4B-3:24 with implications for interpretation and Bible translation
Subsequent Statement of Responsibility
J.-C. Filteau
.PUBLICATION, DISTRIBUTION, ETC
Name of Publisher, Distributor, etc.
Universite Laval (Canada)
Date of Publication, Distribution, etc.
1995
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION
Specific Material Designation and Extent of Item
1216-1216 p.
DISSERTATION (THESIS) NOTE
Dissertation or thesis details and type of degree
Ph.D.
Body granting the degree
Universite Laval (Canada)
Text preceding or following the note
1995
SUMMARY OR ABSTRACT
Text of Note
More than a simple study of the words, phrases, or sentences of a biblical text, this thesis demonstrates that the edition of a text has important consequences for its reading and interpretation. The division of a text into paragraphs, sections and larger divisions can not be done indiscriminately, but only after a careful analysis of the discourse structure. The purpose of this work is to determine the paragraph structure of Gen 2-3 based on linguistic and semantic criteria. Part one presents the problem of divisions in the biblical text. The author then reviews several different approaches to discourse analysis. The approach used in this study is based on the linguistic work of Robert E. Longacre and the semantic model developed by John Beekman, John Callow and Michael Kopesec. Part two presents the discourse analysis of Gen 2-3. Based upon this analysis, the structure of the discourse can be described as follows:(UNFORMATTED TABLE OR EQUATION FOLLOWS)usdusd\vbox{\halign{#\hfil&&\quad #\hfil\cr \underline{\rm Opening} &(Gen 2:4b--7) &Introduction\cr \underline{\rm Episode\ one} &(Gen 2:8--25) &Occasion\cr \quad Part A &(Gen 2:8--14)&\cr \quad Part B &(Gen 2:15--17)&\cr \quad Part C &(Gen 2:18--24)&\cr \quad Closure &(Gen 2:25)&\cr \underline{\rm Episode\ two} &(Gen 3:1--7) &Problem\cr \quad Setting &(Gen 3:1a--b)&\cr \quad Dialogue &(Gen 3:1c--6)&\cr \quad Closure &(Gen 3:7)&\cr \underline{\rm Episode\ three} &(Gen 3:8--21)&\cr \quad Setting &(Gen 3:8)&\cr \quad Part A &(Gen 3:9--13) &Complication\cr \quad Part B &(Gen 3:14--19) &Resolution\cr \quad Closure &(Gen 3:20--21)&\cr \underline{\rm Closing} &(Gen 3:22--24) &Epilogue\cr}}usdusd(TABLE/EQUATION ENDS) The author shows that the division of Gen 2-3 into paragraphs and larger units has important consequences for both its interpretation and translation. Among other conclusions, the author demonstrates that Gen 2:4b-7 functions as the introduction to the discourse. It is here that the narrator introduces the central characters. YHWH God creates the man, for whom all of his creative acts are directed. In this opening paragraph, tension is introduced, motivating the audience to anticipate how the narrative lack will be resolved. Gen 3:14-19 is analyzed as the climax of the discourse. It is here where narrative tension is the highest and where the release of that tension begins. The discourse reports a real fall. A change has occurred for the worse. The structure of the discourse shows that the narrative moves from innocence, intimacy and harmony, to fear, distrust and separation.