Structure in 2 Kings 16

2 Kings 16 is organized chiastically:

1. Formulaic introduction, 16:1-4
2. Threat to Jerusalem, and bribe of Tiglath-pileser, 16:5-9
3. State visit to Damascus, 16:10-11 (altar)
4. Ahaz ministers at the altar, 16:12-14
3'. Continuing worship at the altar, 16:15-16
2'. Tribute to Tiglath-pileser and plunder of temple, 16:17-18
1'. Summary, 16:19-20

This chiasm provides a good example of the "rhetorical helix" that John Breck says is at work in chiastic structures. In the rhetorical helix structure, the text can be read not only linearly (1234321) but also cyclically (11, 22, 33, 4). Each time the reader moves from one section to its corresponding section, there is an intensification. Read cyclically, 2 Kings 16 moves like this:

2-->2': The first section tells us that Ahaz sent gold and silver to Tig in order to stave off threat from Israel and Aram. The second is like it, but shows two things in addition: Ahaz plundered not only gold and silver, but even the bronze of the temple. And, he not only bribed Tiglath-pileser once to secure some help, but gave regular, ongoing tribute to Assyria.

3-->3': In 3, there's a state visit to Damascus, and the emphasis is on Ahaz's attraction to the altar he sees there. He asks Uriah to build him a copy of it for the temple in Jerusalem. In 3' he instructs Uriah to carry on regular worship at that altar, replacing the altar of Moses. He not only wants a replica altar, but wants it to be the center of Judah's worship.

4: At the center is Ahaz's own participation in the worship at this new altar, the pinnacle of his apostasy. He doesn't just submit as a political vassal to Asshur, but also imitates pagan worship, not only has the priests imitate pagan worship, but actually participates and leads it himself.

There's also a dynamic as we move from 2-3-4: Ahaz not relied on Assyria in an emergency and became a vassal to Assyria (2), but he also adopted the worship of the Gentiles (3). He not only instructed the priest to carry out this worship, but he himself performed the ceremonies of worship (4).

posted by Peter J. Leithart on Wednesday, July 13, 2005 at 02:44 PM

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