Dirk J Human
Biographic Data
| ID | 6794749 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Dirk J Human |
| GIVEN NAMES | Dirk J |
| FAMILY NAME | Human |
| SIGNATURE | HUMAN D J |
| AFFILIATIONS | University of Pretoria |
| ORCID | 0000-0003-0346-4209 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 24 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 3 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 24 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 1993 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2025 |
| H-INDEX | 1 |
Obaasima: An Akan woman of valour or a victim? From the perspective of Proverbs 31:10–31
This study explored the cultural perception of the Akan woman in Ghana and critically evaluates the claim that she is marginalised and considered inferior to her male counterparts. Using Inculturation and Liberation Hermeneutics, along with womanist theological perspectives, the research examined selected Akan proverbs that reflect societal attitudes towards women. These findings were then juxtaposed with the values of the enterprising woman desc…
Isaiah 3: 16–23: Dress, pride, ostentatious items or syncretism
The study investigated Isaiah 3:16–23 using the historical-grammatical methodology for the following reasons: to explore the author’s aim in writing the passage, ascertain the socio-psychological significance of dress and outward appearance, determine whether the items listed are exclusively female dresses and examine the contribution of the women of Zion to national sin. Does the passage prohibit the use of jewellery? Isaiah rebuked the women fo…
African contextual hermeneutics
Verbum et Ecclesia is a theological research journal that challenges traditional discourses within and between the fields of biblical, religious, social and human sciences as well as the constructive engagement with the natural sciences. It is an instrument of engagement between theological disciplines, on the one hand, and theology and other disciplines, on the other
Proverbs 31: 10–31: An antithesis of pre-exilic Hebrew womanhood
The priests and scribes were familiar with the process of applying a manuscript or prophecy to a current context to produce relevant material for the era. It is most probable that the scribes and/or priests during the post-exilic Persian period reinterpreted the prophecies of Isaiah and Amos against the moral and social decay of the women of the Hebrew nation during the 8th century BCE to create an antithesis of that situation in the form of the …
Exploring Joshua 7: 1–5 Through the Lens of Social Contagion Liability
Scholars of the Old Testament affirm that the book of Joshua through 2nd Kings is collectively called the deuteronomistic history. The literary unit of Joshua 7:1–5 is one the Locus Classicus of Old Testament. Obedience to God’s instruction underscores the theological intentionality expressed in this unified segment of Old Testament literature. This ancient Israelite literary exposition exposes inter-alia the misfortune that besets the entire peo…
An injured and sick body – Perspectives on the theology of Psalm 38
Descriptions of body imagery and body parts are evident in expressions of Old Testament texts. Although there is no single term for ‘body’ in the Hebrew mind, the concept of ‘body’ functions in its different parts. As part of anthropomorphic descriptions of God and expressions attached to humankind, body parts have special significance, contributing to the theological dimension of texts. The poems in the Psalter are no exception. Several body par…
YHWH’s mouthpiece to the exiles: A Jeremianic turn of hope
This article seeks to make a contribution to the discourse on how the difference between the two versions of the book of Jeremiah as it pertains to two bracketed texts, e.g. Jer. 25:11–12 – Jer. 46:27–28 illustrate a regard of hope on the end of the Exile. Does the Masoretic Text (MT) have a different perspective on the idea of hope, or do both the MT and Septuagint (LXX) share a similar position on this? Moreover, this article attempts to charac…
Re-interpretation as transformation. Perspectives and challenges for Old Testament interpretation
This contribution explains that the re-interpretation of theological motifs or ideas leads to transforming theology and religion. This phenomenon takes place within the corpus and boundaries of the Old Testament. Innerbiblical debate or “later” texts that re-interpret “earlier” texts underscore this process and confirm a transformed theology that is relevant and life-giving for the “new” or “later” context. Because these processes happened within…
Portraits of ‘angels’: Some Ancient Near Eastern and Old Testament perspectives in relation to ATR belief system(s)
For the modern mind the notion of heavenly beings or ‘angels’ is an enigmatic and fascinating phenomenon. In the Ancient Near Eastern world and in the Hebrew Bible the word for ‘angel’, namely mal’ āk, is widely attested and refers to both human and supernatural emissaries. The notion and function of angels as messenger-beings are evident. In the Israelite faith and their confession of a sole monotheistic God, Yahweh, several questions arise rega…
Honouring the pioneers of ProPent (2000–2020): Eckart Otto and Jurie Le Roux
Verbum et Ecclesia is a theological research journal that challenges traditional discourses within and between the fields of biblical, religious, social and human sciences as well as the constructive engagement with the natural sciences. It is an instrument of engagement between theological disciplines, on the one hand, and theology and other disciplines, on the other
HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies and Verbum et Ecclesia: South African accredited journals with footprint
The chapter forms part of the centennial celebration of the FT at the UP. The focus is on the two scholarly journals attached to the FT in Pretoria, namely HTS and VE. The first and longer section of the chapter is on HTS, the oldest and largest of the two journals. The second and much shorter section is on VE. The overarching aim of the chapter is to tell the story of their respective historical and formal footprints that have shaped their respe…
Old Testament Studies at the University of Pretoria: Glimpses of the past and future
In a short historical overview of the academic and social contributions of the Department of OTS at the UP over the past century (1917–2017), this chapter provides a limited picture of how the department has contributed to academia, church and society. In this year of the Faculty of Theology’s centenary celebrations, this chapter contemplates selected highlights of the past and intends to discover the avenues of future vistas through current acad…
Perspektiewe op erotiek en seksualiteit in die ou Nabye Ooste
Sexuality and erotism form an integral part of life. Both these aspects mediate life fulfilling experiences of love. As part of the creation reality sexuality effects a positive power of life. Evidence from the ancient Near East, especially from Egypt, Canaan and Mesopotamia, confirms human’s facinasion for and participation in sexual behaviour. In the sexual experience the ‘I’ transcends the borders of the ‘self’. Whether the gods or humans are …
God accepts a broken spirit and a contrite heart - Thoughts on penitence, forgiveness and reconciliation in Psalm 51
A concern with reconciliation amidst broken relationships permeates the religious discourse of human spirituality. In addition, in the history of Christian spirituality in particular, the role of penitence has been considered to be an integral part of authentic faith in a fallen world blighted by sin. With this as background, the present article discusses the biblical text of Psalm 51, a poignant and dramatic rendering of a sinner’s penitence in …
Teologie kroniek: Skrifverstaan en die Nuwe Hervorming1 Theology Chronicle: Understanding of Scripture and the “New Reformation”
During the last decade a group of South African theologians have stirred a part of the Afrikaans ecclesiastical community with statements and arguments on several faith issues, including the interpretation of the Bible. Adherents of the movement call themselves the New Reformation (“Nuwe Hervorming”). This theology chronicle is an attempt to touch on some hermeneutical challenges for understanding Scripture. To the Church the Bible is the norm an…
An ideal for leadership - Psalm 72: The (wise) king - Royal mediation of God’s universal reign
Psalm 72 propounds illuminating theological perspectives on leadership. The central figure in the psalm is the king. Throughout the Ancient Near East the king played a distinctive role, not only in contemporary politics, but also in religious life. Despite several differences from the other nations, kingship in Israel was rooted in the worldview of the ancient East. Yahweh, like other gods, commissioned the king for his tasks. The wise king in Is…
William (Wil) Vosloo - 'n Bybel-wetensakplike wat die Ou Testament vir die volk wou oopbreek
William (WiJ) Vosloo - A Biblical scholar who exposes the Old Testament for ordinary people W Vosloo (1934- ) is one of the fine Old Testament scholars in South Africa. His work on the exposition and understanding of the Bible in general, and on the Old Testament in particular, counts to the core contributions of Biblical Studies in South Africa the last two decades. This short portrait sketches Vosloo as a man of mature character and life experi…
Die literêr-historiese lees van 'n teks
The discussion on methodology in the South African exegetical and hermeneutical debate has not been completed yet. Several contributions during the past six years have kept this debate alive. Nevertheless, the duration of the discussion has brought growth and more understanding for different viewpoints and approaches. The aim of this article is to argue that both literary and historical aspects in the reading of any Old Testament text are importa…
Psalm 44: Why do you hide your face, 0 God
Since the appearance of Hermann Gunkel's form critical categories, Psalm 44 has mostly been identified by scholars as the first Communal lament of the Psalter. This genre classification has, since then, been refined, but didn't change the view on this Volkskiage much. Modern research on the psalm can mainly be confined to the issues of the structure, the historical setting (Sitz im Leben) and theology of the poem.On the structure and historical s…
A tradition-historical analysis of Psalm 55
A tradition-historical analysis of Psalm 55. The text of Psalm 55 will be remembered for its musical setting by Felix Mendelsohn and others and also for the fact that it is one of the most difficult psalms to analyse. A tradition-historical analysis of the traditions and history of the poem confinns the unique and independent character of the text. The content of the psalm is characterised by vague allusions to well-known salvational and historic…
The tradition-historical setting of Psalm 25: How wisdom motives contribute to its understanding
Psalm 25 is an acrostic psalm and an individual lament. Several tradition-historical motives and allusions can be identified in this text. Especially a few motives and images from the Old Testament wisdom literature contribute to the significance of the psalm. These motives are being identified and their function being determined in the context of the psalm as a whole. They are interwoven with other identified traditions and motives to contribute…
B e rit in Psalm 74
This article is an attempt to understand the concept berit in Psalm 74:20. Several possibilities regarding its significance and content were discussed by various biblical scholars. The vague reference to berit makes a convincing solution in this regard very difficult. A combination of allusions and motives in the Psalm which coincide with aspects of the Yahweh-David berit, strengthens the assumption that [foreign fornt omitted] (v 20) alludes to …
Die begrip ’berit’ in ’n aantal klaagpsalms: ’N Perspektief
The concept ‘berit’ in a few Psalms of Lament: A perspective Concerning the understanding of ‘berit’, a century of research has been unable to exhaust the full dimension of possibilities which are covered by all the relevant Old Testament texts. Against the background of a defined hypothesis, an analysis was made of Psalms 25, 55, 74 and 83 with a literary-historical text approach to portray a few research results. The hypothesis reads as follows…
Die struktuur en tradisiesamestelling van Psalm 74
The Structure and Exposure of Traditionformation in Psalm 74This analysis tries to expose the structure and various traditions which contribute to the understanding of Psalm 74. The unfolded structure underlines the assumption that the text is a poetic work of art. Both diacronic and sincronic aspects in the text complement each other in order to convey the semantic content of the poem
An ideal for leadership - Psalm 72: The (wise) king - Royal mediation of God’s universal reign
Psalm 72 propounds illuminating theological perspectives on leadership. The central figure in the psalm is the king. Throughout the Ancient Near East the king played a distinctive role, not only in contemporary politics, but also in religious life. Despite several differences from the other nations, kingship in Israel was rooted in the worldview of the ancient East. Yahweh, like other gods, commissioned the king for his tasks. The wise king in Is…
Die literêr-historiese lees van 'n teks
The discussion on methodology in the South African exegetical and hermeneutical debate has not been completed yet. Several contributions during the past six years have kept this debate alive. Nevertheless, the duration of the discussion has brought growth and more understanding for different viewpoints and approaches. The aim of this article is to argue that both literary and historical aspects in the reading of any Old Testament text are importa…
Die struktuur en tradisiesamestelling van Psalm 74
The Structure and Exposure of Traditionformation in Psalm 74This analysis tries to expose the structure and various traditions which contribute to the understanding of Psalm 74. The unfolded structure underlines the assumption that the text is a poetic work of art. Both diacronic and sincronic aspects in the text complement each other in order to convey the semantic content of the poem
Die begrip ’berit’ in ’n aantal klaagpsalms: ’N Perspektief
The concept ‘berit’ in a few Psalms of Lament: A perspective Concerning the understanding of ‘berit’, a century of research has been unable to exhaust the full dimension of possibilities which are covered by all the relevant Old Testament texts. Against the background of a defined hypothesis, an analysis was made of Psalms 25, 55, 74 and 83 with a literary-historical text approach to portray a few research results. The hypothesis reads as follows…
B e rit in Psalm 74
This article is an attempt to understand the concept berit in Psalm 74:20. Several possibilities regarding its significance and content were discussed by various biblical scholars. The vague reference to berit makes a convincing solution in this regard very difficult. A combination of allusions and motives in the Psalm which coincide with aspects of the Yahweh-David berit, strengthens the assumption that [foreign fornt omitted] (v 20) alludes to …
The tradition-historical setting of Psalm 25: How wisdom motives contribute to its understanding
Psalm 25 is an acrostic psalm and an individual lament. Several tradition-historical motives and allusions can be identified in this text. Especially a few motives and images from the Old Testament wisdom literature contribute to the significance of the psalm. These motives are being identified and their function being determined in the context of the psalm as a whole. They are interwoven with other identified traditions and motives to contribute…
A tradition-historical analysis of Psalm 55
A tradition-historical analysis of Psalm 55. The text of Psalm 55 will be remembered for its musical setting by Felix Mendelsohn and others and also for the fact that it is one of the most difficult psalms to analyse. A tradition-historical analysis of the traditions and history of the poem confinns the unique and independent character of the text. The content of the psalm is characterised by vague allusions to well-known salvational and historic…
Psalm 44: Why do you hide your face, 0 God
Since the appearance of Hermann Gunkel's form critical categories, Psalm 44 has mostly been identified by scholars as the first Communal lament of the Psalter. This genre classification has, since then, been refined, but didn't change the view on this Volkskiage much. Modern research on the psalm can mainly be confined to the issues of the structure, the historical setting (Sitz im Leben) and theology of the poem.On the structure and historical s…
Die literêr-historiese lees van 'n teks
The discussion on methodology in the South African exegetical and hermeneutical debate has not been completed yet. Several contributions during the past six years have kept this debate alive. Nevertheless, the duration of the discussion has brought growth and more understanding for different viewpoints and approaches. The aim of this article is to argue that both literary and historical aspects in the reading of any Old Testament text are importa…
William (Wil) Vosloo - 'n Bybel-wetensakplike wat die Ou Testament vir die volk wou oopbreek
William (WiJ) Vosloo - A Biblical scholar who exposes the Old Testament for ordinary people W Vosloo (1934- ) is one of the fine Old Testament scholars in South Africa. His work on the exposition and understanding of the Bible in general, and on the Old Testament in particular, counts to the core contributions of Biblical Studies in South Africa the last two decades. This short portrait sketches Vosloo as a man of mature character and life experi…
An ideal for leadership - Psalm 72: The (wise) king - Royal mediation of God’s universal reign
Psalm 72 propounds illuminating theological perspectives on leadership. The central figure in the psalm is the king. Throughout the Ancient Near East the king played a distinctive role, not only in contemporary politics, but also in religious life. Despite several differences from the other nations, kingship in Israel was rooted in the worldview of the ancient East. Yahweh, like other gods, commissioned the king for his tasks. The wise king in Is…
Teologie kroniek: Skrifverstaan en die Nuwe Hervorming1 Theology Chronicle: Understanding of Scripture and the “New Reformation”
During the last decade a group of South African theologians have stirred a part of the Afrikaans ecclesiastical community with statements and arguments on several faith issues, including the interpretation of the Bible. Adherents of the movement call themselves the New Reformation (“Nuwe Hervorming”). This theology chronicle is an attempt to touch on some hermeneutical challenges for understanding Scripture. To the Church the Bible is the norm an…
God accepts a broken spirit and a contrite heart - Thoughts on penitence, forgiveness and reconciliation in Psalm 51
A concern with reconciliation amidst broken relationships permeates the religious discourse of human spirituality. In addition, in the history of Christian spirituality in particular, the role of penitence has been considered to be an integral part of authentic faith in a fallen world blighted by sin. With this as background, the present article discusses the biblical text of Psalm 51, a poignant and dramatic rendering of a sinner’s penitence in …
Perspektiewe op erotiek en seksualiteit in die ou Nabye Ooste
Sexuality and erotism form an integral part of life. Both these aspects mediate life fulfilling experiences of love. As part of the creation reality sexuality effects a positive power of life. Evidence from the ancient Near East, especially from Egypt, Canaan and Mesopotamia, confirms human’s facinasion for and participation in sexual behaviour. In the sexual experience the ‘I’ transcends the borders of the ‘self’. Whether the gods or humans are …
HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies and Verbum et Ecclesia: South African accredited journals with footprint
The chapter forms part of the centennial celebration of the FT at the UP. The focus is on the two scholarly journals attached to the FT in Pretoria, namely HTS and VE. The first and longer section of the chapter is on HTS, the oldest and largest of the two journals. The second and much shorter section is on VE. The overarching aim of the chapter is to tell the story of their respective historical and formal footprints that have shaped their respe…
Old Testament Studies at the University of Pretoria: Glimpses of the past and future
In a short historical overview of the academic and social contributions of the Department of OTS at the UP over the past century (1917–2017), this chapter provides a limited picture of how the department has contributed to academia, church and society. In this year of the Faculty of Theology’s centenary celebrations, this chapter contemplates selected highlights of the past and intends to discover the avenues of future vistas through current acad…
Honouring the pioneers of ProPent (2000–2020): Eckart Otto and Jurie Le Roux
Verbum et Ecclesia is a theological research journal that challenges traditional discourses within and between the fields of biblical, religious, social and human sciences as well as the constructive engagement with the natural sciences. It is an instrument of engagement between theological disciplines, on the one hand, and theology and other disciplines, on the other
YHWH’s mouthpiece to the exiles: A Jeremianic turn of hope
This article seeks to make a contribution to the discourse on how the difference between the two versions of the book of Jeremiah as it pertains to two bracketed texts, e.g. Jer. 25:11–12 – Jer. 46:27–28 illustrate a regard of hope on the end of the Exile. Does the Masoretic Text (MT) have a different perspective on the idea of hope, or do both the MT and Septuagint (LXX) share a similar position on this? Moreover, this article attempts to charac…
Re-interpretation as transformation. Perspectives and challenges for Old Testament interpretation
This contribution explains that the re-interpretation of theological motifs or ideas leads to transforming theology and religion. This phenomenon takes place within the corpus and boundaries of the Old Testament. Innerbiblical debate or “later” texts that re-interpret “earlier” texts underscore this process and confirm a transformed theology that is relevant and life-giving for the “new” or “later” context. Because these processes happened within…
Portraits of ‘angels’: Some Ancient Near Eastern and Old Testament perspectives in relation to ATR belief system(s)
For the modern mind the notion of heavenly beings or ‘angels’ is an enigmatic and fascinating phenomenon. In the Ancient Near Eastern world and in the Hebrew Bible the word for ‘angel’, namely mal’ āk, is widely attested and refers to both human and supernatural emissaries. The notion and function of angels as messenger-beings are evident. In the Israelite faith and their confession of a sole monotheistic God, Yahweh, several questions arise rega…
An injured and sick body – Perspectives on the theology of Psalm 38
Descriptions of body imagery and body parts are evident in expressions of Old Testament texts. Although there is no single term for ‘body’ in the Hebrew mind, the concept of ‘body’ functions in its different parts. As part of anthropomorphic descriptions of God and expressions attached to humankind, body parts have special significance, contributing to the theological dimension of texts. The poems in the Psalter are no exception. Several body par…
African contextual hermeneutics
Verbum et Ecclesia is a theological research journal that challenges traditional discourses within and between the fields of biblical, religious, social and human sciences as well as the constructive engagement with the natural sciences. It is an instrument of engagement between theological disciplines, on the one hand, and theology and other disciplines, on the other
Proverbs 31: 10–31: An antithesis of pre-exilic Hebrew womanhood
The priests and scribes were familiar with the process of applying a manuscript or prophecy to a current context to produce relevant material for the era. It is most probable that the scribes and/or priests during the post-exilic Persian period reinterpreted the prophecies of Isaiah and Amos against the moral and social decay of the women of the Hebrew nation during the 8th century BCE to create an antithesis of that situation in the form of the …
Exploring Joshua 7: 1–5 Through the Lens of Social Contagion Liability
Scholars of the Old Testament affirm that the book of Joshua through 2nd Kings is collectively called the deuteronomistic history. The literary unit of Joshua 7:1–5 is one the Locus Classicus of Old Testament. Obedience to God’s instruction underscores the theological intentionality expressed in this unified segment of Old Testament literature. This ancient Israelite literary exposition exposes inter-alia the misfortune that besets the entire peo…
Obaasima: An Akan woman of valour or a victim? From the perspective of Proverbs 31:10–31
This study explored the cultural perception of the Akan woman in Ghana and critically evaluates the claim that she is marginalised and considered inferior to her male counterparts. Using Inculturation and Liberation Hermeneutics, along with womanist theological perspectives, the research examined selected Akan proverbs that reflect societal attitudes towards women. These findings were then juxtaposed with the values of the enterprising woman desc…
Isaiah 3: 16–23: Dress, pride, ostentatious items or syncretism
The study investigated Isaiah 3:16–23 using the historical-grammatical methodology for the following reasons: to explore the author’s aim in writing the passage, ascertain the socio-psychological significance of dress and outward appearance, determine whether the items listed are exclusively female dresses and examine the contribution of the women of Zion to national sin. Does the passage prohibit the use of jewellery? Isaiah rebuked the women fo…
Philosophy (22 works) · Philosophy (20 works) · Biblical Studies and Interpretation (19 works) · Theology (19 works) · Art (15 works) · Literature (14 works) · History (11 works) · History (10 works) · Epistemology (8 works) · Linguistics (7 works)