ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the thesis that fantasy theory may contribute fruitfully to the study of religious narrative. It then examines the thesis that the fantastic elements of the Exodus narrative are sites of ambiguity and uncertainty to be interpreted in their literary contexts. The chapter discusses the two main trends of religion-in-fantasy and fantasy-in-religion. It suggests the relevance of bringing religion and fantasy to interact, and positions in the field, to note its contribution. The chapter analyses the Exodus scholarship that has engaged with the narratives fantastic elements. It shows how the fantastic elements are problematic issues in exegesis, and addresses the centrality of fantastic elements in the Exodus narrative, a literary analysis of the fantastic elements and of their functions in their literary contexts is lacking. The chapter also shows that what have been excluded by exegesisthe ambiguity and uncertainty of the fantastic elements, and important elements of the narrative with consequences for an understanding of Hebrew Bible religion.
