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Sin and forgiveness in the Old Testament
Schmitt, Elmer William John, Ph.D.
Drew University, 1943
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SIN AND FORGIVENESS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
By
Elmer William John Schmitt
A Thesis
Submitted to the Division of Bible
in Drew Theological Seminary
of Drew U niversity in p artia l fulfillm ent of the
requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy
Madison, New Jersey
- 1943 -
Approved by
PREFACE
The purpose of this thesis is to analyze and
evaluate the Old Testament teachings on sin and fo r
giveness. Since it is an Old Testament study,
definite lim its are necessarily set upon the work.
For instance, there are many books dealing with the
problem of sin, but in almost every case their
approach is theological rather than B iblical. Much
the same holds true for the second part of the study
which deals with forgiveness. For this reason we
have tried to hold to the Old Testament as s tric tly
as possible. Since sin brings about a separation
between God and man, any study dealing with the means
of reconciling them must take into account man's
attempt through sacrifice to effect a rapprochement.
But since this attempt only indirectly concerns
forgiveness, a more thorough review of sacrifice and
sa c rific ia l systems would resu lt in a disproportionate
emphasis. At the close of the thesis, too, we have
had to re sist the temptation to deal fully with the
Atonement through the C hrist, for anything more than a
passing mention would immediately take us beyond the
realm of an Old Testament study. Within the lim its
set by the subject, however, we have endeavored to do
the work thoroughly, being particular to make copious
use of tbe great commentaries in order that statements
and conclusions might be examined in the lig h t of the
results of accepted scholarship. We have appreciated
especially the suggestions made by the committee and
each one of them has been carefully followed.
The work could not have been accomplished
alone. I am greatly Indebted to a ll those who have
helped me along the way. Most of a ll I must express
my appreciation to Dr. John Paterson for his great
kindness during the past seven years. It was he who
unfolded to me the great riches of the Old Testament
and inspired me to study it more fu lly . His in fin ite
patience and his careful guidance of my studies, along
with his sincere in terest in my pastoral life , w ill
never be forgotten. Dr. Newton Davies, another member
of the Bible department, has also been very gracious,
and I appreciate especially his suggestion which brought
into my library K itte l’s Theologisch.es wBrterbuoh. the
most recent and authoritative work of any in its field .
These three volumes have been of great help in the
preparation of this thesis as well as in other studies.
i i i
I must also express a word of appreciation to the
other members of the faculty with whom I have been
associated; th eir helpfulness and their friendliness
have made the way much easier. There are others, too,
who cannot be overlooked. The fin al copies of this
thesis are the resu lt of the tireless efforts of
Mrs. E. B. Westlake, Mrs. John Y. Allan, and Mrs. Wayne
Glover, who were more than kind in taking time out of
th eir busy lives in order to help their Pastor. Of
course we must not forget the m istress of the parsonage
who has stood by so faith fu lly and has been an
invaluable assistan t not only in the pastoral duties
but also in these past two years in the preparation of
this th esis. To her we dedicate this work.
Happy Harbor, 1943.
TABLE OP CONTENTS
CHAPTER PAGE
I. THE DISEASE: SIN
The Purpose of Man . « . • • • • • • • • 1
The Presence of S i n ......................................... 10
The Origin of S i n ............................................. 19
The Terms for S i n ............................................. 38
Sin in Prim itive I s r a e l ................................ 65
Sin as a M aterial O ffe n s e .......................... 72
Sin as W ilful O pposition . 83
The Prophets Define S i n .......................... . 92
Conception 118
II. THE DIVINE REMEDY: FORGIVENESS
Man's Attempt to Achieve Forgiveness . . 130
The Righteousness of Yahweh • • • • • • 174
Righteousness Revealed in Judgment • • . 193
Terms for Forgiveness • • • • • • • • • 228
The Motives for F o rg iv e n e ss.......................... 251
Prelude to Forgiveness . . . . . . . . . 270
Forgiveness — The G ift of God . . . . . 304
Summary — Forgiveness Personalized . . 371
BIBLIOGRAPHY 381
CHAPTER I
THE DISEASE:
