'Actualisation' and 're-enactment': Two categories in understanding the Old Testament

Abstract

Exegesis has been an integral part of Professor Jurie le Roux�s life. Throughout his scholarly career, he has continually worked to realise the �actualisation� and �re-enactment� of Old Testament stories and ideas. As a modest tribute to Professor le Roux, this contribution seeks to demonstrate that both concepts also play a central role within the process of composing Old and New Testament texts. This will be illustrated with reflections on how Old and New Testament texts speak about the Sabbath. Firstly, the Sabbath commandment in the books of Exodus and Deuteronomy will be dealt with. Secondly, a brief survey will present how the Sabbath commandment has been understood during the Second Temple period. Finally, it will be argued that the New Testament authors sought to forge a link with the original tenor of the Sabbath commandment by presenting Jesus as the one who �actualises� and �re-enacts� the Sabbath commandment that often became rigid over time.