MORE ARTICLES have been posted on the Journal of Hebrew Scriptures website:

Dear all,

I am glad to announce that the Journal of Hebrew Scriptures (http://www.jhsonline.org) has recently published a set of articles on Jonah. The editor of the set is Philippe Guillaume

New Articles:
* Journal of Hebrew Scriptures - Volume 9: Article 3 (2009)
Philippe Guillaume, “Arguing under the Qiqayon: An Introduction to a Set of Articles on Jonah.”
Abstract
As per title, an introduction to the following six articles that deal with the Book of Jonah. All but the final essay in the series reflect issues hotly debated at the conference of the European Association of Biblical Studies at Lisbon in August 2008. The final essay (article 9 in this volume of JHS) is based on a paper presented at the Society of Biblical Literature conference at Boston in November 2008.

To access this article directly please go to http://www.arts.ualberta.ca/JHS/Articles/article_105.pdf

* Journal of Hebrew Scriptures - Volume 9: Article 4 (2009)
Thomas M. Bolin, “Eternal Delight and Deliciousness: The Book of Jonah After Ten Years.”
Abstract
The first part of this article reviews significant scholarly contributions on the Book of Jonah for the last ten years. Looking specifically at the work of Serge Frolov, Yvonne Sherwood, Ehud Ben Zvi, Lowell Handy and T.A. Perry demonstrates that exegesis of Jonah has entered a very fruitful period, free of the anti-Jewish biases characteristic of earlier readings and armed with more information about post-exilic Judah than ever before. Next, the article looks at God’s reference to the animals in Jon 4:11 and reads it as an expression of God’s desire for the newly submissive Ninevites to offer sacrifice to him, as the sailors do in 1:16 and Jonah vows in 2:10. Thus God is portrayed, like many ancient Near Eastern potentates, as extending his rule over peoples and exacting tribute.

To access this article directly please go to http://www.arts.ualberta.ca/JHS/Articles/article_106.pdf

* Journal of Hebrew Scriptures - Volume 9: Article 5 (2009)
Ehud Ben Zvi, “Jonah 4:11 and the Metaprophetic Character of the Book of Jonah 9.”
Abstract
The present study reaffirms the double ending, and above all, double reading of the book of Jonah. This double reading contributed much to the metaprophetic character of the book of Jonah, by which I mean, a book that—within the discourse of the relevant historical literati—provided a key for, and reflected an understanding of prophetic literature.

To access this article directly please go to
http://www.arts.ualberta.ca/JHS/Articles/article_107.pdf

* Journal of Hebrew Scriptures - Volume 9: Article 6 (2009)
Philippe Guillaume, “Rhetorical Reading Redundant: A Response to Ehud Ben Zvi.”
Abstract
Ehud Ben Zvi's claim, in the preceding article, that the final verse of Jonah must be read both as a question and an affirmation is welcomed. Yet, it is argued here that reading a rhetorical question contributes little to the metaprophetic character of Jonah. In fact, a final rhetorical question destroys the open-endedness of the book while YHWH's unambiguous affirmation that he will show no pity for Nineveh faces readers with a deeper meaning of prophecy. Like the Elohim in chapter 3, Jonah in chapter 4 is invited to come out of the circle of anger. Destructions and reversals of fortune occur, but humans are not privy to the divine council.

To access this article directly please go to
http://www.arts.ualberta.ca/JHS/Articles/article_108.pdf


* Journal of Hebrew Scriptures - Volume 9: Article 7 (2009)

Jakob Wöhrle, “A Prophetic Reflection on Divine Forgiveness: The Integration of the Book of Jonah into the Book of the Twelve.”

Abstract

It has often been recognized that the book of Jonah as well as several other passages in the Book of the Twelve are influenced by the so called "grace formula" ("Gnadenformel") from Exod 34:6-7 (Joel 2:12-14; Jon 3:9; 4:2; Mic 7:18-20; Nah 1:2b, 3a; Mal 1:9a). But up to now the redactional relationship of these passages and their intention in the context of the book of the Twelve have only been defined inadequately. The article shows that the redaction responsible for the final redactional stage of the book of Jonah and for the integration of this book into the book of the Twelve, is also responsible for Joel 2:12-14; Mic 7:18-20; Nah 1:2b, 3a; Mal 1:9a. Because of this redaction the Book of the Twelve can be read as a reflection on the conditions, the theological reasons and the limits of divine forgiveness.

To access this article directly please go to
http://www.arts.ualberta.ca/JHS/Articles/article_109.pdf

* Journal of Hebrew Scriptures - Volume 9: Article 8 (2009)

Klaas Spronk, “Jonah, Nahum, and the Book of the Twelve: A Response to Jakob Wöhrle.”

Abstract

In discussion with Wöhrle's analysis in the previous article of this set, it is maintained that both the book of Jonah and the book of Nahum should be read as a unit. The book of Jonah was probably written as a reaction to the negative view on foreign peoples found in Joel 4:2. The writer of the book of Jonah builds his case upon the authoritative text from Exodus 34. Both in terms of form and content, he is also inspired by the book of Nahum. Therefore, the repeated use of Exodus 34:6-7 in these texts needs not be ascribed to a separate layer, but is probably part of a process of one book reacting to the other.

To access this article directly please go to
http://www.arts.ualberta.ca/JHS/Articles/article_110.pdf

* Journal of Hebrew Scriptures - Volume 9: Article 9 (2009)

Daniel Timmer, “The Intertextual Israelite Jonah Face À L’empire:
The Post-Colonial Significance of The Book’s Cotexts and Purported Neo-Assyrian Context.”

Abstract

Jonah's use of various antecedent HB texts and its purported Neo-Assyrian setting are prominent hermeneutical signposts that are integral to the book. Until now, however, the former question has not received sustained attention and the latter has been obscured by disagreement over the book's historical veracity. This paper broadens the scope of postcolonialist discussion by considering empire through the Israelite perspective that Jonah affords and through the Neo-Assyrian literature dealing with its conquest of nation-states in the first half of the first millennium BCE. Special attention is given to how Jonah the prophet and Jonah the book attribute different identities to the different groups that appear in the book and to the book's intertextual connections to other parts of the Hebrew Bible. The paper closes by reflecting on ways that different means of identification entail different responses to power.

To access this article directly please go to
http://www.arts.ualberta.ca/JHS/Articles/article_111.pdf

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New Reviews:

Ernst Axel Knauf, Josua (Zürich: Theologischer Verlag, 2008).Reviewed by Philippe Guillaume.

To access JHS reviews please go to

http://www.arts.ualberta.ca/JHS/reviews/reviews_vol.html
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Please share your comments about the new beta-hypertext version of all the articles and reviews published in the journal from volume 1 to volume 7 (2007) if you find mistakes please contact Karl Anvik at kanvik@ualberta.ca (with a cc to me).


The printed publication of volume 7 (2007) of the Journal by Gorgias Press has been published. For more information please go to http://www.gorgiaspress.com/bookshop/p-56292-ben-zvi-ehud-perspectives-on-hebrew-scriptures-iv.aspx
At that page you will find links to the printed versions of vols 1-6 of the Journal.

For information about the Logos version of the Journal (vols. 1-7), please go to http://www.logos.com/products/details/4336

Regards,

Ehud Ben Zvi
History and Classics
University of Alberta
2-28 HM Tory Building
Edmonton AB Canada T6G 2H4