• DOI:10.53751/001c.27718
• Corpus ID: 191847161

Revealing the Name: An Investigation of the Divine Character Through a Conversation Analysis of the Dialogues Between God and Moses in the Book of Exodus

@article{Arnold2019RevealingTN,
  title={Revealing the Name: An Investigation of the Divine Character Through a Conversation Analysis of the Dialogues Between God and Moses in the Book of Exodus},
  author={Markus Arnold},
  journal={Tyndale Bulletin},
  year={2019}
}

• Markus Arnold
• Published 1 August 2015
• Linguistics
• Tyndale Bulletin

YHWH’s statement to Moses, אהיה אשר אהיה , has been much discussed by biblical
scholars and theologians. For much of the last century this discussion related to matters of
etymology or history of religion, or the precise grammar of the text. However, recently
there has been renewed interest in understanding the statement in its present context as part
of the book of Exodus, and in particular its role in the call of Moses. My thesis seeks to
deepen understanding of the implications of this statement through a close reading of the
dialogues between Moses and YHWH.
My close reading of individual dialogues involves three steps: first investigation of the way
in which the narrator portrays the actions of the characters, then the manner in which the
narrator portrays individual speech of the characters and finally the way in which an
analysis of the dialogues utilising principles from the socio-linguistic field of Conversation
Analysis adds to an understanding of the characters.
Through this close reading I show that the phrase אהיה אשר אהיה is best understood as
linking the meaning of the name YHWH to the verb “to be” and in particular God’s promise
to “be with” Moses in 3:12. The phrase affirms both YHWH’s presence with Moses and his
freedom to be present in the manner he chooses and the implications of this affirmation of
presence and freedom are worked out more fully in the narrative of Exodus.
In the thesis my reading of the dialogues in Exodus 3-4 shows that YHWH transforms
Moses into the means by which YHWH delivers his people from Egypt and also by which
YHWH is present with his people. My examination of the dialogues in Exodus 5-7
demonstrates that YHWH’s plans are accomplished by his speech which re-designates and
reshapes those with and about whom he is speaking. My analysis of Exodus 19-24 finds
that the dialogues demonstrate YHWH’s freedom to be present as he chooses to different
people at different points. Exodus 32:7-33:11 gives further meaning and significance to
the divine name in terms of YHWH’s withdrawal in response to the idolatry of the people.
From the final section of dialogue, Exodus 33:12-34:35, I show that the intercession of
Moses is critical to the demonstration of YHWH’s mercy and compassion. My analysis of
each of these dialogues demonstrates that a key means by which YHWH is present to his
people is in and through Moses.