Book Order, Title, and Division as Keys to Biblical Interpretation
GREGORY GOSWELL
Text and Paratext: Book Order, Title, and Division as Keys to Biblical Interpretation
Copyright 2023 Gregory Goswell
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Scripture quotations marked (RSV) are from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1946, 1952, and 1971 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from the Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Print ISBN 9781683596110
Digital ISBN 9781683596127
Library of Congress Control Number 2022933932
Lexham Editorial: Derek Brown, Claire Brubaker, Katherine Joyce, Jessi Strong
Cover Design: Joshua Hunt, Brittany Schrock
1 The Structure of the Hebrew Canon
2 The Structure of the Greek Canon
3 The Structure of the New Testament
4 Titles of Old Testament Books
5 Titles of New Testament Books
6 Textual Divisions within Old Testament Books
7 Textual Divisions within New Testament Books
Study Questions for Further Exploration
1 Esd 1 Esdras
2 Bar 2 Baruch
2 Macc 2 Maccabees
4Q112 Daniela
4Q174 Florilegium
4QMMT 4Q394–399
4Q51 Samuela
A kephalaia in Alexandrinus
AB Anchor Bible
ABR Australian Biblical Review
ABS Archaeology and Biblical Studies
AG Analecta Gorgiana
Ag. Ap. Josephus, Against Apion
AJFS Australian Journal of French Studies
Ant. Josephus, Jewish Antiquities
ArBib The Aramaic Bible
AUSS Andrews University Seminary Studies
AV Authorized Version
b. Babylonian Talmud
B. Bat. Baba Batra
BBB Bonner biblische Beiträge
BBR Bulletin for Biblical Research
BECNT Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament
Ber. Berakhot
BETL Bibliotheca Ephemeridum Theologicarum Lovaniensium
BHS Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia. Edited by Karl Elliger and Wilhelm Rudolph. Stuttgart: Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, 1983
Bib Biblica
BJS Brown Judaic Studies
BJSUCSD Biblical and Judaic Studies from the University of California, San Diego
BLS Bible and Literature Series
BNTC Black’s New Testament Commentaries
BO Berit Olam
BSac Bibliotheca Sacra
BT The Bible Translator
BTB Biblical Theology ...
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About Text and Paratext: Book Order, Title, and Division as Keys to Biblical InterpretationThe neglected contexts for biblical interpretation Context is king, so the maxim goes. Sensitivity to context—of a verse, chapter, or book—is essential for proper biblical interpretation. Yet the Bible contains another set of key clues that readers rarely consider. In Text and Paratext, Gregory Goswell explores paratext and its implications for biblical interpretation. Paratextual features are the parts of a text that surround the main text itself, such as a book’s canonical location, title, and internal divisions. These features have been intentionally added to support the text and direct readers. Different arrangements of the Old and New Testaments reveal connections and associations. A book’s title announces the focus of its content. Book divisions create breaks and form units of text. Commentary is baked into paratextual features, making every Bible a study Bible. Rather than veiling the text’s meaning, paratext highlights interpretive possibilities both ancient and fresh. While often overlooked, paratextual features guided interpretation throughout church history and should inform our study of Scripture today. With the help of glossaries and study questions, Goswell’s study equips readers to understand paratext and its implications and become better interpreters of the Bible. |
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