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The Great Atonhymn and Psalm 104: a Comparative Approach

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The Great Atonhymn and Psalm 104: a Comparative Approach The great Atonhymn and Psalm 104: A comparative approach by Sannette Buys A dissertation submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree MTh (Old Testament Studies) at the Faculty of Theology and Religion UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA SUPERVISOR: Professor D.J. Human July 2019 DECLARATION OF ORIGINALITY Full name of student: Sannette Buys Student number: 58024931 Topic of work: The great Atonhymn and Psalm 104: A comparative approach. Declaration 1. I understand what plagiarism is and am aware of the University’s policy in this regard. 2. I declare that this dissertation is my own original work. Where other people’s work has been used (either from a printed source, Internet or other source), this has been properly acknowledged and referenced in accordance with departmental requirements. 3. I have not used work previously produced by another student or any other person to hand in as my own. 4. I have not allowed, and will not allow, anyone to copy my work with the intention of passing it off as his or her own work. SIGNATURE: S. Buys 2 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I am most grateful to Professor D.J. Human for giving me the opportunity to embark and complete this unforgettable adventure. For the continuous and heartfelt encouragement I received from my two sons, Hansie and Barend, I am deeply thankful. Without the help of the Lord, this work would not have reached a completion. He brought wonderful people over my path, who contributed to my enjoyment of this study. 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION .............................................8 1.1 Background …………………………………………………….8 1.2 Actuality and relevance ………………………………………..9 1.3 Problem statement ……………………………………………10 1.4 Aims and objectives …………………………………………..13 1.5 Methodology …………………………………………………..14 1.6 Hypothesis ……………………………………………………..15 1.7 Chapter division ………………………………………………15 1.8 Orthography and terminology ……………………………….17 1.8.1 Orthography ……………………………………………...17 1.8.2 Terminology ……………………………………………....17 CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW ………………………20 2.1 Introduction …………………………………………………...20 2.2 Several research foci ………………………………………......20 2.3 Synthesis ………………………………………………………..28 CHAPTER 3 PSALM 104 – DIACHRONIC AND SYNCHRONIC ANALYSES ...............................29 3.1 Introduction …………………………………………………...29 3.2 Diachronic analysis …………………………………………...29 3.2.1 Historical aspects ………………………………………...29 3.2.1.1 The Psalter ………………………………………….…29 3.2.1.2 Book IV ………………………………………………..33 3.2.1.3 Psalm 104 ……………………………………………...36 3.2.2 Social and cultural contexts ……………………………..37 3.2.2.1 David …………………………………………………..37 3.2.2.2 Addressees (Sitz(e) in Leben) ………………………....43 3.2.3 Literary and redactional contexts of Psalms 101-106 …46 3.2.3.1 Psalms 101 – 106 ……………………………………...47 3.2.3.2 Three pairs (Pss 101 – 102, 103 – 104, 105 – 106) …..47 3.2.3.3 Two triads (Pss 101 – 103 and 104 – 106) ……….......51 3.2.3.4 Psalm 104 ……………………………………………...53 3.3 Synchronic analysis ……………………………………….......56 3.3.1 Form (Genre) …………………………………………….56 3.3.2 Translations ……………………………………………...56 3.3.3 Structure …………………………………………………61 3.3.3.1 Division of Psalm 104 into 8 stanzas ………………....64 3.3.3.1.1 Stanzas I (1abc – 2a) and II (2b – 4) …………………64 3.3.3.1.2 Stanzas II (2b – 4) and III (5 – 10) …………………...65 3.3.3.1.3 Stanzas III (5 – 10) and IV (11 – 18) …………………66 3.3.3.1.4 Stanzas IV (11 – 18) and V (19 – 24) ………………....67 3.3.3.1.5 Stanzas V (19 – 24) and VI (25 – 26) …………………67 3.3.3.1.6 Stanzas VI (25 – 26) and VII (27 – 30) ……………….68 4 3.3.3.1.7 Stanzas VII (27 – 30) and VIII (31 – 35) ……………...69 3.3.3.2 Content analysis ………………………………………..71 3.3.3.2.1 Stanza I (1 – 2a) Praise and clothes for Yahweh …….71 3.3.3.2.2 Stanza II (2b – 4b) A tent, chariot and servants for Yahweh …………………………………………………75 3.3.3.2.3 Stanza III (5 – 10) Stability of the earth ……………...80 3.3.3.2.4 Stanza IV (11 – 18) Yahweh’s abundant supply of water ……………………………………………………89 3.3.3.2.5 Stanza V (19 – 24) Night and day with their activities ...........................................................................99 3.3.3.2.6 Stanza VI (25 – 26) Yahweh creates the sea and all that is in and on it …………………………………….106 3.3.3.2.7 Stanza VII (27 – 30) Yahweh cares for all the creatures that he created ……………………………..111 3.3.3.2.8 Stanza VIII (31 – 35) Glory of Yahweh for all life proclaimed ………………………120 3.3.4 Textual development ………………………………….....126 3.4 Psalm 104 and tradition – history (Traditionsgeschichte) ….128 3.4.1 Introduction …………………………………………......128 3.4.2 Creation ………………………………………………….129 3.4.3 Covenant …………………………………………………132 3.4.4 Yahweh’s presence ………………………………………134 3.4.5 Yahweh’s provision ……………………………………...139 3.4.6 Praising Yahweh ………………………………………....143 3.4.7 Terms and motifs that the tradition and Psalm 104 have in common ………………………………………….145 3.4.8 Conclusion to tradition – history ……………………….149 CHAPTER 4 THE GREAT ATON HYMN – DIACHRONIC AND SYNCHRONIC ANALYSES ………..…151 4.1 Introduction …………………………………………………...151 4.2 Diachronic analysis …………………………………………...151 4.2.1 Historical background …………………………………..151 4.2.2 Social and cultural perspectives ……………………......156 4.2.2.1 Atonist faith ……………………………………….......156 4.2.2.2 The people in Akhetaton ……………………………..158 4.2.3 Documentation of the Aton hymn ……………………..159 4.3 Synchronic analysis …………………………………………..163 4.3.1 Introduction …………………………………………….163 4.3.2 Form …………………………………………………….163 4.3.3 Translations …………………………………………….164 4.3.4 Structure ………………………………………………..173 4.3.4.1 Stanza I (1 – 10) Splendour of Aton as he rises in the heavens ………………………………………..174 4.3.4.2 Stanza II (11 – 20) When Aton sets, it is dark. Night and man ………………………………………..179 4.3.4.3 Stanza III (21 – 30) When Aton rises, it is light. All of creation during the day ………………………182 4.3.4.4 Stanza IV (31 – 36) Activity of plants and animals, 5 when it is light ………………………………………...188 4.3.4.5 Stanza V (37 – 38) Inanimate objects (ships and roads) ……………………………………………..190 4.3.4.6 Stanza VI (39 – 40) Action of fish in the water, because the sun is there ………………………………191 4.3.4.7 Stanza VII (41 – 46) Aton creates man ……………...192 4.3.4.8 Stanza VIII (47 – 51) Creation of birds ……………..196 4.3.4.9 Stanza IX (52 – 53) Praising Aton for his creations ..200 4.3.4.10 Stanza X (54 – 77) Universal creation …………….....202 4.3.4.11 Stanza XI (78 – 89) Aton is viewed as the creator of the seasons ………………………………………….213 4.3.4.12 Stanza XII (93 – 96) Revelation to the king …………219 4.3.4.13 Stanza XIII (97 – 103) The world and man are dependant on Aton ……………………………………222 4.3.4.14 Stanza XIV (104 – 108) Aton and Akhenaton ………225 4.4 Synthesis ………………………………………………………227 CHAPTER 5 PSALM 104 AND THE GREAT ATON HYMN ……………………………………………….229 5.1 Introduction ………………………………………………….229 5.2 Translations ………………………………………………….229 5.3 Similarities …………………………………………………...237 5.3.1 Introduction ……………………………………….........237 5.3.2 Darkness …………………………………………….......238 5.3.3 Lion ………………………………………………...........238 5.3.4 Daybreak ………………………………………………..239 5.3.5 Labour ..............................................................................239 5.3.6 Manifold divine works …………………………………240 5.3.7 Ships …………………………………………………….241 5.3.8 Provision of food ……………………………………….241 5.3.9 Life and death ………………………………………….242 5.3.10 Additional themes …………………………………...... 243 5.3.10.1 Mountains ……………………………………………243 5.3.10.2 Birds ………………………………………………….243 5.3.10.3 Light ………………………………………………….244 5.3.10.4 Pasture ……………………………………………….244 5.3.10.5 Seasons …………………………………………….....245 5.3.10.6 Hands ………………………………………………...246 5.3.11 Synthesis ……………………………………………….247 5.4 Differences ……………………………………………….......247 5.4.1 Introduction …………………………………………...247 5.4.2 Role of the sun ………………………………………...247 5.4.3 Deity’s origin ………………………………………….248 5.4.4 Deity’s providence ……………………………………248 5.4.5 Deity’s love ……………………………………………248 5.4.6 Deity’s relationship role ………………………...........249 5.4.7 Role of the night ……………………………………....249 5.4.8 Role of the universe ……………………………………250 5.4.9 Origin of the rain ………………………………………250 6 5.4.10 Location of worship …………………………………....251 5.5 Synthesis …………………………………………………….251 CHAPTER 6 CONCLUSION ………………………………….254 6.1 Introduction ………………………………………………..254 6.1.1 Actuality and relevance ………………………………254 6.1.2 Research problem …………………………………….255 6.1.3 Aims and objectives …………………………………..255 6.1.4 Methodology ………………………………………......256 6.1.5 Chapter division ……………………………………....256 6.2 Research results …………………………………………...257 6.3 Hypothesis …………………………………………………263 6.4 Suggestions for further study ………………………….…263 BIBLIOGRAPHY ………………………………………………………264 SUMMARY ……………………………………………………..281 7 CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background The Great Aton Hymn was composed in Egypt probably sometime during the reign of Pharaoh Amenhotep IV (Akhenaton), who reigned from circa 1350 to 1334 BCE. This hymn was composed to praise and worship the Sun-god Aton. Psalm 104 is an ecstatic celebration of God’s dominium over the vast panorama of creation (Alter 2007:362). It was during the reign of Pharaoh Thutmose III (circa 1479-1425 BCE) that Egypt’s empire reached its maximum size. He created an empire that stretched from Nubia in the South, northward through Canaan to beyond Syria, and to the north east as far as the Euphrates. Canaan, which is situated on the narrow corridor that links Asia and Egypt, thus also belonged to the Egyptian Empire (Lemche 1999:43). The occupation of Egyptian troops in Canaanite towns is well attested in the Amarna Letters and in Egyptian inscriptions (Redford 1992:204-206). All the important trade routes passed along this corridor. It is therefore quite possible that the Great Aton Hymn and Psalm 104 could have reached the respective poets while the various trade missions were travelling up and down Canaan1. Hebrew poems are in their origin intricately rooted in the ancient Near Eastern world that goes back to the late Bronze Age (1600-1200 BCE)2. It is quite possible that 1 Buttenwieser (1969:xxvii). Similarities of structure, phraseology and style between the Psalter and the ancient Near Eastern poetic compositions indicate only that Israel shared a common literary heritage with her neighbours.
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