Tanakh & the Ancient Near East Index – Parashat Bechukotai
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Overview
Knowledge of the history, law, cultic practices and realia of the Ancient Near East can often shed much light on Tanakh. This index contains a list of links to articles which touch on the connections between Tanakh and ancient cultures. Covenants and Treaties
- Archaeological finds have revealed many treaties from the Ancient Near East which have much in common with their Biblical counterparts. Many of the treaties found share certain set elements including: a preamble introducing the parties to the treaty, a historical introduction, the treaty stipulations, provisions for public reading of the treaty, divine witnesses, and curses and blessings. These components have clear echoes in the covenants of Tanakh, including that of Sinai, Moav and Shekhem, though the specifics are adapted to the belief system of Israel. For discussion, see Treaties in Tanakh and the Ancient Near East.
- See God’s Alliance With Man and listen to What Type of Relationship is a Brit, both by R. Dr. Joshua Berman, for analysis of how the covenant of Sinai can be more deeply understood in light of ancient Near Eastern vassal treaties. He notes and analyzes the shared elements discussed above and explores how certain Biblical terminology reflects that of such treaties. For example, the language of "loving God" is similar to language used in reference to loving one's sovereign and might indicate loyalty, while the phrase "יֵרָאֶה כׇּל זְכוּרְךָ אֶל פְּנֵי הָאָדֹן י״י" reflects similar requirements of a vassal to visit the court of his sovereign, to “look upon the face of his majesty."