Papers by Casper Labuschagne
This is in broad outline an overview of the architecture of Deuteronomy as a numerical composition.
This is in broad outline an overview of the architecture of the first book of the Bible as a nume... more This is in broad outline an overview of the architecture of the first book of the Bible as a numerical composition.
The book of Exodus is a textbook example of a refined numerical composition in which the divine n... more The book of Exodus is a textbook example of a refined numerical composition in which the divine name numbers 17 and 26 play a crucial role to give structure to the text and embue them with symbolism.
This is taken from my correspondence with an American colleague about science and faith in 2003.
Psalm 32 shares several features with Psalm 1 and Psalm 41
This short note is part of my logotechnical analysis of Psalm 67, the menorah poem par excellence... more This short note is part of my logotechnical analysis of Psalm 67, the menorah poem par excellence. It is a plea for the use of the only correct description of the menorah: the six-branched lampstand. There is no such thing as a seven-branched lampstand.
In addition to the General Introduction to Logotechnical Analysis, this Introduction is very help... more In addition to the General Introduction to Logotechnical Analysis, this Introduction is very helpful and informative to show what Quantitative Structural Analysis is all about.
The purpose of this article is to show that, contrary to the traditional view of these psalms as ... more The purpose of this article is to show that, contrary to the traditional view of these psalms as two diferent poems, they are in fact a structural unity. Compare Psalm 42-43.
The purpose of this article is to show that, contrary to the traditional view of these psalms as ... more The purpose of this article is to show that, contrary to the traditional view of these psalms as two diferent poems, they are in fact a structural unity. Compare Psalm 9-10.
This is a revised and updated version of an earlier publication. Having finished my quantitative ... more This is a revised and updated version of an earlier publication. Having finished my quantitative structural analysis of all the books of the Hebrew Bible, I obtained a birds’ eye view of the architecture of these books. To my amazement I discovered the striking way in which many of them, and groups of them, begin and/or end with a significant number of words: 17 or 26 or their multiples.
The Hebrew Bible contains quite a number of poetic sections within the narrative and prophetic li... more The Hebrew Bible contains quite a number of poetic sections within the narrative and prophetic literature. The most intriguing question we are confronted with is whether such passages are to be regarded as secondarily inserted or as being composed from the outset along with the surrounding text and integral to it. My recent investigations into the numerical features and the structure of such passages in their literary contexts have led to the conclusion that we need to study them primarily as part and parcel of their setting. This means that we have to rethink the term ‘inset poems’, which is mostly understood as ‘secondarily inserted’. Therefore, I would propose to employ the more neutral term ‘embedded poetry’, which has already been used by some scholars, though they use ‘inset’ and ‘embedded’ indiscriminately. The present article explores their astounding numerical features.
It is difficult to explain why Chronicles has been positioned after Ezra-Nehemiah right at the en... more It is difficult to explain why Chronicles has been positioned after Ezra-Nehemiah right at the end of the canon of the Hebrew Bible (Codex Leningrad). In the LXX it is to be found after the Book of Kings and before Ezra-Nehemiah (the original arrangement, because there is evidence showing that Chronicles was written as a preamble to Ezra-Nehemiah). In the Aleppo Codex it is positioned at the beginning of the Ketubim, before the Book of Psalms. From a numerical point of view its positioning at the end can be explained by the fact that it is an outstanding, high-grade, composition and most suitable to be the Bible’s grand finale. No less than 98% of its words are governed by 17 and 26.
Another reason may be that the Story of Ancient Israel (Genesis-Kings) at the beginning of the canon, and Chronicles, as its rewrite at the end, form an inclusion.
The present study of the numerical features of the Book of Ezra-Nehemiah demonstrates that it is ... more The present study of the numerical features of the Book of Ezra-Nehemiah demonstrates that it is a well-planned literary unity consisting of an Ezra section and a Nehemiah section. It has not been written in time order, but is a non-chronological collage of sources available to the author. It appears to be a sophisticated numerical composition: 66% of the 9065 words are shaped and highlighted by the divine name numbers 17 and 26, to signify the presence of YHWH in what is described in it, showing that it is conceived as a religious writing.
A special feature of the book is the prolific use of the number of fulfilment, 11, which shapes and highlights 63% of the words (taking into consideration that there are some overlappings). It functions as a device to symbolize the fulfilment of YHWH’s promise to bring his people back to their country, as foretold by Jeremiah (29,10). To give a few examples: Ezra 1 has 11 verses and the very first paragraph (1,1-6) is made up of 121 (11x11) words. Nehemiah 1 has likewise 11 verses, and Chapters 1-2 are made up 572 (2x26x11) words. Ezra’s concluding chapter (10) has 44 verses, while Nehemiah 13 has 473 (43x11) words. It is clearly The Book of Accomplishment.
From ancient times up until our own time rabbis and Biblical scholars have expressed doubts about... more From ancient times up until our own time rabbis and Biblical scholars have expressed doubts about the canonicity, integrity, and moral quality of the book of Esther. This is not the place to go deeper into this; all I can say is that such scepticism is totally unfounded and only shows that Esther is the most misapprehended book of the Hebrew Bible. Having analysed and studied the book from a new perspective, I have come to the conclusion that it is a high-grade, meticulously designed story dealing with the serious subject of the perennial threat of genocide of the Jews and their ultimate survival. Esther is definitely more than a story explaining the origin of the Feast of Purim.
Psalm 135 preludes and introduces Psalm 136, the Song of Praise par excellence, with which it con... more Psalm 135 preludes and introduces Psalm 136, the Song of Praise par excellence, with which it constitutes the Great Hallel.
Psalm 136 is a textbook example of numerical composition showing a simple, regular compositional ... more Psalm 136 is a textbook example of numerical composition showing a simple, regular compositional structure in which, at the same time, intricate literary devices have been employed. The canto structure of its 26 bicolic verselines is in 5 parts (cantos), which are clearly determined by ‘episodes’ as in Psalms 105-107.
In an ingeniously subtle numerical fashion Psalm 118 preludes the alphabetic acrostic Psalm 119, ... more In an ingeniously subtle numerical fashion Psalm 118 preludes the alphabetic acrostic Psalm 119, which shows that it was purposefully composed to introduce it. Psalm 118 shares this feature with Psalm 33, which preludes the alphabetic acrostic Psalm 34.
In the category 'showpiece of numerical composition', Psalm 104 ranks at the top as a real master... more In the category 'showpiece of numerical composition', Psalm 104 ranks at the top as a real masterpiece. In much the same way as in the sister psalms, Psalms 105 and 106, it has a readily recognizable core: the 102-word (6 x 17) section vs. 10-23 (Canto II in my division), which may be called its pièce de résistance.
Psalm 102 displays the compositional craftmanship of its author. It is made up of 204 (12 x 17) w... more Psalm 102 displays the compositional craftmanship of its author. It is made up of 204 (12 x 17) words, skilfully divided into 85 (5 x 17) in the central Canto II (vs. 13-23), and 119 (7 x 17) in the surrounding cantos (vs. 2-12 and 24-29).
Like Psalms 90 and 92 – and e.g., Psalm 84 - Psalm 91 divides on two different levels into two eq... more Like Psalms 90 and 92 – and e.g., Psalm 84 - Psalm 91 divides on two different levels into two equal halves (See Observation 3 in my Analysis of Psalm 6.):
vs. 1-8 Canto I 8 verselines, with 56 (8 x 7) words
vs. 9-16 Canto II 8 verselines, with 56 (8 x 7) words.
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Papers by Casper Labuschagne
Another reason may be that the Story of Ancient Israel (Genesis-Kings) at the beginning of the canon, and Chronicles, as its rewrite at the end, form an inclusion.
A special feature of the book is the prolific use of the number of fulfilment, 11, which shapes and highlights 63% of the words (taking into consideration that there are some overlappings). It functions as a device to symbolize the fulfilment of YHWH’s promise to bring his people back to their country, as foretold by Jeremiah (29,10). To give a few examples: Ezra 1 has 11 verses and the very first paragraph (1,1-6) is made up of 121 (11x11) words. Nehemiah 1 has likewise 11 verses, and Chapters 1-2 are made up 572 (2x26x11) words. Ezra’s concluding chapter (10) has 44 verses, while Nehemiah 13 has 473 (43x11) words. It is clearly The Book of Accomplishment.
vs. 1-8 Canto I 8 verselines, with 56 (8 x 7) words
vs. 9-16 Canto II 8 verselines, with 56 (8 x 7) words.