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Introduction: Idols of Knowledge

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 May 2023

Nissim Amzallag
Nissim Amzallag
Affiliation:
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel
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Summary

Monotheism has become the central concept in biblical research: It conditions our views about the former identity of YHWH, the emergence of Israel, the influence of foreign cultures, the dating of biblical sources, and even their composition. However, the fact that the definition of monotheism is indeterminate and this concept is inappropriate regarding the religion of ancient Israel challenges this approach and calls for revisiting the presupposed agrarian dimension of the Israelite religion in the monarchic period, as well as the subsequent impact of exile on this substratum. In addition, the metallurgical component of ancient Yahwism remains refractory to this monotheistic-oriented investigation. Anchoring the religion of ancient Israel in local Bronze Age copper traditions opens a new horizon of investigation.

Keywords

definition of monotheismorigins of Yahwismpan-exilic biasQenite hypothesismetallurgical attributes of YHWHsingularity of ancient Israel
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Chapter
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Yahweh and the Origins of Ancient Israel
Insights from the Archaeological Record
 , pp. 1 - 26
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2023

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