Joels Use of Scripture and the Scriptures Use of Joel (Biblical Interpretation Series)

Joel’s Use of Scripture and the Scripture’s Use of Joel

Biblical Interpretation Series Editors

R. Alan Culpepper, Ellen van Wolde Associate Editors

David E. Orton, Rolf Rendtorff Editorial Advisory Board

janice capel anderson – mieke bal – phyllis a. bird erhard blum – werner h. kelber – ekkehard w. stegeman vincent l. wimbush – jean zumstein

VOLUME 82

Joel’s Use of Scripture and the Scripture’s Use of Joel Appropriation and Resignification in Second Temple Judaism and Early Christianity

By

John Strazicich

LEIDEN • BOSTON 2007

This book is printed on acid-free paper. Library of Congress Cataloging-in Publication data A C.I.P. record for this book is available from the Library of Congress.

ISSN: 0928-0731 ISBN-13: 978 90 04 15079 9 Copyright 2007 by Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, The Netherlands. Koninklijke Brill NV incorporates the imprints BRILL, Hotei Publishing, IDC Publishers, Martinus Nijhoff Publishers and VSP. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, translated, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission from the publisher. Authorization to photocopy items for internal or personal use is granted by Koninklijke Brill NV provided that the appropriate fees are paid directly to The Copyright Clearance Center, 222 Rosewood Drive, Suite 910, Danvers, MA 01923, USA. Fees are subject to change. printed in the netherlands

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I dedicate this book to my wife Renay and our children Matthew, Michael, and Victoria: μk,yte/n”bW] μk,ynEB] WaÁBn] wI Ò rc;BA; lK;Al[' yjiWrAta, J/Pv]a,

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TABLE OF CONTENTS Preface. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xvii Acknowledgments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xix Abbreviations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xxi INTRODUCTION TO JOEL’S USE OF SCRIPTURE AND THE SCRITURE’S USE OF JOEL: METHOD OF INTERPRETATION The Approach to Joel and the New Testament . . . . . . . . . . . Method and Purpose. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Introductory Remarks to Intertextuality and Comparative Midrash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A Short Overview of the History of Intertextuality and Bakhtinian Dialogism and Their Hermeneutical Applicability to Biblical Studies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Comparative Midrash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . From Sacred Story to Sacred Text: The Status of Israel’s Literature in the Latter Half of the Fifth Century B.C.E. . . . Standards for the Qualifications for Allusions . . . . . . . . . . . . Major Works in the Study of Joel’s Use of Scripture . . . . . . . Siegfried Bergler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Katheryn Kit-King Leung . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1 2 2

3 14 21 26 28 28 31

PART ONE: JOEL’S USE OF SCRIPTURE CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOK OF JOEL 1.1. The Process of Text Formation: From Temple to Text . . . . 35 1.2. Structural Analysis of the Book of Joel:Yahweh’s Character Revealed in Judgment and Salvation in Zion at the Coming Day of the Lord 1:2-4:21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 1.3. Rhetorical Features of Joel’s Language . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 1.4. The Prophet Joel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 1.5. Joel as a Cultic Prophet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 1.6. The Time of Joel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 1.7. Theological Themes in the Book of Joel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

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CHAPTER 2. JOEL’S USE OF SCRIPTURE IN 1:1-2:17 2.1. Introduction to the Use of Scripture in Joel 1:1-2:17 . . . . . . 59 2.2. The Theological Function of the Superscription in the MT and LXX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61 2.3. Joel’s Use of Scripture in 1:2-4: Joel’s Prooemium . . . . . . . 62 2.3.1. The Appropriation of Scripture in 1:2-4: The Opening Call to Attention: A Didactic Admonition to Instruction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 2.3.2. The Appropriation of Psalm 78 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 2.3.3. Other Suggested Appropriations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 2.3.4. The Resignification of the Exodus Material in Joel 1:2-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 2.3.5. Joel’s Resignification of Psalm 78 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75 2.3.6. An Analysis of Bergler’s Typological Interpretation in Joel 1:2-4 ff. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76 2.4. The Grundriß for Joel’s Liturgical Call to Repentance and Restoration in Joel 1:5 ff. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78 2.5. Joel’s Use of Scripture in 1:6: The Jahwerede of the Land’s Destruction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83 2.5.1. The Appropriation of Scripture in 1:6 . . . . . . . . . . 83 2.5.2. The Resignification of Scripture in 1:6 . . . . . . . . . 83 2.6. Approaching the Use of the Day of Yahweh Motif in Joel 1:15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 2.6.1. The Terminology of the Day of Yahweh . . . . . . . . 84 2.6.2. Possible Origins of the Day of the Lord . . . . . . . . . 86 2.6.3. The Historical Development of the Day of Yahweh Motif . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89 2.6.3.1. The Day of Yahweh in Amos . . . . . . . . . . 89 2.6.3.2. The Day of Yahweh in Zephaniah . . . . . 90 2.6.3.3. The Day of Yahweh in Ezekiel . . . . . . . . . 92 2.6.3.4. The Day of Yahweh in Isaiah . . . . . . . . . . 93 2.6.3.5. The Day of Yahweh in Obadiah . . . . . . . . 94 2.6.3.6. Conclusions to the Overview. . . . . . . . . . . 95 2.6.4. Defining the Term Eschatology in Connection with the Day of Yahweh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97 2.7. Joel’s Use of Scripture in 1:15: The Day of Yahweh Motif 102 2.7.1. The Liturgical Context of the Day of the Lord Motif in Joel 1:15-20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102 2.7.2. The Appropriation of the DOL Motif in 1:15 . . . . 104

contents 2.7.3. The Resignification of the Day of Yahweh Motif in 1:15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.8. Introduction to the Interpretation of the Locusts in Joel 2 2.8.1. The Relationship between Chapters 1 and 2 . . . . . 2.8.2. The Form and Contents of Joel 2:1-17 . . . . . . . . . 2.9. Joel’s Use of Scripture in 2:1-11: The Enemy Sketch. . . . . 2.9.1. Joel’s Use of Scripture in 2:1aa-b: The Alarmbefehl 2.9.1.1. The Appropriation of Scripture in 2:1aa-b . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.9.1.2. The Resignification of the Alarmbefehl in 2:1aa-b . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.9.2. Joel’s Use of Scripture in 2:1ag-2aa: The Day of Yahweh Motif . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.9.3. Joel’s Use of Scripture in 2:2ab-bd: The Description of the Army . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.9.3.1. The Appropriation of Scripture in 2:2ab-bd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.9.3.2. The Resignification of the Army Description in v. 2:2ab-bd . . . . . . . . . . . 2.9.4. Joel’s Use of Scripture in 2:2bb-g: The Incomparability of the Army . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.9.4.1. The Appropriation of Scripture in 2:2bb-g 2.9.4.2. The Resignification of Scripture in 2:2bb-g 2.9.5. Joel’s Use of Scripture in 2:3: The Fiery Theophanization of the Approaching Army . . . . . 2.9.5.1. The Appropriation of Scripture in 2:3 . . . 2.9.5.2. The Resignification of Scripture in 2:3 . . . 2.9.6. Joel’s Use of Scripture in 2:4-9: The Proleptic Description of the Attacking Army . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.9.7. Joel’s Use of Scripture in 2:10: The Cosmic Disruptions at the Theophanic Approach of the Heavenly Army . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.9.8. Joel’s Use of Scripture in 2:11: The Day of Yahweh 2.10. Joel’s Use of Scripture in 2:12-17: The Call to National Repentance to Avert the Day of Yahweh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.10.1. Joel’s Use of Scripture in 2:12-14: An Oracular and Prophetic Summons for National Repentance . . . 2.10.1.1. Joel’s Use of Scripture in 2:12-13aa: A Jahweorakel for Repentance with Prescriptive Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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107 111 111 112 113 113 113 116 117 119 119 122

123 123 124 125 125 126 129

133 136 141 141

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2.10.1.2. Joel’s Use of Scripture in 2:13ab-14: The Attribute Formula and Appended Statement of the Incomprehensible Will of Yahweh 145 2.10.2. Joel’s Use of Scripture in 2:15-17: The Second Call of Instructions for Priests to Proclaim a National Fast at the Temple and Instructions for Their Laments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156 2.10.2.1. Joel’s Use of Scripture in 2:15a: The Instructions for Priests to Blow the Trumpet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157 2.10.2.2. Joel’s Use of Scripture in v. 17ba: Instructions for Priestly Laments For Yahweh to Spare His People . . . . . . . . . . 157 2.10.2.3. Joel’s Use of Scripture in v.17bb-g: The Lament to Yahweh to not Give His Inheritance Over to the Nations . . . . . . . 158 2.11. Conclusion to Joel’s Use of Scripture in 1:2-2:17 . . . . . . . 159 CHAPTER 3. JOEL’S USE OF SCRIPTURE IN 2:18-27: YAHWEH’S GRACIOUS RESPONSE TO JUDAH’S LAMENTATION 3.1. Introduction to Joel’s Use of Scripture in 2:18-27 . . . . . . . 3.2. Joel’s Use of Scripture in 2:18-20: Introductory Promise of Restoration ................................. 3.2.1. Joel’s Use of Scripture in 2:18: Yahweh’s Favorable Answer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.2.2. Joel’s Use of Scripture in v. 19: Yahweh’s Promise of Agricultural Fecundity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.2.3. Joel’s Use of Scripture in 2:20: Yahweh Promises the Destruction of the Northerner . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.2.3.1. The Appropriation of Scripture in 2:20aa: The Removal of the Northerner . . . . . . 3.2.3.2. The Appropriation of Scripture in 2:20ag: The Exodus Locust Plague Tradition and the Burial of Gog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.2.3.3. The Appropriation of Scripture in v. 20ba: The Rotting Stench of the Enemy . . . . . 3.2.3.4. The Appropriation of Scripture in 2:20bb: The Boastful Arrogance of the Enemy

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contents 3.2.3.5. The Resignification of the Northerner in v. 20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.3. Joel’s Use of Scripture in 2:21-27: Yahweh’s Promise of Salvation: The Restoration of the Created Order from the Divine Judgments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.3.1. Joel’s Use of Scripture in 2:21-24: The Reassurance Oracles and Call for the Sons of Zion to Rejoice 3.3.1.1. Joel’s Use of Scripture in 2:21b: Call for the Land to Rejoice in Yahweh’s Mighty Deeds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.3.1.2. Joel’s Use of Scripture in 2:22ab-ba: The Schöpfungsage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.3.1.3. Joel’s Use of Scripture in 2:23aa-b: The Call for the Sons of Zion to Rejoice . . . . 3.3.1.4. Joel’s Use of Scripture in 2:23ag-b: The Gift of the hr