Albert Coetsee

North West University Potchefstroom, Old Testament and Hermeneutics, Faculty Member

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Associate professor of Old Testament and Hermeneutics at the North-West University and the Theological School of the Reformed Churches in South Africa (2023-present)

Senior Lecturer in Old Testament and Hermeneutics at the North-West University and the Theological School of the Reformed Churches in South Africa (2017-2022)

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Papers by Albert Coetsee

The Belgic Confession: Historical background, contextual meaning, contemporary relevance

Reformed theology in Africa series, Dec 31, 2022

Biblical Theology of Life in the Old Testament

Reformed Theology in Africa Series

God knows all: An intertextual study of Hebrews 4:12–13 and Deuteronomy 29:28

In die skriflig/In die Skriflig, Apr 11, 2024

the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides... more the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And before him no creature is hidden, but all are naked and laid bare to the eyes of the one to whom we must render an account. (NRSV) 1 Most scholars view Hebrews 4:12-13 as the author's own composition, which contains various parallels with Old Testament language and thought (cf. Ellingworth 1993:260). As the current article will indicate below, very few scholars consider Deuteronomy 29:28 (29:29 ET) as one of the possible conceptual backgrounds of the passage. This article argues that Hebrews 4:12-13 contains among others a conceptual echo of Deuteronomy 29:28, which when noted, enhances the interpretation of the passage. Within New Testament intertextual studies 'echoes' are defined as recollections or resonances of an Old Testament passage without any obvious reference to that passage (cf. Guthrie 2003:273; Hays 1989:21-33). Where quotations and allusions contain a number of consecutive words in the New Testament. with a high degree of conformity with (1) specific Old Testament 1.Apart from this initial quotation, which is taken from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV), all other translations from Scripture and Philo are my own. While most scholars view Hebrews 4:12-13 as the author's own composition which contains various parallels with Old Testament language and thought, very few consider Deuteronomy 29:28 (29:29 ET) as one of the possible conceptual backgrounds of the passage. The current article argued that Hebrews 4:12-13 contains among others a conceptual echo of Deuteronomy 29:28, which when noted, enhances the interpretation of the passage. The article started with a baseline interpretation of Hebrews 4:12-13, by discussing its content and message, and especially its proposed backgrounds. It found that of all the parallels between Hebrews 4:12-13 and the LXX, Wisdom 1:6 and 1 Enoch 9:5 forms the closest parallels, and that scholars do not view Hebrews 4:12-13 as containing an echo of Deuteronomy 29:28. Next, the article investigated Deuteronomy 29:28, particularly the meaning of the phrase 'the hidden things' known to God. The article argued that from the wider context of Deuteronomy 29:15-27 'the hidden things' refer to 'the hidden intentions' of the human heart, which is known to God. The next section of the article indicated that this interpretation of 'the hidden things' as the unknown intentions of the human heart, finds support in Philo's De Cherubim 16. Revisiting Hebrews 4:12-13, the article argued that based on the similarities of thought, structure and function, Deuteronomy 29:28 forms one of the conceptual backgrounds of Hebrews 4:12-13 and indicated how this enhances the interpretation of the passage. The article concluded by very briefly reflecting on the contribution of Hebrews 4:12-13 to the biblical concept of the knowledge of God. Contribution: The article contributed to the investigation of the well-known and important Hebrews 4:12-13, as well as the investigation of the occurrence and use of Deuteronomy in the book of Hebrews.

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Warning through song and legislation? An intertextual study of Hebrews 10:26–31 and Deuteronomy

Verbum et Ecclesia, Apr 30, 2024

Just as in the rest of Hebrews, the warning passage in Hebrews 10:26-31 contains numerous referen... more Just as in the rest of Hebrews, the warning passage in Hebrews 10:26-31 contains numerous references to the Old Testament. The passage has, among others, two explicit quotations from the Song of Moses in Deuteronomy 32 (Dt 32:35a in Heb 10:30a; Dt 32:36a in Heb 10:30b), and one clear allusion to the legislation in Deuteronomy 17 (Dt 17:6 in Heb 10:28). The current article argued that Deuteronomy plays an even bigger role in the passage than has previously been noted. Moving from the clear to the less clear by discussing quotations from, allusions to, echoes and applications of, and conceptual and intertextual parallels with Deuteronomy, the intertextual study found that there are possible traces of Deuteronomy in every verse of Hebrews 10:26-31, and strikingly, that all these traces come from Deuteronomy 17 and 32. The article concluded by reflecting on the correlation between Deuteronomy 17 and 32, and how the author of Hebrews employs words and reminiscences from these chapters in order to warn his addressees against apostasy. The article contributed to the investigation of the Old Testament in the Book of Hebrews, and more specifically, the investigation of the occurrence and use of the Book of Deuteronomy in Hebrews.

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Biblical Theology of Life in the New Testament

Reformed Theology in Africa Series, 2021

This publication deals with 'A Biblical Theology of Life' based on the New Testament. It forms th... more This publication deals with 'A Biblical Theology of Life' based on the New Testament. It forms the second of a two-volume publication on A Biblical Theology of Life. These two volumes trace the concept of life throughout the Protestant canon, working with the final form of the biblical books in Hebrew and Greek Scripture. This is done by providing the reader with a book-by-book overview of the concept of life. The introductory chapter of the first volume elucidates the scope for this two-volume publication followed by 12 chapters dealing with Old Testament corpora. The second volume proceeds with 10 chapters dealing with New Testament corpora. This volume concludes with a final chapter synthesising the findings of the respective investigations of the Old and New Testament corpora in order to provide a summative theological perspective of the development of the concept of life through Scripture. Although much has been published on the concept of life in the biblical text, it seems that up to date no comprehensive biblical theology in which the concept of life is traced throughout the different corpora of the Old and New Testament has been published. The current publication intends to fill this research gap. It is assumed that such an approach can provide a valuable contribution to the theological discourse on life and related concepts. From this investigation, it is clear that life forms a central and continuous theme throughout the biblical text. The theme begins with the living God who creates life but is shortly followed by death that threatens life. Despite this threat, God sustains life and awakens life from death. The text concludes with the xvii

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‘“God is not unjust”: An intertextual study of Deuteronomy 32:4, Romans 3:5 and 9:14, and Hebrews 6:10

Perspectives on Romans 3, Gorgias Biblical Studies , 2023

“God is a consuming fire”: An intertextual study of Deuteronomy and Hebrews

Biblical Theological investigations into the attribute of God’s righteousness, 2023

Review of H. Bierman’s book ‘Leer die Bybel speel-speel ken'

In die Skriflig, 2008

Special collection: Festschrift Gert Breed

In die Skriflig / In Luce Verbi, 2020

"Through the eternal Spirit” (Heb 9:14): The arguments for and implications of interpreting the phrase as a reference to the Holy Spirit

Troubling texts in the New Testament: Essays in honor of Rob van Houwelingen on the occasion of his retirement, 2022

“God is not unjust”: A synopsis of the use of the phrase in the LXX

Let God be true: Perspectives on Romans 3, 2023

A Biblical Theology of prayer: A synopsis of prayer in Scripture

Biblical Theology of prayer in the New Testament, 2023

Praying with boldness and reverence: Prayer in the book of Hebrews

Biblical Theology of prayer in the New Testament, 2023

Deuteronomy’s concept of life in Hebrews

HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies, 2019

Structure and Rhetorical Aim of Deut 4:32-40: Blending of Historical, Universal, Sensorial and Relational Motifs

Old Testament Essays

Various scholars view Deuteronomy 4:32-40 as the climax of Moses' first speech. While the pas... more Various scholars view Deuteronomy 4:32-40 as the climax of Moses' first speech. While the passage has received considerable attention on the literary-critical front and in terms of its theology, the structure of the passage has not received as much scholarly attention, possibly because the structure seems quite simple (Deut 4:32-35, 36-39, 40). The question, however, that has not been adequately addressed is: why does Deut 4:36-39 repeat Deut 4:32-35 in part and what can be deduced from this repetition? The article attempts to answer this question by investigating the occurrence of four primary themes found in the text, namely historical, universal, sensorial and relational themes, each made up of various motifs. It is argued that the blending of these motifs indicates a deliberate development in the structure of the passage. The article concludes by reflecting on the multifaceted rhetorical aim of the text in light of its structure.

Reformed hermeneutics in South Africa: Its presuppositions, principles, nuances and value

Christian hermeneutics in South Africa

Die nut van Christus se opstanding : fokusartikel

Dwarsdeur die Skrif word daar beklemtoon dat ons Here Jesus se opstanding 'n historiese feit ... more Dwarsdeur die Skrif word daar beklemtoon dat ons Here Jesus se opstanding 'n historiese feit is. Hy het nie net drie keer voor sy dood aangekondig dat Hy op die derde dag uit die dood sal opstaan nie, maar Hy het na sy opstanding aan 'n magdom ooggetuies verskyn en verskeie onbetwisbare bewyse gegee dat Hy lewe. Vandag nog eggo die wonderlike woorde van die Emmausgangers: "Die Here het regtig opgestaan ..." (Luk. 24:34).

Het die tong mag oor dood en lewe

Spreek lewe! is 'n populere boek wat vir die algemene gelowige op straat bedoel is. Osteen he... more Spreek lewe! is 'n populere boek wat vir die algemene gelowige op straat bedoel is. Osteen het 'n eenvoudige skryfstyl wat maklik en lekker lees. Dwarsdeur sy boek is dit duidelik dat hy 'n baie hoe agting vir die Skrif het. Hy beklemtoon tereg dat gelowiges al hoe meer moet besef wie hulle in Christus is, sodat hulle vanuit hierdie besef kan lewe en 'n positiewe uitkyk op die lewe kan he. Ongelukkig is dit egter net so ver wat die positiewe kommentaar op Osteen se boek kan gaan.

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Christian hermeneutics in South Africa

Reformed Theology in Africa Series

The theme of God's speech in Hebrews' introduction formulae

In die skriflig, 2015

Inleiding Dit word universeel deur biblioloë aanvaar dat die Ou Testament die primêre grondslag v... more Inleiding Dit word universeel deur biblioloë aanvaar dat die Ou Testament die primêre grondslag van Hebreërs vorm. Elke hoofstuk van Hebreërs is met eksplisiete en implisiete verwysings na die Ou Testament deurdrenk. Die prominensie van die Ou Testament in Hebreërs het tot gevolg dat dit een van die grootste ondersoekvelde in navorsing oor Hebreërs is. Feitlik elke artikel, proefskrif en kommentaar oor Hebreërs neem deeglik van die prominente plek van die Ou Testament in Hebreërs kennis en verreken dit ook deeglik in die navorsing. Alhoewel die voorkoms en gebruik van die Ou Testament in die meeste navorsing oor Hebreërs besonder baie aandag geniet, is dit nie die geval met die Hebreërskrywer se gebruik van inleidingsformules vir sy Ou-Testamentiese aanhalings nie. Hoewel die meeste navorsers van die Hebreërskrywer se (byna unieke) gebruik van inleidingsformules melding maak, bied slegs 'n handjievol van hulle meer uitgebreide navorsing oor hierdie onderwerp aan. 1 Akademici is egter gou om te erken dat die inleidingsformules van die Nuwe-Testamentiese skrywers oor die algemeen belangrike inligting oor die outeur se gebruik en interpretasie van die Skrif bevat

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Albert Coetsee

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