Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 147:585 (Jan 1990)
Article: A History of Interpretation of Genesis 49 and Deuteronomy 33
Author: Joel D. Heck

BSac 147:585 (Jan 90) p. 16

A History of Interpretation of Genesis 49 and Deuteronomy 33

Joel D. Heck

Associate Professor of Religion
Concordia University, Mequon, Wisconsin

Controversy over Genesis 49 and Deuteronomy 33 arose mostly during the past century. Previously these two chapters were unanimously understood as the words of Jacob and Moses, respectively. Today that is the case only among conservative scholars.

The rise of critical scholarship in the 19th century led to a reinterpretation that is accepted today by most critical scholars.1 Genesis 49 and Deuteronomy 33 are thought to contain individual sayings, written at different times and places by different authors. The sayings originally circulated in oral form as folk literature and were then gathered in collections. “We may assume,” write Cross and Freedman, “that groups of blessings, ascribed to Jacob and Moses, and perhaps others, circulated orally in the period of the Judges.”2

The first doubt that Genesis 49 was spoken by Jacob was raised in 1788 by Hasse.3 Two years later Heinrichs published the first thorough investigation of this subject.4

BSac 147:585 (Jan 90) p. 17

In the 19th century critical scholars unanimously agreed, mainly through the work of Graf and Kohler, that both chapters were vaticinia ex eventu, prophecies after the fact. In 1857 Graf published his study of Deuteronomy 33, 5 and Kohler’s study of Genesis 49 came 10 years later.6 At that time, however, the two chapters were considered unified compositions, each from a single author.

Collections of Oracles

After the beginning of the 20th century, the chapters came to be considered collections of oracles that had first circulated independently. Two early voices presaged this development. Renan mentioned the idea that Genesis 49 and Deuteronomy 33 were not unified passages.7 Land also understood Genesis 49 as a collection of oracles.You must have a subscription and be logged in to read the entire article.
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