Conference Presentation
An Action-Based Approach to the Conversation of 1 Samuel 28:8–23
Tyler J. Patty, M.A., SFHEA
PhD Student in Hebrew Bible
Faculty of Divinity, University of Cambridge
Senior Tutor and Lecturer
Moorlands Central and Eastern Europe
Czech Republic / United Kingdom
Presentation Date & Time
7 November 2026
10:00 CET (Serbia time)
Conference
New Discoveries and New Directions in Biblical, Hebrew, and Theological Studies
European Hebrew Journal International Scholarly Online Zoom Conference
Format
Live online via Zoom
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Abstract
Exegetical approaches to conversation in the Hebrew Bible have often prioritised the information-content of individual utterances, leading to interpretations that are built on key words or concepts in the speeches. This paper proposes an alternative action-based approach, drawn from linguists Levinson and Schegloff, which analyses the pragmatic function of conversational turns in relation to one another.
The interaction between Saul, the medium of Endor, and the spirit of Samuel in 1 Samuel 28:8–23 is given as a case study. In this I propose a solution to the question regarding Saul's culpability which leads to his death. Based on the predominance of Request and Blame sequences in this text, and by comparison to 1 Samuel 15, I argue that Saul is rejected not primarily because of divination, but for his stubbornness and inability to recognise his personal deficiencies.
Keywords
What Is Conversation Analysis in Biblical Hebrew?
Conversation analysis is an approach to the study of spoken interaction that examines how individual turns in a conversation function in relation to the turns that come before and after them. Rather than treating an utterance simply as a container of information, conversation analysis asks what action the speaker is performing: requesting, answering, blaming, refusing, accepting, correcting, challenging, or carrying out another interactional function.
When applied to Biblical Hebrew narrative, this approach can illuminate how dialogue is structured within a biblical scene. The sequence and relationship of conversational turns may contribute to characterization, narrative development, interpersonal conflict, and interpretation.
Tyler J. Patty's research applies conversation-analytic approaches to Classical Biblical Hebrew narrative. His presentation focuses on the encounter between Saul, the medium of Endor, and Samuel in 1 Samuel 28:8–23. By examining Request and Blame sequences and comparing the interaction with 1 Samuel 15, the paper investigates how the structure of the conversation contributes to the narrative presentation of Saul's culpability.
Academic Profile
Tyler J. Patty is a PhD student in Hebrew Bible at the Faculty of Divinity, University of Cambridge. His doctoral research investigates interaction in Biblical Hebrew narrative through a conversation-analytic approach.
His research interests include Hebrew narrative, Hebrew linguistics, conversation analysis, philosophy of language, Old Testament / Hebrew Bible studies, pragmatics, and the linguistic analysis of Classical Hebrew conversation.
At Cambridge, his doctoral supervisor is Professor Nathan MacDonald. Patty began his doctoral studies in 2021.
Alongside his doctoral work, Tyler Patty serves as Senior Tutor and Lecturer at Moorlands Central and Eastern Europe. He teaches Bible and theology and is involved in theological education in Central and Eastern Europe.
He is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA) and is a member of the Society of Biblical Literature and the European Association of Biblical Studies.
Doctoral Research
University of Cambridge
Faculty of Divinity
PhD research area: Hebrew Bible / Old Testament
Doctoral research title:
Interaction in Biblical Hebrew Narrative: A Conversation-Analytic Approach
Research focus:
The linguistics of Classical Hebrew conversation as represented in Hebrew Bible narrative, with particular attention to interaction, conversational sequencing, pragmatics, and the interpretation of Biblical Hebrew discourse.
Current supervisor:
Professor Nathan MacDonald
Doctoral study:
2021–present
Education and Academic Qualifications
2021–present
University of Cambridge
PhD research in Theology / Hebrew Bible
Faculty of Divinity
Doctoral research: Interaction in Biblical Hebrew Narrative: A Conversation-Analytic Approach
Current supervisor: Professor Nathan MacDonald
2016
Trinity International University
M.A., Old Testament and Semitic Languages
Master's thesis: Curse and the Power of Blessing: A Linguistic Study of Genesis 1–11
2013
Moody Bible Institute
B.A., Youth Ministry and Biblical Studies
Academic and Professional Positions
2025–present
Senior Tutor and Lecturer
Moorlands Central and Eastern Europe
Teaching includes Bible and Practical Theology.
2019–2025
Lecturer in Bible and Theology
ForMission College
2018–present
Higher Education work
Josiah Venture, Central and Eastern Europe
His work involves theological education and research initiatives in Central and Eastern Europe.
Teaching and Supervision
Tyler Patty has taught biblical studies, Bible, theology, Old Testament, and related areas in theological higher education.
His teaching experience includes courses in:
- Introduction to the Old and New Testaments
- Reading and Interpreting the Old Testament
- Reading and Interpreting the New Testament
- Intermediate Biblical Studies
- Christian Theology
- Scripture from a Missional Perspective
- Mission History of the Church in Europe
He has also supervised undergraduate dissertations in biblical studies and practical theology.
Research Expertise
- • Hebrew Bible
- • Old Testament
- • Biblical Hebrew
- • Classical Hebrew
- • Hebrew Linguistics
- • Hebrew Narrative
- • Conversation Analysis
- • Pragmatics
- • Discourse Analysis
- • Philosophy of Language
- • Biblical Exegesis
- • 1 Samuel
- • Genesis
- • Old Testament Theology
- • Biblical Theology
- • Speech and Interaction in Biblical Narrative
- • Conversation Structure
- • Speech Acts
- • Narrative Interpretation
- • Semitic Languages
Selected Publications
Patty, Tyler J.
"Did God Curse Humanity? A Pragmatic Re-examination of Genesis 3:14–19."
Journal for the Study of the Old Testament
50.1 (2025): 24–42.
Patty, Tyler J., and Sean Smith.
"Missional Rest: A Fusion Point Between Being and Doing."
Transformation
42.1 (2024).
Patty, Tyler J.
"Mission and Youth in Central and Eastern Europe After 30 Years."
Missional Focus
2.1 (2023): 25–28.
Direct public source: https://formission.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Mission-and-youth-in-Central-and-Eastern-Europe.pdf
Patty, Tyler J.
Review of Re-Enchanting the Text: Discovering the Bible as Sacred, Dangerous, and Mysterious, by Cheryl Bridges Johns.
Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society
67.1 (2024): 149–150.
Patty, Tyler J.
"Řád stvoření: Použití Genesis 1–3 v Pavlových tvrzeních o ženách."
Theologia Vitae
2026.
Selected Academic Presentations
2026
"An Action-Based Approach to Speech in 1 Samuel 28."
Moorlands College Research Seminar.
2024
"An Action-Based Approach to Speech in 1 & 2 Samuel."
Miqra Old Testament / Hebrew Bible Society, University of Cambridge.
2022
"Linguistics of Conversation in Hebrew Narrative."
Faculty of Divinity, University of Cambridge.
2021
"Did YHWH Really Curse…? An Investigation into the Speech-Acts of Genesis 3."
ForMission College Research Colloquium.
Professional Memberships and Qualifications
Academic Profiles and Verified Sources
Official University of Cambridge Faculty of Divinity Profile
University of Cambridge — Tyler J. PattyUniversity of Cambridge Old Testament Specialists Directory
Cambridge Faculty of Divinity — Old Testament SpecialistsOfficial Moorlands College Staff Page
Moorlands College — Our PeopleAcademia.edu Academic Profile
Tyler J. Patty — Academia.eduJosiah Venture Professional Profile
Tyler Patty — Josiah VentureConference Participation
Tyler J. Patty presents at the European Hebrew Journal International Scholarly Online Conference 2026 on 7 November 2026 at 10:00 CET (Serbia time) with the presentation "An Action-Based Approach to the Conversation of 1 Samuel 28:8–23."
The presentation examines conversation in Biblical Hebrew narrative through an action-based and conversation-analytic approach, focusing on Saul, the medium of Endor, and Samuel in 1 Samuel 28:8–23.
Suggested Citation
Patty, Tyler J. "An Action-Based Approach to the Conversation of 1 Samuel 28:8–23." Presentation at New Discoveries and New Directions in Biblical, Hebrew, and Theological Studies, European Hebrew Journal International Scholarly Online Conference, 7 November 2026.
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