Narrative Art in the Bible [Understanding the Bible and Its World]

by Shimon Bar-Efrat

This book offers a systematic and comprehensive review of the fundamental literary aspects of biblical narrative, investigating the characteristics and points of view of the narrator, the shaping of characters, the structure of the plot, time and space, and finally the style. Many examples are provided to clarify the issues discussed as well as to shed fresh light on the narratives.

Genres: Biblical Studies, Theology, Christian, Nonfiction, Old Testament, Religion, Christianity

295 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

Reviews

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely amazing book. I have been a long-time fan of Robert Alter's work on Biblical artistry, so I was eager to read this when Alastair said this book was very similar and from the same youthful period in scholarship. It's a brilliant, well-written book and even better than Alter. I was recently re-reading Alter's introductions to the Pentateuch and I was struck with how Alter can't write anything without bowing to higher criticism. Shimon Bar-Efrat never did, that I noticed. So this might be the book to introduce at seminaries. It's concise and simple and clear. There are not frills, rhetorical flourishes, or meditations upon the "deeper meanings" of the texts. It's the most cleanly workman like book I have read that is never boring. One of the most brilliant things Bar-Efrat says is at the end of chapter 4: "The Biblical narrative is wholly devoted to creating a sense of time, which flows continually and rapidly, and this is inevitably achieved at the expense of the shaping of space. Because space is fundamentally static and unchanging it is an alien element in biblical narrative, based as it is primarily on the presenting fluctuations and developments, which are a function of time. The lack of descriptions of places is naturally connected with the absence of detailed descriptions of people's appearances, their clothes, implements, etc. All these would hold up narrated time and interrupt the pace at which the narrative was progressing. Biblical narrative has no desire to linger or enjoy the view, it hurries forward to keep up with the rapid development of events. Accordingly, the Bible does not provide us with a description of the sanctuary which served the people of Israel in the wilderness, or of the Temple which Solomon built. We do have a very detailed account of the making of the sanctuary (Exodus 35-40) and the construction of the temple (1 Kings 6-7), because in this way the narrative flow of time is not hampered and the narrative continues its progress uninterruptedly." Wow. I never noticed.

There are countless observations like this scattered throughout the book, which is a mere six chapters long. The first chapter is on the narrator, the second on characters, the third on plot, the fourth on time, the fifth on style, and the last one is a test case, an analysis of the story of Amnon and Tamar. The whole thing is brilliant, and I particularly liked his analysis of Jonadab's character in the last chapter (he argues persuasively that Jonadab probably did not intend for Amnon to rape Tamar but merely have a romantic opportunity) and he gives an illuminating analysis of Hushai's speech, pointing to how brilliantly persuasive it is and anticipates objections and flatters Absalom's character. For instance, he points to how Hushai warns Absalom that David may be hiding in a pit, ready to ambush them, and how later on in the speech, once he says Absalom has gathered the men from Dan to Beersheba, they will fall like a hard rain and EVEN in a pit, David will not be able to escape. It's a little detail that did it's literary magic on me, but I always missed it until Bar-Efrat showed me.

I cannot recommend this book enough.

[Derek Woodall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent.

[Noah · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The literary approach and methods are no less important than the historical ones, however, since the being of biblical narrative is equally as interesting as its becoming.” (10)

Here's what this book is about: narrative art in the Bible can be learned by understanding narrative techniques – the techniques of the [1] narrator, his [2] character formation, [3] plot development, shaping of [4] time and space, and manipulation of [5] style.

“It is through techniques that the meaning of the facts of the narrative is determined.” (10)

[Christian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This could use a second edition with better formatting. However, there is a lot of wisdom here.

[Btalberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you would like to be introduced to several tools for interpreting Old Testament narratives, I would recommend this book. It is breaks narrative into five aspects: narrator, characters, plot, time & space, and style. Bar-Efrat balances each section with a good amount of information and examples. Plus, at the end of the book he provides readers an interpretation of Amnon and Tamar that employs all the aforementioned aspects. At the very least, anyone reading Old Testament narrative should have a copy of this book on their bookshelf for reference and inspiration. It will help bring Old Testament narrative into a brand new light.

[Nathan Ellzey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bar-Efrat's treatment of biblical narrative is absolutely fantastic. You can tell exactly what he plans on covering simply by looking at the table of contents (even better than the average book). The TOC even makes a nice quick reference to "What makes up narrative?": a narrator, characters, plot, time/space, and style. Finally, he does a fantastic job of combining everything he covered in a full 44 page analysis of 2 Sam 13:1-22, the narrative of Amnon and Tamar. Well written and easy to read, this will also make a fine reference for the future.

[Dr. Z · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extraordinarily insightful treatment of biblical narrative. A must read for students and preachers of the OT. Other volumes contain similar principles, but this stands out for the vividness with which it provides biblical illustration for each point.

[Adrian · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author presents the main elements of a narrative (narrator, characters, plot, time and space, style) in a approachable language. There are multiple bible exemples and references for every element and sub-element of the narrative art that is presented.

[John Sheppard · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone wanting to better understand how ancient writers planned, designed, and wrote with strategy in mind, this book helped me see common big picture strategies they employed and more clearly observe them in texts I've studied.

[Michael Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

As much as I love Alter’s The Art of Biblical Narrative, Bar-Efrat’s is even better. Well organized and insightful, packed with examples. If you are studying any OT narratives (or just interested in reading them more profitably), read this book.

[Robert Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A clear and fairly concise introduction on how to read Biblical narrative as a work of literature.