{"title":"Economics and Urdeuteronomium: A response to Kåre Berge, Diana Edelman, Philippe Guillaume, and Benedetta Rossi","authors":"S. Richter","doi":"10.1177/03090892231182168","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/03090892231182168","url":null,"abstract":"Although grateful that Berge, Edelman, Guillaume, and Rossi have engaged my essay, ‘The Question of Provenance and the Economics of Deuteronomy’, their critique, which speaks against my conclusions, fails to account for essential archaeological, ethnographic, and linguistic data illuminating the economic profile of the Book of Deuteronomy. The most significant lacuna is their failure to address the economic realities of the Persian period. That data, and more, is summarized here. The present essay moves past literary and historiographic presuppositions regarding the provenance of Urdeuteronomium in order to engage the economic and numismatic realia that is recoverable from Israel’s world and offer an important avenue forward in deuteronomic researcḥ","PeriodicalId":51830,"journal":{"name":"Journal for the Study of the Old Testament","volume":"48 1","pages":"84 - 104"},"PeriodicalIF":0.3,"publicationDate":"2023-08-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47735928","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"哲学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The golden calf of Bethel and Judah’s mimetic desire of Israel","authors":"K. Hong","doi":"10.1177/03090892231168657","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/03090892231168657","url":null,"abstract":"Based on René Girard’s mimetic theory, this article reexamines the vilification of Jeroboam’s cultus in 1 Kgs. 12.25–33 as an attempt to depict Bethel and the Northern Kingdom as the monstrous double of Jerusalem and Judah. Mimetic rivalry and mutual desire often impose a grotesque mixture of the emotional residues of mimetic crisis—be they anxiety, fury, or fear—on rivals’ faces. Although the text attempts to highlight differences between Bethel and Jerusalem, mimetic theory suggests that the rivals’ mutual blame conceals their fundamental similarities. The text paints Jeroboam’s golden calf as a monstrous double of Jerusalem’s cherubim, but the monstrous depiction of the calf as a pagan idol also conceals Judah’s own insecurity and mimetic desire of Israel. As the “inferior” party, Judah imitated Israel and eventually supplanted her older sibling, and this sense of insecurity is reflected in the accusations against her rival.","PeriodicalId":51830,"journal":{"name":"Journal for the Study of the Old Testament","volume":"47 1","pages":"359 - 371"},"PeriodicalIF":0.3,"publicationDate":"2023-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45156961","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"哲学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"11. Philology and Grammar","authors":"A. Hunter","doi":"10.1177/03090892231175421","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/03090892231175421","url":null,"abstract":"The question of ‘tense’ or temporal meaning in Biblical Hebrew verbs has long challenged both scholars and lay readers, to the extent that it often appears that translations simply abandon any sense of system in favour of free adoption of whatever meaning would suit the needs of the immediate context. B.’s challenging monograph uses the most up-to-date linguistic theories to ‘increase the understanding of how the expression of temporal meanings in Biblical Hebrew relates to the semantics of the verbal forms’ (p. 4). The first three chapters deal with theoretical issues in general, leading to a detailed treatment of the Hebrew verb in Chapters 4, 5 and 6. B.’s concluding chapter offers a summary of his key observations: there are meanings, more basic to verb forms than tense, from which temporal meanings can be derived; the importance of aspect, defined as ‘the localization of the speaker’s and the listener’s ... focus ... on the event represented by the verb’; and the idea of stage-based aspect—‘progressive, resultant and preparatory’ (pp. 188-9). Tense then develops by way of inferences from the aspectual meanings of the form (p. 190). These proposals are tested in relation to the way that traditional qatal and yiqtol forms are deployed in the classical Hebrew texts. Not an easy read, but undoubtedly a significant contribution to our understanding of Hebrew verbal forms. alastair g. hUnter","PeriodicalId":51830,"journal":{"name":"Journal for the Study of the Old Testament","volume":"47 1","pages":"163 - 167"},"PeriodicalIF":0.3,"publicationDate":"2023-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47688894","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"哲学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"An Uprooted, Withered Cedar: A New Reading of Ezekiel’s Depiction of Jehoiachin’s Exile","authors":"Ariel Kopilovitz","doi":"10.1177/03090892231168661","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/03090892231168661","url":null,"abstract":"This paper offers an analysis of Ezek. 17. It claims that the eagle did not pluck one of the cedar’s sprigs but rather completely uprooted it. Furthermore, it did not replant the cedar but rather set it in the city to wither, to punish it, not to benefit it. This understanding is consistent with the parable’s structure, interpretation, and Neo-Babylonian findings. It indicates that although Ezekiel anticipates Jehoiachin’s descendants will lead Israel in the future, the prophet’s approach toward Jehoiachin’s exile was negative, and this caused him to exclude Jehoiachin from Israel’s restoration.","PeriodicalId":51830,"journal":{"name":"Journal for the Study of the Old Testament","volume":"47 1","pages":"393 - 407"},"PeriodicalIF":0.3,"publicationDate":"2023-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"65138517","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"哲学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"9. Apocrypha and Postbiblical Studies","authors":"B. Jackson","doi":"10.1177/03090892231175419","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/03090892231175419","url":null,"abstract":"The three chapters of this book explore three genres of the oral heritage of the Neo-Aramaicspeaking Jewish community of Zakho on the River Khabur in northern Kurdistan (a community that emigrated to Israel in the first half of the 20th century), namely proverbs, enriched biblical narratives and folktales. The analysed units of each of these genres progress from the smallest unit, that of the proverb, to the larger unit of the ‘motifeme’ (defined as ‘the smallest functional unit of a narrative’, ‘the element that forms meaningful connections between individual, abstract, meaningless motifs and anchors them in a meaningful narrative sequence’ [p. 190]), and then to the largest unit of a complete folktale. The chapter on proverbs argues that traditional accounts overlook the performative context, and presents a new collection of NENA (North-Eastern Neo-Aramaic) proverbs from the Zacho Jewish community. The chapter on enriched biblical narratives examines the narrative of Ruth, Naomi and King David, as told by Samra Zaqen, and demonstrates an analysis of it using the concept of the transposed motifeme. The folktale featured in the third chapter (‘The King and the Wazir’, as told by Ḥabuba Messusani) is rather unusual, being built around the motif of magical gender transformation. The author comments on the abundance of Neo-Aramaic material presented by recent scholarship and the relative neglect of content-oriented study focused on it. bernArd s. JAckson","PeriodicalId":51830,"journal":{"name":"Journal for the Study of the Old Testament","volume":"47 1","pages":"145 - 158"},"PeriodicalIF":0.3,"publicationDate":"2023-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41456123","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"哲学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"2. Archaeology and Epigraphy","authors":"L. Grabbe","doi":"10.1177/03090892231175407","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/03090892231175407","url":null,"abstract":"Previous volumes of this valuable series were reviewed in B.L. 2005, p. 37; 2009, pp. 35-36; 2018, p. 29; 2020, p. 15; and 2022, p. 13. vol. 7 deals with the small territory from the eastern slopes of the Samaria Mountains to the Jordan Valley and between the Wadi Rashash on the north and Wadi ‘Aujah on the south. The region was surveyed systematically on foot from the early 1980s to 2018. Chapter 1 discusses the geography of the region and the history of research on it. Chapter 2 surveys the settlement by archaeological periods from prehistory to the Ottoman period. Chapter 3 outlines the history of the region. The bulk of the book is taken up by chapter 4 which surveys the region site by site. Perhaps the site that readers will have heard most about is Wadi edDaliyeh where papyri from late Persian Samaria were found. There is an Appendix on the destructive plundering of the Dhahr Mirzbaneh Tumulus (Site 109) and five Indexes: (1) a list of springs and other water sources; (2) a list of roads; (3) agricultural installations and other features; (4) a site index; and (5) a list of sites by periods. Sadly, Adam Zertal died during the survey for this volume. leSter l. grABBe","PeriodicalId":51830,"journal":{"name":"Journal for the Study of the Old Testament","volume":"47 1","pages":"11 - 22"},"PeriodicalIF":0.3,"publicationDate":"2023-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46485173","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"哲学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"3. History, Geography and Sociology","authors":"E. Ortlund","doi":"10.1177/03090892231175408","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/03090892231175408","url":null,"abstract":"Pamela Barmash begins this book by exploring simultaneous submission and resistance to Persian rule in Ezra-Nehemiah; Ryan Bonfiglio examines Persian royal iconographic self-presentation as both powerful and (relatively) peaceable; Caralie Cook examines the process of literary creation in relation to the crisis of exile; Lisbeth Fried reconstructs the motives for Judeans to return from exile in land-for-work schemes; Martien Halvorson-Taylor examines the theological presentation of exile and return in Micah 4.9-14; Mark Hamilton analyses reflections of the reality of empire in Isaiah 56-66; Matt Waters traces continuities between Mesopotamian and Persian political practice; and Ian Wilson explores how prophetic books shape communal memory. The authors are aware of the multi-faceted problems lying behind the relatively simple story of Judah’s exile under Babylon. Despite these problems, the book’s goal of providing a ‘multi-media’ approach to the Judean exile (texts, iconography, archaeology, etc.) succeeds because of both the wealth of historical detail presented and the careful and thoughtful manner in which it is sifted. The discussions are consistently insightful (e.g. Barmash’s analysis of uniquely Israelite, non-Persian phrases added in the biblical quotations of the Edict of Cyrus, which would have given Judeans some conceptual space to resist Persian hegemony). eric ortlund","PeriodicalId":51830,"journal":{"name":"Journal for the Study of the Old Testament","volume":"47 1","pages":"23 - 37"},"PeriodicalIF":0.3,"publicationDate":"2023-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42120957","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"哲学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"1. General (including Introductions and Collections of Essays)","authors":"F. Loftus","doi":"10.1177/03090892231175403","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/03090892231175403","url":null,"abstract":"The purpose of this series is to provide those engaged in OT study with reliable introductions to topics studied. This is an introduction to the books of Proverbs, Job, Ecclesiastes, Sirach, and the Wisdom of Solomon. The reader is introduced to interpretive issues and there are suggestions for further reading. There is a focus on the text and the context from which each of the books emerged. In the discussion of Proverbs, the socio-political context is noted alongside literary forms and suggestions towards thematic coherence. The chapter on Job examines the structure of the book and introduces the theology of Job and ultimate questions raised. B.’s discussion of the ending of Job demonstrates the importance of a questioning approach and does not offer a simple explanation. In dealing with Ecclesiastes, B. looks at the rhetorical strategy in the book. A number of themes are explored, e.g. pointlessness, death and pleasure. The intellectual world of Qohelet is explored, particularly possible Hellenistic influences; Socratic enquiry is paralleled, but B. does not suggest that Qohelet borrowed directly from that approach. Hellenistic and Jewish influences are noted on Sirach, and ethical themes are well described, as is the theology, expressed through hymnic writing. B. discusses the Greek, Egyptian and Jewish influences on the Wisdom of Solomon, coupled with discussion on the major themes of the work. This is a book which should be recommended to students. It captures the essence of the issues around wisdom literature and will lead readers into further reading and research. francis loftus","PeriodicalId":51830,"journal":{"name":"Journal for the Study of the Old Testament","volume":"47 1","pages":"1 - 10"},"PeriodicalIF":0.3,"publicationDate":"2023-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47247792","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"哲学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Index of Series","authors":"","doi":"10.1177/03090892231181985","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/03090892231181985","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":51830,"journal":{"name":"Journal for the Study of the Old Testament","volume":"47 1","pages":"187 - 188"},"PeriodicalIF":0.3,"publicationDate":"2023-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47248632","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"哲学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Mountains Shall Drip Sweet Wine from the Temple: Joel’s Interpretation of the Epilogue of Amos","authors":"J. Dunne","doi":"10.1177/03090892231170641","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/03090892231170641","url":null,"abstract":"This essay argues that the parallels between the endings of Joel and Amos suggest that Joel has interpreted Amos, including the esoteric reference to “David’s Tent.” Both prophetic endings anticipate an era of fecundity with mountains dripping with sweet wine (עסיס), which is a rare term in the Hebrew Bible, occurring only five times. Both address the fate of Edom, and both point to the recipients of the respective oracles being secure in their land forever. In Joel, it is God’s presence within the temple that creates these realities, whereas in Amos 9.11, it is “David’s Tent.” This suggests that Joel has likely interpreted David’s Tent with references to “Zion,” “my holy hill,” “Jerusalem,” and “the house of the lord” (Joel 4.17–18 mt). These parallels are also worth considering, regardless of which order of the Book of the Twelve one adopts.","PeriodicalId":51830,"journal":{"name":"Journal for the Study of the Old Testament","volume":"47 1","pages":"473 - 489"},"PeriodicalIF":0.3,"publicationDate":"2023-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43965414","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"哲学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}