THE DAVIDIC COVENANT IN EZEKIEL 37:15–28 AND 2 SAMUEL 7:11–16: AN INTERTEXTUAL READING / L’ALLIANCE DAVIDIQUE DANS EZECHIEL 37:15–28 ET 2 SAMUEL 7:11–16: UNE RELECTURE INTERTEXTUELLE

Authors

  • Victor Lonu Budha Africa International University, Nairobi, Kenya

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46827/ejlll.v4i4.234

Keywords:

Davidic Covenant, Ezekiel, Samuel, influence, king, prince / Alliance Davidique, Ézéchiel, roi, prince

Abstract

Reading Ezekiel 37:15–28 and 2 Samuel 7:1–16 from an intertextual perspective establishes that the text of Samuel 7:1–16, which is prior to that of Ezekiel, might have a certain influence. The first part of Ezekiel 37 (verses 1 to 14) describes the miserable condition of the Jewish people in the Babylonian exile. The text indicates that only YHWH is able to restore the people. In the second part (verse 15 to 28) the text presents the promise of God to fully restore his people and put them under a new leadership based on the Davidic Covenant that appears for the first time 2 Samuel 7:1–16. The two texts have many connections. The emphasis in the text of Ezekiel is on the promise of restoration that will come to realization under the leadership of the future Davidic Prince. The connections between Ezekiel 37:15–28 and 2 Samuel 7:1–16 are clear to the point that, cumulatively, we might suggest that the text of 2 Samuel 7:1–16 had influence on the text of Ezekiel 34:15–28. La relecture d’Ézéchiel 37:15-28 et 2 Samuel 7:1-16 d’un point de vue intertextuel établit que le texte de 2 Samuel 7:1-16, qui est antérieur à celui d’Ézéchiel, pourrait avoir une certaine influence sur celui d’Ézéchiel. La première partie d’Ézéchiel 37 (versets 1 à 14) décrit la condition misérable du peuple juif dans l’exil babylonien. Le texte indique que seul YHWH est capable de restaurer son peuple. Dans la deuxième partie (verset 15 à 28), le texte présente la promesse de Dieu de restaurer pleinement son peuple et de le mettre sous un nouveau leadership basé sur l’Alliance Davidique qui apparaît pour la première fois dans 2 Samuel 7:1-16. Les deux textes ont de nombreuses connexions et similarités. Dans le texte d’Ézéchiel l’accent est placé sur la promesse d’une restauration qui se réalisera sous la direction du futur Prince Davidique. Les connexions entre Ézéchiel 37:15-28 et 2 Samuel 7:1-16 sont claires au point que, cumulativement, nous pourrions suggérer que le texte de 2 Samuel 7:1-16 a eu une influence sur le texte d’Ézéchiel 34:15-28.

Author Biography

  • Victor Lonu Budha, Africa International University, Nairobi, Kenya
    From the Democratic Republic of Congo, I have completed my PhD studies in Theology/ Biblical Studies at Africa International University in Nairobi, Kenya. The topic of my dissertation is: An Intertextual Study of the Davidic Covenant (2 Samuel 7:1–16//Ezekiel 34:23–31 and 37:15–28). My interest is mainly in the Old Testament. I am affiliated to the Institute for Biblical Scholarship in Africa (IBSA), which is member of the Society of New Testament Studies (SNTS) – Africa Liaison.

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Published

2021-01-12

Issue

Vol. 4 No. 4 (2021)

Section

Articles