“I Will Walk Among You”: The Rhetorical Function of Allusion to Genesis 1–3 in the Book of Leviticus (Bulletin for Biblical Research Supplement)

The well-known parallels between Genesis and Leviticus invite further reflection, particularly in regard to the rhetorical and theological purpose of their lexical, syntactical, and conceptual correspondences. This volume investigates the possibility that the final-form text of Leviticus is an indirect reference to Genesis 1–3 and examines the rhetorical significance of such an allusion. The face of Pentateuch scholarship has shifted dramatically in the last forty years, resulting in the questioning of many received truths and the employment of a host of new, renewed, and often competing methodologies by biblical scholars. This study sits at the intersection of these recent interpretive trends. G. Geoffrey Harper uses insights from the fields of intertextuality, rhetorical criticism, and speech act theory to create a methodological framework, which he applies to three Leviticus pericopes. Chapters 11, 16, and 26 are examined in turn, and for each the assessment of potential parallels at lexical, syntactical, and conceptual levels reveals a complex web of interconnected allusion to the creation and Eden narratives of Genesis 1 and 2–3. Moreover, Harper probes the theological and rhetorical import of these intertextual connections and explores how Leviticus ought to be understood in its Pentateuchal context. This comprehensive study of the connections between these two sections of the Hebrew Bible sheds light on both the literary artistry of these ancient texts and the persuasive purposes that lie behind their composition.

The well-known parallels between Genesis and Leviticus invitefurther reflection, particularly in regard to the rhetorical andtheological purpose of their lexical, syntactical, and conceptualcorrespondences. This volume investigates the possibility that thefinal-form text of Leviticus is an indirect reference to Genesis1-3 and examines the rhetorical significance of such anallusion.

The face of Pentateuch scholarship has shifted dramatically inthe last forty years, resulting in the questioning of many receivedtruths and the employment of a host of new, renewed, and oftencompeting methodologies by biblical scholars. This study sits atthe intersection of these recent interpretive trends. G. GeoffreyHarper uses insights from the fields of intertextuality, rhetoricalcriticism, and speech act theory to create a methodologicalframework, which he applies to three Leviticus pericopes. Chapters11, 16, and 26 are examined in turn, and for each the assessment ofpotential parallels at lexical, syntactical, and conceptual levelsreveals a complex web of interconnected allusion to the creationand Eden narratives of Genesis 1 and 2-3. Moreover, Harper probesthe theological and rhetorical import of these intertextualconnections and explores how Leviticus ought to be understood inits Pentateuchal context.

This comprehensive study of the connections between these twosections of the Hebrew Bible sheds light on both the literaryartistry of these ancient texts and the persuasive purposes thatlie behind their composition.

A Methodologically Constrained Examination Of The Lexical, Syntactical, And Conceptual Correspondence Between The Opening Chapters Of Genesis And Leviticus 11, 16, And 26. Explores The Potential Rhetorical Function Of Allusion For The Texts' Original Audience--provided By Publisher. Reading Leviticus -- Intertextuality, Allusion, And Rhetorical Function -- The Rhetorical Function Of Leviticus In Its Pentateuchal Context -- Allusions To Genesis 1-3 In Leviticus 11 -- Allusions To Genesis 1-3 In Leviticus 16 -- Allusions To Genesis 1-3 In Leviticus 26. G. Geoffrey Harper. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.