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UCLA Electronic Theses and Dissertations UCLA UCLA Electronic Theses and Dissertations Title The Deification and Demonization of Tĕhôm: From Deity to Deep Permalink https://escholarship.org/uc/item/0rn492nd Author Lu, Rosanna Publication Date 2018 Peer reviewed|Thesis/dissertation eScholarship.org Powered by the California Digital Library University of California UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA Los Angeles The Deification and Demonization of Tĕhôm: From Deity to Deep A dissertation submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Philosophy in Near Eastern Languages and Cultures by Rosanna Ann Lu 2018 © Copyright by Rosanna Ann Lu 2018 ABSTRACT OF THE DISSERTATION The Deification and Demonization of Tĕhôm: From Deity to Deep by Rosanna Ann Lu Doctor of Philosophy in Near Eastern Languages and Cultures University of California, Los Angeles, 2018 Professor William Schniedewind, Chair The concept of primeval waters (Tĕhôm) in the Hebrew Bible has been difficult to define, resulting in speculation over its identity as a deity, place, or monster. Previous scholarship has focused heavily on Tĕhôm’s creation context to the exclusion of its ritual context. As a result, Tĕhôm has been unduly linked to the Mesopotamian Tiamat and interpreted as the embodiment of chaos and conflict. This research addresses the limitations of previous scholarship by examining all contexts of the Hebrew Bible’s Deep and comparing them with references in ancient Egyptian, Mesopotamian, and Canaanite (Ugaritic) texts. Comparative methodology combined with a history of religions approach places the concept of primeval Deep in its ancient Near Eastern context as a source of deified power; this concept transforms into a demonized place of judgment in biblical tradition. Beginning with the ANE context for Tĕhôm, ! ii each chapter analyzes occurrences of primeval Deep under the following categories—Deification (2), Personification (3), Subjugation (4), and Demonization (5)—to show Tĕhôm’s development from deity to deep (abyss). Tĕhôm appears as a source of power and blessing in early texts of the Hebrew Bible, and its personification distinctly deifies ancient Israel’s deity Yahweh rather than itself. Next, Tĕhôm’s personification as subjugated monster symbolically represents ancient Israel’s enemies and justifies Yahweh’s power to judge or deliver. The motif of a subjugated Deep legitimates a subjugator’s rule, justifies conquest, confers power to human representatives, and empowers ancient people to face their fears. Lastly, in subsequent text-communities of the DSS, LXX, and Targums, Tĕhôm becomes a demonized place of evil. Rabbinic literature expands traditions of Tĕhôm’s origins and end time purposes to reflect apocalyptic interpretations of Jewish eschatology. Tĕhôm’s fluidity as a concept allows it to grow and change according to the needs of its religious community. Despite its interpretive development, it remains a constant reminder and expression of ancient Israel’s relationship to Yahweh. Ultimately, Tĕhôm’s evolution from deity to deep reflects the creation of a distinct religious identity centered on Yahweh—the deity who transcends phenomena, situation, time, and place. iii The dissertation of Rosanna Ann Lu is approved. Aaron Alexander Burke Joseph F. Nagy William M. Schniedewind, Committee Chair University of California, Los Angeles 2018 iv In loving memory of 㨯楔倁縠 whose love of scripture & family is an enduring legacy [3.10.1931—8.10.2018] Isaiah 55:12 For 䔙猽眂 my steadfast inspirations and P.— for the years the locusts have eaten the golden ones & for always —all my love vast, unmeasured, boundless, free -STF שיר למעלות אשא עיני אל ההרים מאין יבא עזרי עזרי מעם יהוה עשה שמים וארץ (תהלים קכא א-ב) v TABLE OF CONTENTS List of Tables viii Abbreviations ix Acknowledgements xi Vita xiii I Introduction 1.1 The Deep: Person, Place, or Thing? 1 1.2 ANE Deities and Dragons of the Deep 2 1.3 The Problem of Conflict 6 1.4 The Ugaritic Evidence 14 1.5 Methodological Approach 16 1.6 Chapter Summaries 19 II Deification 2.1 Introduction 22 2.2 Ancient Egypt 23 2.3 Ancient Mesopotamia 32 2.4 Ancient Canaan: Ugarit 42 2.5 Summary of Creation & Ritual Texts 46 2.6 Conclusion 48 III Personification 3.1 Introduction 49 3.2 Tehom in Creation 54 3.3 Tehom in Ritual 62 3.4 The Song of the Sea 70 3.5 The Promise of Land 71 3.6 Exodus 15 in Prophecy and Prayers 74 3.7 Wisdom’s Relationship to Tehom 77 3.8 The Symbol of the Bronze Sea 81 3.9 Conclusion 83 IV Subjugation 4.1 Introduction 85 4.2 Sea Monsters and Their Subjugators 86 4.3 The Subjugated Deep in Human-Divine Relationships 97 4.4 The Significance of a Subjugated Tehom for Ancient Israel 105 4.5 Emotions, Experiences, and Affect Theory 111 4.6 Conclusion 114 vi V Demonization 5.1 Introduction 116 5.2 Textual Traditions 117 5.3 Dead Sea Scrolls 119 5.4 Septuagint (LXX) 132 5.5 Targums 138 5.6 Rabbinic Tradition 148 5.7 Conclusion 153 VI Conclusion 6.1 The Power of a Fluid Concept 156 6.2 Chapter Analyses 157 6.3 Directions for Futher Research 162 Appendices A. Tehom in the Hebrew Bible 168 B. Tehom-Related References in the Hebrew Bible 169 C. Tehom in DSS Non-Biblical Mss 171 D. LXX Translations of Tehom 174 E. Targum Translations of Tehom 176 Bibliography 178 vii LIST OF TABLES TABLE 1 SELECTED APPROACHES TO TEHOM AND CONFLICT MYTH 13 TABLE 2 CREATION & RITUAL TEXTS OF ANE DEEPS 47 TABLE 3 TEXTUAL COMPARISON OF THE BLESSINGS TO JOSEPH 69 TABLE 4 SYMBOLIC REPRESENTATIONS OF SEA DRAGONS AND SEA MONSTERS 96 TABLE 5 HABAKKUK 3:8-15 TEXT & TRANSLATION 100 TABLE 6 EXCERPTS FROM HODAYOT COL. XI 125 TABLE 7 FROM DEITY TO ABYSS 161 viii ABBREVIATIONS ANE Ancient Near East CAD Assyrian Dictionary of the Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago CAT The Cuneiform Alphabetic Texts from Ugarit, Ras Ibn Hani and Other Places CBQ Catholic Bible Quarterly CT Cuneiform Texts from Babylonian Tablets in the British Museum CTH Catalogue des Textes Hittites DDD Dictionary of Deities and Demons DULAT A Dictionary of the Ugaritic Language in the Alphabetic Tradition EE Enūma Eliš ETCSL The Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature – University of Oxford HALOT Hebrew Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament HB Hebrew Bible ISET Sumerian Literary Tablets and Fragments, Archaeological Museum of Istanbul JBL Journal of Biblical Literature JSOT Journal for the Study of the Old Testament JSS Journal of Semitic Studies KAI Kanaanäische und aramäische Inschriften, eds. H. Donner and W. Röllig. KTU Keil-alphabetischen Texte aus Ugarit LSAWS Linguistic Studies in Ancient West Semitic ix NRSV New Revised Standard Version OMRO Oudeheikundige Mededelingen uit het Rijksmuseum van Oudheden te Leiden RS Publications de la Mission archéologique française des Ras Shamra-Ougarit Tg. Onq . Targum Onqelos Tg. Ps-J. Targum Pseudo-Jonathan UDB Ugaritic Data Bank UF Ugarit-Forschungen VT Vetus Testamentum x ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This dissertation had its beginnings in an Ugaritic seminar taught by my advisor, Prof. Bill Schniedewind, which led me down several rabbit holes to sea monsters and seven-headed dragons. I am ever grateful to Prof. S., who greatly expanded my knowledge of the Hebrew Bible, encouraged my development as a scholar, and helped me see the bigger picture. Our many discussions about Leviathan and life led to this research on Tehom. Without his constant support and confidence this project would not exist today. It has been a privilege to learn and study under the NELC department faculty. Particular thanks are due Prof. Yona Sabar, who graciously welcomed me into his Hebrew and Aramaic classrooms and His ability to turn etymology into a life lesson is .(תודה רבה) made language learning a joy and wonder a true gift and his class on Targums has found its way into chapter 5. My research on Leviathan also led me to Prof. Joseph Nagy in the English department, who enthusiastically encouraged my pursuits. His detailed edits and helpful comments have made this project clearer and more comprehensible for all readers. I also appreciate Prof. Aaron Burke’s insights and remarks on this project. Many teachers and mentors have inspired and encouraged me along the way—especially my language teachers Prof. Barbara Cifola, Prof. Nancy Ezer, and Philip Zhakevich. Many thanks are also due Dr. Bill Edgar, Dr. Doug Green, and Jayne Clark who have guided me (and kept me blameless !) for many years. Additionally, the UCLA Graduate Summer Research Mentorship, Mellon Pre- Dissertation Fellowship, and the Center for Jewish Studies provided summer funding opportunities for developing portions of this project. The UCLA Dissertation Year Fellowship enabled me to finish writing this year, with help from the Young Research Library’s ILL staff, Isamara Ramirez, and others. xi Throughout my time at UCLA, those who preceded me have been influential in my growth as a scholar and a teacher, particularly Jeremy Smoak, Peter Lanfer, Jen Pantoja, Melissa Ramos, Alice Mandell, and Lisa Cleath. Thank you for your humor, perspective, and example of balancing academia with the realities of life. Jody Washburn, Mike Wingert, Tim Hogue, Martin Chan, Jason Price, Andrew Danielson, Nadia Ben-Marzouk, and Amy Karoll also made grad school life and the isolation of writing much more bearable. Thank you for your camaraderie and generosity as a cohort. Many church families, communities, extended family, and dear friends have prayerfully sustained me on this long journey, patiently awaiting the other side of this—thank you all for reminding me of the goodness and faithfulness of our God. Popo, who left us too soon—you are remembered with joy and peace. Gospel, Jess, Ruth, and Li—I treasure our decade-long friendships and innumerable conversations (and prayers!) about school, work, relationships, hopes, and dreams.
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