Eshem-Bethel and Herem-Bethel New Evidence from Amherst Papyrus 63

Open Access
Authors
Publication date 2016
Journal Zeitschrift für die Alttestamentliche Wissenschaft
Volume | Issue number 128 | 4
Pages (from-to) 668-680
Organisations
  • Faculty of Humanities (FGw) - Amsterdam Institute for Humanities Research (AIHR) - Amsterdam School of Historical Studies (ASH)
Abstract The pluralism that characterized the religious life of the Jewish community at Elephantine (5th century BCE) included the veneration of Eshem-Bethel and Herem-Bethel. This contribution seeks to illuminate the identity of these gods on the basis of new evidence from the Aramaic texts in Demotic script known as papyrus Amherst 63. It shows that Eshem-Bethel and Herem-Bethel are particular manifestations of Bethel; the one in his role as fiery storm-god; the other in his capacity as sexual mate of a divine consort.
Document type Article
Language English
Published at https://doi.org/10.1515/zaw-2016-0037
Downloads
ZAW 2016 proofs (Proof)
Eshem-Bethel and Herem-Bethel (Final published version)
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