The Repentant Job

In the field of hermeneutics, Paul Ricoeur has fashioned a general theory of interpretation that holds promise for biblical studies. This work applies Ricoeur's theory to the interpretation of the Book of Job. Focusing on the theophany section of this biblical tale (chapters 38-41), and specifically on the works of Job in response to the divine speeches (Job 40:4-5 and 42:2-6), this study offers a philological analysis and phenomenological commentary on the sense and reference of these enigmatic texts. Contents: Acknowledgements; Abbreviations; INTRODUCTION; PHENOMENOLOGICAL HERMENEUTICS: THE PHILOSOPHY OF PAUL RICOEUR; Phenomenological Presuppositions; Toward a Hermeneutic of Narrativity; In the Power of the Poetic; For the Appropriation of Truth; Biblical Hermeneutics; THE BOOK OF JOB: A THEO-NOVELLA; Literary Configuration; Theological Characterization; THEOPHANIC BLUSTER? JOB AND THE WIND OF CHANGE; The Advent of the Divine (Job 38:1); A Sapiential Dialogue (Job 38:2-3); VISIONARY SAGACIOUSNESS: JOB AND THE LANGUAGE OF AVOWAL; The Wisdom of Divine Disputation? (Job 40:2-5); The Inner Eye of Wisdom!; The Aesthetics of Repentance; JOB: THE 'DICON' OF A SAGE; Contemplative Consciousness; World of Wisdom; Sapiential Testimony; Conclusion-The Integrity of Biblical Theology.