The thesis Psalm 118: Exegesis and Interpretation deals with the exegesis of a biblical text Psalm 118 (LXX 117). It approaches the psalm from various perspectives (both synchronic and diachronic) and giving compact exegesis. Thus the first focus of the thesis is the text itself, its different variants and its conceivable translation. Then, there is the stylistic-poetic analysis showing stylistic and poetic elements and also the connections between expressions of the psalm. Thus it is possible to understand the logic flow of the text, its structure. Then the thesis determines the genre of the psalm in order to make clear in what way and form the psalm expresses itself. Thanks to that it is possible to do more elaborate exegesis of several motives and poetic images that can be found in the text. Another perspective of the exegesis of the psalm is to consider its musical denotation. Next part is concerned by how the text fits within the context of the Psalter and the Hebrew bible and also the outline of its basic ways in its history of influence.

This dissertation identifies and addresses key issues in Septuagint lexicography using case studies from the Greek version of Judges. The first chapter outlines the state of the question on the textual history of Judges in Hebrew and Greek, and also presents my lexicographical method and related matters. Chapter two surveys the history of Septuagint lexicography. I demonstrate how data about the meaning of Septuagint vocabulary has been insufficiently or in appropriately derived, expressed, and/or documented. I also highlight debates over the nature of post-classical Greek and the language of the Septuagint, which has predisposed scholars against viewing the Septuagint corpus as part of post-classical Greek in general. By pointing out methodological flaws that have plagued Septuagint lexicography-as well as theoretical problems in a Hebrew-priority view of the language-I argue for a Greek-priority view that evaluates Septuagint vocabulary in light of contemporary sources and emphasizes the importance of documentary evidence. The following chapters provide case studies from Greek Judges that demonstrate the benefits of a Greek-priority view. Many cases of consistent vocabulary disagreement in the textual history of the book cannot be explained on the basis of the Hebrew text nor given the data available in current lexicons. Examination of post-classical Greek evidence demonstrates that the motivation for the language change is multifaceted, but clearly includes matters of style and semantics in Greek independent from the source text. Chapter three focuses on παρατάσσω and παράταξις; chapter four on παιδάριον, παιδίον, νεανίας, and νεάνισκος; and chapter five on ἀπάντησις and συνάντησις. Each chapter concludes by discussing the relevance of the evidence for Septuagint lexicography, the motivation underlying the revision of Greek Judges, and the potential of Septuagint vocabulary to inform Greek lexicography in general. Chapter six summarizes my lexical analysis and discusses the benefits of a Greek-priority approach and its value for Septuagint lexicography. I posit a time-frame for the translation and revision of Greek Judges based on linguistic evidence. I conclude by emphasizing the need for renewed efforts in Septuagint lexicography to incorporate literary and nonliterary post-classical Greek sources. To address this need, I provide several sample lexicon entries for words discussed in the preceding study.

[pt] O presente trabalho A relevância patrística e teológica da interpretação do salmo 21(LXX), busca através da reflexão sobre a interpretação do salmo 21(LXX) ao longo da era patrística, e da teologia atual, encontrar novos horizontes e pontos de partida para a reflexão teológica. O calvário é sem dúvidas o lugar onde a imagem de Cristo, se torna marcante, impactante para todo aquele que crê. Mas, o que dizer se tudo o que já ocorrera na Cruz, estivesse predito de alguma forma? O Salmo 21(LXX) é esse anúncio, que entrou não apenas na compreensão dos redatores do evangelho, mas que plasmou a reflexão patrística seguinte, sendo impossível, para aqueles que testemunhavam ao Senhor nos primeiros séculos, ceder espaço a outra interpretação, ainda que outros personagens como Davi e Ester pudessem dele se aproximar, se que não fosse o Cristo pendente na Cruz, se não fosse o Calvário do Senhor, este salmo estaria incompleto para todas as gerações. / [en] The present work, The Patristic and Theological Relevance of the Interpretation of Psalm 21(LXX), seeks, through reflection on the interpretation of Psalm 21(LXX) throughout the patristic era and current theology, to find new horizons and starting points for theological contemplation. The Calvary is undoubtedly the place where the image of Christ becomes striking and impactful for all who believe. But what if everything that happened on the Cross had been predicted in some way? Psalm 21(LXX) is that announcement, which not only entered the understanding of the Gospel writers but also shaped the subsequent patristic reflection. It is impossible for those who witnessed the Lord in the early centuries to make room for another interpretation, even though other characters like David and Ester could approach it, if not for the Christ hanging on the Cross, if not for the Calvary of the Lord, this psalm would be incomplete for all generations.

Please read the abstract in the section 00front of this document / Thesis (PhD (New Testament Studies))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / New Testament Studies / PhD / unrestricted

This study investigates Mark’s involvement in the writing of 1 Peter in light of the practice of first century letter writing. Many scholars argue that 1 Peter originated from within a Petrine group in Rome that included Silvanus and Mark, ignoring the possibility that Peter might have employed an amanuensis while composing his epistle, a prominent practice of first century letter writers. By contrast, a considerable number of scholars contend that 1 Peter was penned by an amanuensis, appealing to the reference in 1 Pet 5:12, Dia. Silouanou/ u`mi/n tou/ pistou/ avdelfou/( w`j logi,zomai( diV ovli,gwn e;graya, and identifying Silvanus as its amanuensis. However, the Greco-Roman epistolary evidence shows that the formula gra, fw dia, tinoj identified only the letter-carrier. This work explores Mark’s involvement in composing 1 Peter from five angles by means of a historical and comparative approach. The five criteria are the dominant practice of using an amanuensis in first-century letter writing, the noteworthy employment of an amanuensis by Paul as a contemporary of Peter, historical connections, linguistic connections, and literary connections. Chapter 2 surveys the major proposals regarding the authorship of 1 Peter. Chapter 3 examines first century letter writing and presents the findings as a practical and supportive background for this work. The role of an amanuensis in Greco-Roman antiquity was classified as a transcriber, contributor, and composer. An amanuensis’ role as a contributor was the most common in Greco-Roman antiquity. Chapter 4 explores the process of Paul’s letter writing in light of first century letter writing, with regard to Peter’s employment of an amanuensis. It is most likely that Paul and Peter allowed an amanuensis to have a free hand if he was a gifted and a trusted colleague of them. This probability is supported by the instances that Cicero, Atticus, Quintus, and Alexander the Great employed their amanuenses as contributors. Chapter 5 investigates the close relationship between Peter and Mark through their ministry based on 1 Pet 5:13 and the references to Mark in the early church, including Papias’ note reported by Eusebius, and presents these as evidence of a historical connection between two individuals. Chapter 6 explores the syntactic correlation, the distinctive features of terminology, and the significant and frequent use of w`j for a simile between 1 Peter and Mark’s Gospel and presents them as possible evidence with the implication of linguistic connections between them. Chapter 7 examines the common Old Testament quotations (allusions) in 1 Peter and the Gospel of Mark and their conflated and integrated use of the OT and presents them as possible evidence implying a literary connection between them. 1 Peter and Mark’s Gospel outstandingly emphasize the suffering of Christ and apply the imagery of the rejected stone of Ps 118 (LXX 117):22 and that of the suffering servant of Isa 53 to His suffering. This work concludes that Mark was the contributive amanuensis for 1 Peter with Peter allowing more than a free hand in the composition. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2008. / New Testament Studies / PhD / unrestricted

The aim of this study is to contribute to ongoing studies on the Acts of the Apostles, particularly in the area of the manner in which the NT writer quotes and interprets the OT. Many scholars have studied the use of the OT in the NT, though few have investigated the explicit quotations in Acts. The discussion confines itself to an examination of the nine explicit quotations in Stephen’s speech of Acts 7 which are identified with introductory formulae, i.e.: (7:3 from Gn 12:1; 7:6-7 from Gn 15:13-14; 7:27-28 from Ex 2:14; 7:33-34 from Ex 3:5, 7-8, 10; 7:35 from Ex 2:14; 7:37 from Dt 18:15; 7:40 from Ex 32:1, 23; 7:42-43 from Am 5:25-27; and 7:49-50 from Is 66:1-2). The study first seeks to situate the quoted texts in their original context, after which attention is paid to their appearance in Stephen’s discourse in Acts. Specific attention is given to the question of the presence of a possible independent Lukan Textvorlage which might underlie these quotations. To this end, firstly an overview of the differences between the pertinent OT textual traditions (e.g., MT, LXX, etc), and the NT is provided. This clearly establishes the nature of the changes and modifications present in Luke’s reading of his original material. Secondly and finally, the discussion seeks to provide an assessment of Luke’s theological and hermeneutical framework, reflected within the OT quotations of Stephen’s defense. Through the method referred to above, best depicted as consisting of text-historical, methodological and hermeneutical aspects (Steyn 1995:31-37), this study makes the following observations: Firstly, most of the explicit quotations in Ac 7 are not found anywhere else in the NT, except for the book of Acts. Only the 8th quotation from Am 5:25-27 in Ac 7:42-43 occurs in CD 7:14-15, but the quotation from CD differs from the meaning of the original context. It seems clear that these quotations are attributable to Luke himself via his LXX version - although it is possible that Luke might have used either the LXX or the MT in a few places. Secondly, when Luke relates the quoted texts from his LXX version of the OT to his new hearers, most of the changes that Luke made are likely to be expected within the change in context between that of Luke and the original source of the quotation. That is, the grammatical and stylistic changes were made by Luke, although the possibility of the changes being due to his Vorlage, should not altogether be excluded. Luke’s cautious theological and hermeneutical intention is also to be detected in Stephen’s speech. However, it is true that the original meaning is not significantly altered by these changes. At last, it may be assumed that Luke is the author of the changes to these quotations. Thirdly and finally, Luke’s theological intentions for applying the quotations are revealed as follows: God as the subject of the history has been constantly at work for his people. However, his people repetitively reject God’s servants and go against God’s words given through them. The climax of this pattern is found in the killing of Jesus and Stephen (Ac 7:52, 60). Nonetheless, God continues to be working to accomplish his salvific plan for his people, regardless of the hostile attitude of the Israelites toward God himself as well as his messengers. At last, it results in his salvific activity (endless love) ‘to the ends of the earth’ (Ac 1:8), viz., even to the Gentiles through his numerous witnesses again. This study comprises of seven chapters according to the flow of the narrative, which are designed as follows: the Abraham Story (chapter 2); the Joseph Story (chapter 3); the Moses Story (chapter 4); the Temple (chapter 5); Stephen’s Indictment (chapter 6). In addition, chapter 1 presents the introduction, and chapter 7 describes the synthesis and conclusion. / Thesis (PhD (New Testament Studies))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / New Testament Studies / PhD / unrestricted

This study aims to point out the literary and socio-historical relationship between the prayers of Esther (Est.4.17.11-26 (Addition C) (14)) and Judith (Jdt.9). By making use of a literary analysis in terms of syntax, discourse structure, language, style, rhetorical figures, form and tradition, a comparison is made between the prayers to point out the literary agreements and differences. Subsequently an attempt is made to interpret the prayers against the social background(s) within which they originated. The events in the prayers are especially brought into relation with the Maccabaean era (168 BCE – 37 CE) with the purpose of determining how the authors of each prayer associated their own historical situation with the events of the Maccabaean crisis (168 BCE – 162/161 BCE). The characters that each of the authors introduces to the readers have a definite influence in the interpretation of Esther and Judith’s prayers. It is for this reason that the author, or at least what is learned about him through the text, and his interpretation of the events within his social situation, is investigated. A further investigation concentrates on the strategy that the authors used in terms of ‘genre’, contents and organization with the purpose of conveying their message to their readers. Further, an attempt is made to combine the results of this study with the intention of identifying the possible Grundlage, which may be the basic form of the prayers as they were accepted into the LXX. A hypothesis is also stated at the end of this study about how the Grundlage may have developed and which possible events throughout history could have played a role in the final form of Esther and Judith’s prayers, as accepted into the LXX. The theory of Moore (1982: 594) that the close relation of Esther and Judith with Daniel can best be explained by a possible common biblical heritage, is discussed and measured at the hand of the hypothesis of a common Grundlage for the prayers. Zeitlin’s argument (1972: 14, 15-21) that the prayers existed on polemical grounds, is also measured against the proposal of a common Grundlage. The eventual purpose of this study is then to point out what details can be derived from texts that are compared with each other by means of a literary and socio-historical comparison. / Dissertation (Magister Artium (Ancient Languages and Culture))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Ancient Languages / unrestricted

Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico - CNPq / Brazil is the main world producer of sugarcane (Saccharum ssp.), being the activity of the Brazilian sugarcane industry in continuous expansion, which can be seen due to increasing both the production capacity as agricultural areas intended for the cultivation. However, the increase of the production costs and the expansion of cultivation to less productive areas have increasingly demanded strategies to safeguard the sector's profitability. In this sense, studies of environmental factors that limit the yield of sugarcane crops are fundamental and can cite the biotic stresses caused by pathogenic microorganisms and the weeds. Plants respond differently to various types of stress, and, in general, are firstly affected in their physiological and photosynthetic properties. Therefore, the analysis of ecophysiological parameters - being this a tool to detect small deviations from normality of the photosynthetic performance - can provide useful information about the behavior of plants under stressful conditions caused by the disease and weed competition. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the behavior of four different sugarcane varieties submitted to the stresses caused by the bacterium Leifsonia xyli subsp. xyli (Lxx) - causal agent of Ratoon stunting disease (RSD) - and competition with the weed plant Brachiaria decumbens Stapf., correlating the production data with the ecophysiological responses resulting from the stress condition. To this finality, stem segments with just one bud were planted in plastic trays and kept in a greenhouse, being the seedlings subsequently transplanted to the field, where were measured both yield parameters (biometric and technological), the fluorescence of chlorophyll a and the gas exchange of plants subject, or not, to mentioned stressors. The experimental design used was the randomized block design with four replications, in a split-plot scheme, being the plots composed by varieties Co 997, RB867515, RB92579 and RB951541; and the subplots by the induction or not of stress factor. Regarding Lxx inoculation, RB92579 and RB951541 varieties were less sensitive to the RSD effects, since both ecophysiological and yield parameters were just a little bit affected by disease, while RB867515 and Co 997 varieties underwent changes in many parameters, highlighting the decline of photosynthetic rate and the reduction of height and diameter of the stalks. Regarding weed competition with B. decumbens, the four varieties tested were affected in all parameters, resulting in significant losses of yield, being that the RB92579 variety showed higher competitive ability than the others. Thus, the use of ecophysiological analysis tool is feasible to aid the work of selection of tolerant sugarcane genotypes to typical adverse situations of his cultivation. / O Brasil é o principal produtor mundial de cana-de-açúcar (Saccharum ssp.), entando a atividade do setor sucroenergético brasileiro em contínua expansão, o que pode ser constatado devido ao aumento crescente tanto da capacidade produtiva como das áreas agrícolas destinadas à cultura. No entanto, o aumento dos custos de produção e a expansão do cultivo para áreas menos produtivas têm exigido cada vez mais estratégias capazes de salvaguardar a rentabilidade do setor. Nesse sentido, os estudos dos fatores ambientais que limitam o rendimento dos canavias são fundamentais, podendo-se citar os estresses bióticos causados pelos microrganismos fitopatogênicos e pelas plantas infestantes. As plantas respondem de formas diferentes aos diversos tipos de estresse, sendo que, em geral, são primeiramente afetadas em suas propriedades fisiológicas e fotossintéticas. Isto posto, a análise dos parâmetros ecofisiológicos – sendo uma ferramenta capaz de detectar pequenos desvios da normalidade do desempenho fotossintético – pode fornecer informações úteis acerca do comportamento das plantas sob as condições estressantes causadas por doenças e pela matocompetição. Assim, o presente estudo teve por objetivo avaliar o comportamento de quatro diferentes variedades de cana-de-açúcar submetidas aos estresses causados pela bactéria Leifsonia xyli subsp. xyli (Lxx) – agente causal da doença Raquitismo da soqueira (RSD) – e pela competição com a planta infestante Brachiaria decumbens Stapf., correlacionando os dados de produção com as respostas ecofisiológicas decorrentes da condição de estresse. Para tal, segmentos de colmo com apenas uma gema foram plantados em bandejas plásticas e mantidos em casa de vegetação, sendo as mudas posteriormente transplantadas para o campo, onde foram mensurados os parâmetros de produção (biométricos e tecnológicos), a fluorescência da clorofila a e as trocas gasosas de plantas sujeitas ou não aos fatores de estresse mencionados. Foi utilizado o delineamento experimental em blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições, em esquema de parcelas subdivididas, sendo as parcelas compostas pelas variedades Co 997, RB867515, RB92579 e RB951541; e as subparcelas pela imposição ou não do fator de estresse. Em relação à inoculação de Lxx, as variedades RB92579 e RB951541 foram menos sensíveis aos efeitos do RSD, uma vez que, tanto parâmetros ecofisiológicos como de produção foram pouco influenciados pela doença, ao passo que as variedades RB867515 e Co 997 sofreram alterações em diversos parâmetros, com destaque para o declínio da taxa fotossintética e redução da estatura e diâmetro dos colmos. Em relação à matocompetição com B. decumbens, as quatro variedades testadas foram afetadas em todos os parâmetros, acarretando em perdas expressivas de produtividade, sendo a variedade RB92579 a que demonstrou maior habilidade competitiva. Assim, uso da ferramenta de análise ecofisiológica é viável no auxílio aos trabalhos de seleção de genótipos de cana-de-açúcar tolerantes às situações adversas própria do seu cultivo.

Scholars have proposed that Jude and 2 Peter are literarily dependent. However, there is no definitive conclusion among scholars concerning which one is literarily dependent on the other. There are arguments for and against each of the literary dependency theories. It is difficult to define what is meant by literary dependency and how to measure it. By utilizing Lemke’s notion of intertextuality, this study examines the thematic formations, axiological stance, and rhetorical formations of Jude and 2 Peter. This study demonstrates that there are significant intertextual relations that can account for the similarities between these two texts. There is substantial evidence which suggests that their differences are significant. Jude and 2 Peter do not provide essential intertextual background information to understand each other. Through the analysis of other intertexts, this study reveals a significant number of intertexts, like the LXX, Old Testament Pseudepigrapha, and contemporary literature, that can account for the meaning formation of the two books. These texts can be considered as more significant intertexts for Jude and 2 Peter.

Von Haus aus sind Sibyllinische Orakel eine griechisch-römische Literaturgattung, eine Sammlung von Orakelsprüchen in griechischen Hexametern, die nicht erhalten ist. Die uns überlieferten Sibyllinischen Orakel sind jüdischen, christlichen und teilweise paganen Ursprungs. Die insgesamt 14 Bücher sind in den Jahren 150 vor bis 300 nach Christus entstanden. Bis zu ihrer Wiederentdeckung im Vatikan waren die Sibyllinischen Orakel nur durch Zitate der Kirchenväter bekannt. Buch 3 ist laut Mehrheit der Forscher das älteste der Sammlung und entstand im zweiten vorchristlichen Jahrhundert in Ägypten. Die Arbeit stellt diesen Konsens in Frage. Sie konzentriert sich dabei auf die Vorstellung der Beherrschung des Raumes im dritten Sibyllinischen Orakel. Dabei geht es einerseits um die rein geographische Vorstellung der Welt, die der Sibylle zugrunde liegt und andererseits um die politisch-theologische Vorstellung der Abfolge von Weltreichen, die diese Welt nacheinander beherrschen und schlussendlich von der Herrschaft Gottes abgelöst werden. Das Thema Gottesherrschaft nimmt in den jüdischen Pseudepigraphen eine relativ marginale Rolle ein. Dies könnte sicherlich damit zusammenhängen, dass die Diasporaschriften nicht unmittelbar unter dem Einfluss der sogenannten Antiochenischen Verfolgung und den Makkabäeraufständen standen, anders als z.B. das Danielbuch. In den Texten aus der Diaspora findet sich das Thema Gottesherrschaft sogar nur im dritten Sibyllinischen Orakel und in der Weisheit Salomos. Besonderes Gewicht hat die Gottesherrschaft schließlich in den Schriften des Neuen Testament. Ich hoffe mit meiner Arbeit einen wichtigen Beitrag zur Genese der Vorstellung der Gottesherrschaft im Neuen Testament zu leisten. Der endzeitliche Zustand, den die Sibylle für die Umsetzung der göttlichen Herrschaft auf Erden prophezeit, kann mit dem Begriff Utopie beschrieben werden. / Originally, the Sibylline Oracles were a Graeco-Roman literary genre, namely a collection of oracles composed in Greek hexamters which have not come down to us. The Sibylline Books that we have today are of Jewish and Christian origin and stem from a time when the genre was adapted first by Jews and then Christians. The altogether 14 books have developed between 150 BCE and 300 CE and for the longest time were only known through quotations in the church fathers such as Eusebius and Lactantius. According to the majority of scholars, Book III is the oldest of the Sibylline corpus and developed in the 2nd century BCE in Egypt. This thesis reconsiders the established consensus using old and new evidence alike. It focuses on the image of dominion of space in the Third Sibyl. On the one hand, space is looked at as the geographical image of the world as the Sibyl has access to, on the other, space is looked at as the political-theological image of succession of empires that rule the world consecutively until eventually they are superseded by the dominion of God. The dominion of God only play a minor role in Jewish pseudepigraphy. This could be related to the fact that the writings of the Diaspora were not immediately affected by the so-called Antiochene persecution and the Maccabean revolt unlike, for instance, the Book of Daniel. In the writings of the Diaspora the topic only occurs in the Third Sibyl and in the Wisdom of Solomon. It becomes particularly important in the New Testament. With this thesis I hope to provide an important contribution to the genesis of the image of the dominion of God in the New Testament. The eschatological age that the Sibyl prophecies for the establishment of the divine dominion on earth can be described using the term utopia.