Exegeză Biblică
FORESHADOWING THE MONARCHY’S DILEMMA: A Rhetorical Analysis of Judges 19
The aim of this research is to analyze Judges 19 from a rhetorical perspective, applying the technique of chiastic-topographical structure. The analysis further contends that the toponyms serve a literary-theological function by foreshadowing the monarchy’s dilemma. They reveal a positive attitude towards Bethlehem of David and a negative one towards Gibeah of Saul.
Foreshadowing The Monarchy's Dilemma. A Rhetorical Analyis Of Judges 19
FORESHADOWING THE MONARCHY’S DILEMMA: A RHETORICAL ANALYSIS OF JUDGES 191
Abstract
The aim of this research is to analyze Judges 19 from a rhetorical perspective, applying the technique of chiastic-topographical structure. The analysis further contends that the toponyms serve a literary-theological function by foreshadowing the monarchy’s dilemma. They reveal a positive attitude towards Bethlehem of David and a negative one towards Gibeah of Saul.
After employing the literary technique of chiastic-topographical structure, five units emerged: A. vv. 1–2 | Mount of Ephraim; B. vv. 3–10a | Bethlehem of Judah; C. vv. 10b–13 | Jabes; B’. vv. 14–28 | Gibeah; A’. vv. 29–30 | Mount of Ephraim.
The study suggests that the narrator intention- ally avoids naming characters, instead emphasizing locations like Mount Ephraim, Bethlehem of Judah, and Gibeah, with a central focus on Jabes-Jerusalem. This arrangement serves to highlight a pro-David and anti-Saul monarchy sentiment.
Keywords : Judges 19, chiastic-topographical structure, rhetorical analysis
- Articol publicat inițial în TheoRhēma. Cucu, Albert-Beniamin. 2025. “Foreshadowing the Monarchy’s Dilemma:A Rhetorical Analysis of Judges 19”. TheoRhēma 19 (2):55–91. https://publications.uadventus.ro/index.php/thrh/article/view/223.
Despre autor
Albert-Beniamin Cucu
Pastor Adventist de Ziua a Șaptea în Onești, România. Deține un Master în Arte în Slujire Pastorală (Pastoral Ministry) obținut la Universitatea Adventistă Friedensau (Friedensau Adventist University), Germania. A publicat o carte, Conversații cu Dumnezeu: un altfel de comentariu biblic la epistola Romani; a contribuit cu articole în Curierul Adventist, Ministry și TheoRhēma, și a prezentat lucrări științifice la mai multe conferințe academice, naționale și internaționale. Interesele sale de cercetare includ Teologia, Studiile Biblice (Vechiul și Noul Testament), Cartea Apocalipsei, Critica Textuală și Intertextualitatea.
