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The Literary Pattern of the Story of the Book of Ezra - Nehemiah, and its Theology

Cheol-Woo Park 1

1나사렛대학교

Accredited

ABSTRACT

The Book of Ezra-Nehemiah is shown to consist of three basic literary units (Ezra 1-6, 7-10; Neh 1-13) interconnected with each other to form a single literary corpus. It takes the form of three parallel literary units (ABC [Ezra 1-6]//A'B'C' [Ezra 7-10] //A"B"C" [Neh 1-13]) and two parallel conclusions (X [Ezra 9:1-10:44]//X' [Neh 12:44-13:31]) being unified. Each of the three units shows the sequential coincidence of literary elements and the similar literary pattern in the development of the story (1. introductory statement; 2. quotation; 3. initial partial fulfillment; 4. list; 5. implementation; 6. obstacle; 7. overcoming [finial fulfillment]; 7. worhip of thanks and devotion). These literary aspects show that the Book of Ezra-Nehemiah is a document written by the same literary tendency and methods of compilation. At the same time, through the two interconnected parallel conclusions of the book(X//X'), it shows the theological particularity which lays emphasis on the principle of Ezra-Nehemiah’s religious reformation and on the importance of continual efforts for the reformation of the faith community and each one of its members as well. In Nehemiah 1-13, the compiler succeeded in delivering the unique theological message of Ezra-Nehemiah by means of the tactical change of the literary structure and the organization of the basic story pattern, such as Nehemiah 7:4-12:26 (A-B-A' structure), his use of prayer (stylistic inclusio), and so on. These literary particularities should be considered for the clarity of the theology of the Book of Ezra-Nehemiah.

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