Biblica - Vol 89 (2008) Hock, Andreas, From Babel to the New Jerusalem (Gen 11,1-9 and Rev 21,1–22,5) (2008)

There are some salient points of contact between the narrative of Babel, Gen 11:1-9, and the vision of the New Jerusalem, Rev 21:1–22:5. These parallels are starkly contrastive. Among the most stunning parallels are the way man’s initiative is underscored in Gen, while God’s initiative is emphasized in Rev. Human accomplishment appears to be at the heart of the narrative in Genesis, whereas God’s accomplishment is presented in Rev. Moreover, worldly reputation is set in opposition to heavenly fame, as well as a worldwide dispersion in Gen as it is being contrasted with a worldwide unification in Rev. The essay’s conclusion is that the protological text is brought to fulfillment in the eschatological one in an inverse archetypal sense.

Biblica - Vol 91 (2010) Goswell, Greg, The Fate and Future of Zerubbabel in the Prophecy of Haggai (2010)

The final oracle of Haggai is often viewed as royalist in orientation, with the prophet promoting Zerubbabel as a royal (or even messianic) figure. This study seeks to dispute the majority view. Neither the election terms used nor the metaphor of the “seal” assign a royal identity to him. The focus is on the dual leadership of Zerubbabel and Joshua. Nowhere in the prophecy is Zerubbabel identified unequivocally as a Davidide. The temple orientation and the highlighting of divine action show that the establishment of God’s kingdom is in view, not the promotion of Zerubbabel as God’s vice-regent.

Biblica - Vol 93 (2012) Ausloos, Hans, Paronomasia or Wordplay? A Babel-Like Confusion. Towards a Definition of Hebrew Wordplay (2012)

Against the general background of a terminological confusion that is present in contributions about Hebrew wordplay, the definition of the socalled paronomasia in relation to the term wordplay is especially debated. This article aims to clarify the concept of wordplay in the Hebrew Bible. After a survey of the current opinions in defining the terms «paronomasia» and «wordplay» (I), we propose our own definition of «Hebrew wordplay» (II). Thereafter, this description will simultaneously delimit the field of Hebrew wordplay as it excludes a few linguistic figures, although they are possibly classified as wordplay in other studies (III).