Performative power and affective resonance: toward an understanding of Old Testament blessings as speech acts with affective impact

This thesis explores the linguistic, theological, and affective dimensions of blessings in the Old Testament (OT), situating them as transformative speech acts with enduring significance for covenantal relationships and community identity. By integrating Speech Act Theory (SAT) and Affect Theory (AT), the study investigates the performative power of blessings, their intended perlocutionary effects, and their capacity to elicit and express profound affective responses within individuals and communities. The research begins by examining the linguistic roots and functions of blessings in OT Hebrew, focusing on the ברך root and its derivatives, which appear throughout patriarchal narratives and cultic practices. Building on SAT, blessings are analysed as illocutionary acts that not only declare but enact Divine favour, shaping relational and existential realities. The study further incorporates AT to uncover the affective stimuli and responses evoked by blessings, emphasizing their role in fostering joy, reassurance, and a sense of belonging. Two case studies anchor the analysis: the Jacob narratives (Genesis 27–28) and the Priestly Blessing (Numbers 6). The Jacob narratives highlight the complex interplay of intent, deception, and Divine fulfilment, while the Priestly Blessing illustrates the communal and covenantal dimensions of Divine-human relationality. Both cases underscore the transformative impact of blessings as both Divine declarations and human experiences. This interdisciplinary approach contributes to biblical hermeneutics by demonstrating how blessings function as a nexus of linguistic, theological, and emotional significance. The thesis argues that blessings in the OT transcend their verbal forms, serving as performative acts that shape identity, community, and Divine relationships. These insights have broader implications for understanding religious practices, theological reflection, and the universal dynamics of language and affect in human interaction.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

Master of Theology

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

Masters thesis

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Middlesex University / London School of Theology (LST)

Year dc:date.issued

2024

Author dc:creator

• Reid, E.G.

Identifier

oai:repository.mdx.ac.uk:2x1551

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:repository.mdx.ac.uk:2x1551