The Hezekiah—Sennacherib Narrative as Polyphonic Text*

2 Kings 18—19 is commonly viewed as an incoherent narrative composed of multiple sources, necessitating a diachronic approach. However, this hypothesis is only a heuristic model suggesting we read the pericope in this way. This article instead takes a Bakhtinian approach, viewing 2 Kings 18—19 as a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal for the study of the Old Testament
Main Author: Evans, Paul S. (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Sage 2009
In: Journal for the study of the Old Testament
Year: 2009, Volume: 33, Issue: 3, Pages: 335-358
Further subjects:B the Deuteronomist
B Dialogism
B Sennacherib
B Hezekiah
B Bakhtin
B 2 Kings 18—19
B Polyphony
Online Access: Volltext (lizenzpflichtig)
Description
Summary:2 Kings 18—19 is commonly viewed as an incoherent narrative composed of multiple sources, necessitating a diachronic approach. However, this hypothesis is only a heuristic model suggesting we read the pericope in this way. This article instead takes a Bakhtinian approach, viewing 2 Kings 18—19 as a polyphonic composition which accounts for both the disjunctions within the narrative and its unity. Viewed as a dialogue of genres (history-like narrative, direct speech and prophetic oracle) in implicit dialogue, this narrative is `dialogic' as different voices intersect in this pericope, revealing a plurality of viewpoints. A Bakhtinian approach not only allows a fresh exegesis of the narrative but also has implications regarding the composition of the narrative, allowing the Deuteronomist more creativity than is often the case.
ISSN:1476-6728
Contains:Enthalten in: Journal for the study of the Old Testament
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1177/0309089209102500