Vows in the Hebrew Bible and the Ancient Near East

Download or read book Vows in the Hebrew Bible and the Ancient Near East written by Tony W. Cartledge and published by A&C Black. This book was released on 1992-11-01 with total page 232 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Vows, oaths, and curses are all quite separate enterprises in the Bible, and especially in the Old Testament. Unfortunately, the writings of many modern scholars fail to indicate these distinctions. This well-argued book elucidates the distinctive nature of vow-making in the Old Testament milieu, setting it in proper relief against the background of other declaratory statements. The first chapter provides a general introduction to the subject and clarifies the often confused practices of oath-taking and vow making as commonly found in the Hebrew Bible. The remainder of the study refines and defends these distinctions, exploring similar means of assertion in the ancient Near East, and suggesting such theological and literary implications as may result.