Making sense of the divine name in the Book of Exodus : from etymology to literary onomastics / by Austin Surls. [print]

Revised version of the author's dissertation (doctoral)--Wheaton College, 2015.

1. Introduction

The Problem of Etymologizing Names as Character Descriptions The Criticisms of James Barr Post-Barr Scholarship on the Word * ; The Biblical Onomastic Interpretive Tradition The Problem of Atomistic Exegesis Thesis Method.

2. Explicit Naming Wordplays

The Canonical Context: Naming in the Hebrew Bible Explicit Naming Wordplays in the Pentateuch Summary Conclusion.

3. The Divine Name Given: Exodus 3:13-15

The "Macrocontext" ; The Boundaries of the Textual Unit Genre Literary Structure Commentary Excursus: Rabbinic Interpretation of the Divine Name The Reamining Duologues Conclusion Excursus: Reconstructing the Original Form of the Divine Name Summary and Conclusions.

4. The Divine Name Recognized: Exodus 6:2-8

Boundaries of the Textual Unit Genre Literary Structure Linguistic Features of Exodus The Use of * in the Book of Genesis The Use of * Beyond Genesis and Exodus Knwoledge of YHWH in the Pre-Mosaic Era Conclusion.

5. The Divine Name Defined: Exodus 33:12-23 and 34:5-9

The Knowledge of the Name YHWH beyond Exodus 1-15 Boundaries of the Textual Units Text-Critical Issues Genre Literary Structure Commentary: Exodus 33:12-23 Summary Commentary: Exodus 34:5-9 Excursus: The Nature and Extent of YHWH's Punishment Conclusion.

6. Verbal Echoes of Exodus 34:6-7

Method The Relationship between the Decalogue and the DNP Verbal Echoes of Exodus 34:6-7 Theological Synthesis.

7. Conclusion

Summary of the Argument Implications for Old Testament Theology Implications for New Testament Studies Excursus: Jesus as * ; Implications for Systematic Theology.

Appendix 1: Divine Designators in the Book of Genesis Appendix 2: Avoiding hte Names of Foreign Gods in Israel.

List of Tables

Analysis of Explicit Naming Wordplays in the Pentateuch Colometric Analysis of Exodus 3:13-15 The Literary Unity of Exodus 3:13-15 Hebrew Inscriptional Evidence for the Divine Name Evidence for Pronunciation(s) of the Divine Name Explanation of the Textual Apparatus of Stromateis 5.6.34 Colometric Analysis of Exodus 6:2-8 The Syntax of Ezekiel 20:9 Colometric Analysis of Exodus 33:12-23 Colometric Analysis of Exodus 34:5-9 Translation of Exodus 20:5-6 Translation of Numbers 14:13-19 Synoptic Presentation of Numbers 14:18 and Exodus 34:6-7 Translation of Deuteronomy 7:9b-10.

List of Figures

Continuum of Sense and Reference across Onomastic Categories Computer Scan of the Text and Apparatus of Clement's Stomateis 5.6.34 Non-Semitic Attestations of Yahu Non-Semitic Attestations of Yahweh/Yahveh.

The obvious riddles and difficulties in Exod 3:13-15 and Exod 6:2-8 have attracted an overwhelming amount of attention and comment. These texts make important theological statements about the divine name YHWH and the contours of the divine character. From the enigmatic statements in Exod 3:13-15, most scholars reconstruct the original form of the name as "Yahweh," which is thought to describe YHWH's creative power or self-existence. Similarly, Exod 6:3 has become a classic proof text for the Documentary Hypothesis and an indication of different aspects of God's character shown in history. Despite their seeming importance in "defining" the divine name, these texts are ancillary to and preparatory for the true revelation of the divine name in the book of Exodus. This work attempts to move beyond atomistic readings of individual texts and etymological studies of the divine name toward a holistic reading of the book of Exodus. Surls centers his argument around in-depth analyses of Exod 3:13-15, 6:2-8 and Exod 33:12-23, 34:5-8. Consequently, the definitive proclamation of YHWH's character is not given at the burning bush but in response to Moses' later intercession (Exod 33:12-23). YHWH proclaimed his name in a formulaic manner that Israel could appropriate (Exod 34:6-7), and the Hebrew Bible quotes or alludes to this text in many genres. This demonstrates the centrality of Exod 34:6-7 to Old Testament theology. The character of God cannot be discerned from an etymological analysis of the word * but from a close study of YHWH's deliberate ascriptions made progressively in the book of Exodus.

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