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Urban Imagery in the Old English Exodus and its Hermeneutics
Open accessAbstract
The present article offers a critical reading of the Old English Exodus, a poem that is an Old English versified adaptation of an episode from the biblical story of Exodus that narrates Israelites’ passage across the Red Sea and the destruction of Pharaoh’s army. The aim of this article is to analyse the poem’s urban and exilic imagery that strongly relies on the metaphorical representation of the Israelites as a city, as they are actually in exile and on the way to Canaan, and of the metaphorical representation of the walls of the Red Sea as the walls of a hall that is destroyed along with the Egyptian army. The argument of the present article is that in Exodus the poet uses the imagery of a hall and exile, derived from heroic and secular verse, as a hermeneutic key to read the biblical exodus typologically, tropologically, and anagogically. The metaphor of the key that opens the Scripture, which the poet uses in Exodus, encourages the reader to unveil the hidden meaning of the narrative. The poet inverts the conventional imagery of the hall and exile in the poem to emphasise narrative moments that require the reader to explore the letter of the poem for additional layers or signification.
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TL;DR
The article argues that the Old English *Exodus* uses urban and exilic imagery—especially the heroic hall and exile tropes—as a hermeneutic key for reading the biblical exodus typologically, tropologically, and anagogically. It shows how the poet inverts conventional hall/city symbolism: Egyptian cities become places of death and spiritual exile, while the travelling Israelites form a metaphorical *mægburh* that prefigures the Church.
Key findings
- The poem contrasts Egyptian cities with the Israelites’ travelling *mægburh* (“family-enclosure/family-city,” *Exodus* l. 55b), so that the Israelites remain “in a type of a city after leaving behind the civilisation of the Egyptians” (Ferhatović 2019: 71).
- The poet reverses conventional hall/exile symbolism: Egyptian cities are constrictive, deathly, and hell-like, while exile and journeying become desirable and life-leading; the Egyptian firstborn’s death is described as an assault on a hall, with “sele-dreamas” [hall-joys] (*Exodus* l. 36b) lost.
- The Red Sea’s walls are imaged as a hall/fortress—“weall-fæsten” [ramparts] (l. 484a), “wægas” [walls] (l. 484b), “meretorras” [sea-towers] (l. 485a)—that collapses on Pharaoh’s army, supporting an anagogical reading of the destruction as a prefiguration of the Judgement Day.
- The poem also links Israel typologically to the early medieval English: the *mægburh* and kinship/tribal language (*Exodus* ll. 348b–355b, 356a–361) invite the audience to include their own ancestors in the metaphorical city, while Moses’s final promise of “beorselas” [beer-halls] (l. 564a) presents Canaan as a hall-like divine reward.
Methods
- Design: interpretive literary-critical close reading of the Old English *Exodus*, focusing on urban, exilic, hall, and maritime imagery.
- Data: the poem preserved in MS Junius 11, dated to the half-century ending around 1000 A.D.; composition dated by Lucas with 700 as *terminus a quo* and 800 as *terminus ad quem*; quotations from Lucas (2020) and translations from Anlezark (2011).
- Analysis: reads the poem through patristic exegesis (Augustine’s *De Ciuitate Dei* and *De Doctrina Christiana*; Bede’s commentaries) and Germanic heroic poetics (hall/exile conventions), using typological, tropological, and anagogical levels.
Limitations
- The paper states no formal limitations section.
- Evident from the text: the argument is interpretive and depends on selected editions, translations, and patristic/heroic sources rather than on manuscript evidence or a systematic survey.
- Evident from the text: the reading assumes an audience familiar with both exegesis and secular poetic conventions, and some claims are qualified as plausible or arguable rather than demonstrated—e.g., whether *Exodus* was directly influenced by the Harrowing of Hell motif is explicitly not argued.
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Claims the paper makes
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- Findingnone given
The architectural metaphor in the Red Sea fragment is mostly developed in the account of Pharaoh and his army's death, not in the description of the Israelites' crossing.
“What escapes their critical attention is, however, the fact that the architectural metaphor is mostly developed not in the description of the Israelites' crossing but in the account of Pharaoh and his army's death.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingown data
The poet's account of the tenth plague is pervaded by reversed symbolism of cities and halls.
“The poet's account of the tenth plague, visited on the Egyptians as punishment for their refusal to grant Israel freedom to leave Egypt, is pervaded by such reversed symbolism of cities and halls.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationreasoning
The rhetorical trope of mægburh in Exodus supplements and supports the patristic conception of Civitas Dei peregrina.
“The rhetorical trope of mægburh used in Exodus supplements and supports the patristic conception of Civitas Dei peregrina.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationreasoning
In Exodus, the Israelites epitomise a spiritual ideal of city-dwelling despite their exilic status.
“Paradoxically, it is the Israelites in the Old English Exodus who epitomise a spiritual ideal of city-dwelling despite their exilic status.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationreasoning
The drowning of the Egyptian army in Exodus might be understood as a foreshadowing of the destruction of the earthly city that is to happen at the end of times.
“The drowning of the Egyptian army in Exodus might thus be understood as a foreshadowing of the destruction of the earthly city that is to happen at the end of times.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
- Interpretationreasoning
The atmosphere of confinement and constriction in Egypt creates a metaphorical link between pagan urban space and Hell.
“The atmosphere of confinement and constriction that prevails in Egypt creates a metaphorical link between the pagan urban space and Hell.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationcitation
The idea of the world as a guest-hall corresponds to the Augustinian perception that Christians as exiles are not entitled to the full possession of the Earth.
“The idea of the world as a guest-hall corresponds to the Augustinian perception that Christians as exiles are not entitled to the full possession of the Earth.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Augustine
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
- Interpretationnone given
Moses's description of Canaan is influenced by Germanic secular values that underlie the typical and formulaic description of hall life in such poems as Beowulf.
“His description is influenced by Germanic secular values that underlie the typical and formulaic description of hall life in such poems as Beowulf.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Beowulf
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
- Interpretationreasoning
The typological link is arguably sustained by the poet's introduction of Germanic kinship values colouring his presentation of the Israelites' mægburh.
“The typological link is, arguably, sustained by the poet's introduction of Germanic kinship values that colour his presentation of the Israelites' mægburh.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Premisecitation
The texts of Augustine's De Ciuitate Dei and De Doctrina Christiana were accessible in some Anglo-Saxon libraries.
“The texts of Augustine's De Ciuitate Dei and De Doctrina Christiana were accessible in some Anglo-Saxon libraries.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked- cites Lapidge 2006: 197
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
- cites 2006: 199
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
- Interpretationreasoning
In Exodus, the poet uses the imagery of a hall and exile, derived from heroic and secular verse, as a hermeneutic key to read the biblical exodus typologically, tropologically, and anagogically.
“The argument of the present article is that in Exodus the poet uses the imagery of a hall and exile, derived from heroic and secular verse, as a hermeneutic key to read the biblical exodus typologically, tropologically, and anagogically.”
- Also stated in: § 3 · plain
“the poem's urban and exilic imagery serves as a hermeneutic tool, a key that opens the poem's hidden, allegorical meaning.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Also stated in: § 3 · plain
- Interpretationnone given
Fortifications built on the British Isles coast against Viking attackers were connected with the sea and accumulated connotations reverberating in Exodus's description of Pharaoh's army approaching the Israelites on shore before the sea crossing.
“Fortifications built on the coast of the British Isles to defend England against Viking attackers were not only connected with the sea, as the poem's metaphorical mægburh is, but also accumulated a range of connotations that reverberate in the poem's description of Pharaoh's army approaching the Israelites on shore before they cross the sea.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationreasoning
The extended contrast between Israelites as seafarers and Egyptians as city-dwellers sustains a larger allegorical pattern in which Egyptians represent a city of men and Israelites an Old Testament prefiguration of the City of God.
“The extended and sustained contrast between the Israelites as seafarers and the Egyptians as city-dwellers thus serves to sustain a larger allegorical pattern in the poem in which the Egyptians represent a city of men and the Israelites an Old Testament prefiguration of the City of God.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationreasoning
The city imagery in the Red Sea fragment serves to dramatize the destruction of Pharaoh and his army rather than Israel's crossing of the Red Sea.
“The city imagery thus serves to dramatize their destruction rather than Israel's crossing of the Red Sea.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationreasoning
In Exodus, the Egyptian cities are not anti-halls inhabited by enemies hostile to the protagonists, as Hume describes.
“However, the Egyptian cities are not anti-halls inhabited by enemies hostile to a poem's protagonists that Hume describes as negations and inversions of the hall.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Premisecitation
In Bede's Commentary on Genesis, the origin of evil with Cain killing Abel is the origin of two societies, one descended from Cain, the other from Seth.
“In Bede's Commentary on Genesis, dated from 709/711 to 720 A.D., the origin of evil with the event of Cain killing his brother Abel is the origin of two societies, one that descended from Cain, the other from Seth, who was born to Adam and Eve after Abel's death.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites In Genesim
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
- Interpretationcitation
A polyvalent reading of the Old English Exodus is facilitated by the poem's reliance on the Germanic heroic concepts of hall and exile.
“Building on Hopkins's idea that the Old English biblical poetry uses familiar heroic tropes to encourage an allegorical interpretation of a vernacular poem, I would like to argue that a polyvalent reading of the Old English Exodus is facilitated by the poem's reliance on the Germanic heroic concepts of hall and exile.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationreasoning
In the sustained contrast between Egyptian evil cities and Israel's exile, the mægburh trope prompts an allegorical reading of the Israelites as the Church.
“In the context of the sustained contrast between the Egyptian evil cities and Israel's exile, this rhetorical trope prompts an allegorical reading of the Israelites as the Church.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationreasoning
The Exodus poet's manipulation of hall imagery adapts the patristic allegorical idea of exile and cities for an audience that valued secular poetics as well as biblical learning.
“The Exodus poet's manipulation of the imagery associated with the hall, arguably, serves to adapt the patristic allegorical idea of exile and cities in a poem addressed to an audience that valued secular poetics in addition to biblical learning.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim- Rests on an assumption: The Exodus poet's original audience was familiar with the traditional Germanic trope of the hall as a symbol of social order.
- Rests on an assumption: The Exodus poet's original audience was familiar with patristic allegorical exegesis, including Bede's and Augustine's ideas.
- Interpretationnone given
The idea of burh in Exodus may have accumulated additional historical and political associations in tenth- and early eleventh-century reception culminating in its transcription in the Junius Manuscript around 1000 A.D.
“In addition, the idea of burh that recurs in the poem may have accumulated additional historical and political associations in different stages of the poem's reception in the tenth and early eleventh century that culminated in the transcription of Exodus in the Junius Manuscript around 1000 A.D.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Interpretationreasoning
The typological link between Noah, the Israelites and the English established in the digression suggests that persons and peoples from the Old Testament narrative prefigure the Church in which the English represent the fulfilment of the Old Testament type.
“The typological link between Noah, the Israelites and the English established in the digression suggests that persons and peoples from the Old Testament narrative prefigure the Church in which the English represent the fulfilment of the Old Testament type.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationnone given
The poem is structured by a reversal of symbols associated with life in a protective enclosure and exile, symbols derived from secular Germanic, originally pagan, poetic imagery that represents the hall and human architecture as a symbol of society and social order.
“It is argued here that the poem is structured by a reversal of symbols that are associated with life in a protective enclosure and exile, symbols that derive from the secular Germanic, originally pagan, poetic imagery that relies on the representation of the hall and human architecture as a symbol of society and social order.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Premisecitation
The commentary on Genesis links the concept of life as pilgrimage with the concept of life as a spiritual warfare.
“Significantly, the commentary on Genesis links the concept of life as pilgrimage with the concept of life as a spiritual warfare.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites In Genesim
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
- Premisenone given
Formulations of the life of Christians as exiles from their extraterrestrial homeland had been a commonplace by the time of the poem's composition.
“Formulations of the life of Christians as exiles from their extraterrestrial homeland had been a commonplace by the time of the poem's composition.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Premisecitation
Bede establishes a strong typological link between the nomadic Israelites and the English.
“Bede also establishes a strong typological link between the nomadic Israelites and the English, a link that may precede a similar typology explored in Exodus.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites In Genesim
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
- Interpretationreasoning
The urban imagery in the Red Sea fragment serves to reinforce the anagogical treatment that this portion of the narrative receives in the hands of the Old English poet.
“I would like to argue that the urban imagery in the fragment serves to reinforce the anagogical treatment that this portion of the narrative receives in the hands of the Old English poet.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationreasoning
In light of Bede's exegesis, the poem's original audiences may have been prompted to understand the Israelites' mægburh as a figure of the Church.
“In the light of Bede's exegesis, the poem's original audiences may well have been prompted to understand the mægburh of the Isralites as a figure of the Church.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim- Rests on an assumption: The Exodus poet's original audience was familiar with patristic allegorical exegesis, including Bede's and Augustine's ideas.
- Interpretationreasoning
The poet's emphasis on destruction, rather than on a formation or construction of the nautical city-scape, provides an eschatological perspective on the death of Pharaoh and his army.
“The poet's emphasis on destruction, rather than on a formation or construction of the nautical city-scape provides an eschatological perspective on the death of Pharaoh and his army.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
- Probably not a substantial claim. 86
- It may state two separate claims as one. 33
Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.
Findingnone givenAs the Israelites leave the shore, the poet describes three tribes crossing the Red Sea, with the tribe of Judah first.
“As the Israelites leave the shore, the poet describes three tribes that cross the Red Sea.The tribe of Judah comes first.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim.
FindingreasoningIn Exodus, the loss of treasure and hall-joys that the Egyptians face compounds the tenth plague inflicted by God.
“In the Old English poetic account of the exodus, the loss of treasure and hall-joys that the Egyptians face compounds the tenth plague inflicted on them by God”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. It may state two separate claims as one.
Findingnone givenThe killing of the first-born is described as an attack on their city, a siege, in which the defenders are also destroyed.
“The killing of the first-born is described as an attack on their city, a siege, in which the defenders of the city are also destroyed.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim.
FindingreasoningThe confines of Egyptian cities fail in their protective capacity when the Passover Angel descends on Egypt.
“It is made manifest by the poet that the confines of Egyptian cities fail in their protective capacity when the Passover Angel descends on Egypt.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.
Findingnone givenIsrael's progress across the sea-bed is narratively suspended by a digression introducing two Old Testament stories: Noah and the flood, and the covenant between God and Abraham.
“Israel's progress across the sea-bed is narratively suspended by a digression that introduces into the poem two Old Testament stories, namely, the story of Noah and the flood and story of the covenant between God and Abraham.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.
FindingreasoningThe walls of waters, earlier described as a fortress, melt and collapse.
“The walls of waters, earlier described as a fortress, melt and collapse:”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.
FindingreasoningNoah and the ark are mentioned first.
“Noah and the ark are mentioned first.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimIt may state two separate claims as one.
FindingcitationThe Egyptians are described in terms of deprivation of prosperity evoking an exile's fate; even as city inhabitants they suffer afflictions characteristic of exilic existence.
“The Egyptians are described in terms of the deprivation of the prosperity that evokes an exile's fate; paradoxically, even as inhabitants of cities they suffer afflictions that are characteristic of an exilic existence.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim.
Findingnone givenThe Israelites are described as mægburh, a compound invented by the Exodus poet meaning 'family-city'.
“As they walk across the desert, the Israelites are described as mægburh, a compound invented by the Exodus poet that literary means 'family-city'.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. It may state two separate claims as one.
Findingnone givenIn the poet's manipulation of the heroic hall trope, the urban enclosure accumulates negative connotations opposite to hall prosperity and also connotations of exile.
“In the poet's manipulation of the heroic trope of the hall, the urban enclosure accumulates a range of negative connotations that are not only the opposite of the prosperity associated with a life in the proximity of the hall, but also connotations of exile.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim.
Findingnone givenThe Exodus poet uses both traditional hall symbolism as sustaining community and family and its reversals and contradictions found in many Old English poems.
“He utilises both traditional symbolism of the hall that presents this type of building as sustaining the life of the community and family as well as its reversals and contradictions that can be identified in many Old English poems.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. It may state two separate claims as one.
InterpretationreasoningIsrael's mægburh's order and continuity are long-lasting and generative of a new continuity, as implied by the typological relationship between Israel's generations and future communities.
“Its order and continuity, however, are long-lasting and generative of a new continuity, as the typological relationship between Israel's generations and future communities made by the poet implies.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds. It may state two separate claims as one.
Interpretationnone givenSuch reversals of city and exile symbols find a clear parallel and conceivably a source in Bede's commentaries.
“Such reversals of symbols that are related to city life and exile find a clear parallel and, conceivably, a source in Bede's commentaries.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. It may state two separate claims as one.
InterpretationreasoningWith land and material possessions dispensed on temporary loan, life on Earth is conceived as a sorrow-afflicted exile, a transitory joy, full of sorrow.
“With land and material possessions dispensed on temporary loan, life on Earth is conceived as a sorrow-afflicted exile, a transitory joy, full of sorrow.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. It may state two separate claims as one.
InterpretationreasoningIf the arrival of the Israelites at the shore prefigures Christian redemption, and the destruction of the Israelites prefigures the Judgement, the hall that dominates in Moses's description of Canaan stands for heaven.
“If the arrival of the Israelites at the shore prefigures Christian redemption, and the destruction of the Israelites prefigures the Judgement, the hall that dominates in Moses's description of Canaan stands for heaven.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim.
InterpretationreasoningThe poet's use of a verbal phrase that resembles the earlier descriptions of exile and travel in the poem suggests that the poem's narrative of the departure of the Israelites from Egypt and their migration figures the process of the unveiling of the message of the story.
“The poet's use of a verbal phrase that resembles the earlier descriptions of exile and travel in the poem suggests that the poem's narrative of the departure of the Israelites from Egypt and their migration figures the process of the unveiling of the message of the story.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.
Interpretationnone givenThe action of revealing the hidden meaning of the narrative, conceived of as unlocking, reminds of a statement that the poet makes earlier in the poem referring to the Egyptian poets having their hands locked, or unable to sing of the sorrow afflicted on their nation.
“Second, the action of revealing the hidden meaning of the narrative, conceived of as unlocking, reminds of a statement that the poet makes earlier in the poem referring to the Egyptian poets having their hands locked, or unable to sing of the sorrow afflicted on their nation.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim.
InterpretationreasoningIn his retelling of the promise made by God of Canaan, Moses represents Canaan as a fortress or a hall, not unlike the cities of Egypt.
“In his retelling of the promise made by God of Canaan, Moses represents Canaan as a fortress or a hall, not unlike the cities of Egypt.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimIt may state two separate claims as one.
PremisecitationIn Bede's biblical commentaries, the tabernacle is a typological image of the Christian community and Church, evoking Christian life on Earth as exile and displacement from the true homeland.
“In Bede's biblical commentaries, the tabernacle is a typological image of the Christian community and the Church, an image that in turn evokes the idea of Christian life on Earth in terms of an exile and the displacement of humanity from the true homeland.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Bede's biblical commentaries
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
Probably not a substantial claim.
PremisecitationThe poem ends with the promise of conquest and settlement that Howe and Michelet find to be an important ideological aspect of the poem.
“Although the poem centres on the crossing and its allegorical meaning, it ends with the promise of conquest and settlement that Howe and Michelet find to be an important ideological aspect of the poem.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked- cites Howe
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
- cites Michelet
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
Probably not a substantial claim.
InterpretationreasoningThe Egyptians are depicted as bound and captive in cities, suffering loss and bereavement that in Old English poetry are the experiences of exiles.
“While the Egyptians are depicted as bound and captive in cities, suffering loss and bereavement that in Old English poetry are the experiences of exiles, the Israelites are presented as liberated in their journey.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim.
InterpretationreasoningThe association of hall imagery with Hell, also used earlier in the poem in the description of the Egyptian cities, colours the doomsday imagery applied to the portrayal of death and destruction at this most climactic episode in the poem.
“In fact, it is the association of hall imagery with Hell, also used earlier in the poem in the description of the Egyptian cities, that colours the doomsday imagery applied to the portrayal of death and destruction at this most climactic episode in the poem.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.
InterpretationreasoningThe Egyptians, ridiculed by the poet as battle-shy, seek refuge in their homes, which indicates cowardice and condemns them in the eyes of the audience familiar with heroic conventions.
“As the sea-hall is a place of destruction, the Egyptians, ridiculed by the poet as battle-shy, seek refuge in their homes, which indicates cowardice and condemns the Egyptians in the eyes of the audience, familiar with heroic conventions.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.
InterpretationreasoningThe enjoyment of land is temporary.
“The enjoyment of land is temporary.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim.
InterpretationreasoningIn Exodus, the hall at the centre of Egyptian social life is an image of corruption, not an image of transience presupposing an alternative hall of refuge.
“At the centre of the Egyptian social life, the hall is an image of corruption as such, not an image of transience that presupposes an existence of an alternative hall in which one can find refuge.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. It may state two separate claims as one.
InterpretationcitationThe sea is the conduit of God's destruction; God's punishing rod and sword descend and shatter the hall in which Israel's enemies remain trapped.
“The sea is the conduit of God's destruction; God's punishing rod and sword descend and shatter the hall in which Israel's enemies remain trapped:”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.
Interpretationnone givenIn the homiletic digression, the heroic hall is also a fixed location, contrasted with the migratory existence.
“In the homiletic digression, the heroic hall is also a fixed location, contrasted with the migratory existence.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim.
InterpretationreasoningThe theme of the covenant itself, which not only originates in the biblical source but also in exegetical works on the exodus, is couched in terms that evoke the heroic military narratives of Beowulf or the Battle of Maldon.
“The theme of the covenant itself, which not only originates in the biblical source but also in exegetical works on the exodus, is couched in terms that evoke the heroic military narratives of Beowulf or the Battle of Maldon.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked- cites Beowulf
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
- cites Battle of Maldon
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.
Interpretationnone givenBede juxtaposes the historical journey of the Israelites with the concept of the life of Christians as a pilgrimage that he sets as a model for his English readers.
“Bede juxtaposes the historical journey of the Israelites with the concept of the life of Christians as a pilgrimage that he sets as a model for his English readers.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.
InterpretationreasoningThe typological link between Israel and the English is strengthened by the heroic trope of valuing kinship ties and tribal origin.
“This typological link between Israel and the English is strengthened by another familiar heroic trope, namely, the value placed on kinship ties and tribal origin.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.
Interpretationnone givenThe sustained imagery of contrast and reversal, which characterises the earlier parts of the poem, is suspended as Moses commences his speech to the survivors.
“The sustained imagery of contrast and reversal, which characterises the earlier parts of the poem, is, however, suspended as Moses commences his speech to the survivors.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds.
Interpretationnone givenAnagogically, the destruction of Pharaoh's army is a type of the Judgement Day.
“Anagogically, the destruction of Pharaoh's army is a type of the Judgement Day and the urban imagery informing the fragment further juxtaposes their existence in earthly cities against Israel's liberating travel.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim.
InterpretationreasoningPresenting exile as a desired alternative to urban life is an unexpected anomaly in Exodus that disrupts reception for early medieval English recipients relying on stock formulaic phrases, themes, and tropes.
“Presenting exile as a desired alternative to an urban life is an unexpected feature in a text that relies on familiar tropes, an anomaly that disrupts a reception of a text for early medieval English recipients of the poem who must rely on stock formulaic phrases, themes, and tropes to appreciate a poem.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimIt may state two separate claims as one.
InterpretationreasoningWhile the allegorical dimension presents travelling Israelites as the Church, the poem's polyvalency accommodates an additional typological link between historical Israelites travelling to Canaan and the Germanic ancestors of early medieval English people who conceived their journey from Germania to England as a new exodus.
“While the allegorical dimension of the text presents the travelling Israelites as the Church, the poem's polyvalency accommodates an addition typological link between the historical Israelites travelling to the land of Canaan and the Germanic ancestors of the early medieval English people who conceived of their historical journey from Germania to England in terms of a new exodus.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. It may state two separate claims as one.
InterpretationreasoningThe adjective læne accretes all the religious connotations of transience, to which all things material are subject, as well as God's grace in the dispensation of wealth for temporary use.
“The adjective accretes all the religious connotations of transience, to which all things material are subject, as well as God's grace in the dispensation of wealth for temporary use.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim.
InterpretationreasoningTropologically, cities represent transient values that disrupt the pilgrims' attention on their heavenly home.
“Tropologically, cities represent transient values that disrupt the pilgrims' attention on their heavenly home.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.
PremisecitationBede quoted from both De Ciuitate Dei and De Doctrina Christiana.
“As demonstrated by Michael Lapidge in The Anglo-Saxon Library, Bede quoted from both De Ciuitate Dei (Lapidge 2006: 197) and De Doctrina Christiana (2006: 199).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked- cites Lapidge 2006: 197
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
- cites 2006: 199
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
Probably not a substantial claim. The paper may give no reason why it holds.
Interpretationnone givenThe Red Sea is a fortification in which the Egyptians are destroyed by the God of the Israelites.
“The Red Sea is a fortification in which the Egyptians are destroyed by the God of the Israelites.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim.
PremisecitationSuch a textual anomaly warrants allegorical reading according to Augustine in De Doctrina Christiana.
“It is exactly such a textual anomaly that warrants an allegorical reading according to Augustine in De Doctrina Christiana.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites De Doctrina Christiana
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.
Interpretationnone givenIf respected by Israel, the covenant will result in bringing future victories to Israel as well as the promise of the land between the two seas; it is God rather than Israel that is attributed agency in the process of the conquest of land.
“If respected by Israel, the covenant will result in bringing future victories to Israel as well as the promise of the land between the two seas; it is God rather than Israel that is attributed agency in the process of the conquest of land:”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. It may state two separate claims as one.
InterpretationreasoningThe hermeneutic act on the part of the reader is not only juxtaposed to the stasis of life in the city but also imagined as a liberating action, like the Israelites' journey away from the Egyptian cities.
“The hermeneutic act on the part of the reader is thus not only juxtaposed to the stasis of the life in the city but also imagined as a liberating action, like the Israelites' journey away from the Egyptian cities.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.
Interpretationnone givenThe digression in Exodus presents the voyage as a progress to the promised land.
“Whoever is the subject of the reference, the digression presents the voyage as a progress to the promised land.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.
InterpretationreasoningThe fragment inculcates the proper attitude to land and material values.
“The fragment inculcates the proper attitude to land and material values.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim.
PremisecitationFor Bede, it is the fact that the descendants of Seth do not live in cities that qualifies them as the elect.
“For Bede, it is the fact that the descendants of Seth do not live in cities that qualifies them as the elect.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites In Genesim
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
Probably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence.
InterpretationreasoningThe poet's teaching is stated in terms of contrast and reversal that confuse and conflate the symbolisms of city life and exile.
“The poet's teaching is, significantly, stated in terms of contrast and reversal that confuse and conflate the symbolisms of city life and exile.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimIt may state two separate claims as one.
InterpretationreasoningThe Egyptian exile-cities resemble Hell in two respects: they are constrictive, and life in them is represented as exile from a more prosperous state.
“it must be stated that the Egyptian exile-cities resemble Hell in two respects; namely, they are constrictive, and the life in them is represented as exile from a more prosperous state.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.
Interpretationnone givenThe Exodus poet draws inspiration from the Germanic poetic tradition, the hall imagery recurrent in Old English heroic poetry, and Germanic kinship values.
“The Exodus poet draws inspiration from yet other sources, namely, the Germanic poetic tradition, the hall imagery that is recurrent in the Old English heroic poetry as well as Germanic kinship values.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. The paper may give no reason why it holds. It may state two separate claims as one.
Interpretationnone givenThe Egyptians are characterised by an inordinate longing for their homeland, a longing that ties them to the world and sets them apart from the peregrinating and homeless Israelites.
“The Egyptians are characterised by an inordinate longing for their homeland, a longing that ties them to the world and sets them apart from the peregrinating and homeless Israelites.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. It may state two separate claims as one.
InterpretationreasoningThe Egyptian cities represent an Augustinian city of men and form a backdrop for a typological reading of the Israelites' mægburh as a prefiguration of the Church.
“The Egyptian cities represent an Augustinian city of men and form a backdrop for a typological reading of the Israelites' mægburh as a prefiguration of the Church.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.
InterpretationreasoningIf fæsten is read as 'fortification' in line 49a, the word confers another negative connotation on the poem's representations of cities.
“If fæsten is read as 'fortification' in line 49a, the word confers another negative connotation on the poem's representations of cities.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. The paper may give no reason why it holds.
Interpretationnone givenThere is a manifest tension in the poem between the promise of land articulated at the end of the poem and the sustained criticism of urban space in the episodes that narrate Israel's escape from Egypt and the crossing.
“There is a manifest tension in the poem between the promise of land articulated at the end of the poem and the sustained criticism of urban space in the episodes that narrate Israel's escape from Egypt and the crossing:”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim.
InterpretationreasoningThe Israelites are presented as liberated in their journey.
“While the Egyptians are depicted as bound and captive in cities, suffering loss and bereavement that in Old English poetry are the experiences of exiles, the Israelites are presented as liberated in their journey.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. The paper may give no reason why it holds.
Interpretationnone givenThe poet describes the Egyptian cities by means of formulaic expressions derived from secular poetic representations of halls and exile that characterise such Old English poems as Beowulf.
“As will be shown in the following pages, the poet describes the Egyptian cities by means of formulaic expressions derived from secular poetic representations of halls and exile that characterise such Old English poems as Beowulf.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. It may state two separate claims as one.
InterpretationreasoningThe poem asserts Israel's dependence on land and longing for a temporal homeland.
“While the Israelites' flight in the Old English Exodus might be interpreted as an archetype of the pilgrim to the other world turning away from transient values, the poem also asserts Israel's dependence on land and longing for a temporal homeland.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence. It may state two separate claims as one.
InterpretationreasoningThe mægburh in the digression is a historically inclusive sign that encouraged the early medieval English audience to include their own ancestors and themselves in the concept of the metaphorical city that is not geographically anchored and in the process of the travellers' constant travel to their promised destination.
“The mægburh in the digression is a historically inclusive sign that encouraged the early medieval English audience to include their own ancestors and themselves in the concept of the metaphorical city that is not geographically anchored and in the process of the travellers constant travel to their promised destination.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds.
Interpretationnone givenThe reversal of symbols in Exodus could only be appreciated by an audience familiar with Germanic heroic poetics.
“The reversal of symbols that he creates in the composition could only be appreciated by an audience familiar with Germanic heroic poetics.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim- Rests on an assumption: The Exodus poet's original audience was familiar with the traditional Germanic trope of the hall as a symbol of social order.
Probably not a substantial claim. It may state two separate claims as one.
InterpretationcitationSince pagan learning is permissible in De Doctrina Christiana, the Exodus poet's adaptation of Germanic secular concepts for biblical exposition is acceptable.
“Since the use of pagan learning is permissible in De Doctrina Christiana, the Exodus poet's adaption of Germanic secular concepts for his exposition of a biblical narrative and its manifold senses using a familiar poetic concept is acceptable.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites De Doctrina Christiana
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
Probably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence. It may state two separate claims as one.
InterpretationreasoningPeople must be mindful of Hell and make only provisional use of their earthly possessions so that they keep reorienting their exile to their proper destination.
“People must be mindful of Hell and make only provisional use of their earthly possessions so that they keep reorienting their exile to their proper destination.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimIt may state two separate claims as one.
PremisecitationBede associates the descendants of Cain with life in cities, and the descendants of Seth with life in tents.
“Bede associates the former with the life in cities, while the latter with the life in tents.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites In Genesim
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
Probably not a substantial claim. The paper may give no reason why it holds. It may state two separate claims as one.
Interpretationnone givenThe reversal of the symbol that ends the poem also presents a hall as an image of divine reward; as the Israelites will overcome all enemies, they will establish the beer-halls of men in the new land between the two seas.
“reversal of the symbol that ends the poem also presents a hall as an image of divine reward; as the Israelites will overcome all enemies, they will establish the beer-halls of men in the new land between the two seas.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence.
InterpretationreasoningIn light of the poem's ethical distinction between the pilgrimage away from the world and its possessions and Egypt's commitment to worldly material values, the desire of the Egyptians to return to the protective confines of their homes and cities condemns them.
“In the light of the poem's ethical distinction between the pilgrimage away from the world and its possessions and Egypt's commitment to worldly material values, the desire of the Egyptians to return to the protective confines of their homes, and cities, condemns them.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. It may state two separate claims as one.
InterpretationreasoningThe present life is imagined as a sojourn in a guest-hall, in which the reader is supposed to consider Hell, an everlasting dwelling place.
“The present life is imagined as a sojourn in a guest-hall, in which the reader is supposed to consider Hell, an everlasting dwelling place:”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim.
InterpretationreasoningThe sail and tentage imagery developed by the poet sustains an allegorical image of the Israelites as a figure of the Christian church.
“There has been a long-standing agreement that the sail and tentage imagery developed by the poet sustains an allegorical image of the Israelites as a figure of the Christian church.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.
InterpretationcitationThe anagogical sense is present in the description of the death of the Egyptian first-born and Pharaoh's army.
“This sense is present in the description of the death of the Egyptian first-born and Pharaoh's army.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim.
InterpretationreasoningThe defensive, protective function of the hall complements the association of hall life with prosperity, which the poet uses when describing the Israelites' mægburh protected physically and spiritually by the pillar of fire.
“The defensive, protective function of the hall is an important idea that complements the association of the life in the hall with prosperity, on which the poet falls back upon when he describes the Israelites' mægburh protected physically and spiritually by the pillar of fire.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.
InterpretationreasoningTropologically, the image of undaunted Israelites is an example of faith and obedience, worthy of emulation.
“Tropologically, or in the moral sense, the image of undaunted Israelites is therefore an example of faith and obedience, an example worthy of emulation.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim.
InterpretationreasoningIn Exodus, reversals of symbols from traditional protective and prosperous halls and fortresses sustain the allegorical dimension.
“In the poem, a reversal of symbols that derive from the traditional representations of halls and fortresses in Old English poetry as protective spaces and representations of prosperity serve to sustain the allegory dimension of the text.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.
PremisecitationIn early medieval England, burghal cities were either based on earlier Roman cities or built in imitation of them.
“In early medieval England, burghal cities, as Richard North and Michael D.J. Bintley note in their recent edition of the Old English poem Andreas, were either based on earlier Roman cities or built in imitation of them (North & Bintley 2016: 94).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites North & Bintley 2016: 94
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
Probably not a substantial claim.
InterpretationreasoningThe metaphorical movement forward of the mystery that emanates from the counsel imitates the Israelites' journey from Egypt.
“The metaphorical movement forward of the mystery that emanates from the counsel imitates the Israelites journey from Egypt.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.
InterpretationreasoningThe guest-hall in which the elect sojourn for their duration of the pilgrimage is given to them for temporal use only.
“The guest-hall in which the elect sojourn for their duration of the pilgrimage is given to them for temporal use only.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.
Interpretationnone givenThe message of Moses's speech requires spiritual interpretation on the part of life's interpreter, the life-guardian, who must unlock its contents with the keys of the spirit.
“The message requires spiritual interpretation on the part of life's interpreter, the life-guardian, who must unlock its contents with the keys of the spirit.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.
InterpretationreasoningLike the time on Earth given to the Egyptians in lease, the Israelites also hold material benefits that will eventually be taken away.
“Like the time on Earth given to the Egyptians in lease, the Israelites also hold material benefits that will eventually be taken away.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. It may state two separate claims as one.
InterpretationcitationThe historical and heroic level of the narrative provides an additional figural dimension of the exodus; the exodus of Israel is a historical precedent for Germanic migration and conversion.
“The historical and heroic level of the narrative provides an additional figural dimension of the exodus; the exodus of Israel is a historical precedent for Germanic migration and conversion.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.
PremisecitationBede represents the nomadic existence and life in tents as a symbol of a spiritual struggle with the devil as well as a more general symbol of the life of a Christian.
“Bede represents the nomadic existence and life in tents as a symbol of a spiritual struggle with the devil as well as a more general symbol of the life of a Christian.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites In Genesim
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
It may state two separate claims as one.
PremisecitationThe formulation of the life of Christians as exiles was widely disseminated in Augustine's writings and recurrent in his discussions of the contrast between the city of men and the City of God.
“The formulation was widely disseminated in Augustine's writings and recurrent in his discussions of the contrast between the city of men and the City of God.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Augustine
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds.
Interpretationnone givenBede presupposes that his audience will find the image of tents used in warfare and in travelling familiar and evocative of their ancestors' migration from the continental Germania to Britain.
“In addition, he presupposes that his audience will find the image of tents used in warfare and in travelling familiar and evocative of their ancestors' migration from the continental Germania to Britain.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.
PremisecitationThe noun burh plausibly has its roots in the verb beorgan, 'protect'.
“It is plausible that the noun has its roots in the verb beorgan, 'protect', as Simon Draper suggests (Draper 2008: 240)”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Draper 2008: 240 source
Probably not a substantial claim. The paper may give no reason why it holds.
Interpretationnone givenThe Exodus poet relies on the audience's knowledge of the trope of the hall as the symbol of social order.
“The Exodus poet relies on the audience's knowledge of the trope of the hall as the symbol of social order.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim- Rests on an assumption: The Exodus poet's original audience was familiar with the traditional Germanic trope of the hall as a symbol of social order.
Probably not a substantial claim.
InterpretationreasoningThe urban imagery informing the fragment juxtaposes the Egyptians' existence in earthly cities against Israel's liberating travel.
“Anagogically, the destruction of Pharaoh's army is a type of the Judgement Day and the urban imagery informing the fragment further juxtaposes their existence in earthly cities against Israel's liberating travel.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim.
InterpretationreasoningIsrael's mægburh is an inversion of the conventional image of a community insofar as it is displaced from a fixed geographical location symbolising order and continuity.
“In contrast to the inversion of the conventional idea of the hall as a symbol of order and continuity, Israel's mægburh is an inversion of the conventional image of a community insofar as it is displaced from a fixed geographical location that symbolises order and continuity.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim.
InterpretationreasoningThe Old English account of the death of the Egyptians in the Red Sea depicts the urbanised space of the sea-hall as giving way to the essential wildness of the elements that constitute it.
“The Old English account of the death of the Egyptians in the Red Sea depicts the urbanised space of the sea-hall as giving way to the essential wildness of the elements that constitute it.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence. The paper may give no reason why it holds.
InterpretationreasoningThe poet inverts the conventional imagery of the hall and exile in the poem to emphasise narrative moments that require the reader to explore the letter of the poem for additional layers or signification.
“The poet inverts the conventional imagery of the hall and exile in the poem to emphasise narrative moments that require the reader to explore the letter of the poem for additional layers or signification.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds.
Interpretationnone givenThis wisdom, as transmitted in the poem, reflects on the relationship between peregrini and the land that they receive for temporary use, a gift that is to be taken away at the end of times.
“This wisdom, as transmitted in the poem, reflects on the relationship between peregrini and the land that they receive for temporary use, a gift that is to be taken away at the end of times.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. The paper may give no reason why it holds.
Interpretationnone givenThe metaphor of the key that opens the Scripture, which the poet uses in Exodus, encourages the reader to unveil the hidden meaning of the narrative.
“The metaphor of the key that opens the Scripture, which the poet uses in Exodus, encourages the reader to unveil the hidden meaning of the narrative.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.
Interpretationnone givenThe poet uses irony to represent the death of the Egyptian army as a deep reward, deop lean, as, drowned in the sea, none of them survive to return home and relate the outcome of the battle with God in the protective confines of their boroughs.
“The poet uses irony to represent the death of the Egyptian army as a deep reward, deop lean, as, drowned in the sea, none of them survive to return home and relate the outcome of the battle with God in the protective confines of their boroughs:”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim.
InterpretationreasoningThe walls of water that protected the Israelites from destructive natural elements and human enemies trap the Egyptians.
“The walls of water that protected the Israelites from the destructive natural elements as well as from their human enemies trap the Egyptians.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimIt may state two separate claims as one.
InterpretationreasoningThroughout the description of their destruction, the Egyptians represent cives terreni; their destruction reflects the eschatology of earthly political structures.
“Throughout the description of their destruction, the Egyptians represent cives terreni; their destruction reflects the eschatology of earthly political structures.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence. The paper may give no reason why it holds. It may state two separate claims as one.
Interpretationnone givenKnowledge of the secular trope of the hall is required for the audience since the traditional poetic idea of the hall is a hermeneutic key to unlocking the letter of the narrative and unveiling its allegorical meaning.
“Knowledge of the secular trope of the hall is required for the audience since the traditional poetic idea of the hall is a hermeneutic key to unlocking the letter of the narrative and unveiling its allegorical meaning.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence. It may state two separate claims as one.
InterpretationreasoningIt is the strangeness of the inversion of the tropes that calls for an exegetical explication; the conventional secular imagery has been inverted in the poem during a process of facilitating the reader's reception of manifold allegory.
“It is the strangeness of the inversion of the tropes that calls for an exegetical explication; the conventional secular imagery has been inverted in the poem during a process of facilitating the reader's reception of manifold allegory.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim.
InterpretationreasoningThe order of presentation guides the reader's movement from the allegorical perspective sustained in the bulk of the poem to his or her life experience in which the hall functions as a symbol of social order, rank and class.
“The order of presentation guides the reader's movement from the allegorical perspective sustained in the bulk of the poem to his or her life experience in which the hall functions as a symbol of social order, rank and class.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence. The paper may give no reason why it holds.
Interpretationnone givenThe poem's secret meaning can only be reached by the reader who is able to transcend the symbolism he or she falls back upon in the reception of secular texts.
“The poem's secret meaning can only be reached by the reader who is able to transcend the symbolism he or she falls back upon in the reception of secular texts.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim.
InterpretationreasoningThe narrative proximity of the destruction of the Egyptians in the Red Sea depicted as a destruction of a hall forms an exegetically appropriate contrast for the establishment of Canaan as a prefiguration of salvation.
“The narrative proximity of the destruction of the Egyptians in the Red Sea depicted as a destruction of a hall forms an exegetically appropriate contrast for the establishment of Canaan as a prefiguration of salvation.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.
InterpretationreasoningThe order of presenting the inverted imagery as first and its conventional form as second is also appropriate.
“The order of presenting the inverted imagery as first and its conventional form as second is also appropriate.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
The paper relies on this without support.
The Old English Exodus is a unified poem whose urban and maritime imagery is artistically consistent.
“The aim of the present article is to explore the conflation and inversion of urban and maritime spaces that informs the narrative of Exodus and to elucidate their artistic consistency.”
The paper relies on this without support.
The Exodus poet had knowledge of or access to Augustinian and Bedan exegetical traditions.
“Bede and his biblical commentaries are another source from which the poet may have derived the urban imagery that he uses to sustain the poem's polyvalent structure.”
The paper relies on this without support.
The poem's original Christian audience would have been able to read the exodus typologically, tropologically, and anagogically.
“which for the poem's Christian audience mystically and allegorically represents eternal life.”
The paper relies on this without support.
The Exodus poet's original audience was familiar with the traditional Germanic trope of the hall as a symbol of social order.
“The Exodus poet relies on the audience's knowledge of the trope of the hall as the symbol of social order.”
The paper relies on this without support.
The Exodus poet's original audience was familiar with patristic allegorical exegesis, including Bede's and Augustine's ideas.
“In the light of Bede's exegesis, the poem's original audiences may well have been prompted to understand the mægburh of the Isralites as a figure of the Church.”
The paper relies on this without support.
Some of the poem's early medieval audiences lived in sophisticated urban settlements.
“the very fact that some of the poem's early medieval audiences lived in sophisticated urban settlements must also be taken into account.”
Self-check
Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.
Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.
Judgement prefiguration attributes destruction to the Israelites
MinorThe paper elsewhere identifies Pharaoh's army, not the Israelites, as the group destroyed in the Red Sea and treats that destruction as a prefiguration of Judgement Day.
“the destruction of the Israelites prefigures the Judgement”
“The destruction of Pharaoh's army in the Red Sea has been interpreted as a prefiguration of the eschaton, a vision of the Day of Judgement.”
Citations
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Flagged first, then by citations
Research works printed but not linked: 10
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- Augustine. 2003. City of God (translated by Henry Bettenson). Penguin Books.
- Bede. 2006. On Ezra and Nehemiah. Liverpool University Press.
- Bede. 2008. On Genesis (translated by Calvin B. Kendall.). Liverpool University Press.
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Cited by
Sorted by citations
Rodríguez, A. J. T. (2023) · Alfinge Revista de Filología · doi:10.21071/arf.v34i.14300 · Cited by 1
Figurative Language Analysis of Melanie Martinez’s Lyrics Songs from Cry Baby Album Deluxe Edition
Wahyu, W., & Syaputri, K. D. (2023) · ARRUS Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities · doi:10.35877/soshum1979 · Cited by 1
Metadata
- Authors
- Olesiejko, J.
- Affiliations
- Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań (PL)
- Corresponding author
- Olesiejko, Jacek
- ORCID
- Olesiejko, Jacek
- Venue
- Studia Anglica Posnaniensia
- Publisher
- Adam Mickiewicz University Poznan
- Published
- 2022-01-01
- Volume
- 57
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 5-32
- ISSN
- 0081-6272 (ISSN-L)
- 2082-5102
- OpenAlex
- W4210973251
- Cited by
- 2
- References
- 20
- Citations by year
- 2023: 2
- FWCI
- 12.66
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- diamond
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Studia Anglica Posnaniensia (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
- Pressto (Uniwersytetu Adama Mickiewicza) (submittedVersion)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion)
- Repozytorium Uniwersytetu im. Adama Mickiewicza (Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › History › Medieval Literature and History
- Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Literature and Literary Theory › Historical, Literary, and Cultural Studies
- Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Religious studies › Biblical Studies and Interpretation
- Keywords
- Old English poetry, biblical exodus, Red Sea, urban imagery, exile, hermeneutics, typology, tropology, anagogy, biblical adaptation
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
A language model drew the claims from the paper on 2026-10-28, under version 3 of the claim definition (model deepseek-v4.1-flash, prompt extract-v3).
A second model labelled each claim on 2026-10-28 (model jev-1.13-20260917, definition revision gold-guideline-v0.2).
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
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