Form, Content, and Meaning in Leviticus 24:10–23: A Diachronic Analysis

The narrative of the blasphemer (Lev 24:10–23)—the only narrative segment within the Holiness Code (Lev 17–26)—has long been a subject of scholarly debate. Discussions have primarily focused on issues of textual coherence and thematic connections, such as the link between the prohibition against de...

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Main Author: Itzhak Amar
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: University of Alberta Library 2025-06-01
Series:Journal of Hebrew Scriptures
Subjects:
Online Access:https://jhsonline.org/index.php/jhs/article/view/29685
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author Itzhak Amar
author_facet Itzhak Amar
author_sort Itzhak Amar
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description The narrative of the blasphemer (Lev 24:10–23)—the only narrative segment within the Holiness Code (Lev 17–26)—has long been a subject of scholarly debate. Discussions have primarily focused on issues of textual coherence and thematic connections, such as the link between the prohibition against desecrating God's name and the subsequent inclusion of case laws that align with the principle of lex talionis (the law of retaliation). In this article, I aim to address the complex questions raised by this passage and propose that it should be understood as a cohesive unit consisting of two sequential stages. The arrangement of these stages not only emphasizes their inherent connections but also sheds light on the underlying rationale that shapes the structure and purpose of this narrative unit.
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spelling doaj-art-afd177febb204255a7d153e9c92fcc182025-08-20T03:45:40ZengUniversity of Alberta LibraryJournal of Hebrew Scriptures1203-15422025-06-012510.5508/jhs29685Form, Content, and Meaning in Leviticus 24:10–23: A Diachronic AnalysisItzhak Amar0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0202-0801Bar Ilan University The narrative of the blasphemer (Lev 24:10–23)—the only narrative segment within the Holiness Code (Lev 17–26)—has long been a subject of scholarly debate. Discussions have primarily focused on issues of textual coherence and thematic connections, such as the link between the prohibition against desecrating God's name and the subsequent inclusion of case laws that align with the principle of lex talionis (the law of retaliation). In this article, I aim to address the complex questions raised by this passage and propose that it should be understood as a cohesive unit consisting of two sequential stages. The arrangement of these stages not only emphasizes their inherent connections but also sheds light on the underlying rationale that shapes the structure and purpose of this narrative unit. https://jhsonline.org/index.php/jhs/article/view/29685LeviticusHoliness CodeLex TalionisNarrative
spellingShingle Itzhak Amar
Form, Content, and Meaning in Leviticus 24:10–23: A Diachronic Analysis
Journal of Hebrew Scriptures
Leviticus
Holiness Code
Lex Talionis
Narrative
title Form, Content, and Meaning in Leviticus 24:10–23: A Diachronic Analysis
title_full Form, Content, and Meaning in Leviticus 24:10–23: A Diachronic Analysis
title_fullStr Form, Content, and Meaning in Leviticus 24:10–23: A Diachronic Analysis
title_full_unstemmed Form, Content, and Meaning in Leviticus 24:10–23: A Diachronic Analysis
title_short Form, Content, and Meaning in Leviticus 24:10–23: A Diachronic Analysis
title_sort form content and meaning in leviticus 24 10 23 a diachronic analysis
topic Leviticus
Holiness Code
Lex Talionis
Narrative
url https://jhsonline.org/index.php/jhs/article/view/29685
work_keys_str_mv AT itzhakamar formcontentandmeaninginleviticus241023adiachronicanalysis