Discourse Analysis of the Letter to the Hebrews: The Relationship between Form and Meaning (Library of New Testament Studies | LNTS)

by Cynthia Long Westfall

Publisher:

T&T Clark

, 2005

Overview

This study attempts to analyze the text of Hebrews with a method of discourse analysis primarily based on a form of systemic functional linguistics developed for Hellenistic Greek, but it is also informed by other linguistic studies. It begins with a general survey of the literature that is either influential or representative of approaches to the structure of Hebrews. The survey is followed by an introduction to the terminology and definitions of discourse analysis, as well as the theory behind the methodology and a description of the methodology itself.

Hebrews is treated as having three sections. The first section of Hebrews (1:1–4:16) demonstrates the organization of the units, the topic of the units, the prominent text, and the relationship of the first section with the rest of the discourse. The second section of Hebrews (4:11–10:25) is described in two parts (4:11–7:28 and 8:1–10:25) because of its length. There is an overlap between the first and second sections in 4:11–16 and between the second and third sections in 10:19–25. Both of these passages have a concluding function for the preceding co-text and a staging function for the following co-text, so that they look backwards and forwards. The third and final section in 10:19–13:25 contains the climax or discourse peak. The study concludes with a description of the coherence of the discourse and a presentation of a mental representation of the text.

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Key Features

• Attempts to analyze the text of Hebrews
• Uses a method of discourse analysis based on a form of systemic functional linguistics
• Includes an introduction to the terminology and definitions of discourse analysis

Contents

• Survey of the Literature On the Structure of Hebrews
• Introduction to Discourse Analysis Theory
• Jesus: The Apostle of Our Confession
• Jesus: The High Priest of Our Confession Part 1: A Priest According to the Order of Melchizedek
• Jesus: The High Priest of Our Confession Part 2: A Priest Who Equips Us to Draw Near to God
• Partners in a Heavenly Callng

Top Highlights

“The term structure in this study refers to the patterns an author uses to organize text.” (Page 28)

“structure is that it is the way in which an author or speaker maps meaning within a discourse.” (Page 28)

“There are three classes of classical rhetoric: judicial, deliberative and epideictic.” (Page 4)

“Literary criticism is concerned with the final form of the text, and, in contrast with rhetorical criticism, is more ahistorical in nature, with interpretation of the text as the main goal.” (Page 7)

“Groupings based on the consecutive repetition of a formal feature will also be referred to as a span.” (Page 38)

Praise for the Print Edition

. . . A more specialized biblical studies collection may wish to invest in what is without doubt a major study of this area and a good example of this particular methodological approach.

—Theological Book Review

Westfall is to be congratulated on a remarkable fusion of the insights of current linguistic theory with a detailed, down-to-earth reading of the Greek text of Hebrews, producing what is in effect a special type of commentary.

—Paul Ellingworth, translation consultant, the United Bible Societies

Product Details

• Title: A Discourse Analysis of the Letter to the Hebrews: The Relationship between Form and Meaning
• Author: Cynthia Long Westfall
• Publisher: T&T Clark
• Print Publication Date: 2005
• Logos Release Date: 2014
• Pages: 352
• Era: era:contemporary
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subject: Bible. N.T. Hebrews › Criticism, interpretation, etc
• ISBNs: 9780567030528, 0567030520
• Resource ID: LLS:DSCRSNLYSSLTTRH
• Resource Type: Bible Commentary
• Metadata Last Updated: 2024-03-25T19:37:20Z

About Cynthia Long Westfall

Cindy has published in the area of discourse analysis of the New Testament and is a recognized expert on the book of Hebrews. Her first book on Hebrews and its form and meaning appeared this year. Cindy has taught previously at Mars Hill Graduate School, Denver Seminary and Colorado Christian University.