This thesis explores the theological complexity of the Jacob narrative. In particular this is centred upon the paradox of divine presence and absence, and the contrast of the human and the divine. In the first part, an investigation is made of three key episodes which contain an encounter with the divine: the opening oracle (25:19ff), Bethel (28:10-22) and Peniel (32:23-33). It is concluded that the first passage is constructed as an introduction, making explicit the theme of the presence of God in the Jacob story, but also introducing the human side of the paradox. Bethel and Peniel are based on older pre-Yahwistic traditions, now shaped and incorporated into the story of Jacob to throw a theological perspective over the wider plot. The second part consists of a reading of the wider Jacob story, with particular attention to the theme of divine presence and absence and the interaction of the human and the divine. It is argued that even the most human of stories betray a theological interest and contribute to the overall paradox, but also that there are several indications of the presence of God. In the conclusion, it is noted that behind the present unity of the Jacob story there is evidence of earlier traditions, a growing together of material, and supplements offering new perspectives. It is also concluded that a close reading of the final text and a historical-critical appreciation need not be mutually exclusive, and that a cautious use of critical insights has thrown light upon the final form. Finally, it is argued that the theme of the presence and absence of God offers a way of reading the Jacob story in a theological way, that does most justice to its historical depth, final form, and canonical status.

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The aim of this work is to attempt to read the text of Genesis 18-19 in line with the canonical approach of Brevard S Childs in order to critique his programme through its actual praxis. In chapter 1 a historical introduction to the discipline of 'biblical theology' and its texts provides a background against which to contextualise Childs's own work and its historical development. A detailed description of the approach in terms of its historical justification and its actual praxis appears in chapter 2. There certain common criticisms are encountered and refuted. It is also suggested that Childs's approach is often the target of unwarranted criticism based upon an assumed foundationalist view of hermeneutics. In chapter 3, this is developed further and it is argued that the non-foundationalist hermeneutics of Stanley E. Fish provide a heuristically powerful way of understanding the canonical approach and its 'community of faith'. Two aspects of the praxis of the canonical approach form the core of chapter 4: the necessary role of narrative presuppositions and the potential role of diachronic studies of biblical texts. A description of presuppositions necessary for understanding Genesis 18-19 are drawn from Genesis 1-17 and outlined, and the diachronic studies of H. Gunkel is used as an exemplar to test the illumination which diachronic studies may provide to readers of the canonical text. In chapters 5 and 6, a detailed exegesis is provided of the canonical text of Genesis 18 and Genesis 19. A short section on the effects of this exegesis on subsequent Old Testament texts completes chapter 6. In conclusion, the experience of reading the texts in this way is used to point out certain aspects and implications of the canonical approach which are missed when the approach is considered in purely theoretical terms.

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ABSTRACT Most sandy beaches around the world have been under the threat of being eroded in the past six decades, resulting in shoreline retreat; thus, calling for various shoreline protection devices to be constructed to preserve the well-being of coastal habitants. To achieve this purpose, research on shoreline changes and development of numerical or mathematical models for predicting shoreline changes would help attain the goal of sustainable use of coastal land. This thesis reports preliminary engineering applications of GENESIS that have become a popular tool for modeling long-term shoreline changes. The aim of this study is to predict the potential shoreline change in the light of different layouts of shoreline protection devices. The topics addressed in this report include the discussion on the parameters in GENESIS; shoreline changes in the lee and/or on the back of single groin and single detached breakwater with normal or oblique wave incidence; comparison on the efficiency of beach accretion as a function of gap width between structures and the sequence of their construction, as well as assessment on the restraint from the two different boundary conditions used in GENESIS. The results of modeling using GENESIS are then verified using the result based on the empirical parabolic bay shape equation and a physical scale model, in order to test the feasibility of applying GENESIS for practical engineering uses. From the results of this study, it can be stated that GENESIS is valuable reference tool for engineering design, despite some shortcomings in setting up boundary conditions and the invariant nature of and values which do not respond to the process of changing shoreline curvature. However, the GENESIS system would have a positive contribution to the modeling of shoreline changes upon the construction of protective devices on a coast.

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The narrative blocks which comprise Genesis are prefaced by statements which suggest ways in which the ensuing stories are likely to develop. This thesis sets out to investigate how these "Announcements" influence their respective plots. In Gen. 1: 28 the primaeval history is introduced by a three-fold imperative. The first part, "be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth" has some success in exerting its authority but is threatened by several factors. The second, "subdue the earth", is negated. The third, "have dominion over the animals", degenerates into a relationship of mutual hostility. Gen. 12: 1-3 contains two promises and a command. The promises of nationhood and land are threatened throughout the Abraham narrative and by the time of his death Abraham has a single heir and hardly any land. However, by the end of Genesis the ancestral family has grown to seventy people who are multiplying, but outside the land that has been promised to them. The command "be a blessing" makes hardly any impact because neither Abraham nor his descendants seem disposed to obey it. In the Jacob story the Announcement is found in 25: 23 and 27: 27-29, 39-40. Jacob's lordship over Esau is never seen. The promise of fertility/prosperity given to Jacob alone actually comes to both brothers thus negating the intended distinction. The prediction that the two will be divided is "fulfilled" but the expectation of division caused by strife is converted into separation within reconciliation. The two dreams of 37: 5-11 which govern the story of Jacob's family suffer different fates. The first is fulfilled several times but the second has three elements of which the first is fulfilled and the others are not. Unlike many scholars I conclude that Announcements influence their narratives in many different ways and that they are misleading indicators of how plots will develop. The reasons why this may be the case are explored in the Conclusion.

Proefschrift Universiteit van Amsterdam. / Met lit. opg., reg. - Met samenvatting in het Engels.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1968. / Typescript. Vita. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references.