Israel in the Books of ChroniclesCambridge University Press, 2007 M06 21 - 184 pages This book analyses a much neglected writer's contribution to the debate within Judaism in the post-exilic period about who might legitimately be included within the reconstituted Jerusalem community, and notably the Chronicler's attitude to the status of the Samaritan sect. It has been almost universally accepted that Chronicles and Ezra-Nehemiah are all parts of a single work, and so the rather 'exclusive' attitude of Ezra-Nehemiah has been read back into Chronicles. Many believe that the Chronicles intended to reject the Samaritan claim to inclusion. Dr Williamson challenges both the assumption of unity of authorship and the attribution of an exclusive attitude to the Chronicler, providing evidence to support the case for separate authorship, and examining Chronicles in its own right. A study of the use of the word 'Israel' and an analysis of the narrative structure jointly lead to the conclusion that the Chronicler reacted against the over-exclusive attitudes of some of his contemporaries, and looked for the reunion of 'all Israel' around Jerusalem and its temple. This study will interest both Old Testament scholars and students of Jewish history and culture. |
Contents
PART ONE The Extent of the Chroniclers Work | 5 |
The Evidence of the Greek Versions | 12 |
Vocabulary and Style in Chronicles Ezra and Nehemiah | 37 |
Ideology | 60 |
The Start of the Chroniclers Work | 71 |
EXCURSUS The Date of Chronicles | 83 |
PART TWO The Concept of Israel in the Books of Chronicles | 87 |
The Divided Monarchy 2 Chronicles 1028 | 97 |
Hezekiah to the Babylonian Exile 2 Chronicles 2936 | 119 |
Conclusions | 132 |
141 | |
155 | |
165 | |
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Common terms and phrases
A. C. Welch Abijah Ahaz appear argued argument basis Biblical Books of Chronicles chapter children of Israel Chronicler's Common Authorship concerned conclusion contrast Danell David discussion divided monarchy division Ephraim and Manasseh Esdras evidence exile expression Ezr.-Neh Ezra and Nehemiah fact favour firstborn followed genealogy Greek Hebrew Hezekiah Hurvitz Ibid Ideology included instance J. M. Myers Japhet Jeroboam Jerusalem Josephus Josiah Judah king later Littmann Lord material Mosis Mowinckel narrative Northern Kingdom occurs original parallel passages period Persian phrase Plöger Pohlmann position present R. H. Charles reference Rehoboam reign of Ahaz Rudolph S. R. Driver Safaitic Samaritan scholars secondary Secondly seems Simeon Solomon suggests temple theology tion Torrey translation tribe of Manasseh tribes unity of authorship verse Vorlage Welten whilst whole word Israel yśr'l Zebulun