Drawing on the Tablet of the Heart: Iconography and the Shape and Shaping of the Psalter Restricted; Files Only

Abstract

The task of the composition critic is to retrace the formation of the Bible from its earliest literary stages to its final form. To explore this textual development, a study of composition history pursues discernable traits of key motifs, themes, and traditions, through many eras and places. Despite having conducted comparative research examining diverse aspects of the ancient Near Eastern (ANE) civilizations, practitioners of composition history almost never consider iconographic data necessary or useful for this task. In the ANE, however, the sheer prevalence and longevity of images across multiple geo-political realms speak to the key communicative role of art in a context where textual literacy rates were extremely low. Both monumental and minor art held a central place in codifying and communicating traditions and cultural memories. This study reconsiders the composition history of the Psalter (and beyond) by raising an intriguing question: What difference would it make if scholars considered how visuality, an often underestimated yet prevalent ANE symbol and communication system, shaped the formation of Scripture? In answering this question, this research investigates a traditio-historical growth within the Zion tradition in light of ANE visual culture, where a similar art historical development is perceptible. Based on this image-text relation, the study claims that the textual history of Psalms is intertwined with the visual culture of the ANE.

 

Table of Contents

List of Figures

Chapter 1: Intertextuality as Image-textuality …………………………………………… 1

1.1. Imag(in)ing the Zion-centered Formation of the Psalter

1.2. Methodological Reflections

     1.2.1.    The Zion-centered Formation of the Psalter

     1.2.2.    Imag(in)ing Scriptural Formation

     1.2.3.    Imag(in)ing Intertextuality

1.3. Intertextualizing Iconography  

1.4. Zion and ANE Palaces as Image-Texts                                                                                            

 

Chapter 2: The Inter-psalmic Relations within the Elohistic Zion Psalms……………… 29

2.1. The Inter-Psalmic Profile of Psalms 46, 48, and 76

     2.1.1.  Psalm 46

     2.1.2.  Psalm 48

     2.1.3.  Psalm 76

2.2. An Intertextual and Canonical Profile of the Zion Hymns

2.3. The Inter-Psalmic Profile of Psalms 74 and 79

     2.3.1.  Psalm 74

     2.3.2.  Psalm 79

2.4. An Intertextual and Canonical Profile of the Zion Laments

2.5. Looking Ahead: Imag(in)ing Zion Intertextuality I

 

Chapter 3: The Inter-Visual Network of the Neo-Assyrian Palaces……………………… 55

3.1. Assurnasirpal II: the Northwest Palace in Nimrud

     3.1.1.  Façade D/E

     3.1.2.  Throne room B

     3.1.3.  Room F

     3.1.4.  The Architectural, Iconographic, and Royal Propagation of Assurnasirpal II

3.2. Sargon II: the Fortress of Sargon in Khorsabad

     3.2.1.  Façade n

     3.2.2.  Corridor 10

     3.2.3.  Room 8

     3.2.4.  Room 2  

     3.2.5.  The Architectural, Iconographic, and Royal Propagation of Sargon II

3.3. Sennacherib: the Palace Without Rival in Nineveh

     3.3.1.  Façade H  

     3.3.2.  Throne room

     3.3.3.  Court VI

     3.3.4.  The Architectural, Iconographic, and Royal Propagation of Sennacherib

3.4. A Brief Iconographic Synthesis I

 

Chapter 4: The Inter-Psalmic Relations Within the Zion Pilgrimage Psalms…………… 107

4.1. The Inter-Psalmic Profile of Psalms 84,87, and 122

     4.1.1.  Psalm 84  

     4.1.2.  Psalm 87

     4.1.3.  Psalm 122

4.2. An Intertextual and Canonical Profile of the Zion Pilgrimage Psalms

4.3. Looking Ahead: Imag(in)ing Zion Intertextuality II

 

Chapter 5: The Inter-Visual Network of Persian-Achaemenid Palaces…………………  126

5.1. Contextualizing the Achaemenid Visual Tradition

5.2. Nebuchadnezzar II: the Visual Profile of Babylon

5.3. Darius I: the Visual Profile of Persepolis

5.4. A Brief Iconographic Synthesis II

 

Chapter 6: Conclusion……………………………………………………………………… 149

Bibliography ………………………………………………………………………………… 154

About this Dissertation

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School	Laney Graduate School
Department	Religion
Subfield / Discipline	Hebrew Bible
Degree	Ph.D.
Submission	Dissertation
Language	English
Research Field	Art History Religion, Biblical Studies Theology
Keyword	Zion Psalms Canonical Criticism Iconography Composition History Intertextuality
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Brent A. Strawn, Duke University Joel M. LeMon, Emory University
Committee Members	Jacob L. Wright, Emory University Roger S. Nam, Emory University Ryan Bonfiglio, Emory University

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