283 or as emphasis—provides a satisfactory answer to the question of its function here. This
is an issue which requires more detailed analysis and research.
9.3.1.1.4 Analytical Summary of the “After these things” Use of
First of all, these occurrences provide excellent evidence for why all the data needs to be considered in the study of an item like
. As mentioned in 2.4.3, on the basis of the occurrences in Genesis, it is not only reasonable but methodologically valid
to formulate a hypothesis regarding the possible temporal-structuring-function of this phrase. When all the data is compiled, however, the apparent importance based on
Genesis is mitigated by the fact that ,
only occurs three other times in what do not appear to be narratively strategic uses of the expression. This does not
necessarily invalidate the expression’s potentially significant role in Genesis, but it does caution against making generalizations based only on its occurrences there.
There is a sense in which the narrative preceding the leads up to or is
logically prior, but the connection is not very precise. A comparison of English versions of Gen 39:7 and 40:1 shows the following differences in how “after these things” has
been rendered:
Gen 39:7
NASB NIV
NRSV NLT
It came about after these events
And after a while And after a time
And about this time
Gen 40:1
NASB NIV
NRSV NLT
Then it came about after these things,
Some time later, Some time after
this, Some time later,
284 does not specify the exact amount of time that has passed, and “these things”
cannot be read as a specific reference to certain events that were the direct cause of what follows. It is certainly true that a certain amount of time has to transpire for the
, to take place, but this is not literally a temporal reference. For example, referring to Gen 39:7, Hamilton comments that “[t]he these things with which the verse
begins refers back to Potiphar’s entrusting Joseph with the supervision of his household” Hamilton 1995, 463. In contrast, explicit temporal reference is seen in the following
examples:
After a considerable time Shuas daughter, the wife of Judah,
died; Pc-vqw3mp Pa-ncmp Pc-vqw3fs
ncfs-np ncfsc-np
5
Gen 38:12
After many days, when the LORD had given rest to Israel
from all their enemies on every side, and Joshua was old,
advanced in years, Pc-vqw3msXa Pp-ncmp amp Pd Pr-
vhp3ms np Pp-np Pp-ncmsc- vqPmpcX3mp Pp-Pd Pc-np vqp3ms
vqp3ms Pp+Pa-ncmp
I F
8 E+
Josh 23:1
After many days the word of the LORD came to Elijah in the
third year, saying, Pc-vqw3msXa ncmp amp Pc-
ncmsc-np vqp3ms Pp-np Pp+Pa- ncfs Pa-afs Pp-vqc
- -
1 Kgs 18:1
After many days you will be summoned;
Pp-ncmp amp vni2ms
5
Ezek 38:8
Since explicit temporal reference is possible by these and other means, the translation of
, examples should be expressed in a way that maintains reference to the preceding events. It should be noted, but will not be discussed here, that
285 the temporal reference in Ezek 38:8 is the same as Josh 23:1, except for the
. The issue of the occurrence of temporal expressions like these without
is discussed in Chapter 10.
The full analysis of these occurrences needs to also take into consideration the following instances of
, without
. Previous comments regarding the relatively low frequency of occurrence of this expression remain essentially valid,
since there are only five occurrences without , making a grand total of thirteen.
Notice that , , and are all found. The in the Ezra example indicates the
intervening text that is not displayed.
After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a
vision, saying, “Do not fear, Abram, I am a shield to you;
Your reward shall be very great.”
Pd Pa-ncmp Pa-acp vqp3ms ncmsc- np Pp-np Pp+Pa-ncms Pp-vqc Pd-
vqi2ms{1}Jm np pi1cs ncms PpX2fs ncmscX2ms vha Pd
, 5
3 8
L F 4 C ;
Gen 15:1
After these things, in the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, there
went up Ezra son of Seraiah, son of Azariah, son of Hilkiah…
7:6a This Ezra went up from Babylon…
Pc-Pd Pa-ncmp Pa-acp Pp-ncfsc np ncms-np np ncmsc-np ncmsc-np
ncmsc-np 7:6a pi3ms np vqp3ms Pp-np
, F
4 5 5
8
Ezra 7:1
Ezra 7:6a
After these things when the anger of King Ahasuerus had
subsided, he remembered Vashti and what she had done and what
had been decreed against her. Pd Pa-ncmp Pa-acp Pp-vqc ncfsc
Pa-ncms np vqp3ms Po-np Pc-Po Pr-vqp3fs Pc-Po Pr-vnp3ms PpX3fs
, 5
+ 4 3 4
8 C F
Esth 2:1
286
After these events King Ahasuerus promoted Haman, the
son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him and
established his authority over all the princes who were with him.
Pd Pa-ncmp Pa-acp vpp3ms Pa- ncms np Po-np ncmsc-np Pa-np Pc-
vpw3msX3ms Pc-vqw3msXa Po- ncmscX3ms Pp-Pp ncmsc-Pa-ncmp
Pr PpX3ms
, 3
+ 4 3 G
; F K
CC 8 ;5
K
Esth 3:1
After these acts of faithfulness Sennacherib king of Assyria
came and invaded Judah and besieged the fortified cities, and
thought to break into them for himself.
Pd Pa-ncmp Pc-Pa-ncfs Pa-acp vqp3ms
np ncms-np Pc-vqw3msXa Pp-np Pc-vqw3msXa Pp-Pa-ncfp
Pa-vqsfp Pc-vqw3ms Pp-vqcX3mp PpX3ms
, :
- 4 8
; + E
2 Chr 32:1
The immediately preceding context of each of these examples is as follows:
Gen 15:1
Abram conversed with the King of Sodom
Ezra 7:1
Ezra enters the narrative
Esth 2:1
The edict is declared
Esth 3:1
Transition point back to the king
2 Chr 32:1
Enter Sennacherib, Hezekiah is still an active participant
At first glance, there appears to be no difference between these examples and the preceding ones with
. The issue of the occurrence of examples like these without will be discussed in Chapter 10.
9.3.1.2 After:
