The Materiality of Power

Explorations in the Social History of Ancient Israelite Magic
1. Auflage 2016
ISBN: 978-3-16-153302-0
Verlag: Mohr Siebeck

Buch, Englisch, Band 105, 258 Seiten, Format (B × H): 237 mm x 161 mm, Gewicht: 560 g

Reihe: Forschungen zum Alten Testament

Brian B. Schmidt presents five case studies in which architectural spaces, artifacts, epigraphs, images and biblical manuscripts corroborate the existence of a robust daimonic realm ruled by YHWH and Asherah in late pre-exilic Israel and an embryonic pandemonium foreshadowing later demonological constructs. The material and epigraphic data from Kuntillet Ajrud, Ketef Hinnom, and Khirbet el-Qom, along with the early manuscript evidence from Deut 32 and 1 Sam 28, indicate that this pandemonium wreaked havoc on the living and the dead. These same data also preserve a countervailing realm of apotropaism—a realm over which YHWH and Asherah, portrayed as Egypt's quintessential protective deities Bes and Beset, governed. Various other material media including amulets, inscribed blessings and decorated jars also conveyed this counteractive apotropaism. Yet, the data as a whole highlight Asherah's central role in this magical realm as YHWH's mediatrix. Alongside various protective spirits, Asherah executed divine protection for mortals, those alive and departed, from threatening demons.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Schmidt, Brian B.

Fachgebiete

• Geisteswissenschaften Religionswissenschaft Religionswissenschaft Allgemein Religionsgeschichte
• Geisteswissenschaften Religionswissenschaft Religionswissenschaft Allgemein Gottesdienst, Riten und Zeremonien
• Geisteswissenschaften Geschichtswissenschaft Alte Geschichte & Archäologie Altorientalische Geschichte & Archäologie
• Geisteswissenschaften Religionswissenschaft Alternative Glaubensformen Magie, Alchemie und Hermetik
• Geisteswissenschaften Geschichtswissenschaft Geschichtliche Themen Mentalitäts- und Sozialgeschichte

Über Autor(innen)

Schmidt, Brian B.
B.S., Th.M., D.Phil. (Oxon.); completed graduate studies at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem and The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; currently Professor of Biblical Studies and Ancient West Asian Cultures in the Department of Middle East Studies at The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.