Re: The Documentary Hypothesis in the 21st Century
Posted: Thu Jun 29, 2017 1:20 pm
In connection with Deuteronomy, it might be worth mentioning the Suzerainty Treaty structure.
When we speak of an academic consensus of a 7th century origin, that seems to be mainly a consensus that Israel's relationship to YHWH is modeled on an Assyrian Suzerainty Treaty format as opposed to a Hittite one. God boys generally like the earlier Hittite format - no doubt because it would suggest an earlier dating; but the Assyrian format is considered most likely, and that matches up to the Assyrian destruction of Israel and Hezekiah's close call in the 7th century BCE.
Book_of_Deuteronomy
Anyway, I wonder how much of the 7th century BCE consensus is related to opposing the apparently obsolete conservative view of a Hittite model versus actual evidence of an actual production during Josiah's time.
When we speak of an academic consensus of a 7th century origin, that seems to be mainly a consensus that Israel's relationship to YHWH is modeled on an Assyrian Suzerainty Treaty format as opposed to a Hittite one. God boys generally like the earlier Hittite format - no doubt because it would suggest an earlier dating; but the Assyrian format is considered most likely, and that matches up to the Assyrian destruction of Israel and Hezekiah's close call in the 7th century BCE.
Book_of_Deuteronomy
There is also a more detailed discussion in the Talk page of the wiki.The core of Deuteronomy is the covenant that binds Yahweh and Israel by oaths of fidelity (Yahweh and Israel each faithful to the other) and obedience (Israel obedient to Yahweh).[24] God will give Israel blessings of the land, fertility, and prosperity so long as Israel is faithful to God's teaching; disobedience will lead to curses and punishment.[25] But, according to the Deuteronomists, Israel's prime sin is lack of faith, apostasy: contrary to the first and fundamental commandment ("Thou shalt have no other gods before me") the people have entered into relations with other gods.[26]
The covenant is based on seventh-century Assyrian suzerain-vassal treaties by which the Great King (the Assyrian suzerain) regulated relationships with lesser rulers; Deuteronomy is thus making the claim that Yahweh, not the Assyrian monarch, is the Great King to whom Israel owes loyalty.[27]
Anyway, I wonder how much of the 7th century BCE consensus is related to opposing the apparently obsolete conservative view of a Hittite model versus actual evidence of an actual production during Josiah's time.