This study examines the theological purpose of the oracles against the nations in the book of Ezekiel (Ezek. 25-32). Through detailed exegesis, this thesis contends that the recognition formula, 'they shall know that I am Yahweh', is the vehicle for this theological purpose since it is fundamentally a statement of the vindication of Yahweh. Having specified in chapter 1 that the primary thesis is supported by two further theses, 'the recognition formula illuminates Yahweh's wrath and his mercy', and 'the recognition formula invites a human response', the work begins with a review of recent Ezekiel research in general that includes a background sketch delineating the context and authorship of the book. Possible original settings of oracles against nations are discussed, as well as a survey of topical scholarly output. A review of work undertaken on the recognition formula continues the preliminary discussion. In chapter 2, the basic form of the saying is defined and this allows the phrases that have expansions or are related by close resemblance to be categorised. The study proceeds with a consideration of the formula found elsewhere in the Hebrew Bible. Chapter 3 examines the formula as it appears in Ezekiel outside the oracles against the nations, paying particular attention to the formula's expansions. In chapter 4, detailed exegesis begins with the oracles against Israel's Palestinian neighbours. It is suggested that Ezekiel uses language for its potential to remind the people of their own culpability and the possibility is mooted that Ezekiel is projecting the guilt and punishment of Israel onto the nations. Chapter 5 contends that Ezekiel's illustrations are aimed at alleviating the exiles' concern about the future by helping them appreciate a bifurcated reality of the unseen present, and that the purpose of the oracles against the nations may be perceived when the relationship between divine wrath and divine mercy is understood to be elucidated by the above theses concerning the recognition formula.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-03T12:19:23Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Marcelo Moura da Silva.pdf: 1386687 bytes, checksum: 903cc5b48b557187abd5e6bea84190b0 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-10-19 / In the history of humanity, the reality of conflicts and wars between neighboring nations has been common. The most shocking fact is that, religious speech, instead of discouraging such realities can encourage and justify projects of power of these nations. The study of the Hebrew Bible can cast light to understand the realities of conflict between nations and the role of religious speech on such situations. For that, this research proposed to study narratives that deal with the origin and the development of international rivalry and conflicts. The research especially studied the familiar narratives and the prophetic oracles that dealt with rivalry, conflicts and the hatred between Israel and Edom to propose a review capable of encouraging projects of peace. The exegetical exercises in familiar narratives (Gn 35-36) and in the prophetic oracles against Edom (in the oracle collections against the nations, in the book of Obadiah, and in pericopes of Is 63,1-6 and of Ml 1,2-5) approach the literary material of the Hebrew Bible to investigate the origin and the development of the conflicts between Israel and Edom. Special attention was given to the study of the historical construction of the hatred and the role of religious literature in the growing development of the rivalries, animosities and conflicts. The first chapter studied the saga of Isaac as a historical and theological document that dealt with the familiar origin of rivalry between the twin brothers, with significant differences on the construction of their lives and identities. The second chapter studied, in the prophetic literature, the Oracles against the Nations and, more specifically, the oracles against Edom. In this phase, the research studied the importance of this literary genre on the construction of a more universal theology that attributes the control of history to God, aiming to better care for Israel. The third chapter also evaluated the other prophetic material that dealt with conflict and even divine hatred against the Edomites (Is 63,1-6 and Ml 1,2-5). In these chapters, the stimulation of the conflicts and the construction of religious speech with great animosity against Edom were noticed. The studies on the narratives of rivalry and of conflicts between Israel and Edom in the Hebrew Bible try to highlight, in the historical dynamics of conflicts, the hope of peace for international relations. Above all, the research proposed a review of these texts for a construction of religious-theological speech that stimulates tolerance and ethics of peace. / Na história da humanidade, a realidade de conflitos e de guerras entre povos vizinhos têm sido comum. O que mais assusta é o fato que, o discurso religioso, ao invés de desencorajar tais realidades pode incentivar e justificar os projetos de poder dessas nações. O estudo da Bíblia Hebraica pode lançar luzes para o entendimento das realidades de conflito entre nações e para o papel do discurso religioso nestes. Para isto, essa pesquisa propôs-se a estudar narrativas que abordam a origem e o desenvolvimento de rivalidades e de conflitos internacionais. Especialmente, estudou as narrativas familiares e os oráculos proféticos que abordaram a rivalidade, os conflitos e o ódio entre Israel/Judá e Edom para propor uma releitura capaz de encorajar projetos de paz. Os exercícios exegéticos nas narrativas familiares (Gn 35-36) e nos oráculos proféticos contra Edom (nas coleções de oráculos contra as nações, no livro de Obadias, e em perícopes de Is 63,1-6 e de Ml 1,2-5) abordaram o material literário da Bíblia Hebraica para investigar sobre a origem e o desenvolvimento dos conflitos entre Israel/Judá e Edom. Especial atenção foi dada ao estudo da construção histórica do ódio e o papel da literatura religiosa no crescente desenvolvimento das rivalidades, animosidades e conflitos. O primeiro capítulo estudou a saga de Isaque como documento histórico e teológico que abordou a origem familiar da rivalidade entre os irmãos gêmeos, com diferenças significativas na construção de suas vidas e identidades. O segundo capítulo estudou, na literatura profética, os Oráculos contra as Nações e, mais especificamente, os oráculos contra Edom. Nesta fase estudou a importância desse gênero literário na construção de uma teologia mais universal que atribuía a Deus o controle da história, visando maior cuidado com Israel. O terceiro capítulo também avaliou outro material profético que abordou o conflito e, até mesmo, o ódio divino contra os edomitas (Is 63,1-6 e Ml 1,2-5). Nestes, percebeu-se o acirramento dos conflitos e a construção de um discurso religioso mais animoso contra Edom. Os estudos nas narrativas de rivalidade e de conflitos entre Israel/Judá e Edom na Bíblia Hebraica procuraram destacar, na dinâmica história de conflitos, as esperanças de paz para as relações internacionais. Sobretudo, propôs reler esses textos para a construção de um discurso religioso-teológico que estimule a tolerância e a ética da paz.