“... And He Gave Me the Scroll to Eat” :
Monotheism and Material Culture in Ancient Judah
An Ertegun Public Seminar with Prof. Joachim Schaper
Chair of Hebrew and Semitic Languages, University of Aberdeen
President of the International Organization for the Study of the Old Testament, 2016-19
Chaired by: Prof. Hindy Najman
Oriel and Laing Professor of the Interpretation of Holy Scripture, University of Oxford
10 May 2019 (Friday), 5.30-7.30 pm (light refreshments beforehand)
Ertegun House, 37A St Giles', Oxford OX1 3LD
Abstract: In the Hebrew Bible, narratives and statements about the one god of Israel often contain references to the practice of writing, written objects, practices of reading, and the like. During the transition from monolatry to monotheism in ancient Judah, pictorial representations of the deity increasingly became the object of ridicule and acts of violent fervour. This went hand in hand with a strong stress on the virtues of writing, reading, and reciting. The paper explores why this constellation is significant. It examines what contributions such constellations in material culture made to the transition from monolatry to monotheism.
Pre-registration is required (before 8 May 2019). To register, click here.
A printable pdf poster can be downloaded here.
** Please note that there is no easy access within the venue, and that limited places are available.
