Journal: Conspectus
Volume: CONSPECTUS 30:1 (Oct 2020)
Article: The Proximity Of Yahweh In Deuteronomy: A Study Of Key Phrases And Contexts
Author: Izaak J. L. Connoway

Conspectus 30:1 (October 2020) p. 58

The Proximity Of Yahweh In Deuteronomy: A Study Of Key Phrases And Contexts

Izaak J. L. Connoway

and

Johannes Malherbe

Abstract

Name Theologians1 have long argued that Deuteronomy and the Deuteronomist relocated Yahweh from earth to heaven and that only his “Name” remained on earth. In the last couple of decades, some (e.g., Wilson, Richter, and Vogt) have challenged this position, arguing that there is more to Yahweh’s presence in Deuteronomy than what Name Theologians have acknowledged. While these and other studies have argued well that Yahweh is present on earth in Deuteronomy, this article aims to take the discussion further by looking at the portrayal of the proximity of Yahweh in Deuteronomy. This aim is reached by inspecting key phrases (e.g.,לִפְנֵי יְהוָה ,שָׁכַן) by which, and contexts (e.g., Horeb, war camps) in which Yahweh is portrayed as proximate to Israel. Through the article, we show that Deuteronomy does indeed portray Yahweh as not only present on earth but proximate to Israel as well.

About The Authors

Mr. Izaak Connoway holds an MTh in New Testament from the South African Theological Seminary where he has been lecturing since 2015. His research interests include the conceptualization of divine presence, especially as it is found in the Hebrew Bible, Second Temple Jewish Literature, and the New Testament. He is currently in the early stages of PhD research.

Dr. Johannes Malherbe is the Head of Quality Assurance and Innovation at the South African Theological Seminary. In addition to his general management responsibilities, he also coordinates SATS’s research, teaching, and publication in the fields of Hebrew and Old Testament Studies. His MTh research focused on the person and role of the prophet in the Ancient Near East. His doctoral thesis explored Abravanel’s theory of prophecy, with special reference to his commentary on Deut 18:9–22. His interests within the general field of Old Testament studies include Hermeneutics, Bible Translation, prophecy, and medieval Jewish Bible interpretation. Beyond that he also enjoys exploring missiology, African studies, childhood studies, and leadership development.

This article: https://www.sats.edu.za/connoway-malherbe-proximity-yahweh

Conspectus 30:1 (October 2020) p. 59

1. Introduction

In considering where Yahweh is situated in the book of Deuteronomy and responding to Name Theology’s idea that Deuteronomy moves Yahweh from earth to heaven, one could ...