Chapter Five - The Metallurgical Background of Ancient Yahwism

Summary

The former worship of YHWH among the metalworkers (Qenites/Kenites) and his special affinities with mining areas clarify why this god sponsored the movement of emancipation. His metallurgical attributes and his volcanic theophany both identify him as formerly being the South Levantine smelting-god, the deity overseeing and protecting the production of copper from ore. This craft enjoyed a prestigious status before the Amorite conquest, which became rehabilitated in the Early Iron Age. At the same time, the smelting-god recovered his transcendent status of super-god, the creator of the deities. The metallurgical skills attached to the first Israelite leaders, the volcanic context of the Sinai theophany, and the metallurgical symbols in the Jerusalem temple all betray a substantial preservation of this original dimension of YHWH among the Israelites.