This translation was published first as a part of a PDF publication on 25 January 2020 DOI of the version of the paper on academia.edu: This paper is the translation of the first chapter of the doctoral dissertation: Wojciech Kosek, Pierwotny ryt Paschy w świetle schematu literackiego Księgi Wyjścia 1-18, [The original rite of the Passover in the light of the literary scheme of the Book of Exodus 1-18], Kraków 2008 See also on academia.edu: |
Abstract.
The present paper shows subsequent methodological steps to discover the division of the Book of Exodus into basic literary units according to the thought of its final writer-redactor, the one who arranged the text under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit of God.
In the first step, one ought to make a list of the more essential means of dividing this book, which occurred from the very beginning to our times. It concerns, of course, the version in the Hebrew language, and also its translations into different languages, including the Greek Septuagint and Latin Vulgate. One must take into account also the contribution of the contemporary biblicists done through their translations and scientific discussions and analyses resulting in books or articles in specialized magazines.
The comparative material collected in this way will answer the question about the criterion for the division of the text: is there visible an original logic in the contemporary editions of the Bible according to which the last editor-writer finally shaped this holy text? What is this original logic? Can this be discovered with scientific credibility?
The second step of the methodological looking for the original division of the Book of Exodus will be a through-out reading of the Hebrew text.
For providing the fulfillment of the requirement to read the text profoundly, one will involve the principle of theocentrism as the essential criterion for this task. Namely, to understand the sacred text, one should look especially for those places where God of Israel – יְהוָה – appears as the subject (dynamic center) of acts and simultaneously the grammatical subject of the biblical sentence.
As a result of such reading, one will discover the six-element literary structure of Ex 1-18 as the first main part of the Book of Exodus; its second part – Ex 19-40 – will not be analyzed in the present publication.
The following different examples of the division of the same text illustrate, on the one hand, the scale of the difficulty in the task to make the right division and, on the other hand, the enormity of work that the biblical scholars continually do, wishing to know indeed what God has given us. This summary, however, has a third purpose, also. It allows us to discover the criteria used by individual authors of divisions. This purpose is essential for further analysis of this doctoral dissertation.
The review will begin with contemporary Polish editions of the Book of Exodus as the closest to the author of this dissertation.
The Book of Exodus according to Biblia Wujka [25] in the elaboration of S. Styś [26]:
Part I | 1:1-18:27 | FROM EGYPT TO SINAI |
I | 1:1-12:36 | Until Leaving Egypt |
1:1-22 | Israelites in Egypt [27] | |
2:1-7:13 | Moses and His Mission [28] | |
7:14-12:36 | Egyptian Plagues [29] | |
II | 12:37-15:21 | Exit from Egypt [30] |
III | 15:22-18:27 | From the Red Sea to Sinai [31] |
Part II | 19:1-40:38 | IN SINAI. FIRST LEGISLATION |
The Book of Exodus according to Biblia Wujka in the elaboration of J. Frankowski [32]:
Part I | 1:1-18:27 | DELIVERANCE FROM EGYPTIAN CAPTIVITY |
1:1-2:22 | see particular sub-parts in the footnote [33] | |
2:23-25 | God Mentions the Covenant with Abraham. | |
3:1-4:31 | The Revelation of God to Moses [34] | |
5:1-6:1 | The First Moses’ Encounter with the Pharaohs Deterioration of the Situation of Israelite | |
6:2-13 | The Second Description of the Revelation of God and Vocation of Moses | |
6:14-30 … 7:13 | see particular sub-parts in the footnote [35] | |
7:14-10:29 | Egyptian Plagues | |
11:1-10 | The Announcement of the Last Plague | |
12:1-20 | The Passover Night. Lamb and Unleavened Bread | |
12:21-30 | Death of Firstborns | |
12:31-51 | The exit | |
13:1-10 | Rules Concerning the Ordination of Passover in the Promised Land | |
13:11-16 | The Law about the Firstborns | |
13:17-22 | Israel’s Way Out Of Egypt | |
14:1-31 | Pursuit; Passage Through the Red Sea | |
15:1-21 | The Song of the Saved… | |
15:22- 18:27 | Near the Waters of Mara… [36] | |
Part II | 19:1-40:38 | AT SINAI. COVENANT AND LAW |
The Book of Exodus in the elaboration of S. Łach [37] from 1964:
Part I | 1:1-13:16 | ISRAEL IN EGYPT |
1:1-7:13 | see particular sub-parts in the footnote [38] | |
7:14-10:29 | Egyptian Plagues | |
11:1-13:16 | The Passover Night and the Exodus from Egypt | |
Part II | 13:17-18:27 | THE JOURNEY FROM EGYPT TO SINAI |
Part III | 19:1-31:18 | MAKING THE COVENANT ON SINAI |
Part IV | 32:1-40:38 | THE APOSTASY OF ISRAEL AND THE RENEWAL OF THE COVENANT |
The Book of Exodus in the elaboration of S. Łach [39] from 1996:
Part I | 1:1-18:27 | THE RELEASE OF THE ISRAELITES FROM EGYPT |
I | 1:1-15:21 | Israel in Egypt |
1:1-7:13 | see particular sub-parts in the footnote [40] | |
7:14-10:29 | Egyptian Plagues | |
11:1-13:16 | The Passover Night and the Exodus from Egypt | |
13:17-14:31 | The Miraculous Passage Through the sea | |
15:1-22 | A Song of Thanks | |
II | 15:22-18:27 | The way from Egypt to Sinai |
Part II | 19:1-40:38 | MAKING THE COVENANT ON SINAI. THE FIRST LAWS |
The Book of Exodus in Biblia Poznańska [41]:
1:1-7:13 | SUB-PART without editorial title | |
1:1-22 | Oppression of the Israelites in Egypt | |
2:1-15 | Moses’ Youth | |
2:16-22 | Moses in Midian | |
2:23-3:22 | Vocation of Moses | |
4:1-17 | Preparing Moses for the Mission | |
4:18-31 | Moses Returns to Egypt | |
5:1-6:1 | The First Meeting with the Pharaoh | |
6:2-13 | Account [42] of the Revelation of the Name of Yahweh, Parallel to That of Exodus 3-4 | |
6:14-27 | Genealogy of Moses and Aaron | |
6:28-7:13 | Aaron as the Translator of Moses | |
7:14-11:10 | EGYPTIAN PLAGUES | |
12:1-36 | PASSOVER | |
12:1-14 | The First Commands | |
12:15-20 | Feast of Unleavened Bread | |
12:21-36 | Death of Firstborns | |
12:37-15:21 | EXIT FROM EGYPT | |
12:37-42 | sub-part without editorial title | |
12:43-51 | Participation of Strangers in the Passover Festival | |
13:1-2 | The Commandment to Consecrate the Firstborns to God [43] | |
13:3-16 | Ritual Instructions | |
13:17-31 | Crossing the Sea | |
15:1-21 | A Song of Gratitude | |
15:22-18:27 | A MARCH FROM THE SEA TO THE SINAI MOUNTAIN | |
19:1-40:38 | MAKING THE COVENANT WITH GOD… [44] |
An example of the Bible in German: Die Heilige Schrift des Alten Bundes [45]:
Part I | 1:1-15:21 | Die Befreiung aus Ägypten |
1:1-22 | 1. Israel in Ägypten [46] | |
2:1-7:7 | 2. Jugend und Berufung des Mose [47] | |
7:8-13:16 | 3. Die Ägyptischen Plagen. Das Pascha [48] | |
13:17-15:21 | 4. Der Durchzug durch das Schilfmeer [49] | |
Part II | 15:22-18:27 | Die Wüstenwanderung [50] |
Part III | 19:1-40:38 | Der Bund am Sinai [51] |
A second example of the Bible in German: Das Alte Testament [52]:
Part I | 1:1-11:10 | ISRAEL IN ÄGYPTEN [53] |
Part II | 12:1-18:27 | DER AUSZUG AUS ÄGYPTEN [54] |
Part III | 19:1-40:38 | AM SINAI |
An example of the Bible in American language: The New American Bible [55]:
Part I | 1:1-12:36 | The Israelites in Egypt [56] |
Part II | 12:37-18:27 | The Exodus from Egypt and the Journey to Sinai [57] |
Part III | 19:1-24:18 | The Covenant at Mount Sinai |
Part IV | 25:1-40:38 | The Dwelling and Its Furnishing |
An example of the Bible in English: The Jerusalem Bible [58]:
Part I | 1:1-15:21 | THE LIBERATION FROM EGYPT |
A | 1:1-12:36 | ISRAEL IN EGYPT [59] |
B | 2:1-7:7 | EARLY LIFE AND CALL OF MOSES |
2:1-10 | The Birth of Moses | |
2:11-22 | Moses Escapes to Midian | |
2:23-7:7 | The Call of Moses [60] | |
C | 7:8-13:16 | THE PLAGUES OF EGYPT – THE PASSOVER [61] |
D | 13:17-15:21 | THE CROSSING OF THE SEA OF REEDS [62] |
Part II | 15:22-18:27 | ISRAEL IN THE DESERT [63] |
Part III | 19:1-24 | THE COVENANT AT SINAI |
Part IV | 25:1-31:18 | INSTRUCTIONS ON THE BUILDING OF THE SANCTUARY AND ON ITS MINISTERS |
Part V | 32:1-34:35 | ISRAEL’S APOSTASY. THE COVENANT RENEWED |
Part VI | 35:1-40:38 | THE FURNISHING AND BUILDING OF THE SANCTUARY |
An example of the Bible in French: La Bible. Traduction œcuménique de la Bible [64]:
1:1-15:21 | DIEU FAIT SORTIR ISRAËL DU PAYS D’ ÉGYPTE [65] | |
15:22-18:27 | LA MARCHE DES ISRAÉLITES DANS LE DÉSERT [66] | |
19:1-24:18 | DIEU FAIT ALLIANCE AVEC ISRAËL | |
25:1-31:18 | LE PLAN DU SANCTUAIRE | |
32:1-34:35 | LE VEAU D’OR | |
35:1-40:38 | LA CONSTRUCTION DU SANCTUAIRE |
An example of the Bible in Russian: БИБЛИЯ [67]
1:1-15:21 | I. ИЗБАВЛЕНИЕ ОТ ЕГИПТА | |
1:1-22 | A. ВВЕДЕНИЕ [68] | |
2:1-4:31 | Б. Моисей – избавител [69] | |
5:1-12:36 | В. Избавление Божие [70] | |
12:37-15:21 | Г. Начало исхода в пасхальную ночь [71] | |
15:22-18:27 | II. В ПУСТЫНЕ, НА ПУТИ К СИНАЮ [72] | |
19:1-24:18 | III. ЗАВЕТ И ЗАКОН | |
25:1-40:38 | IV. СКИНИЯ В ПУСТЫНЕ |
B. S. Childs [73] made the division, which is very important for the research of this dissertation.
The division by Childs:
1:1-15:21 | SUB-PART without title | |
1:1-7 | Introductory | |
1:8-2:10 | Israel’s Persecution and the Birth of Moses | |
2:11-15 | Moses Slays an Egyptian and Flees to Midian | |
3:1-4:17 | The Call of Moses | |
4:18-6:1 | The Return to Egypt | |
6:2-7:7 | The Renewed Call of Moses | |
7:8-11:10 | The Plagues of Egypt | |
12:1-13:16 | Passover and Exodus | |
13:17-14:31 | The Deliverance at the Sea | |
15:1-21 | The Song of the Sea | |
15:22-18:27 | INTRODUCTION TO THE WILDERNESS WANDERINGS TRADITIONS | |
15:22-27 | The Waters of Marah | |
16:1-36 | Manna and Quails | |
17:1-7 | Water at Massah and Meribah | |
17:8-16 | War with the Amalekites | |
18:1-27 | The Visit of Jethro | |
19:1-40:38 | INTRODUCTION TO THE SINAI TRADITIONS | |
19:1-25; 20:18-21 | The Theophany at Sinai | |
20:1-17 | The Decalogue | |
20:22-23:33 | Statutes and Ordinances of the Covenant | |
24:1-18 | The Sealing of the Covenant | |
25:1-31:18 | Directions for the Tabernacle and its Service | |
32:1-35 | The Golden Calf | |
33:1-23 | God’s Presence Endangered | |
34:1-35 | The Renewal of the Covenant | |
35:1-40:38 | Tabernacle Instructions Executed |
R. J. Clifford [74] made the following division:
Part I | 1:1-15:21 | HEBREWS LIBERATED FROM THE SLAVERY OF THE PHARAOH IN EGYPT |
A | 1:1-2:2 | Danger [75] |
B | 2:23-6:1 | God Calls Moses. The First Narrative |
C | 6:2-7:7 | God Calls Moses. The Second Narrative [76] |
D | 7:8-13:16 | Ten Plagues [77] |
E | 13:17-15:21 | Destruction of Egyptian Troops and Miriam’s Thanksgiving |
F | 15:22-18:27 | Wandering to Sinai and Canaan after the Destruction of the Egyptians [78] |
Part II | 19:1-40:38 | ISRAEL AT THE FOOT OF SINAI |
A | 19:1-24:18 | The Solemn Covenant-Making |
B | 25:1-31:18 | God’s Command to Build and Maintain the Tabernacle |
C | 32:1-34:35 | Apostasy and Renewal of the Covenant |
D | 35:1-40:38 | The Building of the Tabernacle and the Descent of the Glory of God |
J. F. Craghan divided into main parts according to the criterion of geographical aspect [79] and into sub-parts according to an aspect of dramatic development of events, [80] which, however, one should clarify as the criterion of the history in which the central figure is the people of God [81].
Division according to J. F. Craghan:
Part I | 1:1-13:16 | Israel in Egypt [82] |
Part II | 13:17-18:27 | Israel in the Desert [83] |
Part III | 19:1-40:38 | Israel at Sinai [84] |
A. Spreafico [85] divided it according to the developing theme criterion:
Part I | 1:1-15:21 | ISRAEL IN EGYPT |
1. | 1:1-7 | From Genesis to Exodus |
2. | 1:8-22 | Israel’s Bondage |
3. | 2:1-7:7 | Moses the Liberator |
4. | 7:8-10:29 | Ten Miracles |
5. | 11:1-13:16 | Firstborns and Passover |
6. | 13:17-15:21 | Exodus from Egypt |
Part II | 15:22-18:27 | ISRAEL IN THE DESERT: MURMURING |
Part III | 19:1-40:38 | THE COVENANT [86] |
1. In each of the above editions, biblical scholars divided the Book of Exodus at the beginning of chapter 19: with verse 18:27 ends the description of Israel’s exit from Egypt and their journey to Mount Sinai, and with verse 19:1 begins the description of Israel’s stay at the foot of Mount Sinai, the conclusion of God’s covenant with Israel, the realization of the covenant regulations. It should be assumed [87] that in terms of the described events (narrative criterion) and the place of action (geographical criterion), there is the following division:
In addition, one should mention here the unique role that some biblical scholars [88], focused on studying the history of tradition, give to Ex 1-15: they believe that this text contains four fundamental themes-events: the vocation of Moses, the series of plagues, the celebration of the Passover, the rescue in the crossing of the Red Sea.
2. It is not easy to divide these two parts into smaller literary units – the biblical scholars differ here. Nevertheless, there is a high degree of consensus on the separation of the following part:
15:22-18:27: From the Red Sea to Sinai / Road from Egypt to Sinai / Walk from the Sea to the Mountains of Sinai / Die Wüstenwanderung / Israel in the Desert: Murmurs / Israel in the Desert / la marche des Israélites dans le désert [89].
3. The problem is to define verse that begins the description of the exit from Egypt:
4. Biblical scholars also differ in defining the boundaries of the Passover description:
7:8-13:16 | Die Heilige Schrift des Alten Bundes (joins the description of the plagues and the Passover) |
11:1-13:16 | S. Łach (The Passover night and the exodus from Egypt) |
11:1-13:16 | R. J. Clifford (Tenth plague: the death of firstborn Egyptian children, and accompanying rituals) |
11:1-13:16 | A. Spreafico (Firstborns and Passover) |
12:1-21; 12:43-13:16 | S. Styś (12:1-21: The first law about the Passover celebration; 12:43-13:16: The group of ceremonial laws) |
12:1-20 | J. Frankowski (The Passover night. The lamb and the unleavened bread) |
12:1-36 | Biblia Poznańska (Passover: 1-14: First commands; 15-20: Festival of Unleavened Feast; 21-36: Death of the firstborns) |
12:1-13:16 | Das Alte Testament (Das Pascha); J. Scharbert [93](Das Pascha): H. C. Propp [94] (‘And You will observe this day as an eternal rule”): B. S. Childs (Passover and Exodus) |
12:1-20. 21-28.43-51 | The New American Bible (12:1-20: The Passover Ritual Prescribed; 12:21-28: Promulgation of the Passover; 12:43-51: Passover Regulations) |
12:1-13:22 | G. Ravasi [95] |
12:1-14. 21-28.43-51 | The Jerusalem Bible (12:1-14: The Passover; 12:21-28: Injunctions relating to the Passover; 12:43-51: Ordinances for the Passover;) |
12:1-14. 21-28.43-51 | La Bible (12:1-14: La fête de la Pâque; 12:21-28: Préparation du repas de la Pâque; 12:43-51: Règle pour célébrer la Pâque) |
12:1-28; 12:43-13:2: | БИБЛИЯ (12:1-28: Установление Пасхи; 12:43-13:2: Устав Пасхи) |
12:1-28.42-51 | J. F. Craghan [96] |
5. Biblical scholars also differ in determining the boundaries of the plague description:
7:1-11:10 | Das Alte Testament: J. Scharbert [97] |
7:8-10:29 | A. Spreafico |
7:8-11:10 | J. F. Craghan (7:8-13: Introduction; 7:14-11:10: The Plagues) |
7:8-11:10 | The Jerusalem Bible (7:8-13: The Staff Turned into a Serpent; 7:14-25: The First Plague; … 10:21-29: The Ninth Plague; 11:1-10: Moses Proclaims the Death of the First-born); Propp [98] (‘But Pharaoh’s heart was strong: he did not release Israel’s Sons”) |
7:8-12:28 | J. L. McKenzie [99] |
7:8-12:36 | БИБЛИЯ |
7:8-13:16 | Die Heilige Schrift des Alten Bundes (It combines a description of plagues and Passover) |
7:8-13:16 | R. J. Clifford (7:8-13: Introduction; 7:14-8:19: I Triplet; 8:20-9:12: II Triplet; 9:13-10:29: III Triplet; 11:1-13:16: Tenth Plague: the Death of Firstborn Egyptian Children, and Accompanying Rituals) |
7:14-12:36 | S. Styś (consecutive plagues: 7:14-25 … 10:21-29; then: 11:10: The Announcement of the Tenth Plague; 12:1-21: The First Law on the Passover Celebration; 12:29-36: The Tenth Plague) |
7:14-12:30 | J. Frankowski (7:14-10:29: Egyptian Plagues; 11:1-10: The Announcement of the Last Plague; 12:1-20: The Passover Night. The Lamb and the Unleavened Bread; 12:21-30: Death of the Firstborns) |
7:14-10:29 | S. Łach (both editions) |
7:14-11:10 | Biblia Poznańska; The New American Bible; G. Ravasi [100] |
7:14-10:29; 12:29-42 | La Bible (7:14-25: Premiere fléau…10:21-29: Neuvième fléau; 12:29-42: Dixième fléau) |
B. Lemmelijn [101] undertook a detailed analysis of this literary problem and its various solutions among biblical scholars. At the outset, she points out that the reader of the description of plagues almost immediately perceives that the beginning and ending point of the narrative is ‘fluent’ – difficult to grasp. That is why the differences in opinions among scholars are not surprising.
The author points to two main views about the beginning of the narrative: Ex 7:8 [102] (in this case, Ex 7:8-13 is considered an essential introduction to the part of the plagues’ description) or Ex 7:14 [103].
She also shows other views, but with fewer supporters: Ex 6:28; Ex 7:1, or a less clearly defined point within Ex 7-11 or 5-11 [104].
In turn, in the author’s opinion, the issue of the end of the narrative is even more complicated. The two main views here are Ex 11:10 [105] and Ex 10:27 [106] (or 10:29 [107]). However, some exegetes argue in favor of ending the narrative of the plagues in Ex 12 because verses 29-32 and 35-36 describe the death of the firstborns, announced in Ex 11 [108]. Still, others move the same end until Ex 13:16 [109]. These differences of opinions result from the fact that Ex 11 contains both the statements summarizing the narrative of the plagues and announcing the most severe plague – the death of the firstborns, described in Ex 12.
6. There are also significant differences in the description of the call of Moses:
(a) in the Book of Exodus, according to most biblical scholars, there are two descriptions regarding the same event, while according to others, there are described subsequent events that are different from each other:
It is worth noting, following J. Lust [122], that the indicated divergence of opinions integrally connects itself with the source hypothesis: one commonly assumes that Ex 6:2-7:13 comes from a Priestly source, while 6:2-5 seems to focus on the revelation of the name יהוה [123], similarly as the description of Ex 3:1-4:17 assigned to the Yahwistic source (or edition/redaction).
(b) the boundaries of each of the two descriptions (or events) are defined differently:
the beginning of the description | the end of the description | |
first description | from 2:23 [124] or 3:1 [125] | up to 4:31 [126] |
second description | from 6:2 [127] | up to 6:13 [128] or 7:7 [129] or 7:13 [130] |