Conversations on Canaanite and Biblical Themes: Creation, Chaos and Monotheism

Published by De Gruyter 2022

Conversations on Canaanite and Biblical Themes

Creation, Chaos and Monotheism

Edited by: Rebecca S. Watson and Adrian H. W. Curtis

https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110606294

Overview
Contents

About this book

Arguments over the relationship between Canaanite and Israelite religion often derive from fundamental differences in presupposition, methodology and definition, yet debate typically focuses in on details and encourages polarization between opposing views, inhibiting progress. This volume seeks to initiate a cultural change in scholarly practice by setting up dialogues between pairs of experts in the field who hold contrasting views.

Each pair discusses a clearly defined issue through the lens of a particular biblical passage, responding to each other’s arguments and offering their reflections on the process. Topics range from the apparent application of ‘chaos’ and ‘divine warrior’ symbolism to Yahweh in Habakkuk 3, the evidence for ‘monotheism’ in pre-Exilic Judah in 2 Kings 22–23, and the possible presence of ‘chaos’ or creatio ex nihilo in Genesis 1 and Psalm 74. This approach encourages the recognition of points of agreement as well as differences and exposes some of the underlying issues that inhibit consensus. In doing so, it consolidates much that has been achieved in the past, offers fresh ideas and perspective and, through intense debate, subjects new ideas to thorough critique and suggests avenues for further research.

Author / Editor information

Rebecca Watson, Faraday Institute for Science and Religion, Cambridge, Adrian H.W. Curtis, University of Manchester, UK.

Topics

Frontmatter Publicly Available Download PDF	I
Acknowledgements Publicly Available Download PDF	V
Abbreviations Publicly Available Download PDF	VII
Table of Contents Publicly Available Download PDF	XI
Introduction Rebecca S. Watson and Adrian H. W. Curtis Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	1
First Conversation. Habakkuk 3: Canaanite Chaos and Conflict?
Part I: Engagement
Introduction Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	11
“Churning the Mighty Waters”: Opening a Dialogue on Habakkuk 3 Adrian H. W. Curtis Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	13
“Was your Wrath Against the Rivers?” Focusing the Debate in Habakkuk 3 Rebecca S. Watson Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	29
Part II: Continuing the Dialogue on Habakkuk 3
Response to Adrian Curtis Rebecca S. Watson Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	75
Response to Rebecca Watson Adrian H. W. Curtis Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	85
Part III: Final Reflections
Some Observations on Rebecca Watson’s Response Adrian H. W. Curtis Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	95
Some Observations on Adrian Curtis’s Response Rebecca S. Watson Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	99
Some Joint Concluding Reflections on Habakkuk 3 Adrian H. W. Curtis and Rebecca S. Watson Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	107
Appendix. Occurrences of hă … ʾim in the Hebrew Bible Rebecca S. Watson Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	109
Bibliography Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	127
Second Conversation. Did Josiah Enact a Monotheistic Reform? Debating Belief in One God in Preexilic Judah Through 2 Kings 22–3
Part I: Engagement
Introduction Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	133
2 Kings 22–3: Belief in One God in Preexilic Judah? Richard S. Hess Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	135
Did Josiah Enact a Monotheistic Reform? Nathan MacDonald Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	151
Part II: Continuing the Dialogue on Monotheism
Response to Richard S. Hess Nathan MacDonald Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	171
Response to Nathan MacDonald Richard S. Hess Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	177
Part III: Final Reflections
Some Observations on Nathan MacDonald’s Response Richard S. Hess Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	185
Some Observations on Richard S. Hess’s Response Nathan MacDonald Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	189
Some Joint Concluding Reflections on Monotheism Richard S. Hess and Nathan MacDonald Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	191
Bibliography Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	193
Third Conversation. Creation and Chaos in Biblical Thought
Part I: Engagement
Introduction Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	201
Distinguishing Wood and Trees in the Waters: Creation in Biblical Thought Nicolas Wyatt Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	203
Chaos and Chaoskampf in the Bible: Is “Chaos” a Suitable Term to Describe Creation or Conflict in the Bible? David Toshio Tsumura Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	253
Part II: Continuing the Dialogue on Creation and Chaos
Response to Nicolas Wyatt David Toshio Tsumura Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	285
Response to David Tsumura Nicolas Wyatt Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	299
Part III: Final Reflections
Some Observations on David Tsumura’s Response Nicolas Wyatt Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	315
Some Observations on Nicolas Wyatt’s Response David Toshio Tsumura Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	325
Bibliography Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	329
Index of Hebrew words and phrases discussed in the text Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	345
Biblical reference index Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	347
Index of Ancient Near Eastern Texts and Inscriptions Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	353
Index of authors Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	355
Subjects Index Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	357

(Deutsch)

Language: English
Publisher: De Gruyter
Audience: Scholars of the Hebrew Bible and Religion in the Ancient Near East
Pages
- Front matter: 14
- Main content: 362
Illustrations
- Tables: 12
Keywords: Ancient Religion; Monotheism; Cosmogony

eBook

Published: August 1, 2022
ISBN: 9783110606294

Hardcover

Published: August 1, 2022
ISBN: 9783110603613

Paperback

Planned Publication: June 17, 2024
ISBN: 9783110610864