Divine Dictation: Voice and Writing in the Giving of the Law

Abstract

The Giving of the Law is one of the most important events inJudeo-Christian civilisation. Variously interpreted by Jewish andChristian exegetes, profusely represented by poets and painters, sourceof interminable theological discussion and referential text ofnumberless doctrinal positions, the description of this momentouscommunication has deeply influenced Western civilisation. This influencehas not been neutral, but guided by interpretations and translations.The Hebrew text of the book of Exodus which recounts the Giving of theLaw (second tablets) contains an ambiguity: it is impossible todetermine whether this communication is direct or mediate, whether it isthe finger of God or the hand of Moses which has sculpted the Law in thestone. A detailed analysis of Christian exegesis, from the first Fathersof the Church until Medieval interpretations, reveals the way in whichthe choice between these two possible exegetical options has exercised along lasting influence on the Western conception of both Law andWriting: the content of the tablets and their expressive form.From Augustine, who is the first Christian author to pay close attentionto this interpretative dilemma, until the last Fathers of the Church,who fundamentally articulate this same exegesis, a typologicalinterpretation is progressively built, which explains the second tabletsas a reference to the New Testament. As a consequence, the writing ofthe Law is gradually spiritualised, in order to become the symboliccounterpart of the word of Christ. This provokes a dematerialisation ofwriting itself, which is a powerful semiotic myth of Westerncivilisation.