Central sanctuary and the centralization of worship in ancient Israel from the settlement to the building of Solomon's Temple : a historical and theological study of the biblical evidence in its archaeological and ancient Near Eastern context
This thesis examines the history and theology of the centralization of worship. Part I examines the theology of the central sanctuary and local sanctuaries, especially from the standpoint of divine presence. Part II carries out an exegesis of the centralizing altar laws of the Pentateuch, together with an examination of their narrative and conceptual relationship to the noncentralizing altar laws of the Pentateuch. Part III examines the history of the centralization of worship from the settlement to the building of Solomon's temple. The study is contextualized by an examination of relevant archaeological and ancient Near Eastern material. Emphasis is placed on the dating of the various biblical materials under investigation, and their overall rhetorical concerns. It is argued that as well as being present in heaven, Yahweh is present on earth continuously at the ark at the central sanctuary and intermittently at local altars. Priestly material argues for the importance of the central sanctuary, but also allows local altars. Deuteronomy envisages centralization under conditions of peace and complete settlement, but otherwise allows local altars. During the earliest days of the settlement, there was no centralization
PitkĂ€nen, Pekka Matti Aukusti
BL Religion
Central sanctuary and the centralization of worship in ancient Israel from the settlement to the building of Solomon's Temple : a historical and theological study of the biblical evidence in its archaeological and ancient Near Eastern context. This thesis examines the history and theology of the centralization of worship. Part I examines the theology of the central sanctuary and local sanctuaries, especially from the standpoint of divine presence. Part II carries out an exegesis of the centralizing altar laws of the Pentateuch, together with an examination of their narrative and conceptual relationship to the noncentralizing altar laws of the Pentateuch. Part III examines the history of the centralization of worship from the settlement to the building of Solomon's temple. The study is contextualized by an examination of relevant archaeological and ancient Near Eastern material. Emphasis is placed on the dating of the various biblical materials under investigation, and their overall rhetorical concerns. It is argued that as well as being present in heaven, Yahweh is present on earth continuously at the ark at the central sanctuary and intermittently at local altars. Priestly material argues for the importance of the central sanctuary, but also allows local altars. Deuteronomy envisages centralization under conditions of peace and complete settlement, but otherwise allows local altars. During the earliest days of the settlement, there was no centralization
central sanctuary centralization worship ancient israel settlement build temple historical_theological study biblical evidence archaeological ancient_near eastern context examines history theology centralization worship part_examine theology central sanctuary local sanctuary especially standpoint divine_presence part carry exegesis centralize altar law pentateuch together examination narrative conceptual relationship altar law pentateuch part_iii examine history centralization worship settlement build temple study contextualized examination_relevant archaeological ancient_near eastern material emphasis_place date various biblical_material investigation overall rhetorical concern argue well present heaven yahweh present earth continuously central sanctuary intermittently local altar priestly material argues importance central sanctuary also_allow local altar deuteronomy envisage centralization condition peace complete settlement otherwise allow local altar early day settlement centralization