Journal of Hebrew Scriptures (JHS)
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Opuscula Ugaritico-Accadico-Hebraica: Relative Particles, pa\u27am, and Amraphel
Full text linkThe article deals with two questions concerning the relationship between Hebrew, Akkadian, and Ugaritic: the background of the relative particle šeC-/šaC- and the relationship between Hebrew pa\u27am ("time, foot") and Ugaritic pamt ("time") and p\u27n ("foot, leg"). In the former case, a model of morphological conflation is argued. In the latter, Northwest Semitic dialectology is discussed, and the origin of the name Amraphel is used as a comparandum and given a partially new explanation involving borrowing from an international scribal koine, which shows difficulty in pronouncing the voiced pharyngeal
What are ʾElilim?
Full text linkThe Hebrew word ᵓĕlīlîm is usually explained as the plural of the Hebrew adjective ᵓĕlīl (“useless, vain”), hence a dysphemism describing idols. However, the ancient versions did not understand the word this way. The word more plausibly is a loanword from the Akkadian illilu, itself a borrowing from Sumerian. The earliest attestations of ᵓĕlīlîm in Hebrew appear in Isaiah often as part of code-switching to signal the foreignness of the word itself
The Conflict between Adonijah and Solomon in Light of Succession Practices Near and Far
Full text linkThe protocols for succession to the throne in ancient Israel and Judah have attracted little scholarly attention. In this article I first survey monarchic societies throughout history to show that there are no universally valid succession principles, despite scholars often treating primogeniture as such. I then look at evidence from ancient Near Eastern societies and suggest that in a “standard” scenario the incumbent king was expected to select a successor from a pool of viable candidates. I conclude by rereading Solomon’s accession to David’s throne in 1 Kings 1-2 in light of this
Review of Cranz, Isabel, Atonement and Purification: Priestly and Assyro-Babylonian Perspectives on Sin and its Consequences (FAT 2/92; Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, 2017).
No full textReview of Jonker, Louis (ed.), Historiography and Identity (Re)formulation in Second Temple Historiographical Literature (LHBOTS 534; New York: T & T Clark, 2010).
No full textThe First Encounter of the Golah and Their "Adversaries" (Ezra 4:1–5): Who Are the Adversaries, and on What Is the Adversity Based?
Full text linkEzra 4:1–5 narrates the first encounter of the golah with the “other,” after the golah arrive in the land. Against the tendency to identify the “other” with a specific group of people, the text employs only vague descriptions. A narrative analysis reveals that the “other” group includes all and any non-golah people. Claims for participation in the building by the “other,” and refusal by the golah leaders, are ultimately based on their cultic differences
Review of Garsiel, Moshe, The Book of Samuel: Studies in History, Historiography, Theology and Poetics Combined. Part I: The Story and History of David and His Kingdom (Jerusalem: Rubin Mass, 2018).
No full textThe Role of the Altar in the Book of Chronicles
Full text linkIn the book of Chronicles, in several passages that relate the establishment of the temple, we find an emphasis on—and an elevation of the status of—the altar and the sacrifices offered on it. To compare, we do not find this elevation of the altar’s status in the accounts of Samuel and Kings. This article examines this phenomenon and suggests that this shift is part of the Chronicler’s coping with a fundamental theological problem regarding the Second Temple
