The Ten Commandments: A Literary Analysis

Section 2: Comparison of Narrative Elements in Exodus 19-31 and 33-40

Background ● Section 1 ● Section 3 ● Section 4 ● Section 5

Many of the narrative elements between the two sections are very similar. In fact, the first four elements are nearly identical. Moses travels up the mountain, Yahweh issues a warning to the Israelites, then descends on the mountain and communicates his covenant. In both sections, Yahweh outlines three important national feasts to be observed by the Israelites. Also, both sections record Moses as communing with Yahweh on the top of the mountain for forty days and nights. However, it is at this point that the order of the narrative elements diverges.

In the first narrative (19-31), the stone tablets are not inscribed until after Yahweh describes the tabernacle and the priesthood, while in the second narrative (33-40) Moses inscribes the stones before the tabernacle and priesthood are described. In addition, Yahweh places emphasis on the observation of the Sabbath before the stone tablets are inscribed in the first section, while in the second Yahweh issues this additional provision after the stone tablets are inscribed.

Interestingly, in both sections the description of the tabernacle and the priesthood are recorded in the same order. Yahweh first describes how the tabernacle is to be constructed, then describes the priestly garments and other aspects of the priesthood, and finally describes additional components of the tabernacle that aid in its function. The only difference between the sections at this point lies in the naming of the specific craftsmen. In the first section, Yahweh names the craftsmen after the tabernacle and priesthood is described; in the second section, the craftsmen are named before the description.

Discussion:

While the paraphrase from Section 1 illustrates a narrative continuity throughout the source text, I believe that this comparison of narrative elements from both sections show that there is a repetition of a core narrative structure. The methods of literary source criticism dictate that when similar narratives are placed adjacent to each other, especially if there are discrepancies in order among individual narrative elements, the conclusion can be made that the two narratives are alternate versions of an original narrative, or one is derived in some way from the other.

I conclude from this comparison that the two sections of the text, chapters 19-31 and chapters 33-40, share a common narrative core, and thus can be directly compared with each other as separate narratives. If my conclusion is accurate, then I would predict that the two sections share more than just narrative elements; some details of the text would be shared as well.