This dissertation examines the complex story of Korah’s rebellion found in Numbers 16
and 17 utilizing narrative critical theory. This study is first grounded in the context of
historical questions surrounding Israel’s emergence as a nation and the narrative’s
potential for historical veracity. Many narrative critics do not feel the theoretical
necessity to establish the connection between an autonomous text and a historical
context. This study does seek to collaborate with historical research, but only as
permitted by the data. Though only biblical and tangential evidence supports the
historicity of the wilderness sojourn, the narrative accounts should not be repudiated
because of philosophical bias or the lack of corroborative extra biblical evidence.
Especially important to a literary interpretation of this narrative is the work of source
critics who during their own enquiries have identified the fractures and transitions within
the story. In considering the text of Numbers 16 and 17, the hermeneutical approach
employed in this study carefully endorses a balanced incorporation of the theoretical
constructs of the author, text, and reader in the interpretive enquiry. From this
hermeneutical approach recent literary theory is applied to the texts of Numbers 16 and
17 focusing particular attention on three narrative themes. First, the narrator’s point of
view is examined to determine the manner that information is relayed to the reader so as
to demur the rebellion leaders. Though features of characterization are often meager in
biblical narratives, there remains sufficient data in this rebellion story to support the aims
of the Hebrew writers and does not undermine the reader’s engagement with the story’s
participants. Finally, the three separate plotlines in this narrative sustain the dramatic
effect upon the readership holding attention and judgment throughout and beyond the
story. In sum, this dissertation highlights the powerful contours of this ancient narrative
by appropriating the theoretical work of narrative critics. The strategies employed in the
writing and editing of this story uniquely condemn the rebels and at the same time serve
to elevate God’s chosen leader Moses. / Old Testament and Ancient Near Eastern Studies / D. Th. (Old Testament)
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:unisa/oai:umkn-dsp01.int.unisa.ac.za:10500/3313 |
| Date | 01 1900 |
| Creators | Taylor, Donald James |
| Contributors | Spangenberg, I. J. J. (Izak J. J.) |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | 1 online resource (viii, 272 leaves.) |
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