Biblical Motifs. Origins and Transformations

266 Pages·1966·23.789 MB·English

by  Alexander Altmann (ed.)

PHILIP W. LOWN INSTITUTE
OF ADVANCED JUDAIC STUDIES
BRANDEIS UNIVERSITY
Studies and Texts
EDITED BY
Alexander Altmann

PHILIP W. LOWN INSTITUTE
OF ADVANCED JUDAIC STUDIES
BRANDEIS UNIVERSITY
Studies and Texts: Volume III
BIBLICAL MOTIFS
Origins and Transformations
Edited by
ALEXANDER ALTMANN
HARVARD UNIVERSITY PRESS
Cambridge, Massachusetts
1966
© Copyright 1966 by the
President and Fellows of Harvard College
All rights reserved
Distributed in Great Britain
by Oxford University Press, London
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 65-11587
Printed in the United States of America
Preface
The studies contained in the present volume represent, for the most part,
the fruits of the Lown Institute research colloquia of the academic year
1962-63. The series of papers read at those sessions was first announced
under the over-all title "Image and Symbol : Studies in the Transformations
of Biblical Motifs." The reader will find that the emphasis on the symbolic
character acquired by Biblical images or motifs is in evidence throughout
the volume, although a new title has been given to the book so as to offer
greater latitude and scope for the inclusion of further material.
The volume presented here is easily divided into two parts. In the first,
a number of important Biblical motifs are treated within the terms of Bib-
lical scholarship; in the second, certain significant post-Biblical develop-
ments are traced. A glance at the table of contents will show both the range
and the homogeneity of the subjects covered. The editor expresses the hope
that this volume will be considered a valuable contribution to the field of
Biblical studies, to which, at least in part, an earlier volume (Volume I:
Biblical and Other Studies) had been dedicated.
All transliterations of cuneiform words and texts are given according
to Thureau-Dangin's system, which is generally accepted. Within quota-
tions from ancient texts (both transliterations and translations), square
brackets [ ] indicate obliterated passages, half-brackets r 1 indicate dubious
readings, angle brackets < > indicate material supplied by the editor or
translator to fill in omissions in the ancient texts, and parentheses ( )
indicate words added by the translator in order to make the context more
intelligible.
The editor expresses sincere thanks to Harvard University Press for help-
fulness in all matters concerning the production of this volume. His special
thanks are due to Mrs. D. E. Humez for the meticulous care with which
she saw it through the press.

Contents
Leviathan: Symbol of Evil 1
CYRUS H. GORDON
The Divine Warrior in Israel's Early Cult 11
FRANK MOORE CROSS, JUNIOR
The "Desert Motif" in the Bible and in Qumran Literature 31
SHEMARYAHU TALMON
Political and Cosmic Symbolism in Genesis 14 and in its Baby-
lonian Sources 65
MICHAEL C. ASTOUR
The Date and Circumstances of the Cursing of Canaan 113
DAVID NEIMAN
The End of Ecclesiastes : Literal Exegesis and its Transformation 135
JUDAH GOLDIN
Apologetic Motifs in the Targum to the Song of Songs 159
RAPHAEL J. LOEWE
The Book of Job and its Interpreters 197
NAHUM N. GLATZER
The Greek Garments on Jewish Heroes in the Dura Synagogue 221
ERWIN R. GOODENOUGH
Indexes 239

BIBLICAL MOTIFS
Origins and Transformations