Overview

In a moment of great crisis, the apostle Paul gave new meanings to characters and events within Genesis 16-21 without completely denying or replacing their prior meanings. This interpretive practice, as found in Galatians 4:21-31, has troubled interpreters of Scripture since the fourth century. This book demonstrates that Paul's practice was allegorical and provides a more precise understanding of his practice by comparing Paul with three roughly contemporary interpreters of Scripture: interpreters who composed the sectarian texts of the Dead Sea Scrolls, the interpreter Philo, and the author of the Epistle of Barnabas. This book identifies Paul's interpretive work, explains how he used his allegorical practice to accomplish it, and reveals the implications of this practice for understanding him as an interpreter of Scripture. It helps resolve a debate ongoing for nearly two millennia by answering the questions, What does Paul do in Galatians 4:21-31, and why does it matter?

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9781666785715

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Reviews

""Andrew C. Burrow provides a much-needed critique of the standard treatments of the relationship between Paul's interpretive practices and those of (other) allegorical interpreters. He also shows that the criteria typically used for identifying comparable allegorical interpreters and interpretations need to be reconsidered. His work should be of great interest to all those interested in a better understanding of Paul as an interpreter of Scripture."" --Roy E. Ciampa, chair of religion, Samford University ""A welcome addition to Galatians scholarship, both valuable and instructive, Andrew C. Burrow situates 4:21-31 within an oft-misunderstood, ancient interpretive tradition: allegory. He highlights how Paul seizes the Genesis texts' law-observant Jewish children of Sarah and sees her children--unlike the rival interpreters at Galatia--as non-law-observant gentiles. Then, Burrow demonstrates the allegory is comparable to what one finds in the Dead Sea Scrolls, Philo, and the Epistle of Barnabas and should be laid alongside other instances of allegory in Paul's letters."" --A. Andrew Das, professor of religious studies, Elmhurst University

Author Information

Andrew C. Burrow is an assistant professor of biblical studies at Carson-Newman University. His research and publications focus on Second Temple Judaism and early Christianity, most recently contributing three articles to the Brill Encyclopedia of Early Christianity: ""Paul,"" ""Galatians,"" and ""Judaizers."" He holds degrees from Samford University, Yale University, and St Mary's University, Twickenham.

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