The Biblical Annals, 2025, Tom 15 (72), Nr 2

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    "Who Is David and Who Is – the Son of Jesse?". The Interpretation of the Figure of King David in the Development of Old Testament Theology
    (Wydawnictwo KUL, 2025) Komarnytskyy, Viktor
    The article addresses the issue of the numerous inconsistencies and contradictions found in the David cycle in 1 Sam 14 – 1 Kings 2. Usually, exegetes tend to believe that the biography of the king, especially the section the ‘History of David’s rise to power’, shows traces of two legends of different origins, regardless of whether the figure actually existed in Israel’s history. However, after comparing the inconsistencies in the portrayal of the king, it can be concluded that the basis of the legends about David may have been a real historical figure of a certain warrior whose biography can be traced from 1 Sam 27 – a certain warrior from the Philistine city of Ziklag who conquered the heights of Hebron and may be considered the founder of the Judah statehood.
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    Hapax Legomenon διχοστασία in 1 Macc 3:29 and in Ancient Greek Literature
    (Wydawnictwo KUL, 2025) Nawrot, Janusz
    The First Book of Maccabees contains many hapax legomena, including διχοστασία men­tioned in the title of this article, recorded in 3:29. The author attempts to answer what role this term plays in the divinely inspired text and why it was used there. Is it a mere lexical enrichment of the author’s writ­ing, or does it have a deeper theological meaning? Does it contain something that privileges it over other related terms since it was used? An analysis of the role of the term in question in 3:29 will help address the questions above. When writing about discord or rebellion, does the hagiographer employ other Greek concepts that he could also use in 1 Macc 3:29? Finally, what does Greek extra-biblical literature contribute to the understanding of the noun διχοστασία potentially influencing its intentional use in the verse under examination.
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    The New Covenant Rhetoric in Ezekiel 11:14–21 and 36:16–38
    (Wydawnictwo KUL, 2025) Pikor, Wojciech
    In the book of Ezekiel, the new covenant is announced in 11:14–21 and 36:16–38. Crucial to these prophecies is the future renewal of the heart and spirit of Israel. While the two prophecies share numerous similarities at the level of form and content, there are also fundamental disparities between them. These are not only due to differences concerning the inner renewal but also to the rhetorical dynamic of the new covenant. To describe this dynamic, we first examine the place of the announcement of inner renewal in these prophecies. Then we analyse the rhetorical structure of Ezek 11:17–20 and 36:24–28. Finally, on the basis of these analyses, we ask the question to what extent Daniel I. Block’s thesis of resumptive exposition in the book of Ezekiel can be applied to establish the rhetorical relationship between the prophecies in question. Rhetorical analysis allows us to conclude that they are part of a work-in-progress logic. Accordingly, various affirmations of the new covenant, announced in different historical contexts, are preserved in the book. Considering other Ezekiel prophecies on the new covenant, especially those on the covenant of peace in 34:25–30 and 37:26–28, one can speak not so much of a single covenant theology as of multiple covenant theologies in the book of Ezekiel.
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    Zacchaeus’ Encounter with Jesus (Luke 19:1–10): An Embodiment of the Paschal Mystery
    (Wydawnictwo KUL, 2024) Macnamara, Luke
    Scholars have overlooked the significance of Zacchaeus’ movements in Luke 19:1–10. They are generally understood as a means of circumventing the crowd, a demonstration of his eagerness, an expression of his desire to see Jesus from a safe distance, or as a humorous scene. However, the captivating details of his ascent and descent from the tree call for a more satisfying explanation. The characterization of the rich toll collector carries pejorative overtones but afterwards he is counted among the lost who are saved. This transformation occurs through his participation in Jesus’ paschal mystery as represented by his climbing and coming down the tree.
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    Ancient and Rare Readings in the Syriac Harklean Version of the Gospel of John and their Significance for its Interpretation: A Contribution to the Narrative Textual Criticism of the Fourth Gospel
    (Wydawnictwo KUL, 2025) Jutkiewicz, Piotr
    This paper analyses four intriguing variant readings that are ancient, rare, and unexpectedly transmitted by a relatively late translation of the NT, the Syriac Harklean version. Although the existence of these readings is not a recent discovery, the broader picture emerging from their joint presentation is hoped to encourage a new, less biased perspective from which to approach the Harklean text of the gospels and an enhanced understanding of how the Gospel of John was read and interpreted by its early audiences. This different approach to textual criticism than the traditional quest for one ‘original’ text appreciates even secondary readings exploring their place within larger patterns and is called ‘narrative textual criticism’.