ROMANS 9–11 ; THE PURPOSE OF PAUL IN ROMANS 9–11

ROMANS 9–11 ; THE PURPOSE OF PAUL IN ROMANS 9–11

That is, Midrash
represents a synthesis of written text and rabbinic sensibility, in which
both are accorded the status of revelation.
Jacob Neusner has written the most compelling, systematic
account of the development and character of the Midrashim.
Among other things, he shows that a given Midrash may be
composed of four distinct orders of interpretation:
1. close exegesis, or discussion by each word or phrase of Scripture;
2. amplification of the meaning of a passage;
3. illustration of a particular theme by various passages;
4. anthological collection around a general topic.
The result of the compilations of varying readings, involving different
categories of interpretation, was the eleven distinct Midrashim (on
various books of the Bible) which emerged by the end of the sixth
century.