This volume seeks to illuminate that the metaphors featured in Ezekiel''s prophetic writing are closely connected to interpretations of historical events . The authors highlight how this use of metaphor is unique and not replicated in other Old Testament texts. Whereas in most Old Testament writing metaphors describe procedures in experiencing life, the metaphors in Ezekiel are integrated into a context of interpreting history. The collection opens up new ways of understanding past events and fills a gap in existing scholarship. Although metaphor research has received a great deal of attention, the metaphors in Ezekiel have not yet received significant scholarly attention, especially with an understanding of them reflecting historical events. Case studies in this volume include an examination of nakedness and shame in Ezekiel 16, Ezekiel''s oracles in Ezekiel 18 and the radical handling of metaphor in Ezekiel 23. Covering texts of terror, dynamic allegories and vivid imagery, this volume brings the prophetic text to life and illuminates the reader on deliberate literary choices which sought to highlight historical events of importance to the text''s author. Contributors employ various theories to analyse the metaphors and their link to history, including conceptual metaphor theory, cognitive linguistics and the use of ancient Near Eastern iconography.

Autorentext

Antje Labahn is senior lecturer in Old Testament at the Kirchliche Hochschue Wuppertal, Germany, and research associate at the University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa.

Joel Bernard Kemp is assistant professor of Hebrew Bible at Candler School of Theology, Emory University, USA.

Inhalt

Preface
Introduction: Michael Lyons - University of St. Andrews, UK

1. Unnatural Fruit in Ezekiel 7:10-11 Daniel Vos - Boston College, USA
2. Dress, Nakedness, and Shame in Eze 16 Shannon Parrott - University of Oxford, UK
3. Defending Zion: Foreignness and Ezekiel's Oracles Against the Nations in Eze 18, Lindy Williams - Fuller Theological Seminary, USA
4. The Fortune of a Lioness Missing her Young and a Pride in Ezekiel 19:1-9: Metaphorical Images from Animal Life as Vehicle for Conceptional Interpretation of Historical Circumstances, Antje Labahn - Kirchliche Hochschue Wuppertal/Bethel, Germany, and Research Associate at University of the Free State, South Africa
5. Forged by Fire-Consumed by the Flames: The Sword and the Making of an Allegory in Ezekiel 21, Kipp Swinney - Baylor University, USA
6. Pushing Limits, Crossing Lines: The Radical Handling of Metaphor in Ezekiel 23, Stephen L. Cook - Virginia Theological Seminary, USA
7. A Fountain of Life: Ezekiel's Vision for the New Temple (Ezekiel 47), Ryan Bonfiglio - Candler School of Theology, Emory University, USA
8. Ritual Space as a Metaphor of Shame in Ezekiel's Temple Visions, Corrine Carvalho - St. Thomas, Minnesota, USA
9. Title to be announced, Joseph Lam - North Carolina, USA
   Bibliography
   Index