Encountering the Divine: Theophany in Biblical Narrative (Library of Hebrew Bible/Old Testament Studies | LHBOTS)

by George Savran

Publisher:

T&T Clark

, 2005

Overview

Encountering the Divine: Theophany in Biblical Narrative is George W. Savran’s highly regarded and much sought after monograph about the narratives on humans encountering God, as depicted in the Hebrew Bible. In general terms "theophany" refers to all divine appearances but mostly those occurring as visions, dreams, or other revelations. However, in this study the focus is on scriptural references to actual contact between the human and the divine. Savran’s fascination with the idea of theophany led him to assess biblical descriptions, recognizing and identifying patterns associated with such interactions. These Bible narratives deserve particular attention because they make something known about the participants: the possibility for interaction between two distinct spheres—human and divine—and the effects one sphere has upon the other.

In this well-written book, the literary and theological dynamics of the divine-human encounters are first examined utilizing type-scene analysis to illuminate the common structure within these encounters. The sequence of events in these narratives unfolds in the following specific order. The first event is the isolation of the human protagonist from the rest of humanity. Next, a visual and verbal disclosure is made by the Deity. The human protagonist then reacts with a range of responses to the experience. The final sequence in the scene is exemplified by a more externalized reaction, marking the carrying over of the experience into a larger societal framework. The author identifies the different literary strategies employed in each narrative, and offers a detailed analysis of each component of the type-scene. Also included is dialogue on topics such as the intertextuality of the narratives and the deadly nature of these encounters.

Contents

Top Highlights

“We would propose that the net must be cast wider, and that these call narratives be seen as a particular subset of initial theophany narratives.” (Page 13)

“The bulk of this study is given over to exploring these theophany narratives as a literary category in themselves” (Page 2)

“sees the origin of these texts in the pattern of commissioning a messenger or in the election of a leader” (Page 1)

“We can distinguish between two fundamentally different types of responses” (Page 90)

“On the one hand, the Deity’s autonomy was carefully guarded, by the suddenness and unpredictability of the Deity, and by the absolute nature of the Deity’s decisions.” (Page 2)

Endorsements

...Savran's analysis of theophanic narratives represent carefully reasoned and well-articulated scholarship that advances our understanding of the divine-human relationships withing the Hebrew Bible. No study of theophany narratives is complete without taking this significant work into account.

—Steven C. Horline, Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, Vol. 49, no. 2

The literary analysis is most enlightening…. Savran writes clearly and logically, sharing helpful, fascinating insights into plot and character development…. I… would recommend it to others interested in a detailed narrative portrayal and character study of the recipients of theophany.

—James A. Borland, Themelios, 32/1

Product Details

• Title: Encountering the Divine: Theophany in Biblical Narrative
• Author: George Savran
• Publisher: T&T Clark
• Print Publication Date: 2005
• Logos Release Date: 2008
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subject: Bible. O.T. › Criticism, interpretation, etc
• ISBNs: 9780567043917, 0567043916
• Resource ID: LLS:ENCOUNTRDVNE
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2024-03-25T19:39:27Z

About George Savran

George W. Savran is Professor of Bible, and Head of the Biblical Studies Track at the Schechter Institute, Jerusalem, Israel.

Sample Pages from Encountering the Divine: Theophany in Biblical Narrative (Library of Hebrew Bible/Old Testament Studies | LHBOTS)