Eden Revisited: A Literary and Theological Reading of Genesis 18:12-13

This article analyzes the apparent misquotation and dramatic irony in Gen 18:12-13 and argues that the verses allude to the story of the Garden of Eden. Although interpreters often regard the punishment at the end of Genesis 3 as final and immutable, the biblical authors did not share this sense of...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Davis, Andrew R. 1978- (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Catholic Biblical Association of America 2016
In: The catholic biblical quarterly
Year: 2016, Volume: 78, Issue: 4, Pages: 611-631
Online Access: Volltext (lizenzpflichtig)
Parallel Edition:Non-electronic
Description
Summary:This article analyzes the apparent misquotation and dramatic irony in Gen 18:12-13 and argues that the verses allude to the story of the Garden of Eden. Although interpreters often regard the punishment at the end of Genesis 3 as final and immutable, the biblical authors did not share this sense of finality but instead revisited the story in later narratives and subtly moderated its concluding punishments. Genesis 18:12-13 is such an allusion, which echoes the woman's punishment in Gen 3:16 and also modifies it. The birth announcement to Sarah redefines childbirth under a rubric of God's wondrous deeds. The article concludes with some remarks on the way that attention to literary style can complement theological readings of the Hebrew Bible.
ISSN:2163-2529
Contains:Enthalten in: The catholic biblical quarterly