Summary and Conclusions

As noted above, a comparative study of the prophetic literature and the nonbiblical texts of the ancient Near East shows a significant amount of parallel phrases, motifs, and theological concepts. Although not exhaustive, the observations made in regard to the texts surveyed above may apply to other parallels not dealt with in this study. So the following comments summarize and conclude this study:GOP 139.2

1. Although it is not possible to establish a direct link of literary dependence, the parallels noted above belong to a variety of categories and occur in phrases, motifs, and theological themes.GOP 139.3

2. In some cases, historical circumstances, content, and diction of a prophetic text may suggest with some reasonable degree of probability that the biblical writer knew the extrabiblical text— or some version of it—and intentionally used it for rhetorical or polemical purposes.GOP 139.4

3. Such parallels suggest that the prophets were well informed about some texts and ideas of the surrounding nations, and used them to interact critically with religious ideas that were at odds with God’s revelation.GOP 139.5

4. In the case of parallel themes such as the idea of resurrection, messianic hope, it was noted that some of these parallels may have arisen under divine supervision in order to serve as vehicles for God’s subsequent revelation while others may go back to the revelation given to Adam and Eve, and the patriarchs. This implies that the prophetic writings preserve a true and accurate account of God’s revelation while the extrabiblical sources preserve the memory of such revelation in distorted forms.GOP 139.6

5. Although nonbiblical texts may contribute to our understanding of certain aspects of the Bible, the latter has theological and hermeneutical priority over them and sets the norm to evaluate their claims. Besides, although information from extrabiblical sources may help us to understand the Bible, ultimately the Bible is its own interpreter.GOP 139.7