Full Description
Genesis 1-11 is a text that may well have received more attention than any other in the history of literature. Nevertheless, what do we know about the personal names that occur in these chapters and whose influence has permeated all of Western literature? Hess provides a thorough investigation of the ancient Near Eastern background of these names and discusses how each played a key role in adding significance to the stories and genealogies in which they are found. By studying both the linguistic contexts in the surrounding cultures and the wordplay in the biblical texts, the author provides the first comprehensive study of the importance of these names and traces the implications of his results for the antiquity and power of the familiar stories in which they appear.
Contents
Part I: The Origins of the Personal Names in Genesis 1-11: The Onomastic Environment
Chapter 1: Introduction
1. Problems concerning the Origins of Personal Names in Genesis 1-11
2. Identification of the Personal Names of Genesis 1-11
3. Methodological Considerations for the Study of Personal Names in Genesis 1-11
Chapter 2: The Narratives in Genesis 1-4, 6-9, and 11
1. Introduction
2. The Names in the Narratives of Genesis 1-4
3. The Names in the Narratives of Genesis 6-9
4. Conclusions
Chapter 3: The Genealogy of Cain in Genesis 4
1. The Names
2. Conclusions
Chapter 4: The Genealogy of Seth
1. Genesis 4: 25-26
2. Genesis 5: 1-32
3. Conclusions
Chapter 5: The Table of Nations in Genesis 10
1. Introduction
2. The Names
Chapter 6: The Genealogy of Shem in Genesis 11
1. The Names
2. Conclusions
Chapter 7: Conclusion
1. Summary
2. Observations
Part II: The Function of the Personal Names in Genesis 1-11: Wordplay
Chapter 8: Introduction
Chapter 9: The Narratives in Genesis 1-4, 6-9, and 11
1. The Names in the Narratives of Genesis 1-4
2. The Names in the Narratives of Genesis 6-9
3. Conclusions
Chapter 10: The Genealogy of Cain in Genesis 4
1. Introduction
2. The Names
3. Conclusions
Chapter 11: The Genealogy of Seth
1. Genesis 4: 25-26
2. Genesis 5: 1-32
Chapter 12: The Table of Nations in Genesis 10
1. Introduction
2. The Names
Chapter 13: The Genealogy of Shem in Genesis 11
1. Introduction
2. The Names
3. Conclusions
Chapter 14: Conclusion
Bibliography
Indices
