Semitic Mythology And Jewish Monotheism

[Damien the Leper]

Ashtoreth is also known as Astarte and is a goddess of sexuality, fertility, and war. Asherah is a fertility/mother goddess from many of the same regions. Hokhma is the Hebrew word for "wisdom," which was personified in many later Hebrew Bible texts, such as Proverbs 8. While the word is feminine is form, that's largely incidental in the early texts, and expositions on her femininity come later. Shekinah means "glory," and Volgadon will be better prepared to speak about its use in early and medieval Judaism.

I thought that I would start a new thread on this so that a prior thread didn't get to far off topic because of some of my questions to Maklelan.

What is the relationship between the Semitic mythological god El and El Elyon first cited in Genesis 14:18?

What is the relationship between El Elyon and YHWH?

Is YHWH a 'second tier' god in comparison to El Elyon?

Is YHWH Sabbaoth considered to be the Hebrew God of War?

Rabbi Elysse Goldstein in the compilation book New Jewish Feminism: Probing the Past, Forging the Future made a statement (and also cited Raphael Patai) claiming that ancient Jews sought communion with the Feminine Divine. Was this Feminine Divine a counterpart to the Canaanite Asherah or Hokhma?

What place does King Josiah have in the reconstruction of Judaism? Is he, as a Yahwist, responsible for the ultimate transformation to a monotheist religion for the Jewish people? What does this mean for Genesis 1 being written after Genesis 2 & 3 and the monotheistic enforcement propogated by questionable 'lost book of the Law' Deuteronomy?

[maklelan]

I thought that I would start a new thread on this so that a prior thread didn't get to far off topic because of some of my questions to Maklelan.

What is the relationship between the Semitic mythological god El and El Elyon first cited in Genesis 14:18?

One and the same. Genesis presents El Elyon as the deity worshipped by Melchizedek and his community in pre-Israelite Jerusalem. El has been associated with Jerusalem in ancient inscriptions and literature. Elyon is attested in limited places elsewhere, but seems to be considered a distinct deity from El. The conflation of deities was not rare in antiquity, though.

What is the relationship between El Elyon and YHWH?

They would have originally been considered distinct. Yahweh is most closely linked in the earliest Hebrew Bible texts with storm deity imagery, where El (Elyon) is associated with high god, or patriarchal god, imagery. The conflation of the two likely took place fairly early, as the imagery is mixed in many places.

Is YHWH a 'second tier' god in comparison to El Elyon?

In the earliest literary stratum, yes. This is most clearly found in the early form of Deut 32:8-9. Mark Smith goes into some detail regarding the development of Israel's interpretation of that verse in God in Translation.

Is YHWH Sabbaoth considered to be the Hebrew God of War?

Not really a god of war, but definitely a deity with a proclivity for battle. The same is true of other Near Eastern storm deities, although Patrick D. Miller wrote an interesting article a while ago arguing El was also a warrior deity.

Rabbi Elysse Goldstein in the compilation book New Jewish Feminism: Probing the Past, Forging the Future made a statement (and also cited Raphael Patai) claiming that ancient Jews sought communion with the Feminine Divine. Was this Feminine Divine a counterpart to the Canaanite Asherah or Hokhma?

This is more difficult. "Jews" are understood to be Judeans, and the term comes into use right around the exile, so we're speaking about the exile and afterward. After this time Asherah becomes much less prominent, although there is quite a bit of theological exploration of the feminine aspects of divinity. Once we get into mystical Judaism I'm not the best peson here to ask, though.

What place does King Josiah have in the reconstruction of Judaism? Is he, as a Yahwist, responsible for the ultimate transformation to a monotheist religion for the Jewish people?

I think he instituted certain programs that facilitated the movement toward monotheism, but there were several factors that brought it about, including the exile and Hellenism.

What does this mean for Genesis 1 being written after Genesis 2 & 3 and the monotheistic enforcement propogated by questionable 'lost book of the Law' Deuteronomy?

That's a lot of what I will discuss in my thesis, although the main focus will be on the post-exilic period.

[Damien the Leper]

One and the same. Genesis presents El Elyon as the deity worshipped by Melchizedek and his community in pre-Israelite Jerusalem. El has been associated with Jerusalem in ancient inscriptions and literature. Elyon is attested in limited places elsewhere, but seems to be considered a distinct deity from El. The conflation of deities was not rare in antiquity, though.

Interesting. What place would you say El/El Elyon (or the equivalent) has in the Enuma Elish portrayal of the Creation story and in what significant ways has this impacted the earliest forms of Judaism?

They would have originally been considered distinct. Yahweh is most closely linked in the earliest Hebrew Bible texts with storm deity imagery, where El (Elyon) is associated with high god, or patriarchal god, imagery. The conflation of the two likely took place fairly early, as the imagery is mixed in many places.

The Canaanite god Baal is associated with weather. Asherah is associated with weather and fertility. El Elyon, as you say, is associated with patriarchy. Given the characteristics of godhood of each of these persons could it be said that in the end YHWH is meant to be an all-encompassing traits holder for the three Canaanite gods?

In the earliest literary stratum, yes. This is most clearly found in the early form of Deut 32:8-9. Mark Smith goes into some detail regarding the development of Israel's interpretation of that verse in God in Translation.

If this is true...what is the need to promote and inflate a lesser god if only to eliminate a henotheistic theology?

Not really a god of war, but definitely a deity with a proclivity for battle. The same is true of other Near Eastern storm deities, although Patrick D. Miller wrote an interesting article a while ago arguing El was also a warrior deity.

I'll have to look into that. I've never heard anything of that nature about El.

This is more difficult. "Jews" are understood to be Judeans, and the term comes into use right around the exile, so we're speaking about the exile and afterward. After this time Asherah becomes much less prominent, although there is quite a bit of theological exploration of the feminine aspects of divinity. Once we get into mystical Judaism I'm not the best peson here to ask, though.

What influence of Feminine Divine origins found in Ancient Mesopotamia can be found in the Latter-day Saint perspective. I know Janice Merrill Allred compiled essays and theological thoughts about God the Mother in a book but many have dismissed it due to Janice's excommunication in 1996 for publishing an article on God the Mother. If you have read her book, what do you think?

I think he instituted certain programs that facilitated the movement toward monotheism, but there were several factors that brought it about, including the exile and Hellenism.

I'm not really familiar with Hellenism. I'm still pretty new at these studies. What is Hellenism and what influence or impact does it have on our earliest forms of theology?

That's a lot of what I will discuss in my thesis, although the main focus will be on the post-exilic period.

Does your studies include OT textual criticism? If so, how does textual criticism affect the interpretation of Jewish scripture and culture and what are the affecting consequences that are to be seen and felt in the NT?

[volgadon]

I'm not really familiar with Hellenism. I'm still pretty new at these studies. What is Hellenism and what influence or impact does it have on our earliest forms of theology?

Hellenism, generally speaking, is the Greek world after the conquests of Alexander. It included most of the known world. Greek ideas and modes of expression influenced the world around them and were in turn influenced by the native cultures of the region, such as Egypt, Syro-Phoenicia, Mesopotamia and Persia.

[Damien the Leper]

Hellenism, generally speaking, is the Greek world after the conquests of Alexander. It included most of the known world. Greek ideas and modes of expression influenced the world around them and were in turn influenced by the native cultures of the region, such as Egypt, Syro-Phoenicia, Mesopotamia and Persia.

Ok. Makes sense...now I have something else to educate myself on. Thanks, Volgadon.

[volgadon]

Rabbi Elysse Goldstein in the compilation book New Jewish Feminism: Probing the Past, Forging the Future made a statement (and also cited Raphael Patai) claiming that ancient Jews sought communion with the Feminine Divine. Was this Feminine Divine a counterpart to the Canaanite Asherah or Hokhma?

The Shekhinah wasn't the feminine divine until much later. It was used to express God's presence in this world.

[Damien the Leper]

The Shekhinah wasn't the feminine divine until much later. It was used to express God's presence in this world.

Interesting. I didn't know that. I was first introduced to Shekhinah by a good friend of mine who is a Reform Jew. Thanks for the information.

[etana]

Interesting. I didn't know that. I was first introduced to Shekhinah by a good friend of mine who is a Reform Jew. Thanks for the information.

According to the "Tree Of Souls" (a great book that Volgadon recommended) The Shekhinah was originally the presence of God in the Temple and among the Isrealites. But when the temple was destroyed and the people went into exile, the Shekhinah went with them and God mourned his missing bride. This could be a conflation the familiar symbolic sense of The Isrealites being the bride of God with the Shekhinah going into exile with them. Anyway fun stuff to study.

[volgadon]

According to the "Tree Of Souls" (a great book that Volgadon recommended) The Shekhinah was originally the presence of God in the Temple and among the Isrealites. But when the temple was destroyed and the people went into exile, the Shekhinah went with them and God mourned his missing bride. This could be a conflation the familiar symbolic sense of The Isrealites being the bride of God with the Shekhinah going into exile with them. Anyway fun stuff to study.

It is a great book, as are the others by Howard Schwartz. The only thing about his books is that certain details need to be checked against the primary sources, since he has the habit of filling in parts of the story. Usually though he is spot on with his guesses. There are many currents which eventually led to the Shekhinah becoming the feminine aspect of the divine. You are right that a major one is the conflation with the lover in the Song of Solomon, identified as the congregation of Israel. I haven't turned it into a blogpost yet but I have a bunch of material about God's wedding contract with Israel, an interesting aspect of Shavuot- Pentecost.

A couple of good studies in addtion to the one mentioned by Etana are found in Scholem's "Mystical Shape of the Godhead" and Urbach's "The Sages." A little dated, but both provide a solid grounding.

[Ron Beron]

The Shekhinah wasn't the feminine divine until much later. It was used to express God's presence in this world.

volgodon, I have a question for you. What do you think of Assyriologist Simo Parpola's argument that hokhma, shekinah, etc., is basically a emanation of God's essence? I know that Mak has discounted this due to its medieval Kabbalistic elements, but I am essentially fascinated by his connection with the Tree of Life, the Menorah and the female element of creation within the supposed emanation of God and its roots in Mesopotamia.

[volgadon]

volgodon, I have a question for you. What do you think of Assyriologist Simo Parpola's argument that hokhma, shekinah, etc., is basically a emanation of God's essence? I know that Mak has discounted this due to its medieval Kabbalistic elements, but I am essentially fascinated by his connection with the Tree of Life, the Menorah and the female element of creation within the supposed emanation of God and its roots in Mesopotamia.

Found Parpola's article on an Assyrian site. I'll read it and then respond. http://www.atour.com/education/pdf/SimoParpola-TheAssyrianTreeOfLife.pdf