Yair Mazor

I had the pleasure of studying Hebrew and literary criticism under Professor Yair Mazor and "Who Wrought the Bible?" is Mazor's application of literary criticism to the Hebrew Bible. In particular, he is interested in teasing out how the biblical authors harness aesthetic devices and compositional rhetoric to serve the bible's ideological message.

There are a few real gems in this work. His first introduction (yes, there are two) explores what art and literature are from a philosophical and definitional level. Interestingly, after Mazor defines art (and literature as art) he then makes the case that the bible does not satisfy this definition. Instead he concludes,

"Being devoid of aesthetic objectives, the Bible cannot be considered a literary work but a collection of books with a defined pragmatic goal, making use of an astounding array of aesthetic patterns and devices." (21-22)

Art (and literature) on the other hand - according to Mazor - are wrought solely for an aesthetic objective (i.e. designed to elicit an emotional, sensual, intellectual, or psychological response).

And while I understand the logic of his thesis and argumentation, I am not wholly convinced. For Mazor himself concedes that there is a notable exception with the inclusion of the Song of Songs within the biblical canon.

And this is the other real gem in Mazor's book. His chapter on the Song is remarkable and unique in his attempt to decode characterization and narrative plot in a book that has much too often been seen as an assemblage of thematically related poetry.

Other chapters were less rewarding for me. Much of his work is spent looking for pattern, aesthetic structure, and form. For instance he examines Hosea 5:1-3 using the techniques of structuralist rhetorical criticism as inspired by the Russian formalists. And while I found much of this tedious I appreciate the unique perspective such a study produces. For the literary critic attempts to see how the writer is communicating as much as what he is communicating and this can clarify aspects of traditional biblical exegesis.

In conclusion, I believe Professor Mazor has made a significant contribution to understanding biblical narrative from a literary perspective and his book is welcome contribution to the discipline.… (altro)