Georg Hentschel - Christina Nießen, «Der Bruderkrieg zwischen Israel und Benjamin (Ri 20)», Vol. 89 (2008) 17-38
The story about Israel’s war against their brother Benjamin (Judg 20) is told from Israel’s perspective. Benjamin almost does not get a word in edgeways. But the fight against their 'brother' Benjamin is only then successful, when Israel shows
confidence in God by weeping, fasting and making sacrifices. Conspicuous repetitions and syntactical disturbances point to a thorough revision. If one pays attention to the distinction of names — 'sons of Israel' and 'man of Israel' — and to the differences in structure and strategy, dates and times, numbers and theology, then the second account of the last fighting (20,36c-47) turns out to be a part of an independent tradition. A younger narrator added to this old narrative, that the 'sons of Israel' learned to inquire of God after two setbacks, and God helped them to defeat Benjamin, their 'brother'. The contribution of the deuteronomistic and priestly redactions is relatively small.
38 Georg Hentschel - Christina Nießen
Unverkennbar ist die Nähe zu einem priesterlichen Horizont (81). Es
versammelt sich die Gemeinde (20,1b: hd[h lhqtw). Alle Stämme —
von Benjamin abgesehen — bilden die “Versammlung des Volkes
Gottes†(µyhlah µ[ lhqb; 20,2a). Damit wird der besondere religiöse,
nicht-militärische Charakter der Zusammenkunft unterstrichen. Der
Zeuge für das Verbrechen von Gibea ist ein Levit (20,4-5). Die
Befragung Jhwhs in Bet-El wird dadurch legitimiert, dass sich dort die
Lade befand, der der Priester Pinhas diente (20,27b.28a).
Erfurt Universität Georg HENTSCHEL
Nordhäuserstraße 63 Christina NIEßEN
D 99096 Erfurt
SUMMARY
The story about Israel’s war against their brother Benjamin (Judg 20) is told from
Israel’s perspective. Benjamin almost does not get a word in edgeways. But the
fight against their “brother†Benjamin is only then successful, when Israel shows
confidence in God by weeping, fasting and making sacrifices. Conspicuous
repetitions and syntactical disturbances point to a thorough revision. If one pays
attention to the distinction of names — “sons of Israel†and “man of Israel†— and
to the differences in structure and strategy, dates and times, numbers and theology,
then the second account of the last fighting (20,36c-47*) turns out to be a part of
an independent tradition. A younger narrator added to this old narrative, that the
“sons of Israel†learned to inquire of God after two setbacks, and God helped them
to defeat Benjamin, their “brotherâ€. The contribution of the deuteronomistic and
priestly redactions is relatively small.
(81) STIPP, “Richter 19â€, 135.