TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER ONE A PROPOSAL... 1

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1 TABLE OF CONTENTS ABBREVIATIONS XIII ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS XV CHAPTER ONE A PROPOSAL Introduction The Evolutionary Approach The Social-Scientific Approach The Theological Approach The Focus on Idol in Recent Works A Broader Correspondence between The Emerging Thesis and the OT Data The Statement of Problem Method/Strategy The Scope and Limitation An Outline/Work Plan CHAPTER TWO THE CONCEPT OF IDOL AND A RATIONALE FOR ANICONISM Introduction Idols in the Religions of AWA and a Definition of Aniconism. 35 An Analysis of Mettinger s Classification, and an Alternative 37 The Form of a Cult Image in the Religions of AWA A Case Summary of Shamash (The Babylonian Sun God).. 40 The Revelation of a Deity s Form Other Case Summaries Iconology in AWA and the Ontological Divinity of Cult Images 44 Idols as Bodies of Gods or Gods of Heaven and Earth (B.D. Sommer s Proposal) An Evaluation of Iconology of AWA in Light of Sommer s Proposal Iconology in Relation to the Ambivalent Omnipresent Nature of Deities

2 VIII TABLE OF CONTENTS Iconological Premises An Analysis of the Iconological Premise of Divine-Human Co-operation The OT Concept of an Idol and its Form The Awareness of the OT Writers about Idols The Proposed Definition of Aniconism in Light of the Concept of an Idol Demarcation between Yahwistic Aniconism and Aniconism per se A Further Explanation of Demarcation Conclusion CHAPTER THREE THE BASIS FOR THE ANICONIC YAHWEH Introduction MacDonald s Interpretation of Deut Assessment and Alternative to MacDonald s Interpretation of Deut Challenging Henotheism in MacDonald s Argument: Psalm An Evaluation of Scholarly Interpretations of Ps An Alternative Reading of Ps Countering the Specific Issue in MacDonald s Interpretation of Deut Yahweh s Exclusive Divinity in Deut The Problem and Potential in Alexander Rofé s Analysis of Deut A Further Argument Divine Nomenclature The First Invitation The Allotment of Celestial Bodies The Second Invitation The Meaning of Yahweh as the Only God of Heaven and Earth 122 Scholarly Understanding Divine Presence as the Reason for Yahweh s Aniconic Nature 126 The Connection Between Divine Presence and Rejection of Idolatry The Unseen Divine Form as the Climax of the Discourse. 127 The Available and Immediate Divine Presence (Deut. 4:1 8, 29 30)

3 TABLE OF CONTENTS IX The Immediate and Indivisible Divine Presence (Deut. 4:9 14) Yahweh s Indivisible Person: A Supplementary Reading of Deut. 6: The Lack of Commonality: A Supplementary Reading of Isa. 40: Conclusion CHAPTER FOUR INCOMPATIBILITY BETWEEN THE ANICONIC YAHWEH AND IDOL Introduction A Brief Review of the Scholarly Discussion on the Rejection of Idolatry An Adaptation of Ellen van Wolde s Text-Semantic Approach The Ontological Incompatibility between Yahweh and Idol עצבים A Text-Semantic Analysis of Psalm Yahweh s Heavenliness and Divine Function (Ontological Divinity) (עצבים) The Earthly Origin of Idols (עצבים) An Elaboration of the Earthly Origin of Idols (עצבים) The Absence of Divine Function of Idols צלם A Text-Semantic Analysis of 2 Kings 11 (Lack of Mutual Ontology and Incompatibility) 190 Daniel 3 (Lack of Mutual Ontology and Incompatibility) תּרפים A Text-Semantic Analysis of Genesis Ontological Incompatibility between Yahweh and Laban s Cult Image The Offense of Idolatry and the Rationale for Aniconism Incompatibility between Idolatry and the Socio-Familial Structure of Israel Judges Ontological Incompatibility between Yahweh and Micah s Cult Image The Seriousness of the Offense of Idolatry and Aniconism s Rationale Incompatibility between Idolatry and the Socio-Familial Structure of Israel

4 X TABLE OF CONTENTS מסּכה A Text-Semantic Analysis of Ontological Incompatibility between Yahweh and Idols in Exod The Extent of Divine Presence and Inauthentic Divinity of מסּכה מסּכה Cultic Comportment and Inauthentic Divinity of The Supposed Supernatural Origin and Inauthentic Divinity מסּכה of Idolatry and the Sin of מסּכה גּלולים and תועבה,שׁקוצים A Text-Semantic Analysis of Ezekiel 5: Idolatry as the Most Serious Offense against Yahweh Incompatibility between idolatry and Israel Ezekiel 7: Idolatry as the Most Serious Offense against Yahweh Dialogue with N.M. Sarna and an Examination of Eze- kiel 8, 9 & Sarna s Argument for a Greater Gravity of Socio-Moral Offenses 257 An Assessment of, and Alternative to, Sarna s Thesis The Issue of Comparison and Divine Anger and the Offense of Idolatry The Intention of Divine Retribution and the Offense of Idolatry 262 Yahweh s Retribution, His Wrath and the Offense of Idolatry 264 The Divine Restoration and the Offense of Idolatry אלילים A Text-Semantic Analysis of A Text-Semantic Reading of Isaiah Prophetic Accusation and the Offense of Idolatry The Divine Judgment and the Offense of Idolatry Literary Parallels between the Second and Third Sections of Isaiah Polar Opposites within the Third Section (Isa. 2: 11f.) A Cause-Effect Relation between Idolatry and People s Dispersion The Final Remark in Isaiah 2: 22, Isaiah 10 and the Offense of Idolatry Conclusion CHAPTER FIVE THE INCOMPATIBILITY BETWEEN THE STATUS OF ISRAEL AND IDOL Introduction A Brief Review of Scholarly Debate and a Proposal

5 TABLE OF CONTENTS XI 5.2 A Dialogue with C.H.T. Fletcher-Louis Proposal Fletcher-Louis Second Thesis: Humanity is Yahweh s Idol. 288 An Evaluation of Fletcher-Louis Second Thesis אלהיםMiddleton s Interpretation of in Gen. 1 צלם An Important Supplementation to Middleton s Argument. 293 A Lacuna in Fletcher-Louis Third Thesis (Israel is Yahweh s Idol) Abraham as Yahweh s Image: The Link Between Humanity and Israel Abraham s Call and Redemptive Creation Abraham s Installation Abraham s Function Israel as Yahweh s Image The Creative Redemption of Israel: The Creation Parallel The Installation of Israel in Yahweh s Sanctuary The Function and Status of Israel Fletcher Louis Fourth Thesis: the High Priest Aaron as Yahweh s Idol An Evaluation of Fletcher-Louis Fourth Thesis The First and Second Parallels The Third and Fourth Parallels A Further Argument from Deuteronomy MacDonald s Explanation An Alternative to MacDonald s Explanation A Further Elaboration of the Israel-Idol Contrast The Creation of Israel The Feeding of Israel Conclusion CHAPTER SIX SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION APPENDIX BIBLIOGRAPHY AUTHOR INDEX SCRIPTURE INDEX