Poetics and Interpretation of Biblical Narrative

by Adele Berlin

This classic work on literary criticism by Professor Adele Berlin introduces the reader to the colorful world of poetics (literary conventions) used in the construction of biblical narratives. Her book is divided into 6 Poetics and Interpretation, Character and Characterization, Point of View, Poetics in the Book of Ruth, Poetic Interpretation and Historical-Critical Methods, and The Art of Biblical Narrative.

Genres: Theology, Old Testament, Nonfiction, Christianity, Christian, Writing, Religion

184 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1983

Reviews

[Cherie]

ok, a story: was working through a study with an ecumenical group of women; went with my family on a vacation to Great Britian. In a tiny, out-of-the-way bookshop in Chepstow, found this book in the basement. References to the study abounded!! I read the book in windowseats, under several-hundred-year-old oaks, on castle steps and cathedral steps: everywhere. I was fascinated! Just before leaving for home, we toured the BM, where I saw physical references to the history covered in both the study and the book. What a great summer that was!!

[David Pulliam · Rating 4 out of 5]

For general reader you can skip the largest chapter on Ruth and the second to last chapter on source and form criticism. The first three chapters are valuable and helpful.

This book will helpful begin to plum the depths of narrative texts in the OT. She gives helpful literary tools to help you think about the stories.

Finally, if you are not familiar with the historial writings in the OT, hold back from reading this book. You need a good grasp of all the OT stories to find this book helpful.

[Luke Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adele Berlin's classic work "Poetics and Interpretation of Biblical Narrative" is a wonderful exploration of narrative criticism applied to the study of the biblical text, and specifically to the stories and narratives of the text. After reading "Circle of Sovereignty" by Danna Nolan Fewell, in which Fewell analyzes the stories of Daniel 1-6 through the lens of narratology and narrative criticism, my interest was piqued and I became fascinated by narrative criticism. Berlin's work on the subject is a wonderful place to begin (in my opinion) for those who are interested in narrative criticism.

Berlin spends the majority of the book discussing important aspects of narrative criticism, especially characterization (chapter 2) and point of view (chapter 3). The fourth chapter in the book applies the methods of narrative criticism to a short examination of the book of Ruth. Berlin's reading of Ruth, informed by questions concerning characters, plot, point of view, gaps in the narrative, etc., provides a reading of this story that would be very different from a tradition reading of the Ruth story from a historical-critical perspective. In the closing chapter, Berlin addresses these historical-critical methods of analyzing (and dissecting) the biblical text, specifically source criticism and form criticism. Berlin shows the shortcomings of these historical-critical methods when applied to biblical narrative.

Berlin's work helps to open our eyes in new ways to the narrative(s) of the Hebrew Bible (and the New Testament). Rather than attempting to trace the compositional history of the biblical texts, narrative criticism seeks to analyze the text "as we have it." Rather than simply viewing the finished product as an edited volume of disparate parts and stories, Berlin encourages readers to see how the stories fit together into a unified whole and how individual pieces of one story also come together to create a new composition entirely, no matter the story's compositional history. Understanding the "poetics" of biblical narrative--that is, "how" biblical texts create meaning--we are better equipped to "interpret" a given text well and responsibly.

[Omri Flicker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book. Written for the layperson, with deep ideas about biblical poetics.

In chapter 1, she talks about a statue found at the palace of Ashurnasirpal at Nimrud. The 3 dimensional statue has the legs and body of a lion, a human head and wings. If you look more closely at the statue, there are 5 legs, because the statue was intended to be an accurate representation whether you looked at the statue from the front or from the side. From certain angles though, all 5 legs are visible.

The statue is a representation of reality. Berlin uses this idea to demonstrate that "representations of reality do not always correspond in every detail to reality." We understand this idea in most art forms, like painting and sculpture. The thing is, that literature is also an art form. The bible is a work of literature. Therefore, the representation of certain individuals, families, events, etc. in the bible does not always correspond in every detail to the underlying reality. The bible is an artistic representation. Poetics tries to identify the general principles of literature that aid interpretation.

This is an excellent book that identifies some of the basic principles of biblical poetics coupled with many examples. Highly recommended to all readers interest in biblical narrative art.

[Fred Kohn · Rating 4 out of 5]

When this book showed up on my shelf of library reserves, I was initially confused. Why did I reserve this book, I wondered. It didn’t take long to realize that it was because of the chapter on Ruth, a book I am currently studying. Ruth is analyzed from a literary standpoint, a method confusingly called poetics by the author (in this case, at least, it has nothing to do with poetry). This method is to be distinguished from the more commonly encountered historical critical analyses. Of course, the other chapters are interesting, too. Especially interesting is the chapter in which the author criticizes methods which seek to find multiple sources behind biblical narratives. We should assume the narrative is a unity, she says, unless we have good evidence that it does not. To this end she analyzes Genesis 37 as though it was a unity and not, as many scholars assume, a compilation of sources. A warning: the biblical narrative of the title is limited to the Jewish Bible; no N.T. narratives are analyzed.

[Caleb Burkhart · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a helpful work that explores the poetics (what Berlin calls the "inner dynamics") of biblical narrative in the OT. Her sections on "Character and Characterization" and "Point of View" are particularly helpful for understanding the structure of certain narratives in the OT. She devotes a whole section to the book of Ruth, applying her method and drawing some helpful and unique insights. She points out that the book of Ruth is "a paradox or an antidote for the Book of Judges, for the Book of Judges depicts a rough and violent period while Ruth presents a serene and pastoral picture" (103). This historical setting helps one to appreciate not just the context of the book of Ruth, but how that context and setting function narratively. There are many more examples that she uses throughout the book to analyze the deep yet profound structures of OT narrative, making this a valuable resource for anyone interested in the subject.

[Alisa]

DNF @ 30%

I wanted to read this book because a lot of contemporary Christian teachers I like have cited it re: exploring biblical narratives through the literary lens, looking at narrative techniques and literary devices, what the point of view and repetitive phrases intend to signal the reader, etc. The Bible Project has been credited in a renewed interest in the Old Testament because of their teachings in this line. This book is short and accessible, for an academic work, but I was hoping for more discussion on repeated motifs and their meaning than an explanation of literary techniques such as characterization and POV.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perhaps like me, you just assume that poetics has to do with poetry. Before delving into this book that was my assumption, too. While it may refer to the theory of poetry, it is more widely understood to be concerned with the theory of literary forms and discourse. No, not boring stuff, not at all! This is a superb book that will give any reader, I should think, a greater appreciation for what is actually to be found in the biblical text. Along with Robert Alter's, "The Art of the Biblical Narrative," a very perceptive and helpful read.

[Noah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful reminder that biblical narrative in the Bible is always mimetic.

“Abraham in Genesis is not a real person any more than a painting of an apple is a real fruit … we should not confuse a historical individual with his narrative representation.” (13)

[Travis Johnston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still good. I read almost all of it in one sitting this time. I love the helpful analysis on Ruth.

[Charlie Brand · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very dense, solid, and helpful work on interpreting Biblical narrative. It would do me good to read again!

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great introduction to the study of poetics, a subdivision within the study of narrative. It is an inductive science that seeks to abstract general principles from many different manifestations of those principles as they occur in actual literary texts.

Adele Berlin applies this discipline to biblical narrative in particular. She shows how understanding the "science" of literature, makes us aware of how texts achieve their meaning. In other words, poetics - in the end - aids interpretation.

Berlin introduces the reader to some basic concepts within poetics and draws on numerous examples from the biblical text itself. This is followed by a chapter that analyzes the biblical story of Ruth using the concepts she previously introduced.

Towards the end of her book, Berlin provides an excellent chapter relating poetics to historical-critical methods and shows how poetics can provide a check and a balance to the extremes of such methods as source and form criticism.

This was a short read, clearly written, and its concepts were easily within the reach of someone unfamiliar with literary analysis. I recommend it.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adele Berlin offers a good introduction to poetics within biblical narrative. Using the literary features of characterization and point of view, Berlin shows the Bible is not only a collection of stories; it's good literature as well. A brief study through Ruth is provided and a short discussion on critical methods is also included. Although those who are familiar with poetics will be left wanting more, Berlin is a good start. He summarizes, "[The Bible's] power comes not only from the authority of scripture, but from the inner dynamics of the stories themselves."