Authors: Othmar Keel, Christoph Uehlinger
ISBN-13: 9780800627898, ISBN-10: 080062789X
Format: Hardcover
Publisher: Augsburg Fortress, Publishers
Date Published: November 1998
Edition: (Non-applicable)
Keel and Uehlinger's unique study brings the massive Palestinian archaeological evidence of 8,500 amulets and inscriptions to bear on these questions. Vindicating the use of symbols and visual remains to investigate ancient religion, the authors employ iconographic evidence from around 1750 B.C.E. through the Persian period (c. 333 B.C.E.) to reconstruct the emergence and development of the Yahweh cult in relation to its immediate neighbors and competitors. They also fully explore whether female characteristics were present in the early Yahweh figure and how they might have evolved in Israelite religion. Keel and Uehlinger's major study marks the maturation of iconographical studies and affords an exciting glimpse into the vibrant religious life of ancient Canaan and Israel.
Preface to the English Edition | ||
Preface to the German Edition | ||
I | Starting Point | 1 |
II | Points of Departure | 7 |
III | Equality of the Sexes: Middle Bronze Age IIB | 19 |
IV | Egyptian Colonialism and the Prevalence of Political and Warrior Deities: Late Bronze Age | 49 |
V | The Hidden God, Victorious Gods, and the Blessing of Fertility: Iron Age I | 109 |
VI | Anthropomorphic Deities Recede and Are Replaced by Their Attribute Animals and Entities: Iron Age IIA | 133 |
VII | Baal, El, Yahweh, and "His Asherah" in the Context of Egyptian Solar and Royal Imagery: Iron Age IIB | 177 |
VIII | The Astralization of the Heavenly Powers, the Revival of the Goddess, and the Orthodox Reaction: Iron Age IIC | 283 |
IX | An Era Ends: Iron Age III | 373 |
X | Summary and Conclusion | 393 |
Chronological Table for Palestinian/Israelite Archaeology in the Second and First Millennia | 410 | |
Source Index of Illustrations | 411 | |
Abbreviations | 418 | |
Bibliography | 422 | |
Index of Ancient Sources | 456 | |
Index of Subjects | 460 | |
The Authors | 466 |