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Realigning the Cosmos: The intertextual image of judgment and restoration in Zephaniah
Two extensive intertextual voices in the final-form of Zephaniah consist of Gen 1-11 (in Zeph 1.2-3; 2.11-15; 3.9-10) and Isaiah (in Zeph 2.15; 3.9-10, 14-17). Although often explored independently, these intertextual voices overlap in Zeph 2.11-15 and 3.9-10, constructing a dialogue. This study arg...
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Published in: | Journal for the study of the Old Testament 2020-09, Vol.45 (1), p.111-127 |
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Main Author: | |
Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Citations: | Items that this one cites |
Online Access: | Get full text |
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Summary: | Two extensive intertextual voices in the final-form of Zephaniah consist of Gen 1-11 (in Zeph 1.2-3; 2.11-15; 3.9-10) and Isaiah (in Zeph 2.15; 3.9-10, 14-17). Although often explored independently, these intertextual voices overlap in Zeph 2.11-15 and 3.9-10, constructing a dialogue. This study argues that this intertextual dialogue reorients the surrounding pronouncements of judgment and salvation along cosmic lines. This dialogue reframes the message of Zephaniah within a chiastic structure in which judgment against Jerusalem inaugurates the undoing of creation (A. Zeph 1.2-3). The voices of Isaiah and Gen 1-11 direct this undoing toward the nations, which culminates in the undoing of an archetypal Mesopotamian cultic center (B. Zeph 2.11b-15). Following this, the nations are reoriented around Jerusalem as the new international cultic center (B’. Zeph 3.9-10). This reorientation culminates in Jerusalem’s praise on account of its cosmic restoration (A’. Zeph 3.14-17). |
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ISSN: | 0309-0892 1476-6728 |
DOI: | 10.1177/0309089219864613 |