Rhetorical reading redundant: a response to Ehud Ben Zvi
Ehud Ben Zvi's claim, in the preceding article, that the final verse of Jonah must be read both as a question and an affirmation is welcomed. Yet, it is argued here that reading a rhetorical question contributes little to the metaprophetic character of Jonah. In fact, a final rhetorical questio...
| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Interlibrary Loan: | Interlibrary Loan for the Fachinformationsdienste (Specialized Information Services in Germany) |
| Published: |
2009
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| In: |
The journal of Hebrew scriptures
Year: 2009, Volume: 9, Pages: 2-9 |
| IxTheo Classification: | HB Old Testament |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (kostenfrei) |
| Summary: | Ehud Ben Zvi's claim, in the preceding article, that the final verse of Jonah must be read both as a question and an affirmation is welcomed. Yet, it is argued here that reading a rhetorical question contributes little to the metaprophetic character of Jonah. In fact, a final rhetorical question destroys the open-endedness of the book while YHWH's unambiguous affirmation that he will show no pity for Nineveh faces readers with a deeper meaning of prophecy. Like the Elohim in chapter 3, Jonah in chapter 4 is invited to come out of the circle of anger. Destructions and reversals of fortune occur, but humans are not privy to the divine council. Note: Readers of this article are encouraged to read first article 3 in this volume. |
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| ISSN: | 1203-1542 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: The journal of Hebrew scriptures
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| Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.5508/jhs.2009.v9.a6 |