God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into
his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living nephesh."