Swallowing the Scroll: Textuality and the Dynamics of Discourse in Ezekiel’s Prophecy

by Ellen F. Davis

Publisher:

Sheffield Academic Press

, 1989

Overview

In this original study, Dr. Davis argues that Ezekiel's place in the history of prophecy is overdue for reassessment. As against current views that Ezekiel represents the collapse of prophetism into priestly and scribal forms, she argues that something radically different in prophecy begins with Ezekiel. Ezekiel represents the creation of a new literary idiom for prophecy. He develops an archival speech form oriented less toward current events than to reshaping the tradition. He has taken a step backward from direct confrontation with an audience as the basic dynamic of communication, and has made the medium of prophecy not the person of the prophet but the text. Like the postexilic prophets, Ezekiel participated in the transformation of the social role of prophecy, and thereby saved himself from oblivion.

Key Features

• Excellent study on the literary aspects of Ezekiel
• Includes table of contents, indexes, and bibliographies

Contents

Top Highlights

“Although other prophets were skilled speakers, Ezekiel’s Temple education promoted a structured awareness of language and led him toward an unprecedented style of prophetic discourse, one that was more consciously programmed as a communicative device.” (Page 40)

“responsibility conferred upon them by the author if” (Page 92)

“Ezekiel’s was a fundamentally literate mind, i.e., his patterns of thought and expression were shaped by habits of reading and writing. Therefore it was through him that Israelite prophecy for the first time received its primary impress from the new conditions and opportunities for communication created by writing.” (Page 39)

“working under the conditions of the exile, Ezekiel is engaged in remodelling prophecy as a form of social interaction” (Page 25)

Product Details

• Title: Swallowing the Scroll: Textuality and the Dynamics of Discourse in Ezekiel’s Prophecy
• Author: Ellen F. Davis
• Publisher: Sheffield Academic Press
• Publication Date: 2009
• Pages: 184

About Ellen F. Davis

Professor Davis is interested in theological interpretation of the Old Testament, with particular concern for Christian preaching. Her current work focuses also on developing an exegetically based response to the ecological crisis. A lay Episcopalian, she has been involved in Jewish-Christian dialogue for more than 30 years. Her previous teaching appointments were at Union Theological Seminary (New York City), Yale Divinity School, and the Virginia Theological Seminary.