Separation of the People, Separation of the Land
The Parallel Literary Structures of Ezra 9–10 and Nehemiah 1–3
- Biblical Studies & Commentaries
- Publisher: Wipf and Stock
- Published: 2024
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Publisher's Description
This book argues that the parallel narrative structures of Ezra 9-10 and Nehemiah 1:1--3:32 are intended to connect the two books and highlight theological connection of building the community through exclusive ownership of the land. This is developed by contrasting the return narrative in Nehemiah 1-3 with the two other return narratives in Ezra 1-2 and 7-8. Then the removal of foreign wives in Ezra 9-10 is contrasted with foreign wives crises in Nehemiah 9-10 and 13:23-29. In these comparisons, the major thematic points, prominent character(s) and primary concern, and the narrative movements are examined. Once the differences between the thematically similar passages have been shown, the structures of Nehemiah 1-3 and Ezra 9-10 are compared. This comparison shows that the narrative movements of the two passages overlap, indicating that the narratives have been intentionally shaped to mirror each other. Finally, the theological and thematic importance of this is explained by comparing the theological message in each movement of the narrative in Ezra 9-10 and Nehemiah 1-3. The conclusion is that these highlight the shared theological message of building the community through exclusive ownership of the land.
Endorsements (2)
“The relationship between the sometimes-parallel narratives of Ezra and Nehemiah is fraught with difficulties, and the problem of whether or how they cohere to form a unified contiguous work has long challenged scholars. Because of the complexities of the problems, studies of Ezra-Nehemiah can be forbiddingly dense. Nicholas Campbell has produced a thoroughly researched and insightful analysis of the relationship between these two books. His analysis and conclusions are well-reasoned, and his prose is clear and straightforward.”
“Nicholas Campbell’s Separation of the People, Separation of the Land is an illuminating study of one of the principle reasons the books of Ezra and Nehemiah should be read in light of each other. Focusing on Ezra 9–10 and Nehemiah 1–3, Campbell’s analysis demonstrates through literary structures and theological themes that it is essential for one to read Ezra and Nehemiah together whether one believes they were originally composed separately or together. By doing so, the reader will be enabled to grasp the riches of their shared theological message focusing on the restoration of the community in Judah and its land by the removal of foreign influences.”
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