DOCSLIB.ORG

Jehoram and Ahaziah Once Again

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Jehoram and Ahaziah Once Again ANOTHER SHAKINGOF JEHOSHAPHAT’S FAMILYTREE: JEHORAM AND AHAZIAH ONCE AGAIN by W. BOYD BARRICK Billings This essay reexamines the genealogical relationships of Jehoram and Ahaziah of Judah to each other, to their predecessor Jehoshaphat, and to the House of Omri in (North-)Israel. According to most historical reconstructions, Jehoram was the natural son of Jehoshaphat and an unnamed spouse, and Ahaziah was the natural son of Jehoram and Athaliah. The relevant biblical data are anything but clear, however, and this proposal and the alternatives heretofore advanced are not entirely satisfactory. The data and the problems 2 Kgs. viii 17 reports that Jehoram b. Jehoshaphat came to the throne at 32 years of age (hereinafter “yoa”). This datum coupled with the regnal data given for Jehoshaphat in 1 Kgs. xxii 42 means that Jehoshaphat was about 28 yoa ([35 yoa + 25 years of reign] - 32 yoa) at his birth. The average age of the fteen Judahite royal fathers from Jehoshaphat to Jehoiakim at the birth of their successors is 24.73 yoa. 1 The ages of the fathers of ve kings, however, are suspiciously high (Jotham, Manasseh, and Amon would have been born when their respective fathers were 43 yoa, 42 yoa, and 45 yoa, advanced ages for the time, whether or not they were rst-born sons; Amaziah’s 38 yoa is also substantially above the average) or low (Ahaz’s 11 yoa at Hezekiah’s birth is physiologically dubious). 2 Jehoshaphat’s age at Jehoram’s birth also is suspiciously high, but for di Verent reasons 1 Calculatedfrom thedata given in 1Kgs.xxii 42; 2Kgs.viii 17, 26; xii 1-2; xiv 2; xv 2, 33; xvi 2; xviii 2; xxi 1, 10; xxii 2; xxiii 31, 36; xxiv 8, 18. For full discussion see W. B. Barrick, “Genealogical Notes on the ‘House of David’ and the ‘House of Zadok’,” JSOT (forthcoming). 2 Pubertyfor boys typicallybegins between10 and14 yoa, with ejaculation © Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, 2001 Vetus Testamentum LI,1 10 w. boyd barrick (see below). Ahaziah, said to have been Jehoram’s son (2 Kgs. viii 25; 2 Chron. xxii 1), came to the throne at 22 yoa according to 2 Kgs. viii 26, but at 42 yoa according to 2 Chron. xxii 2, making his father 18 yoa ([32 +8]-22) or -2 yoa ([32+8]-42), respectively; the latter is obviously impossible, but the fact that two ascension ages are given for Ahaziah signals caution. The average age-at-birth of the remain- ing 8 royal fathers is 18.25 yoa. If <20> yoa is substituted for the seven questionable ages, the average for all 15 would be 19.07 yoa; if <25> yoa is substituted, the average would be 21.4 yoa. Since there is no reason to doubt Jehoram’s ascension age, the suspicion arises from his genealogical relationship to Jehoshaphat. Although Jehoshaphat’s 28 yoa at Jehoram’s birth is both physio- logically and sociologically reasonable, common sense and the pattern of ages just reviewed make it impossible to believe that Jehoram was his rst-born son as 2 Chron. xxi 3b explicitly asserts. 3 This claim, part of the Chronicler’s elaboration of the very brief regnal account in Kings, also makes it di Ycult to posit a plausible reason (other than willful perversity) for him to have murdered his surviving brothers (v. 4).4 The Chronicler (in the person of Elijah, addressing Jehoram) refers to them as “your brothers of your father’s house who were bet- ter than yourself ” (v. 13b), prompting the question: what about Jehoram made him their inferior? Without v. 3b to suggest otherwise, a nat- ural inference would be his age. 5 The opposite oddity occurs with Ahaziahwho succeededhim at either 22 yoa (2Kgs. viii 26) or 42 yoa (2 Chron. xxii 2): the Chronicler explicitly asserts that he was Jehoram’s youngest son (xxii 1) who became king because his older brothers had been killed by marauding Arabs (xxi 16-17, calling him “Jehoahaz”); 6 in view of the ages reviewed above, 22 yoa is suspiciously high for the youngest son of a man who died at the age of 40, and 42 yoa is capability at between 11 and 15 yoa: A. Marks, “The Adolescent Years,” in D. F. Tapley et al. (eds.), The Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons Complete Home Medical Guide (2nd edn.; New York, 1989), p. 254. 3 Unless one imagines a decade of abstinence, female babies, and/or obstetrical misfortunes. 4 J. Bright, for one, blames Athaliah’s evil in uence (A History of Israel [3rd edn.; Philadelphia, 1981], p. 252). On this material see the commentaries and cf. now D. V. Etz, “The Genealogical Relationships of Jehoram and Ahaziah, and of Ahaz and Hezekiah, Kings of Judah,” JSOT 71 (1996), p. 46 and n. 18. 5 Cf. the example of David (1 Sam. xvi 6-13). 6 Although primogenitive succession in Judah and (North-)Israel is thinly docu- mented (cf. F. E. Greenspahn, “Primogeniture in Ancient Israel,” in “Go to the Land I Will Show You”: Studies in Honor of Dwight W. Young [ed. by J. E. Coleson and V. H..
Load more

Recommended publications
  • When Athaliah the Mother of Ahaziah Saw That Her Son Was Dead, She Proceeded to Destroy the Whole Royal Family
    Pentecost 13C, August 14 & 15 2016 TEXT: 2 Kings 11:1-3, 12-18 THEME: GOD KEEPS HIS PROMISES 1. An Attack Against God’s Promise 2. God Raised Up a Heroine to Keep His Promise When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she proceeded to destroy the whole royal family. But Jehosheba, the daughter of King Jehoram and sister of Ahaziah, took Joash son of Ahaziah and stole him away from among the royal princes, who were about to be murdered. She put him and his nurse in a bedroom to hide him from Athaliah; so he was not killed. He remained hidden with his nurse at the temple of the LORD for six years while Athaliah ruled the land. … Jehoiada brought out the king's son and put the crown on him; he presented him with a copy of the covenant and proclaimed him king. They anointed him, and the people clapped their hands and shouted, "Long live the king!" When Athaliah heard the noise made by the guards and the people, she went to the people at the temple of the LORD. She looked and there was the king, standing by the pillar, as the custom was. The officers and the trumpeters were beside the king, and all the people of the land were rejoicing and blowing trumpets. Then Athaliah tore her robes and called out, "Treason! Treason!" Jehoiada the priest ordered the commanders of units of a hundred, who were in charge of the troops: "Bring her out between the ranks and put to the sword anyone who follows her." For the priest had said, "She must not be put to death in the temple of the LORD." So they seized her as she reached the place where the horses enter the palace grounds, and there she was put to death.
    [Show full text]
  • 2 the Assyrian Empire, the Conquest of Israel, and the Colonization of Judah 37 I
    ISRAEL AND EMPIRE ii ISRAEL AND EMPIRE A Postcolonial History of Israel and Early Judaism Leo G. Perdue and Warren Carter Edited by Coleman A. Baker LONDON • NEW DELHI • NEW YORK • SYDNEY 1 Bloomsbury T&T Clark An imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing Plc Imprint previously known as T&T Clark 50 Bedford Square 1385 Broadway London New York WC1B 3DP NY 10018 UK USA www.bloomsbury.com Bloomsbury, T&T Clark and the Diana logo are trademarks of Bloomsbury Publishing Plc First published 2015 © Leo G. Perdue, Warren Carter and Coleman A. Baker, 2015 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage or retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from the publishers. Leo G. Perdue, Warren Carter and Coleman A. Baker have asserted their rights under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988, to be identified as Authors of this work. No responsibility for loss caused to any individual or organization acting on or refraining from action as a result of the material in this publication can be accepted by Bloomsbury or the authors. British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library. ISBN: HB: 978-0-56705-409-8 PB: 978-0-56724-328-7 ePDF: 978-0-56728-051-0 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library. Typeset by Forthcoming Publications (www.forthpub.com) 1 Contents Abbreviations vii Preface ix Introduction: Empires, Colonies, and Postcolonial Interpretation 1 I.
    [Show full text]
  • Athaliah, a Treacherous Queen: a Careful Analysis of Her Story in 2 Kings 11 and 2 Chronicles 22:10-23:21
    Athaliah, a treacherous queen: A careful analysis of her story in 2 Kings 11 and 2 Chronicles 22:10-23:21 Robin Gallaher Branch School of Biblical Sciences & Bible Languages Potchefstroom Campus North-West University POTCHEFSTROOM E-mail: [email protected] [email protected] Abstract Athaliah, a treacherous queen: A careful analysis of her story in 2 Kings 11 and 2 Chronicles 22:10-23:21 This article presents a critical look at the story of the reign of Athaliah, the only ruling queen of Israel or Judah in the biblical text. Double reference in 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles shows her story’s importance and significance to the biblical writers. The largely parallel accounts read like a contemporary soap opera, for they contain murder, intrigue, harem politics, religious upheaval, and coup and counter-coup. Her story provides insights on the turbulent political climate of the ninth century BC. However, the purpose of the biblical writers is not to show Athaliah as the epitome of evil or that all women in power are evil. Opsomming Atalia, ’n verraderlike koningin: ’n noukeurige analise van haar verhaal in 2 Konings 11 en 2 Kronieke 22:10-23:21 In hierdie artikel word die verhaal van Atalia krities nagegaan. Atalia was naamlik die enigste koninging van Israel of Juda wie se regeringstyd in die Bybelteks verhaal word. Die dubbele verwysings na hierdie tyd in 2 Konings en 2 Kronieke dui op die belangrikheid en betekenis van haar verhaal vir die Bybel- skrywers. Die twee weergawes wat grotendeels parallelle weer- gawes is, lees byna soos ’n hedendaagse sepie, want hierdie verhale sluit elemente in soos moord, intrige, harempolitiek, godsdiensopstand, staatsgreep en kontrastaatsgreep.
    [Show full text]
  • Chart of the Kings of Israel and Judah
    The Kings of Israel & Judah Why Study the Kings? Chart of the Kings Questions for Discussion The Heritage of Jesus Host: Alan's Gleanings Alphabetical List of the Kings A Comment about Names God's Message of Salvation Kings of the United Kingdom (c 1025-925 BC) Relationship to God's King Previous King Judgment Saul none did evil Ishbosheth* son (unknown) David none did right Solomon did right in youth, son (AKA Jedidiah) evil in old age * The kingdom was divided during Ishbosheth's reign; David was king over the tribe of Judah. Kings of Judah (c 925-586 BC) Kings of Israel (c 925-721 BC) Relationship to God's Relationship to God's King King Previous King Judgment Previous King Judgment Rehoboam son did evil Abijam Jeroboam servant did evil son did evil (AKA Abijah) Nadab son did evil Baasha none did evil Asa son did right Elah son did evil Zimri captain did evil Omri captain did evil Ahab son did evil Jehoshaphat son did right Ahaziah son did evil Jehoram son did evil (AKA Joram) Jehoram son of Ahab did evil Ahaziah (AKA Joram) (AKA Azariah son did evil or Jehoahaz) Athaliah mother did evil Jehu captain mixed Joash did right in youth, son of Ahaziah Jehoahaz son did evil (AKA Jehoash) evil in old age Joash did right in youth, son did evil Amaziah son (AKA Jehoash) evil in old age Jeroboam II son did evil Zachariah son did evil did evil Uzziah Shallum none son did right (surmised) (AKA Azariah) Menahem none did evil Pekahiah son did evil Jotham son did right Pekah captain did evil Ahaz son did evil Hoshea none did evil Hezekiah son did right Manasseh son did evil Amon son did evil Josiah son did right Jehoahaz son did evil (AKA Shallum) Jehoiakim Assyrian captivity son of Josiah did evil (AKA Eliakim) Jehoiachin (AKA Coniah son did evil or Jeconiah) Zedekiah son of Josiah did evil (AKA Mattaniah) Babylonian captivity Color Code Legend: King did right King did evil Other.
    [Show full text]
  • Semitica 62, 2020, P
    Athaliah and the Theopolitics of Royal Assassination Cat Quine University of Nottingham Abstract. While the kingdom of Israel experienced eight military coups in its shorter his- tory, the kingdom of Judah saw only four assassinations of its monarchs, three of which were Athaliah, her usurper, and his successor.1 This sequence of untimely royal deaths in Judah stands in contrast to the stability of Israel’s royal line under the Jehuite dynasty, whose kings are said to have entreated Yahweh, sought advice from prophets, and defeated Judah at Beth-Shemesh. From a later perspective it seems that whereas Yahweh previously protected the Judahite kings, in the ninth-eighth centuries BCE the Jehuite kings enjoyed Yahweh’s favour more than the Davidides. This paper thus considers the theopolitical im- pact of untimely royal deaths in ninth-eighth century Judah and argues that the instability of the Judahite royal line after her marriage contributed to the negative biblical portrayal of Athaliah and the Omride-Judahite alliance. Résumé. Cependant que le royaume d’Israël a connu huit coups d’État, le royaume de Juda n’a subi que quatre assassinats royaux, parmi lesquels Athalie, son usurpateur et son suc- cesseur. Cette séquence tranche avec la stabilité de la dynastie jéhuite, dont les rois implo- rent Yahvé, cherchent conseil auprès des prophètes, et défont Juda à Beth-Shémesh. De ce point de vue, il semble qu’aux IXᵉ-VIIIᵉ s. av. J.-Ch. les rois jéhuites bénéficient plus que les davidides de la faveur de Yahvé, alors même que ce dernier protégeait jusqu’alors les rois judaïtes.
    [Show full text]
  • JOASH – (II Kings 12:1-2)
    Series: Bible Characters JOASH – (II Kings 12:1-2) 1. The name “Jehoash” is also the name “Joash” (2 Kings 11:2). 2. There are two meanings of the name Joash. a. “Jehovah supports, hastens to help.” b. “Jehovah has given.” 3. Background info. a. Joash was the son of king Ahaziah. b. Ahaziah was the son of Jehoram and his wife Athaliah. c. Athaliah was the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel. d. King Ahaziah of Judah was killed by Jehu, the king of Israel (northern kingdom). e. When Ahaziah died, his mother Athaliah rose up and tried to kill all of the royal seed. As for the reason, Henry Morris states that she “had persuaded [Jehoram, her husband] to follow the Baalite idolatry of her parents rather than the true worship of Jehovah…” Coming from such a wicked line, Omri, Ahab, and Jezebel, it is certain that “she wanted to establish Baalism as the state religion of Judah.”1 After the death of her son Ahaziah, she had been in total reign for about a year and all the children of royal seed (David’s line) were very young. She took this opportunity to slay them all and continue the line of Ahab who was a usurper of the throne and not of the seed royal. She murdered all she could find thinking she had destroyed David’s line. But we must remember that God is in control. In this lesson I want us to see that who we surround ourselves with will indeed influence us for right or wrong.
    [Show full text]
  • H 02-UP-011 Assyria Io02
    he Hebrew Bible records the history of ancient Israel reign. In three different inscriptions, Shalmaneser III and Judah, relating that the two kingdoms were recounts that he received tribute from Tyre, Sidon, and united under Saul (ca. 1000 B.C.) Jehu, son of Omri, in his 18th year, tand became politically separate fol- usually figured as 841 B.C. Thus, Jehu, lowing Solomon’s death (ca. 935 B.C.). the next Israelite king to whom the The division continued until the Assyrians refer, appears in the same Assyrians, whose empire was expand- order as described in the Bible. But he ing during that period, exiled Israel is identified as ruling a place with a in the late eighth century B.C. different geographic name, Bit Omri But the goal of the Bible was not to (the house of Omri). record history, and the text does not One of Shalmaneser III’s final edi- shy away from theological explana- tions of annals, the Black Obelisk, tions for events. Given this problem- contains another reference to Jehu. In atic relationship between sacred the second row of figures from the interpretation and historical accura- top, Jehu is depicted with the caption, cy, historians welcomed the discovery “Tribute of Iaua (Jehu), son of Omri. of ancient Assyrian cuneiform docu- Silver, gold, a golden bowl, a golden ments that refer to people and places beaker, golden goblets, pitchers of mentioned in the Bible. Discovered gold, lead, staves for the hand of the in the 19th century, these historical king, javelins, I received from him.”As records are now being used by schol- scholar Michele Marcus points out, ars to corroborate and augment the Jehu’s placement on this monument biblical text, especially the Bible’s indicates that his importance for the COPYRIGHT THE BRITISH MUSEUM “historical books” of Kings.
    [Show full text]
  • 2 Kings 8:26, 2 Chronicles 22:2, King Ahaziah 22 and 42
    2 Kings 8:26, 2 Chronicles 22:2, King Ahaziah 22 and 42 Introduction The passages in question concern Ahaziah, king of Judah and “the son of Jehoshaphat” 2 Chronicles 22:9 and an apparent discrepancy between them with respect to Ahaziah’s stated age. The passages read as follows. Note carefully the wording with respect to the beginning of Ahaziah’s reign and his one-year reign “in Jerusalem.” Note also the identity of Ahaziah’s mother. “Two and twenty years old was Ahaziah when he began to reign; and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Athaliah, the daughter of Omri king of Israel” 2 Kings 8:26. “Forty and two years old was Ahaziah when he began to reign, and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. His mother’s name also was Athaliah the daughter of Omri” 2 Chronicles 22:2. This work gives an explanation for the apparent discrepancy between 2 Kings 8:26, 2 Chronicles 22:2 with respect to Ahaziah’s age, 22 versus 42 “when he began to reign.” This explanation draws from the material published by Dr Gerardus Bouw, The Book of Bible Problems, pp 112ff, Dr Peter S. Ruckman, Problem Texts, pp 241ff, the late Dr Dennis Spackman from New Zealand, The Stand, Oct/Nov 2007, pp 35ff and brandplucked.webs.com/kjbarticles.htm How Old was Ahaziah, 22 or 42? by Will Kinney. All four accounts differ in some respects and this account differs slightly from all of them. Nevertheless, this writer is very grateful for the efforts of those other four researchers.
    [Show full text]
  • Elijah the Prophet I Kings 16 29 Ahab Son of Omri Became King Over
    Elijah The Prophet I Kings 16 29A hab son of Omri became king over Israel in the thirty-eighth year of King Asa of Judah, and Ahab son of Omri reigned over Israel in Samaria for twenty-two years. 30A hab son of Omri did what was displeasing to the 31 LORD , more than all who preceded him. Not content to follow the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, he took as wife Jezebel daughter of King Ethbaal of the Phoenicians, and he went and served Baal and worshiped him. 32H e erected an altar to Baal in the temple of Baal which he built in Samaria. 33A hab also made a sacred post. Ahab did more to vex the LORD , the God of Israel, than all the kings of Israel who preceded him. 17 Elijah of Tishbi, an inhabitant of Gilead, said 2 to Ahab, “As the LORD lives, the God of Israel whom I serve, there will be no dew or rain except at my bidding.” The 3 word of the LORD came to him: “Leave this place; turn eastward and go into hiding by the Wadi Cherith, which is east of the Jordan. 4Y ou will drink from the wadi, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there.” … 18 Much later, in the third year, the word of the LORD came to Elijah: “Go, appear before Ahab; then I will send rain upon the earth.” 2T hereupon Elijah set out to appear before Ahab…. 17W hen Ahab caught sight of Elijah, Ahab said to him, “Is that you, you troubler of Israel?” 18H e retorted, “It is not I who have brought trouble on Israel, but you and your father’s House, by forsaking the commandments of the LORD and going after the Baalim.
    [Show full text]
  • Jehu's Violent Coup and the Justification of Violence
    HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies ISSN: (Online) 2072-8050, (Print) 0259-9422 Page 1 of 6 Original Research Jehu’s violent coup and the justification of violence Authors: The putsch carried out by Jehu is one of the most violent stories in the Hebrew Bible. The text 1 Lerato L.D. Mokoena justifies the violence by portraying the rebellion as a case of retributive justice for the death of Esias E. Meyer1 Naboth and as an attempt to purify Yahwism. This article presents a critical reading of the text Affiliations: as well as an overview of how the interpretation of the text changed after the discovery of the 1Department of Old Tel Dan inscription. The article also presents recent views on the history of Yahwism and Testament Studies, Faculty of finally presents the story as a (failed) attempt to justify a coup that was probably only about Theology and Religion, University of Pretoria, acquiring power. Pretoria, South Africa Keywords: Violence; Jehu; Tel Dan; Yahwism; Naboth. Research Project Registration: Project Leader: Esias E. Meyer Project Number: 02364743 Introduction Description: The narrative of 2 Kings 9–10, like many other narratives in the Old Testament, tells a disturbingly Lerato Mokoena is violent tale. This story is part of what was once called the Deuteronomistic History (DH), and there participating in the research are obviously other violent narratives in the DH as well,1 of which the foremost would probably be project, ‘The justification of 2 violence in Hebrew narratives the story of conquest in the book of Joshua. Then there is also the book of Deuteronomy, with a from the Former Prophets’, legal code (Dt 12–26) at its heart that includes, according to Scheffler (2014:582–588), laws that are directed by Prof.
    [Show full text]
  • Notes on 2 Kings 202 1 Edition Dr
    Notes on 2 Kings 202 1 Edition Dr. Thomas L. Constable Second Kings continues the narrative begun in 1 Kings. It opens with the translation of godly Elijah to heaven and closes with the transportation of the ungodly Jews to Babylon. For discussion of title, writer, date, scope, purpose, genre, style, and theology of 2 Kings, see the introductory section in my notes on 1 Kings. OUTLINE (Continued from notes on 1 Kings) 3. Ahaziah's evil reign in Israel 1 Kings 22:51—2 Kings 1:18 (continued) 4. Jehoram's evil reign in Israel 2:1—8:15 5. Jehoram's evil reign in Judah 8:16-24 6. Ahaziah's evil reign in Judah 8:25—9:29 C. The second period of antagonism 9:30—17:41 1. Jehu's evil reign in Israel 9:30—10:36 2. Athaliah's evil reign in Judah 11:1-20 3. Jehoash's good reign in Judah 11:21—12:21 4. Jehoahaz's evil reign in Israel 13:1-9 5. Jehoash's evil reign in Israel 13:10-25 6. Amaziah's good reign in Judah 14:1-22 7. Jeroboam II's evil reign in Israel 14:23-29 8. Azariah's good reign in Judah 15:1-7 9. Zechariah's evil reign in Israel 15:8-12 10. Shallum's evil reign in Israel 15:13-16 11. Menahem's evil reign in Israel 15:17-22 12. Pekahiah's evil reign in Israel 15:23-26 13. Pekah's evil reign in Israel 15:27-31 Copyright Ó 2021 by Thomas L.
    [Show full text]
  • Chastised Rulers in the Ancient Near East
    Chastised Rulers in the Ancient Near East Dissertation Presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree doctor of philosophy in the Graduate School of The Ohio State University By J. H. Price, M.A., B.A. Graduate Program in Near Eastern Languages and Cultures The Ohio State University 2015 Dissertation Committee: Samuel A. Meier, Advisor Daniel Frank Carolina López-Ruiz Bill T. Arnold Copyright by J. H. Price 2015 Abstract In the ancient world, kings were a common subject of literary activity, as they played significant social, economic, and religious roles in the ancient Near East. Unsurprisingly, the praiseworthy deeds of kings were often memorialized in ancient literature. However, in some texts kings were remembered for criminal acts that brought punishment from the god(s). From these documents, which date from the second to the first millennium BCE, we learn that royal acts of sacrilege were believed to have altered the fate of the offending king, his people, or his nation. These chastised rulers are the subject of this this dissertation. In the pages that follow, the violations committed by these rulers are collected, explained, and compared, as are the divine punishments that resulted from royal sacrilege. Though attestations are concentrated in the Hebrew Bible and Mesopotamian literature, the very fact that the chastised ruler type also surfaces in Ugaritic, Hittite, and Northwest Semitic texts suggests that the concept was an integral part of ancient near eastern kingship ideologies. Thus, this dissertation will also explain the relationship between kings and gods and the unifying aspect of kingship that gave rise to the chastised ruler concept across the ancient Near East.
    [Show full text]