The confusion of language in the interpretation of Genesis 11
Genesis 11:1-9 has traditionally been interpreted as the origin of all languages of the world and seen to precede Genesis 10 chronologically. I argue that this is not consistent with the use of lashon and saphah in the Hebrew text and does not make sense of its current location within the narrative....
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
|
| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
Brill
2018
|
| In: |
The Evangelical quarterly
Year: 2018, Volume: 89, Issue: 1, Pages: 34-50 |
| IxTheo Classification: | HB Old Testament |
| Further subjects: | B
Hebrew language
B Nimrod B LANGUAGE & languages B Language B Babel B GOD in Christianity B Bible. Genesis B Babylon B Babylon (Extinct city) B Bible. Genesis 11 B Peleg |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) |
| Summary: | Genesis 11:1-9 has traditionally been interpreted as the origin of all languages of the world and seen to precede Genesis 10 chronologically. I argue that this is not consistent with the use of lashon and saphah in the Hebrew text and does not make sense of its current location within the narrative. Rather this passage is about the punishment of God on the empire being formed by Nimrod, commencing at Babylon, and on the unity of purpose among the people. Their common intent was confused, the people scattered and the construction ended. The story is in its correct position in the narrative of Genesis, and builds on Genesis 10:10-12 in greater detail. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 2772-5472 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: The Evangelical quarterly
|
| Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.1163/27725472-08901003 |