Genre identifications in the ZIBBC (Part 3)

Anthony Tomasino's discussion of genre-identification with respect to the book of Esther in ZIBBC is a model of clarity. Here is how Tomasino begins (3:471-72):

One of the preliminary steps in interpreting a biblical text is identifying its literary genre. Esther (like many biblical books) has proven something of a challenge in this regard. While the text reads like a historical account (similar to the books of Kings and Chronicles), appearances can be deceptive. Modern novelists can embellish their stories with historical details and local color, not for the purpose of deception but for vividness and realism.

Tomasino goes on to associate Esther with the ancient genre known by the label “court tale” in modern scholarship (3:472):

[T]hese stories are set in the royal court. The drama occurs when a hero uses skill or luck to foil enemy plots. In the process, the hero receives wealth, power, and/or glory. (The biblical stories of Joseph and Daniel are examples of court tales.) The tale of Ahiqar, about an Assyrian courtier who uses his wits to overcome a treacherous nephew’s machinations, was well known and loved by both Jews and other Near Eastern peoples.

Tomasino goes on to compare the book of Esther with the book of Judith, and notes that both contain an element of comedy, “an under-appreciated aspect of ancient Near Eastern literature” (3:472). He also notes the irony in the fact that the book of Esther contains no reference to God, no prayers, sacrifices, or other religious observances, yet “God seems to lurk everywhere in the background of this book.” What excellent points.

Tomasino is not interested in making chop suey of those who think that Esther is to be understood along the lines of, let us say, a modern historical biography. But he gently argues for another approach. The same tone and the same interpretive approach are evident in the recent commentary of Adele Berlin in the JPS Bible Commentary Series.

Neither Tomasino nor Berlin think of their scholarship as in conflict with the robust forms of Christianity and Judaism, respectively, to which they adhere. They are simply trying to read the book of Esther on its own terms.

Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary 
A Review Series

Reading Genesis as if Moses wrote it in the Late Bronze Age
The ZIBBC: An Overview
Genre Identifications in the ZIBBC Part One
Genre Identifications in the ZIBBC Part Two
Genre Identifications in the ZIBBC Part Three
Genre Identifications in the ZIBBC Part Four

Bibliography

Adele Berlin, Esther (JPS Bible Commentary Series; Philadephia: Jewish Publication Society, 2001); John H. Walton, general editor. Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary. 5 vols. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2009.

Comments

[David Clark]

I apologize if this is off topic. I have been following your posts on this set of books and I have been very impressed with what you have said about the books. However, since this is a hefty purchase ($150 on amazon) I can't just buy these books on a whim, so I am hoping you can answer a few of questions.

1) At what level are these books written? I understand that they avoid lots of technical jargon. However, I would still like a book that more advanced students of the Bible can appreciate and learn from. Does this set provide this?

2) I am not an evangelical or conservative Christian, so I am biased against books from Zondervan. Perhaps this is a weakness of mine:) How neutral/objective does this book attempt to be? I understand that complete objectivity is impossible, but I appreciate it when an author attempts it. I assume that as a background commentary it will take more of a "just the facts ma'am" approach to the biblical text, but I would hate to spend $150 and be wrong about that.

3) What really interests me are the visual aids such as pictures, charts, graphs, tables etc. How well produced are these and how well integrated are they into rest of the text?

Again, thanks for the reviews.

[JohnFH]

Hi David,

Here are some answers to your questions.

(1) This set is full of information and discussion advanced students of the Bible can appreciate and learn from. It does not avoid technical terms so much as explain them. For example, there is a nice discussion of a "sistrum" at 2 Sam 6:5. Terms such as incense altar and extispicy are used, but also explained. On the other hand, despite the set's girth and full technical documentation, it is not exhaustive. One example: the discussion of Daniel 1:1 in ZIBBC. It touches on matters John Collins in his Hermeneia commentary overlooks, but the Hermeneia commentary is far more thorough in general.

(2) It is not a neutral reference tool. ZIBBC has a tendency to minimize discrepancies between one part of the biblical narrative and another, and between the biblical narrative and extra-biblical sources. On the other hand, the tendency is far less pronounced than what once was the norm among conservative evangelicals.

(3) The visual aids serve to illustrate points in the commentary. They are delight to the eye, a huge plus.

[David Clark]

Thanks for the prompt response. It sounds like it's worth the money. I'll put in on my Christmas wish list.