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The Theological Dimension of the Samson Saga

The Theological Dimension of the Samson Saga THE THEOLOGICAL DIMENSION OF THE SAMSON SAGA1 by J. CHERYL EXUM Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts Theological interpretation of the Samson Saga, Judg. xiii-xvi, has posed a thorny problem for many exegetes. The strange com- bination of rowdy adventure stories and theological considerations which we meet in these chapters may be accounted for, at least in part, by recourse to theories about the growth of the tradition. Indeed, one may speak of a consensus among both the early source critics and later form critics that the theological dimension represents a later reflection upon the worldly exploits of the folk hero Samson . But serious inquiry into the theology of the saga can- not content itself with investigation of its tradition history, and the question must be posed of the present form of the saga: what theological message does it seek to convey? The message of the saga is frequently characterized in negative terms: Samson squanders his God-given powers and thus provides an example of how a charismatic should not behave.3 Not only are Samson's sexual liaisons and personal vendettas against the 1 This article was completed during a research leave, 1980-1, at the Albright In- stitute of Archaeological Research in http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Vetus Testamentum Brill

The Theological Dimension of the Samson Saga

Exum, J. Cheryl
Vetus Testamentum , Volume 33 (1): 30 – Jan 1, 1983
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Publisher
Brill
Copyright
© 1983 Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, The Netherlands
ISSN
0042-4935
eISSN
1568-5330
DOI
10.1163/156853383X00323
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

THE THEOLOGICAL DIMENSION OF THE SAMSON SAGA1 by J. CHERYL EXUM Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts Theological interpretation of the Samson Saga, Judg. xiii-xvi, has posed a thorny problem for many exegetes. The strange com- bination of rowdy adventure stories and theological considerations which we meet in these chapters may be accounted for, at least in part, by recourse to theories about the growth of the tradition. Indeed, one may speak of a consensus among both the early source critics and later form critics that the theological dimension represents a later reflection upon the worldly exploits of the folk hero Samson . But serious inquiry into the theology of the saga can- not content itself with investigation of its tradition history, and the question must be posed of the present form of the saga: what theological message does it seek to convey? The message of the saga is frequently characterized in negative terms: Samson squanders his God-given powers and thus provides an example of how a charismatic should not behave.3 Not only are Samson's sexual liaisons and personal vendettas against the 1 This article was completed during a research leave, 1980-1, at the Albright In- stitute of Archaeological Research in

Journal

Vetus Testamentum – Brill

Published: Jan 1, 1983

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