Ark Narrative Research Articles

The Return of the Ark according to Josephus

Abstract 1 Sam 6:1–7:1 marks the third stage in the story of the ark's wanderings as related in the "Ark Narrative": after its capture by the Philistines (1 Samuel 4) and stay in Philistia (1 Samuel 5), the ark now returns to the land of Israel prior to its definitive transfer to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6). This article investigates Josephus's retelling of the biblical account of the ark's return in Ant. 6.7–18 comparing this both with the major witnesses to the text of 1 Sam 6:1–7:1 (MT, 4QSama, LXX, and Targum) as well as extrabiblical traditions about the episode. Specific questions addressed include: the text-form(s) of 1 Sam 6:1–7:1 available to Josephus, the rewriting techniques applied by him, and the distinctive features of his presentation of the ark's homecoming.

Converting the Past: Studies in Ancient Israelite and Moabite Historiography

This book contains partly sections that have never previously been published, and partly earlier contributions that have been thoroughly revised. They are concerned with the use of texts from the Hebrew Bible for historical research. The first chapter offers a general introduction, in which a new method of establishing the historical value of biblical texts is described and elucidated. The second chapter concerns the Ark Narrative (I Sam. iv-vi; II Sam. vi) in its historical context. In the third chapter, the relationship between the literary structure and the historical value of the Moabite inscription of king Mesha is investigated. In the fourth chapter, problems relating to the Hezekiah narratives (Isa. xxxvi-xxxix; II Kings xviii-xx) are discussed, to wit, the primacy of the Isaiah version, the literary unity and historicity of the story; the theological purpose of the speeches and Sennacherib's letter. The last chapter focuses on the representation of king Manasseh in II Kings xxi and II Chronicles xxxiii.

Old Testament Narrative as Theology

This article considers two areas of narrative text. Firstly, it goes into some detail about a splendid example of Old Testament theological storytelling called the Ark Narrative. Secondly, it points to four critical moments in Israel's understanding of its world, indicating that each of these is portrayed in the Old Testament text in irreconcilably contrasting ways. The four moments are: creation, flood, exodus, and settlement. The thesis sustained is this: if sharply contrasting views of the past are preserved and juxtaposed, the concern is not with the manner of what happened but with its meaning in faith. To simplify: the narrative is not history but theology.

The Hand of the Lord: A Reassessment of the "Ark Narrative" of 1 Samuel. Patrick D. Miller, Jr. , J. J. M. Roberts

<i>The Hand of the Lord: A Reassessment of the "Ark Narrative" of 1 Samuel</i>. Patrick D. Miller, Jr. , J. J. M. Roberts

The Hand of the Lord. A Reassessment of the "Ark Narrative" of I Samuel

The Hand of the Lord. A Reassessment of the "Ark Narrative" of I Samuel

Book Review: The Hand of the Lord: A Reassessment of the “Ark Narrative” of I Samuel

Book Review: The Hand of the Lord: A Reassessment of the “Ark Narrative” of I Samuel

REVIEWS

REVIEWS Get access The Ark Narrative (I Sam. iv–vi; 2 Sam. vi): A Form-Critical and Traditio-Historical Study. By ANTONY F. CAMPBELL. Pp. 282. (S.B.L. Disseratations Series, 16.) University of Montana, Missoula, Montana: Society of Biblical Literature and Scholars Press, 1975. N.p. (paper). R. E. CLEMENTS R. E. CLEMENTS Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar The Journal of Theological Studies, Volume XXVII, Issue 2, October 1976, Page 426, https://doi.org/10.1093/jts/XXVII.2.426 Published: 01 October 1976