The sacrifices previously described as being without number (v. 5) are here enumerated in terms of oxen and sheep (v. 63). Communal peace offerings introduce the sacrifices and appear to be the central aspect of the dedication. The main function of these offerings is to provide food for the table; these sacrifices are for joyous occasions of celebration.²¹ Worshipers and priests share the peace offerings, providing a bonding of the community and a cele- bration of the covenant (Lev. 7:11–15, 30–36). The blood, fat, and entrails of the peace offering are devoted to God (3:3–5). The quantity of these offerings, plus the burnt offerings and grain offerings given to God, is so great that the great bronze altar does not have sufficient capacity (1 Kings 8:64). The entire court was consecrated for the occasion. Sacrifices were an essential part of the ritual in ancient temple dedications. The central event was the divine possession of the temple (cf. vv. 11–12), which was necessarily accompanied with great celebration and sacrifices for the occasion. The significance of the temple dedication is expressed in the anguage of its own culture. Hurowitz is able to cite numerous parallel examples from Mesopotamian literature.²² Esarhaddon dedicated the Assur temple by placing the god in his eternal dais and offered countless sacrifices. His dignitaries and the people celebrated for three days in the temple courtyard.
Quoted from August H. Konkel, 1 & 2 KINGS: THE NIV APPLICATION COMMENTARY.
See Victor Hurowitz, I Have Built You an Exalted House, 273–77.
10 comments:
Not been able to read pg 274 yet but I would like to know the wording of the text for which he says "offered countless sacrifices"?
Keep in mind that page 274 is from a separate work by Hurowitz and not written by Konkel. Now when Konkel mentions "countless sacrifices" while alluding to Hurowitz, he does not state the text from Esarhaddon but merely refers us to Hurowitz.
But the language apparently comes from the victory stele of Esarhaddon: https://www.kchanson.com/ANCDOCS/meso/victorystele.html
Also see https://books.google.com/books?id=qajrNB_7kGMC&pg=PA274&lpg=PA274&dq=esarhaddon+offered+countless+sacrifices&source=bl&ots=6GY4idVun2&sig=ACfU3U0eqiMKHivAU6wCe9EI1EUuqMVxaQ&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjqj8WaoorhAhXwRd8KHT4mDlsQ6AEwAXoECAYQAQ#v=onepage&q=esarhaddon%20offered%20countless%20sacrifices&f=false
"countless sacrifices" - Its the evidence for that particular phase that I am interested in.
Functionally, it is very clear why the gods blessed the kingdoms after sacrifice.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/321440208_Out_of_the_fertile_crescent_The_dispersal_of_domestic_livestock_through_Europe_and_Africa
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/03/140328121025.htm
https://scholar.harvard.edu/files/maxprice/files/arbuckle_2016_cattle.pdf
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halaf_culture
What evidence could substantiate these "countless sacrifices" besides texts that report them? Hurowitz seems to argue that these accounts are part of the time and culture: these reports occur regularly.
I doubt we're going to find archaeological evidence to back the account.
Ok, for clarification. Does "countless sacrifices" denote large numbers or just sacrifices where the numbers are unknown?
In my estimation, those choices are not mutually exclusive. That is, both could be true--the sacrifices could be large numbers that are unknown. But 1 Kings 8 first states the numbers could not be counted, then it gives approximate numbers later.
In the case of Esarhaddon, I think we are supposed to believe the numbers are large, but not sure if the inscriptions give an exact number.
Also don't know if you've read the dissertation written by Gina V. Konstantopoulos ("They Are Seven"), which contains some good information about Esarhaddon et al.
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