David Dejong, "A Prophet Like Moses (Deut 18:15, 18): The Origin, History, and Influence of the Mosaic Prophetic Succession" (Brill, 2022)
Dec 27, 2024
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David Dejong, Assistant Professor of Religion at Hope College, dives into the concept of a prophet like Moses as detailed in Deuteronomy. He traces its evolution from the seventh century BCE to the first century CE, showing its profound influence on Jewish and Christian texts. The discussion covers how ancient writers legitimized their works through Mosaic discourse, the genealogical model of prophecy contrasted with charismatic prophecy, and the implications of prophetic authority and disobedience in biblical narratives. It's a fascinating exploration of how prophetic claims shaped ancient beliefs.
David DeJong discusses how Mosaic discourse served as a normative framework for prophetic authority across diverse ancient Jewish texts.
The genealogical model of prophecy contrasts individual charismatic experiences by establishing ethical tests linked to Moses' legacy.
Deep dives
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Exploration of Mosaic Discourse
The discussion focuses on the concept of Mosaic discourse, which refers to how texts from the Second Temple period draw on Moses' authority to establish legitimacy and prophetic claims. This discourse is prevalent in both canonical and non-canonical writings, where references to Moses serve as a normative framework for understanding prophecy. The examination reveals that despite the diverse theological landscape of ancient Judaism, the idea of Mosaic discourse provided a unifying touchstone for claims to authority. The podcast emphasizes that Moses functioned as the central figure around which discussions of prophecy were organized before the canon was fully established.
The Genealogical Model of Prophecy
The podcast details the genealogical model of prophecy introduced by Deuteronomy, which contrasts with the charismatic model that emphasizes individual experiences of the Spirit. This new model positions prophets as successors to Moses, allowing for a standardized comparison of prophetic legitimacy. By establishing ethical and empirical tests for prophets based on adherence to Mosaic law and the fulfillment of their words, the genealogical model acts as a safeguard against false prophets. This framework not only connects later figures like Jeremiah to Moses but also opens discussions about the expectation of a future prophet like Moses.
In his recent monograph, David DeJong traces the history of Deuteronomy's concept of a prophet like Moses from the seventh century BCE to the first century CE, demonstrating the ways in which Jewish and Christian texts were influenced by and responded to Deuteronomy's Mosaic norm for prophetic claims.
Join us as we speak with David DeJong about "a prophet like Moses."
David DeJong (PhD, Notre Dame) is Assistant Professor of Religion at Hope College; his research and teaching focus on the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament and its interpretation in ancient Judaism and early Christianity.