The Rhetoric of Ezekiel's Vision of the Valley of the Bones
Rhetorical criticism should focus on the analysis and evaluation of the suasive force of discourse rather than on its formal literary features or its structure. A rhetorical analysis should include consideration of the rhetor's situation, goals, stance, and strategies. In Ezek. 37:1—14, the pro...
Main Author: | |
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Format: | Print Article |
Language: | English |
Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
Journals Online & Print: | |
Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
Published: |
College
1980
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In: |
Hebrew Union College annual / Jewish Institute of Religion
Year: 1980, Volume: 51, Pages: 1-15 |
Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains: | B
Bible. Ezechiel 37,1-14
/ Judaism
/ Exegesis
/ Psychology
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RelBib Classification: | BH Judaism HB Old Testament |
Parallel Edition: | Electronic
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Summary: | Rhetorical criticism should focus on the analysis and evaluation of the suasive force of discourse rather than on its formal literary features or its structure. A rhetorical analysis should include consideration of the rhetor's situation, goals, stance, and strategies. In Ezek. 37:1—14, the prophet seeks to create hope in the recently exiled people, whose despair threatens its existence. He chooses the stance of "objective" spectator. His strategies are, first, the dramatic imagery of the resurrection of the bones, which imagery attacks old frameworks of expectations by boldly affirming the absurd, and second, a sort of reverse enthymeme which argues that the nation can indeed be revived. A third strategy, the manipulation of the senses of the word rûaḥ, employs verbal subterfuge to impart a further idea, that the people's revival will include a restructuring of the national psychology. |
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ISSN: | 0360-9049 |
Contains: | In: Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, Hebrew Union College annual / Jewish Institute of Religion
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