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...
Main Author: | |
---|---|
Format: | Electronic Article |
Language: | English |
Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
Journals Online & Print: | |
Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
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
|
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
|