Studien zu Komposition und Theologie von Ezechiel 20 (review)

Hebrew Studies 34 (1993) 190 Reviews In a confessedly midrashic reading of Esther (not one authorized text but all fonns of the story), William McBride argues for, inter alia, a recognition of the dissymmetry evoked by the chiasms in Esther. A principle of excess characterizes the talion of the story; thus, retribution always multiplies the pains of the original transgression. Artistic needs detennine characterization such that the historically powerful Xerxes becomes in the Bible a mere transition point, the preposition "between" linking the other characters. These essays, diverse as they are, present quite a challenge to edit into one collection. The editors met this challenge successfully. From a technical perspective, the use of diacritical marks need consistency and thorough application. But the proofreading, layout, and endnote identification are superb. David W. Howle Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary Mill Valley, CA 94941 STUDIEN ZU KOMPOSITION UND THEOLOGIE VON EZECHIEL 20. By Franz Sedlmeier. Stuttgarter Biblische Beitrage 21. Pp. 444. Stuttgart: Katholisches Bibelwerk, 1990. Paper, DM 39. This Eichstatt dissertation is a painstaking treatment of Ezekiel 20. It was written under Rudolf Mosis and with the aid of Diethelm Michel, and the author's acknowledged debt to the writings of both is evident throughout . The first chapter consists of a translation and text-critical notes. It closes with an excursus in which Sedlmeier follows Zimmerli in accepting the originality of ,),tt in fixed fonnulas in the book of Ezekiel, but repoints it as ','R in agreement with lohan Lust. After a judicious evaluation of the ancient versions and previous textual study, the MT is left relatively unchanged , as in v. 8, where ~'tt, which is unrepresented in the LXX, is retained despite the plural suffix of Cil')'11. The author does adopt Zimmerli's suggestion to read 'nin in v. 15, although v. 42 surely echoes 'nro. The LXX's omissions are followed in v. 22 (','-ntt 'rorom), v. 26 (the recognition fonnula), v. 28 (CJ:I.,P 011' canm',), v. 31 (rott:1 ~'):1 "':1l1il:1a highly significant omission), v. 40