The Enigmatic Rabshakeh
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Attitudes Towards Linguistic Diversity in the Hebrew Bible
Many Peoples of Obscure Speech and Difficult Language: Attitudes towards Linguistic Diversity in the Hebrew Bible The Harvard community has made this article openly available. Please share how this access benefits you. Your story matters Citation Power, Cian Joseph. 2015. Many Peoples of Obscure Speech and Difficult Language: Attitudes towards Linguistic Diversity in the Hebrew Bible. Doctoral dissertation, Harvard University, Graduate School of Arts & Sciences. Citable link http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:23845462 Terms of Use This article was downloaded from Harvard University’s DASH repository, and is made available under the terms and conditions applicable to Other Posted Material, as set forth at http:// nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:dash.current.terms-of- use#LAA MANY PEOPLES OF OBSCURE SPEECH AND DIFFICULT LANGUAGE: ATTITUDES TOWARDS LINGUISTIC DIVERSITY IN THE HEBREW BIBLE A dissertation presented by Cian Joseph Power to The Department of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the subject of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations Harvard University Cambridge, Massachusetts August 2015 © 2015 Cian Joseph Power All rights reserved. Dissertation Advisor: Professor Peter Machinist Cian Joseph Power MANY PEOPLES OF OBSCURE SPEECH AND DIFFICULT LANGUAGE: ATTITUDES TOWARDS LINGUISTIC DIVERSITY IN THE HEBREW BIBLE Abstract The subject of this dissertation is the awareness of linguistic diversity in the Hebrew Bible—that is, the recognition evident in certain biblical texts that the world’s languages differ from one another. Given the frequent role of language in conceptions of identity, the biblical authors’ reflections on language are important to examine. -
The Enigmatic Rabshakeh
THE SIEGE OF JERUSALEM: PART II: THE ENIGMATIC RABSHAKEH GABRIEL A. SIVAN THE RABSHAKEH'S PROPAGANDIST HARANGUE After departing from Sennacherib's headquarters at Lachish, his envoys march up to Jerusalem at the head of "a large force," intent on overawing Hezekiah and compelling him to surrender. They find the city gates closed before them and promptly have the entire vicinity reconnoitered to find the 1 most suitable place for their camp. The three envoys then approach the city walls and call upon the Judean guards to inform King Hezekiah that they have brought him a message from Sennacherib. Declining to meet them, Hezekiah sends three envoys of his own instead – Eliakim the chamberlain, Shebnah the scribe, and Joah the recorder. Up to this point, the Bible indicates that the Assyrian officials act and speak as one man. The Rabshakeh now emerges as Sennacherib's chief representa- tive, beginning his lengthy message with a deliberate insult. "You tell Heze- kiah" (not "King Hezekiah"), he says, "the words of the Great King, the King of Assyria…" (II Kgs. 18:19). The ensuing diatribe is a remarkable example of psychological warfare. "In a succession of arguments – using terror, ridi- cule, promises, slanted information and 'logical' proof of the futility of it all," 2 the Rabshakeh tries to break the defenders' will to resist. A skilled propagandist, the Rabshakeh mocks Hezekiah's reliance on the intervention of Egypt's pharaoh, "that splintered reed," whose army of chari- 3 ots, horsemen and archers Sennacherib has overcome. Anticipating the Ju- dean envoys' response, that they will put their trust in the Lord, he asks whether this is not the same God whom Hezekiah has surely offended by abolishing the local places of worship in favor of one altar in Jerusalem. -
2 Kings 18-19
Lesson 12 – 2 Kings 18-19 Text: 2 Kings 18-19; 2 Chronicles 32; Isaiah 36-37 Main Characters: God, Hezekiah, Sennacherib, Rabshakeh Key Passages: - 2 Kings 18:5-7 – Hezekiah was successful because of his faith in the Lord, who prospered him. - 2 Kings 19:32-36 – God promised that He would defend His people, and so He did. Main Storyline: Following Ahaz’s death, his son, Hezekiah, became king over Judah. Knowing that the Assyrian threat was imminent, Hezekiah made careful preparations to try to protect the land. He had many fortifications built, raised an army, and had many provisions made for the soldiers. He also hoped that the Egyptian army would come support them in the event of an Assyrian invasion. One of the most important things that Hezekiah did in preparation for the Assyrian invasion was to stop up a spring called the Gihon, which flowed out of a cave just outside the city of Jerusalem. He had the spring diverted through an extensive tunnel called the Siloam Tunnel which allowed the water to emerge in the Pool of Siloam, which was inside Jerusalem. This deprived any invaders (such as the Assyrians) of water while giving the citizens of Jerusalem constant access to fresh water. When Assyria began its invasion of Judah, Hezekiah refused to submit to Assyria as many others had done. The king of Assyria, Sennacherib, then attacked and captured many of the fortified cities of Judah. After the cities started to fall to Assyria, Hezekiah pled with Sennacherib to stop his assault, and, in exchange, Hezekiah promised that he would do anything. -
Eunuchs in the Bible 1. Introduction
Acta Theologica Supplementum 7 2005 EUNUCHS IN THE BIBLE ABSTRACT In the original texts of the Bible a “eunuch” is termed saris (Hebrew, Old Testament) or eunouchos (Greek, New Testament). However, both these words could apart from meaning a castrate, also refer to an official or a commander. This study therefore exa- mines the 38 original biblical references to saris and the two references to eunouchos in order to determine their meaning in context. In addition two concepts related to eunuchdom, namely congenital eunuchs and those who voluntarily renounce marriage (celibates), are also discussed. 1. INTRODUCTION The concept of a “eunuch” (a castrate) is described in the Bible prima- rily by two words, namely saris (Hebrew, Old Testament) and eunouchos (Greek, New Testament) (Hug 1918:449-455; Horstmanshoff 2000: 101-114). In addition to “eunuch”, however, both words can also mean “official” or “commander”, while castration is sometimes indirectly referred to without using these terms. This study therefore set out to determine the true appearance of eunuchism in the Bible. The aim was to use textual context and, in particular, any circum- stantial evidence to determine which of the two meanings is applic- able in each case where the word saris (O.T.) or eunouchos (N.T.) occurs in the Bible. All instances of the words saris and eunouchos were thus identified in the original Hebrew and Greek texts of the Bible and compared with the later Septuagint and Vulgate texts, as well as with Afrikaans and English Bible translations. The meanings of the words were determined with due cognisance of textual context, relevant histo- rical customs and attitudes relating to eunuchs (Hug 1918:449-455; Grey 1974:579-85; Horstmanshoff 2000:101-14). -
Guide to the PCE (Fifth Draft)
[FIFTH DRAFT TO THE] GUIDE TO THE Pure Cäm´-brìdîe Edition OF THE KING JAMES BIBLE. Matthew Verschuur ' Bible Protector Published by Bible Protector http://www.bibleprotector.com Copyright © Matthew William Verschuur 2010 Fifth Draft 2010 Published in Australia Typeface: Junius Family (freeware) The whole scripture is dited by God’s Spirit, thereby (as by his lively word) to instruct and rule the whole Church militant, till the end of the world. (KING JAMES I, Basilikon Doron, 1599.) we shall be traduced by Popish Persons at home or abroad, who therefore will malign us, because we are poor instruments to make God’s holy Truth to be yet more and more known unto the people (T. BILSON, The Epistle Dedicatory, 1611.) The true Succession is through the Spirit given in its measure. The Spirit is given for that use, ‘To make proper Speakers-forth of God’s eternal Truth;’ and that’s right Succession. (O. CROMWELL, Speech the First, 1653.) Dread sovereign, how much are we bound to heaven In daily thanks, that gave us such a prince; Not only good and wise, but most religious: One that, in all obedience, makes the church The chief aim of his honour; and, to strengthen That holy duty, out of dear respect, His royal self in judgment comes to hear The cause betwixt her and this great offender. Wherever the bright sun of heaven shall shine, His honour and the greatness of his name Shall be, and make new nations: he shall flourish, And, like a mountain cedar, reach his branches To all the plains about him: our children’s children Shall see this, and bless heaven. -
Jeremiah and His Times
ISSUE #43 JEREMIAH AND HIS 2020 TIMES - AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL VINDICATION BY DAVID LONGWORTH AN OLIVE PRESS © DAVID LONGWORTH 2020 RESEARCH PAPER JEREMIAH AND HIS TIMES 1 Welcome to the Olive Press Research Paper – an occasional paper featuring articles that cover a wide spectrum of issues which relate to the ministry of CMJ. Articles are contributed by CMJ staff (past and present), also by Trustees, Representatives, CMJ Supporters or by interested parties. Articles do not necessarily portray CMJ’s standpoint on a particular issue but may be published on the premise that they allow a pertinent understanding to be added to any particular debate. © David Longworth 2020 The right of David Longworth to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright Design and Patents Act 1988. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reprinted or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. Telephone: 01623 883960 Editorial team: Rev. Alex Jacob, John Brooks, Philippa Hulett E-mail: [email protected] Concept and design: CMJ UK Eagle Lodge, Hexgreave Hall Business Park, Farnsfield, Notts NG22 8LS Printed through: A-Tec, Broxbourne, England 2 DAVID LONGWORTH JEREMIAH AND HIS TIMES - AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL VINDICATION DAVID LONGWORTH 1 About the Author, David Longworth 2 Introduction 3 The Evidence unearthed in Babylonia 4 The Evidence unearthed in Israel 5 Conclusion 6 End Notes JEREMIAH AND HIS TIMES 3 1 ABOUT THE AUTHOR, DAVID LONGWORTH Born 14 May 1945 in Stourport-on-Severn, when father was serving as fitter- armourer at RAF Defford. -
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. -
First and Second Kings
AGAPE BIBLE COLLEGE 321 North Penelope, Belton, TX 76513 FIRST AND SECOND KINGS Curriculum Provided by: Harvestime International Network http://harvestime.org 1 FIRST AND SECOND KINGS THE LEGACY BIBLE OUTLINE SERIES 8 Harvestime International Network http://www.harvestime.org 2 THE LEGACY BIBLE OUTLINE SERIES The Legacy Bible Outline Series is a study of the Bible using the text of the Bible itself. The series outlines books of the Bible in simple format, providing commentary only as needed to enhance understanding. Text-based questions are also included for every chapter. We suggest you create a notebook for each book of the Bible. Insert the outlines in your notebooks and add your own study notes. Each time you study a book, you can easily append the outlines to continuously expand the materials. The Legacy Bible Outline Series is designed so you can easily personalize it. The files for the series are in MS Word format to enable you to revise, input your own notes, change page numbers, and alter the layout as needed. You can also create your own outlines for other books of the Bible using this format The text of the King James Version is included in The Legacy Bible Outline Series to enable you to underline and make notes in the actual text as part of your study. Unlike a Bible which will eventually wear out, you can photocopy worn pages if they need to be replaced--which means you won’t lose your notes and underlining. Be sure to read the text in other versions of the Bible also, as different translations will greatly enhance your study. -
Did Sennacherib Campaign Once Or Twice Against Hezekiah 3
DID SENNACHERIB CAMPAIGN ONCE OR TWICE AGAINST HEZEKIAH 3 SIEGFRIED H. HORN Andrews University, Berrien Springs, Michigan There is no lack of.lit erature on the subject under discussion. Articles, too numerous to mention,l and several monographs,2 have dealt with the problems of Sennacherib's dealings with King Hezekiah of Judah, especially with the question whether the Assyrian king conducted one campaign or two campaigns against Palestine. There are two principal reasons why until recently it has been impossible to give a clear-cut answer to this question. The first reason is that the Biblical records agree in some parts with Sennacherib's version of the one and only Palesti- nian campaign recorded by him, but in other parts seem to refer to events difficult to connect with the campaign mentioned in the Assyrian annals. The second reason is that the Biblical records bring Sennacherib's campaign-r one of his campaigns, if there were two-in connection with "Tirhakah king of Ethiopia" (z Ki 19 : g; Is 37 : 9) ; but the campaign of Sennacherib, of which numerous Assyrian annal editions have come to light, took place in 701 B.c., some 12 years before Tirhakah came to the throne. 1 A bibliography on articles in periodicals and treatments of the subject in commentaries and histories of Israel or of Assyria up to 1926 is found on pp. I 17-122 of Honor's dissertation mentioned in n. 2. For more recent discussions see H. H. Rowley, "Hezekiah's Reform and Rebellion," BJRL, XLIV (1962)~especially the footnotes on PP. -
Of God(S), Trees, Kings, and Scholars
STUDIA ORIENTALIA PUBLISHED BY THE FINNISH ORIENTAL SOCIETY 106 OF GOD(S), TREES, KINGS, AND SCHOLARS Neo-Assyrian and Related Studies in Honour of Simo Parpola Edited by Mikko Luukko, Saana Svärd and Raija Mattila HELSINKI 2009 OF GOD(S), TREES, KINGS AND SCHOLARS clay or on a writing board and the other probably in Aramaic onleather in andtheotherprobably clay oronawritingboard ME FRONTISPIECE 118882. Assyrian officialandtwoscribes;oneiswritingincuneiformo . n COURTESY TRUSTEES OF T H E BRITIS H MUSEUM STUDIA ORIENTALIA PUBLISHED BY THE FINNISH ORIENTAL SOCIETY Vol. 106 OF GOD(S), TREES, KINGS, AND SCHOLARS Neo-Assyrian and Related Studies in Honour of Simo Parpola Edited by Mikko Luukko, Saana Svärd and Raija Mattila Helsinki 2009 Of God(s), Trees, Kings, and Scholars: Neo-Assyrian and Related Studies in Honour of Simo Parpola Studia Orientalia, Vol. 106. 2009. Copyright © 2009 by the Finnish Oriental Society, Societas Orientalis Fennica, c/o Institute for Asian and African Studies P.O.Box 59 (Unioninkatu 38 B) FIN-00014 University of Helsinki F i n l a n d Editorial Board Lotta Aunio (African Studies) Jaakko Hämeen-Anttila (Arabic and Islamic Studies) Tapani Harviainen (Semitic Studies) Arvi Hurskainen (African Studies) Juha Janhunen (Altaic and East Asian Studies) Hannu Juusola (Semitic Studies) Klaus Karttunen (South Asian Studies) Kaj Öhrnberg (Librarian of the Society) Heikki Palva (Arabic Linguistics) Asko Parpola (South Asian Studies) Simo Parpola (Assyriology) Rein Raud (Japanese Studies) Saana Svärd (Secretary of the Society) -
Cyrus the Great, Exiles and Foreign Gods a Comparison of Assyrian and Persian Policies on Subject Nations1
Cyrus the Great, Exiles and Foreign Gods A Comparison of Assyrian and Persian Policies on Subject Nations1 To be published in: Wouter Henkelman, Charles Jones, Michael Kozuh and Christopher Woods (eds.), Extraction and Control: Studies in Honor of Matthew W. Stolper. Oriental Institute Publications. Chicago: Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago. R.J. van der Spek VU University Amsterdam Introduction Cyrus, king of Persia (559-530 BC), conqueror of Babylon (539), has a good reputation, also among modern historians. Most textbooks, monographs, and articles on ancient history stress his tolerance towards the countries and nations he subdued. It is mentioned time and again that he allowed them freedom of religion, that he behaved respectfully towards Babylon and its temple cults, and that he reinstated several cults, especially that of the god of Israel in Jerusalem. This policy is often contrasted with that of the Assyrian kings, who are presented as cruel rulers, oppressing subdued nations, destroying sanctuaries, deporting gods and people, and forcing their subjects to worship Assyrian gods. Cyrus’ acts supposedly inaugurated a new policy, aimed at winning the subject nations for the Persian Empire by tolerance and clemency. It was exceptional that Cambyses and Xerxes abandoned this policy in Egypt and Babylonia. In the prestigious Cambridge Ancient History volume on Persia, T. Cuyler Young maintains that Cyrus’ policy “was one of remarkable tolerance based on a respect for individual people, ethnic groups, other religions and ancient kingdoms.” 2 1 This contribution is an update of my article “Cyrus de Pers in Assyrisch perspectief: Een vergelijking tussen de Assyrische en Perzische politiek ten opzichte van onderworpen volken,” Tijdschrift voor Geschiedenis 96 (1983): 1-27 (in Dutch, for a general audience of historians). -
2 Kings 18:1 in the Third Year of King Hoshea Son of Elah of Israel, Hezekiah Son of King Ahaz of Judah Began to Reign
2 Kings 18:1 In the third year of King Hoshea son of Elah of Israel, Hezekiah son of King Ahaz of Judah began to reign. 2 He was twenty-five years old when he began to reign; he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Abi daughter of Zechariah. 3 He did what was right in the sight of the LORD just as his ancestor David had done. 4 He removed the high places, broke down the pillars, and cut down the sacred pole.1 He broke in pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made, for until those days the people of Israel had made offerings to it; it was called Nehushtan. 5 He trusted in the LORD the God of Israel; so that there was no one like him among all the kings of Judah after him, or among those who were before him. 6 For he held fast to the LORD; he did not depart from following him but kept the commandments that the LORD commanded Moses. 7 The LORD was with him; wherever he went, he prospered. He rebelled against the king of Assyria and would not serve him. 8 He attacked the Philistines as far as Gaza and its territory, from watchtower to fortified city. 9 In the fourth year of King Hezekiah, which was the seventh year of King Hoshea son of Elah of Israel, King Shalmaneser of Assyria came up against Samaria, besieged it, 10 and at the end of three years, took it. In the sixth year of Hezekiah, which was the ninth year of King Hoshea of Israel, Samaria was taken.