The Concentric Structure of the Wisdom Poem in Job 28
The enigmatic wisdom poem of Job 28:1-28 stands apart from the rest of the book of Job in style and structure. Most read this poem in linear progression as three strophes (vv. 1-11; 15-19; 23- 28) with an intervening refrain (vv. 12-14; 20-22). In this study, it is suggested that the poem has been p...
| Published in: | Journal of ancient Judaism |
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| Main Author: | |
| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
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| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
Brill
[2018]
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| In: |
Journal of ancient Judaism
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| IxTheo Classification: | HB Old Testament |
| Further subjects: | B
Bible. Ijob 28
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| Online Access: |
Volltext (Resolving-System) Volltext (doi) |
| Summary: | The enigmatic wisdom poem of Job 28:1-28 stands apart from the rest of the book of Job in style and structure. Most read this poem in linear progression as three strophes (vv. 1-11; 15-19; 23- 28) with an intervening refrain (vv. 12-14; 20-22). In this study, it is suggested that the poem has been presented in the form of a concentric or compositional ring structure, which juxtaposes arguments rather than presenting them in a linear fashion. According to this structure there are five compositional units, the centre of which holds the main point of the text (A, B, C, B1, A1). A central section (C vv. 15-19), maintains the traditional view of the supreme value of wisdom. The central unit is surrounded by two inner parallel sections each beginning with a rhetorical question concerning the location of wisdom (Sections B vv. 12-14 and B1 vv. 20-22), and two outer sections (A vv. 1-11 and A1 vv. 23-28) in which two contrasting ways of acquiring wisdom are presented: by independent human effort presented in the form of a mining metaphor (A vv. 1-11); or by contemplation of God's omnipotent creative power and reverence for Him resulting in right behaviour (A1). Each of the major units also follows a concentric pattern. |
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| ISSN: | 2196-7954 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: Journal of ancient Judaism
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| Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.13109/jaju.2018.9.1.26 |