
This study considers the relationship of Deuteronomy 28 to the curse traditions of the ancient Near East. It focuses on the linguistic and cultural means of the transmission of these traditions to the book of Deuteronomy. Laura Quick examines a broad range of materials, including Old Aramaic inscriptions, attempting to show the value of these Northwest Semitic texts as primary sources to reorient our view of an ancient world usually seen through a biblical or Mesopotamian lens. By studying these inscriptions alongside the biblical text, Deuteronomy 28 and the Aramaic Curse Tradition increases our knowledge of the early history and function of the curses in Deuteronomy 28. This has implications for our understanding of the date of the composition of the book of Deuteronomy, and the reasons behind its production. The ritual realm which stands behind the use of curses and the formation of covenants in the biblical world is also explored, arguing that the interplay between orality and literacy is essential to understanding the function and form of the curses in Deuteronomy. This book contributes to our understanding of the book of Deuteronomy and its place within the literary history of ancient Israel and Judah, with implications for the composition of the Pentateuch or Torah as a whole.
This study investigates the historical and linguistic connections between the curse traditions found in Deuteronomy 28 and the broader corpus of ancient Near Eastern, specifically Old Aramaic, curse inscriptions. Laura Quick, an academic specialist in Hebrew Bible and ancient Near Eastern studies, utilizes a comparative methodology to analyze these texts. By situating the biblical curses within their wider Northwest Semitic context, the author argues that these inscriptions provide critical evidence for the dating, composition, and ritual function of the book of Deuteronomy.
What You Will Find
Scope Limits
Scholars in the field of biblical studies recognize this work as a significant contribution to the understanding of Northwest Semitic influence on Israelite literature. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose and the specialized nature of the linguistic analysis provided by the author.
Page Count:
228
Publication Date:
2017-01-01
ISBN-10:
0192539035
ISBN-13:
9780192539038
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