Unit delimitation in ancient manuscripts as key to establish the structure of the book of Joel

Abstract

This dissertation seeks to establish the structure of the book of Joel by applying the methodology known as Unit Delimitation. Widely diverging views on the structure of the book in modern commentaries and other specialised studies prompted this investigation. It has been argued that ancient scribal practices to mark the beginning and end of “units” in ancient Hebrew and Greek manuscripts can be utilised as criteria in establishing the structure of the book. For each chapter of the book of Joel the delimitation of units in a variety of ancient Hebrew and Greek manuscripts has been compared. It indicated how the ancient scribes perceived the structure of the book. Views of modern interpreters on the structure of the book of Joel have then been compared to the delimitation in the ancient manuscripts in an attempt to discover if and why modern interpreters’ views differ from the ancient perspectives. According to the ancient scribes, the book displays a clear structure. An introduction (1:1) is followed by three pericopes (1:2-20; 2:1-27; 3:1-4:17). Each contains a message of condemnation, but also of hope. 1:2-20 and 2:1-27 focus upon the reaction of the people and the cult upon the message of condemnation. 3:1-4:17 focuses upon the reaction of the nations. The impending “day of Yahweh” causes the reaction, but the theme of the “day of Yahweh” seems to be of secondary importance. The hypothesis presumed that an analysis of the way the ancient manuscripts delimit the book of Joel would make sense and could give modern scholars a new way of delimiting the book. This has been confirmed by the study. The ancient delimiters clearly had a rationale for dividing the text of Joel and modern scholars should keep this in mind when doing exegesis on the book of Joel.