Reading Utopia in Chronicles

The book of Chronicles is examined using the methodology of utopian literary theory. From this innovative perspective, Chronicles is interpreted as a utopian work that critiques present society and its status quo by presenting a 'better alternative reality.' My analysis contends that Chronicles does not reflect the historical situation of a particular time during the Second Temple period in its portrayal of the past, but rather conveys hope for a different future. While some scholars have also affirmed that Chronicles is concerned with the future, the majority of scholars believe that the content of Chronicles largely reflects the present situation of the author and in doing so reinforces or legitimizes the status quo. Also, this dissertation argues that utopianism is an underlying ideological matrix that contributes to the coherence of the book of Chronicles as a whole. Three commonly addressed concerns of the Chronicler (genealogy, politics, and the temple cult) are understood from this methodological perspective as vehicles for conveying the Chronicler's vision for a utopian future. Thus, the scope of this analysis is broader than many recent studies on Chronicles that have focused on isolated themes, individuals, or discrete sections in the book.

Chapter 1 provides an introduction to the state of scholarship on Chronicles, to the methodological approach of utopian literary theory, and to the applicability of this method to Chronicles. Chapter 2 assesses Chronicles through this interpretative lens by focusing on the genealogical utopia in the material of 1 Chronicles 1-9 and the related issue of delineating the concept of 'Israel' throughout the book. Chapter 3 investigates the political utopia in Chronicles. Comparisons and contrasts with other Hellenistic utopias are briefly discussed while the main focus is on the presentation of the Davidic dynasty in Chronicles. Chapter 4 consists of a detailed examination of the temple cult and its personnel, the center of the Chronicler's utopian history. Chapter 5 contains a summary, conclusions, and implications for further research into Chronicles as a result of this analysis, many of which challenge the dominant scholarly views and the assumptions that lie behind them.