Between Elim and Sinai: a theological interpretation of exodus sixteen shaped by its canonical context

Abstract

This thesis constructs a theological interpretation of Ex 16 through the use of a method designed in light of contemporary hermeneutical discussion, in dialogue with current approaches to biblical texts (especially current approaches to OT narrative texts), in response to the perceived nature of Ex 16, and with a desire to provide some indication of Ex 16's significance for Jewish and Christian faith. This thesis begins with an analysis of Ex 16's manna and quail narrative from the perspective of four of the motifs which it contains (i.e., murmuring, testing, divine provision, and sabbath observance). It then creates and analyzes a wider pentateuchal narrative context appropriate for the study of Ex 16. The study of that wider context reveals a narrative flow that is sufficiently unified to convey a meaningful and compelling message and, as a result, that narrative flow is able to inform and enrich the interpretation of its constituent narratives; that ability is utilized to generate an enhanced theological reading of Ex 16.Although this thesis does not respond to all of the issues relevant to the current uncertainty with regard to biblical studies in general and pentateuchal studies in specific, ' it is one partial response to that uncertainty. It seeks to demonstrate that a detailed shady of a biblical text which is sensitive to the structure and the nature of that text in its canonical form and which is sensitive to the ability of that text's wider canonical context to define and enrich that text's message has the potential to create a valid theological interpretation of that text.