Biblical Theology

Abstract

This paper seeks to assess the significance of the religious motif titled “the master of the ostriches” for the discussion concerning the southern origin of Yhwh. It shows that the motif cannot be used as a proof for that origin. It is, however, of help in reconstructing the preexilic cult of southern Israel. The motif further indicates that in its poly-yahwistic context, the southern cult was originally independent of other traditions, such as that of the exodus, which seems to derive rather from the heritage of northern Israel. The various components of Yahwistic tradition were merged only at a much later time. [Adapted from published abstract—C