The Priestly Blessing in Inscription and Scripture

The Early History of Numbers 6:24-26

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Reference, Antiquities & Archaeology, Bible & Bible Studies, Old Testament, Criticism & Interpretation
Cover of the book The Priestly Blessing in Inscription and Scripture by Jeremy D. Smoak, Oxford University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Jeremy D. Smoak ISBN: 9780190493905
Publisher: Oxford University Press Publication: November 2, 2015
Imprint: Oxford University Press Language: English
Author: Jeremy D. Smoak
ISBN: 9780190493905
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Publication: November 2, 2015
Imprint: Oxford University Press
Language: English

The Priestly Blessing found in Numbers 6:24-26 left a deep imprint upon Jewish and Christian religious practice and tradition. The various ways in which the blessing was incorporated into these liturgical traditions, for example, are well documented in a variety of written sources from the past two thousand years. Rabbinic literature demonstrates that the blessing held a central place in early Jewish traditions, especially as part of the development of the Amidah and other liturgical prayers. Christian tradition also attests to a rich diversity of applications of the blessing in Byzantine and Medieval Christian practice. While the Priestly Blessing's development and significance in Judaism and early Christianity are well documented, considerably less is known about its earliest history in the ancient world. The Priestly Blessing in Inscription and Scripture breaks new ground in the study of the origins and early history of the blessing by examining its appearance on two Iron Age amulets discovered at the site of Ketef Hinnom in Jerusalem. Jeremy Smoak provides a comprehensive description of the two amulets and compares the inscriptions on their surfaces with several Phoenician and Punic inscribed amulets. He argues that the blessing's language originated within a wider tradition of protective words, which were often inscribed on metal amulets as protection against evil. He contends that the Priestly writers of the biblical texts incorporated the specific words into the blessing's formulations precisely due to their wide popularity and appeal as protective words in the eastern Mediterranean world. Smoak's argument represents an important departure from earlier studies on the background of the blessing's language in the ancient Near East, and it sheds significant new light on the history of their use within early Judaism and Christianity.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

The Priestly Blessing found in Numbers 6:24-26 left a deep imprint upon Jewish and Christian religious practice and tradition. The various ways in which the blessing was incorporated into these liturgical traditions, for example, are well documented in a variety of written sources from the past two thousand years. Rabbinic literature demonstrates that the blessing held a central place in early Jewish traditions, especially as part of the development of the Amidah and other liturgical prayers. Christian tradition also attests to a rich diversity of applications of the blessing in Byzantine and Medieval Christian practice. While the Priestly Blessing's development and significance in Judaism and early Christianity are well documented, considerably less is known about its earliest history in the ancient world. The Priestly Blessing in Inscription and Scripture breaks new ground in the study of the origins and early history of the blessing by examining its appearance on two Iron Age amulets discovered at the site of Ketef Hinnom in Jerusalem. Jeremy Smoak provides a comprehensive description of the two amulets and compares the inscriptions on their surfaces with several Phoenician and Punic inscribed amulets. He argues that the blessing's language originated within a wider tradition of protective words, which were often inscribed on metal amulets as protection against evil. He contends that the Priestly writers of the biblical texts incorporated the specific words into the blessing's formulations precisely due to their wide popularity and appeal as protective words in the eastern Mediterranean world. Smoak's argument represents an important departure from earlier studies on the background of the blessing's language in the ancient Near East, and it sheds significant new light on the history of their use within early Judaism and Christianity.

More books from Oxford University Press

Cover of the book Virgil Recomposed by Jeremy D. Smoak
Cover of the book Common Women by Jeremy D. Smoak
Cover of the book Melancholic Modalities by Jeremy D. Smoak
Cover of the book Visions of the Future by Jeremy D. Smoak
Cover of the book Blood Year by Jeremy D. Smoak
Cover of the book Holy Sh*t: A Brief History of Swearing by Jeremy D. Smoak
Cover of the book Tomorrow's Table by Jeremy D. Smoak
Cover of the book Keywords for Today by Jeremy D. Smoak
Cover of the book Power at Ground Zero by Jeremy D. Smoak
Cover of the book Huckleberry Finn - With Audio Level 2 Oxford Bookworms Library by Jeremy D. Smoak
Cover of the book Major Depressive Disorder by Jeremy D. Smoak
Cover of the book Ritual: A Very Short Introduction by Jeremy D. Smoak
Cover of the book Understanding Scientific Understanding by Jeremy D. Smoak
Cover of the book The Third Globalization: Can Wealthy Nations Stay Rich in the Twenty-First Century? by Jeremy D. Smoak
Cover of the book Supporting Bereaved Students at School by Jeremy D. Smoak
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy