Robert Lowth, Parallelism, and Biblical Poetry

This essay offers a fresh look at Robert Lowth’s theory of parallelism in biblical poetry, situated in light of the study of this phenomenon since Lowth’s originary conceptualizations. The discussion divides into three parts, treating Lowth’s general description of parallelism, his (in)famous threefold classification schema, and aspects of orality and rhythm as they bear on an understanding of parallelism in biblical poetry. A chief end in view is to suggest what remains vital in Lowth’s thought.

Art, Aesthetics and the Dynamics of Visuality in Ezekiel 23

This essay explores Ezekiel 23 as a text about art and aesthetics. As an aesthetic response to an artistic endeavour, it argues that the description of Oholibah’s act of viewing must be placed within the context of strategies for verbalizing visual phenomenon in biblical literature. And as a work of art, the carved Chaldean officers must be understood within larger ancient Near Eastern artistic conventions. The convergence of these distinct but related focuses allows us to reassess Oholibah’s act of viewing art and its role in Ezekiel 23.

The Sacredness of Firstling Animals: Evolving Perspectives within Deuteronomy

Repeated and varied treatments of animal firstlings in Deuteronomy’s cultic laws (Deut 12:17–18; 14:23–26; 15:19–23) reflect a succession of attempts to place firstlings within Deuteronomy’s centralized cult. Based on comparison of Deuteronomy’s firstling regulations and informed by the history of their interpretation, this study reconstructs the process of amendment that produced this set of laws and places this process within the larger context of the legal hermeneutics of the Pentateuch.

A Murderous, Captured Lion: Ezekiel's Negative Approach Toward Jehoiachin

This article analyzes Ezekiel 19, arguing for its unity and for a date of composition prior to the fall of Jerusalem. It evaluates the identities of the figures mentioned in the text and proposes that the murderous lion depicted in verses 5–9 is an image of no other than Jehoiachin. These findings explain the prophet’s decision to switch between the lion's image and the vine’s image in the middle of the prophecy, and they also contribute to the scholarly discussion regarding Ezekiel’s approach toward the exiled king.

Bloodless "Atonement": An Exegetical, Ritual, and Theological Analysis of Leviticus 5:11–13

According to Leviticus 5:11–13, semolina has the same ritual effect as blood. A thorough exegetical and ritual comparison between the חטאת of animals and the חטאת of semolina, or the מנחה-like חטאת, explains how this was possible. The results of this comparison are helpful in establishing the ritual effect of כפר as a process that defines the Priestly theology of the cult.

Jonah 2: A Death Liturgy for the Doomed Prophet

The use of fauna- and flora-based symbolism in ancient lament literature is a well-attested phenomenon. This article focuses on this symbolism in Jonah 2, exploring nature’s ritual agency in preparing Jonah for his entombment in the heart of the sea. In conclusion, the article considers how Jonah 2 can serve as an interpretive lens for Jonah 3 and 4, particularly their views on death and life.

The First Encounter of the Golah and Their "Adversaries" (Ezra 4:1–5): Who Are the Adversaries, and on What Is the Adversity Based?

Ezra 4:1–5 narrates the first encounter of the golah with the “other,” after the golah arrive in the land. Against the tendency to identify the “other” with a specific group of people, the text employs only vague descriptions. A narrative analysis reveals that the “other” group includes all and any non-golah people. Claims for participation in the building by the “other,” and refusal by the golah leaders, are ultimately based on their cultic differences.