Author Description
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.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This study investigates the historical and cultural relationship between the curse traditions found in Deuteronomy 28 and the broader Northwest Semitic curse traditions of the ancient Near East. Laura Quick, a scholar of ancient Near Eastern texts, utilizes a comparative methodology to analyze Old Aramaic inscriptions alongside biblical passages. Her argument posits that these inscriptions serve as essential primary sources that challenge traditional interpretations of the ancient world, which have historically relied too heavily on either strictly biblical or Mesopotamian frameworks.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- Comparative analysis of Old Aramaic inscriptions and the text of Deuteronomy 28
- Examination of the interplay between orality and literacy in ancient covenant formation
- Discussion regarding the dating and composition of the book of Deuteronomy
- Exploration of the ritualistic function of curses within the ancient Near Eastern context
Scope Limits
- The study does not provide a comprehensive commentary on the entirety of the Pentateuch
- The research focuses primarily on Northwest Semitic influences rather than broader global comparative mythology
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Scholars in the field of biblical studies recognize this work as a significant contribution to the understanding of the literary history of ancient Israel and Judah. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose and the precision with which the author bridges the gap between epigraphic evidence and biblical exegesis.
Page Count:
240
Publication Date:
2017-01-01
ISBN-10:
0192539027
ISBN-13:
9780192539021
History
Theology
Archaeology
Near East
Linguistics