Ezekiel's use of the term Nasi with reference to the Davidic figure in his restoration oracles

This dissertation explores the place, nature, and function of the nasi figure with reference to the Davidic figure in Ezekiel's oracles of restoration. The prophet Ezekiel uses this pre-monarchic term for the messianic figure from the Davidic dynasty (Ezekiel 34 and 37). The same term is used to designate the head of the new community in Ezekiel 40–48. Ezekielian scholars have questioned the relationship between the Davidic nasi (Ezekiel 1–39) and hanasi (Ezekiel 40–48). Critical scholars attribute Ezekiel's messianic hope and the choice of this term to later hands. Our study challenges their views by indicating the author's coherent intention for using this designation for the Davidic figure in the thematic network with other restoration motifs throughout the book of Ezekiel. The Davidic nasi (Ezekiel 1–39) shows both the continuity and discontinuity with hanasi (Ezekiel 40–48). As for their continuity, they share the same functions in the new community. Yet, their portrayals are different because the prophet Ezekiel envisions the nasi figure of the new community through two different genres: prophetic oracles of promise and Ezekiel's Law-Code.; Chapter one defines three specific issues regarding Ezekiel's use of the term nasi as a designation for the Davidic figure. Chapter two reviews the previous treatments of the three issues. The review mainly focuses on the relationship between the Davidic nasi and hanasi: continuity and discontinuity.; Chapter Three delineates the methodology we employ for our investigation. The differences between textlinguistics and other alternative methodologies are briefly compared. Then some characteristics of textlinguistics are presented.; Chapter Four to Seven focus on the exegetical and thematic studies on Ezekiel 17, 34, 37:15–28, and the selected texts from Ezekiel 40–48 through a textlinguistic approach. The place, nature, and function of the nasi figure are investigated in each text. Chapter Seven includes the arguments regarding the objections that resist the messianic view of hanasi in Ezekiel 40–48 and his relationship to the Davidic nasi of Ezekiel 1–39.; Chapter Eight includes a brief summary of Ezekiel's messianism in the early sixth century B.C. and its continuation in the postexilic prophets such as Zechariah and Haggai.