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This work is an investigation of the literary style of the biblical book of Jonah. Starting with a detailed analysis of word usage (repetition of words and phrases, the structure of individual chapters and of the book as a whole, the use of quotations from elsewhere in the Bible), it examines the relationship between these elements and the ideas the story itself conveys. Noting the wide diversity of opinion as to the character of Jonah and the purpose of the book, it demonstrates the sources of these ambiguities in the text itself and suggests a new approach to interpretation.
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ORMA D
MEANIN~ Studies in Literary Techniques in .
THE BOOK OF JONAH
JONATHAN MAGONET
BIBLE AND LITERATURE SERIES General Editor: David M. Gunn
FORM AND MEANING: STUDIES IN LITERARY TECHNIQUES IN THE BOOK OF JONAH
!'
Jonathan Magonet
This pioneering literary analysis of the Book of J onah appeared frrst in 1976 in the series Beitriige z ur biblischen Exegese und Theologie. Dr Magonet is exercised by the contrast between the apparent simplicity ofthe narrative and the vast range ofinterpretations it has yielded. From behind the simplicity, however, emerges a complex structure, beginning with a system of repetitions (of words, phrases and complete sentences), culminating in significant patterns covering whole chapters. This study is concerned with the interrelationship of these various levels of construction and the ideas they convey- the form and the meaning. Ch. I examines the language of the book; eh. II deals with the 'psalm'; eh. Ill analyses the structure; eh. IV treats quotations from elsewhere in the Bible; eh. V is a synthesis, exploring themes. In a Postscript (new to this edition) the author further develops a theological reading. Jonathan Magonet is head of the Department ofBible Studies at Leo Baeck College, London.
ISBN 0 907459 25 0
THE ALMOND PRESS
BIBLE AND LITERATURE SERIES
Editor David M. Gunn
FORM AND
MEANING Studies in Literary Techniques in
THE BOOK OF JONAH
JONATHAN MAGONET
~SHEFFIElD
rf\, THE ALMOND PRESS
·
1983
BIBLE AND LITERATURE SERIES, 8 Copyright [this edition] © 1983 The Almond Press This book first appeared in 1976 in the series Beitdige zur biblischen Exegese und Theologie, edited by JGrgen Becker and Henning Graf Reventlow and published by Herbert Lang (Bern) & Peter Lang (FrankfurtfM), by whose kind permission it is now reprinted. Second edition 1983 incorporating corrections and supplementary bibliography, an additional chapter by ·the author, and a Foreword by James S. Ackerman. Line Drawings by Leah Hellner Line Drawings Copyright © 1983 Leah Hellner ISBN 0 907459 25 0 ISSN 0260 4493; 8 Published by The Almond Press P.O. Box 208 Sheffield 510 5DW England Printed in Great Britain by Dotesios (Printers) Ltd Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire 1983
FOR DORO
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Foreward by James S. Ackerman
3
Prefaces
9
Introduction
11
Chapter I ANALYSIS OF LANGUAGE
13
The Distribution of Verbs Tables 1-4 The Repetition of Verbs Comparison and Contrast Multiple Meanings Diagram 1 Movement and Counter-Movement The Growing Phrase The Changing Names of God Chapter II ANALYSIS OF THE "PSALM" Construction and Authorship The Growing Phrase The Narrative Technique Diagram 2 Quotations from the Psalter in the "Psalm" The Meaning of the "Psalm" by Itself and Within the Book Diagram 3 Summary Chapter Ill ANALYSIS OF STRUCTURE Concentric Structures Diagram 4a, b The Problem of 4:5 Diagram 5 The Stepwise Structure of Chapters 2 and 3 Diagram 6
13 14 16 19 22 23
29 31 33
39 40 40 40 42 44
49 50 54
55