A Literary Genetic Tree of Scripture

For the first time in history, we now have a tool set that allows us the ability to produce a literary genetic tree of scripture. Knowing the genetic lineage of scripture helps us to understand the author's intent of the scripture that is written. For example, the whole of Ezekiel is a product of parallel formation from Exodus 19:1 - 33:22. Both narratives begin with the protagonest taken to God. A cloud with thunder and lightning are involved in both accounts (Exod 19:16; Ezek 1:4). Moses is given two tablets written on both sides by the finger of God (Exod 31:18; 32:15) and Ezekiel is given a scroll written on both sides (Ezek 2:8-10). Moses breaks the tablets in anger (Exod 32:19) and Ezekiel eats the scroll that tastes sweet to the lips (Ezek 3:1-3). God's people are in rebellion in both stories and in both stories the protagonists are sent to deal with the rebellion. In both stories, there is an elaborate description of the central place for God and his people. In Exodus it is the tabernacle (Exod 35:1 - 40:38) and in Ezekiel it is the city of God (Ezek 40:1 - 48:35). By knowing the origin of Ezekiel and how Ezekiel used Exodus we can conclude that the story of Ezekiel is a retelling of the story of Exodus but emphasizing the rebellion of God's people.

A portion of Isaiah is a parallel formation of Ezekiel 1:4 - 39:29 but depicts the story of God's people remaining faithful (Isa 6:1 - 29:24). Both Ezekiel and Isaiah have a similar encounter with God in heaven and are given simlar missions (Ezek 1:4-3:27; Isa 6:1-13). Both stories use many of the same illustrations in the same order which suggests that one copied from the other with Isaiah being the likely candidate of doing the copying.

The Isaiah text represents a second generation parallel of Exodus 19:1 - 33:22 and like a second generation there are connections to the first generation and there are distinctives as well. Being able to comb the genetic history of a literary text gives us a better understanding of the literary tree we call Scripture. This is perhaps the greatest benefit of GLR to the vast majority of Biblical scholars.