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This dissertation deals with two exegetical traditions, that of the early Jewish and the patristic schools. The research work for this project urges the need to analyze both Jewish and Patristic literature in which specific types of hermeneutics are found. The title of the thesis (“compared study of patristic and Jewish exegesis”) indicates the goal and the scope of this study. These two different hermeneutical approaches from a specific period of time will be compared with each other illustrated by their interpretation of the book of Ruth. The thesis discusses how the process of interpretation was affected by the interpreters’ society in which they lived. This work in turn shows the relationship between the cultural variants of the exegetes and the biblical interpretation. Both methodologies represented by Jewish and patristic exegesis were applicable and social relevant. They maintained the interest of community and fulfilled the need of their generation. Referring to early Jewish exegesis, the interpretations upheld the position of Ruth as a heir of the Davidic dynasty. They advocated the importance of Boaz’s and Ruth’s virtue as a good illustration of morality in Judaism. Early Christian exegetes were also interested in the basic values of the social community. They maintained the important social value of marriage as an example of the emphasis on virtue. They also paid much emphasis on teaching morality. Concerning the doctrine and value of Judaism, the sage upheld the principle of monotheism and the legitimacy of Davidic dynasty. In turn, patristic fathers urged for the introduction of the gospel through the salvation of Jesus Christ in the process of interpretation. From our investigation, we can formulate the thesis that both early Jewish and Christian exegetes did not explain the text for its inherent meaning, but rather used the text for their own purposes. Normally, the main task and mission of an exegete should be to find the meaning inherent in the text. We clearly indicated that both exegetical schools of interpreters did not find meaning in the text of the book of Ruth, but rather read in some agendas and issues into the text from outside, from the exegetes themselves and their surrounding backgrounds. They tend to meet the requirement of the social and political expectations of their reader community. Interpretation was used as a tool for this purpose. They conducted an application rather than explanation. This thesis can be explained by the fact that the meaning of a text depends on the value and pre-set agenda of the exegete who interprets it. Both the text and its interpreters are part of a specific historical, political, social and cultural environment, which imposed influence on them. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Old Testament Studies / unrestricted

The impetus of this study is that by understanding the way John Chrysostom (flor. 398 AD) interprets the gifts of the Spirit (Charismata) as an Antiochene exegete, insights may be yielded as to how the general tendency of Antiochene exegetes may aid in the interpretation of 1 Corinthians 12:1-13:3, which in turn also contributes to the current research on the New Testament. This study asks the question: How does John Chrysostom, as typical Antiochene exegete, interpret the charismata? In order to address this problem, an inductive-deductive method is followed, in which the general characteristics of the Antiochene exegetical school will be examined and then an analysis of the homilies of John Chrysostom, specifically his corpus Homilies on 1 Corinthians, homily 29 to 32, is given. Each homily is examined in the light of its contents, with specific reference to certain traits typical of Antiochene exegesis, such as sensitivity to history, social- and cultural customs, as well as to the grammar and rhetoric of, in this instance, Paul the Apostle. A translation of each homily is also provided. Finally, their value for current research is expounded. Each homily is translated and evaluated from the basis of the ancient Greek text, in which the homilies were originally composed. The homilies are also evaluated in the light of primary and secondary sources as inter-texts. Since the homilies are verbal commentaries, early Christian literature (of approximately 100-700 AD) on the same topic, the primary sources, are compared with the homilies of Chrysostom. Other ancient sources, not necessarily Christian, of the same period or earlier are also incorporated. But it is also necessary to view the homilies within the context of modern commentaries. Thus, a number of modern secondary sources are also evaluated in the light of the homilies and vice versa. In conclusion, the homilies depict an insightful image on how the Antiochene exegetical school viewed the charismata, which in turn, also provides valuable insights for modern interpreters. In this study of the Wirkungsgeschichte of 1 Corinthians 12:1-13:3, one is reminded that, although these primary sources are dated, they are still unexpendable resources for the current study of 1 Corinthians and of the New Testament in general. / Dissertation (MA (Ancient Languages and Cultures Studies))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Ancient Languages / unrestricted

La monographie du village de Kefertʿ Aqab permet d’élargir le champ des recherches à la partie occidentale du Massif Calcaire de la Syrie du Nord qui a suscité, jusqu’à récemment, un intérêt assez limité. Le Ǧebel Waṣṭāni, bordé de plaines sur les côtés sud, est et nord, représente la partie méridionale d’une étroite bande rocheuse qui longe la vallée de l’Oronte à l’ouest. Les ruines du site s’étendent, pour l’essentiel, sur un vaste promontoire rocheux situé à l’extrémité nord du chaînon.Elles ont révélé l’existence d’une localité importante, riche de plus de 80 habitations, de plusieurs aménagements communaux, d’un ensemble monastique et de deux complexes ecclésiaux. L’étude,fondée sur l’analyse détaillée des vestiges de surface, a livré de nombreux renseignements sur l’évolution économique, démographique et sociale de la communauté paysanne, principalement à partir du IIe siècle jusqu’à la fin du VIe siècle. L’arrêt des constructions à la fin de l’époque protobyzantine n’est pas synonyme de l’abandon du village. En effet, au regard des profonds remaniements observés dans chaque bâtiment de la localité, celle-ci reste largement peuplée durant une longue période. L’étude de l’édifice fortifié d’époque médiévale, construit à l’emplacement de l’ensemble ecclésial du sud, montre que le site conserve son caractère stratégique lors des conflits qui agitent la région à cette période. Par ailleurs, suite à la reconquête arabe de la région aux dépens des Francs, l’installation d’une communauté musulmane, attestée à l’intérieur du monument fortifié désormais déserté comme dans certaines maisons antiques, témoigne de la continuité de l’occupation du site à la période ayyūbide, voire mamelūke. / The monograph of the village of Kefert ‘Aqab allows us to extend our field of research to the westernpart of the limestone mountain range of northern Syria, which until recently had aroused limitedinterest. The Ǧebel Waṣṭāni, bordered by plains on the southern, eastern, and northern sides,represents the southern part of a narrow strip of rock, which borders the Oronte Valley in the West.The ruins of the site extend over a vast, rocky headland situated at the extreme north of the range ofmountains. They have revealed the existence of an important locality of more than 80 residences,several communal buildings, a monastery, and two ecclesiastical complexes, one of which was laterfortified. The study, based on the detailed analysis of the surface of the vestiges, has delivered muchinformation on the economic, demographic, and social evolution of the farming community, mainlybetween the 2nd Century and the late 6th Century. The end of construction at the end of theProtobyzantine period did not mean the village was abandoned. Indeed, seen the importantmodifications to every building of the village, the village was well inhabited for an extended period oftime. Studying the medieval period fortified edifice, which was built on the site of the southernecclesiastic complex, shows that the site maintained its strategic nature during the conflicts that shookthe region during this period. Besides, following the conquest of the region by the Arabs over theFranks, the installation of a Muslim community, attested to in the interior of the fortified monument,which was thereafter deserted like in certain ancient homes, is evidence of the continuous occupationof the site until the Ayyūbide or even Mamelūke period.

L’In epistulas Pauli de Théodoret de Cyr (Ve siècle) est le plus ancien commentaire en grec des épîtres de Paul conservé dans sa langue originale. Cette thèse propose l’édition critique du Prologue et de l’In Romanos, à partir de l’examen de tous les manuscrits de la tradition directe ainsi que d’un manuscrit de chaîne. Elle offre aussi la première traduction de cette œuvre en français. Alors que de nombreux travaux se sont penchés sur les principes et les méthodes de l’exégèse antiochienne de l’Ancien Testament, celle du Nouveau Testament est encore assez mal connue. À travers différentes études thématiques, on tente de caractériser la démarche exégétique propre à ce corpus en analysant les éléments structurant le discours ainsi que certaines particularités sémantiques : on met ainsi au jour les lignes de force de l’interprétation à l’œuvre dans un commentaire dont la distance par rapport au texte commenté est minimale. Par ailleurs, on met en lumière le travail de l’exégète par rapport à la source chrysostomienne. Enfin, on étudie les articulations entre exégèse et polémique – discours sur les Juifs, cible marcionite, échos des controverses trinitaires et christologiques – en cherchant des rapprochements avec la tradition exégétique et théologique en ce qui concerne l’argumentation scripturaire. L’analyse de la démarche argumentative aussi bien que la recherche des sources permet de mettre en relief les richesses d’une œuvre qui, à première lecture, semble être une simple paraphrase du texte biblique. / Theodoret of Cyrrhus’s In epistulas Pauli (5th c.) is the oldest surviving Greek commentary that has been preserved in the original language. This dissertation presents a critical edition of Theodoret’s prologue and commentary on the Epistle to the Romans based on all the extant direct manuscripts as well as one catena manuscript. It also offers the first translation of the work into the French language. While many scholars have studied the principles and methods of Antiochene exegesis for the Old Testament, the methods used for the New Testament remain largely unexamined. Through different thematic studies, the dissertation explores the exegetical approach which deals with and is shaped by this latter corpus specifically. By analyzing the elements that structure its discourse as well as its semantic tendencies, it sets out to reveal the central features of Theodoret’s exegetical approach despite the minimal distance which he maintains between the Biblical text and his commentary. Special attention is also paid to Theodoret’s use of the works of John Chrysostom in his own writing. Finally, the dissertation explores the relationship between Theodoret’s biblical exegesis and the rich tradition of scriptural quotation both in a historical and theological context. The main focus is on his polemical discourses on the Jews and the Marcionites and also in his writings on the Trinitarian and Christological controversies. Through a careful analysis of the exegete’s approach to scriptural argumentation and his use of sources, we hope to reveal the richness and versatility of a work which, at first glance, appears to be little more than a simple paraphrase of the biblical text.

In this dissertation, the affinities between the Prologue of the Fourth Gospel and the Maronite Prayer of the Faithful especially the use of light metaphor are examined and new hypothetic proposals are suggested: the former has influenced the latter; both of them might have shared the same milieu or have been influenced by an existent Antiochene liturgical hymn. These proposals are discussed according to reflections on the Fourth Gospel, the Antiochene Syriac Maronite Church, the light metaphor, the work done on the Prologue from a socio-rhetorical perspective and the study conducted on the first English edition of the Maronite Prayer of the Faithful. / New Testament / M.Th. (New Testament)

In this dissertation, the affinities between the Prologue of the Fourth Gospel and the Maronite Prayer of the Faithful especially the use of light metaphor are examined and new hypothetic proposals are suggested: the former has influenced the latter; both of them might have shared the same milieu or have been influenced by an existent Antiochene liturgical hymn. These proposals are discussed according to reflections on the Fourth Gospel, the Antiochene Syriac Maronite Church, the light metaphor, the work done on the Prologue from a socio-rhetorical perspective and the study conducted on the first English edition of the Maronite Prayer of the Faithful. / New Testament / M.Th. (New Testament)

Text in German / Diese Studie untersucht den so genannten “antiochenischen Zwischenfall” (Gal 2:11-14) im Blick auf die Geschichte des Urchristentums und das Verhältnis zwischen Paulus und Petrus. Eingeleitet von einem Forschungsüberblick, konzentriert sich die Studie auf die exegetische Untersuchung von Gal 2:11-14 mit dem Ziel, den Konflikt zwischen Paulus und Petrus in seiner Ursache, seinem konkreten Verlauf und den daraus resultierenden Konsequenzen für die Entwicklung des Frühchristentums neu zu bewerten. Neben dem Kontext und der rhetorischen Funktion von Gal 2:11-14, findet dabei der Vergleich zwischen der paulinischen Schilderung und Bewertung des antiochenischen Zwischenfalls und der Darstellung der Entwicklung des Urchristentums der Apostelgeschichte besondere Beachtung. Dadurch soll die auf F. C. Baur zurückgehende und bis in die Gegenwart einflussreiche Rekonstruktion des Urchristentums als zweigeteilte und theologisch gegensätzliche Bewegung kritisch hinterfragt und Alternativen aufgezeigt werden. / This thesis examines the so called “Antiochene Incident” (Gal 2:11-14) as it relates to the proclamation of Christ in early Christianity and the relationship between Paul and Peter. After a broad survey of research, the thesis focuses on the exegetical study of Galatians 2:11-14 with the goal of analyzing the encounter between Paul and Peter in its cause, its detailed course and the resulting consequences for the development of early Christianity. In addition to the context and the rhetorical function of Gal 2:11-14, we compare Paul's description and assessment of the Antioch incident and the portrayal of the history of early Christianity in the book of Acts. In doing so, we critically question the reconstruction of early Christianity by F. C. Baur as a divided theological movement which has influenced theology to this day and offer alternatives to that view. / New Testament / M. Th. (New Testament)