The Books of Esther: Structure, Genre and Textual Intergrity (JSOT Supplement)

The Books of Esther applies form-critical tools to the Septuagint and non-Septuagint ('Lucianic') Greek texts of Esther. Differences in vocabulary, content and style show that the Greek books of Esther are independent traditions stemming from, and aimed at, two distinct religious communities. The 'Lucianic' version appears more personal, orthodox, nationalistic and Jewish; its audience is Palestinian and it intends to foster communal identity. The Septuagint version breathes a more matter-of-fact, reportorial, Hellenistic style, with an eye to tolerance of heretics and audience entertainment. The Masoretic version became canonized because it is the most multivalent of the Esthers, appealing to both religious and secular elements of Judaism. 1. Introduction -- The Problem -- Description And Delimitation Of The Textual Base Of This Study -- Definitions And Observations On Method -- The Role Of This Study -- 2. Greek Esther -- Mordecai's Dream (lxx A 1-11) -- First (partial) Fulfillment Of Dream (lxx A 12-17) -- Second (complete) Fulfillment Of Dream (lxx 1.1-10.3) -- Concluding Sections (lxx F 1-11) -- 3. Hebrew Esther -- Frame Prolog (mt 1.1-4) -- Rescue Novella Proper (mt 1.5-9.19) -- Etiology Of Purim (mt9.20-32) -- Frame Epilog (mt 10.1-3) -- 4. Redaction, Sources And Text History -- The Frame -- The Royal Novella And The Book Of Esther -- Purim (esther 9) -- The Rescue Novella (esther 1-8) -- A Proposed Text History -- 5. Summary And Conclusions -- The Background Of The Texts -- Redaction And Transmission -- Setting, Style And Intention -- Textual Integrity -- Final Conclusion. Charles V. Dorothy. Revision Of The Author's Dissertation (doctoral--claremont), 1989. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [361]-371) And Index.