New Articles and Reviews in Journal of Hebrew Scriptures

1. Tina Dykesteen NILSEN, "Creation in Collision? Isaiah 40–48 and Zoroastrianism, Babylonian Religion and Genesis 1"

Abstract: Isaiah 40‒48 emphasizes that Yahweh is a unique creator-god. Did the author(s) arrive at this idea by adopting, adapting or refuting other texts and traditions, and, if so, which? This article offers fresh arguments and re-examines the potential relations between Isaiah 40‒48, Zoroastrianism, Babylonian religion and the creation account in Genesis 1.


To access the article directly please go to

http://www.jhsonline.org/Articles/article_188.pdf


2. Hervé GONZALEZ, "Zechariah 9–14 and the Continuation of Zechariah during the Ptolemaic Period"

Abstract: Despite its significance, the question of why the book of Zechariah was expanded with chs. 9–14 has largely been overlooked. By combining literary and sociohistorical insights, this article demonstrates that Zech 9–14 was composed as the continuation of Zechariah in order to bring the prophetic corpus up to date in light of the sociopolitical changes of the Ptolemaic period. As such, Zech 9-14 serves to enhance the authority of the prophetic revelation and to criticize these changes by means of a utopian/dystopian perspective.


To access the article directly please go to

http://www.jhsonline.org/Articles/article_189.pdf


3. Yuval GADOT, Yuval GOREN and Oded LIPSCHITS, "A 7th Century BCE Bulla Fragment From Area D3 in the 'City of David'/Silwan"

Abstract: A bulla fragment was found in the excavations of Tel Aviv University at the City of David/Silwan. It is made out of local terra rossa soil, and the reading is: קם // ---לך --- The names אחיקם and אליקם are the best candidates for the name in the upper register. The title "עבד המלך" is the best candidate for the title in the lower register. The seal's quality and the reconstructed title of its bearer indicate that it was used by a high official in the royal Judahite administration.

To access the article directly please go to

http://www.jhsonline.org/Articles/article_190.pdf



Also, I am glad to announce the publication of several new reviews in JHS:


1. Frechett, Christopher G., Mesopotamian Ritual-prayers of "Hand-lifting" (Akkadian šuillas): An Investigation of Function in Light of the Idiomatic Meaning of the Rubric (AOAT, 379; Münster: Ugarit Verlag, 2012). (Reviewed by William Morrow).

2. Lange, Armin, and Matthias Weigold, Biblical Quotations and Allusions in Second Temple Jewish Literature (Journal of Ancient Judaism Supplements, 5; Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 2011). (Reviewed by Kyung S. Baek).

3. Martínez Delgado, José (ed.), El viaje lingüístico de la Biblia (Granada: Editorial Universidad de Granada, 2011). (Reviewed by Guadalupe Seijas de los Ríos Zarzosa).

4. Otto, Eckart, Deuteronomium 1–11: Erster Teilband: 1,1-4,43; Zweiter Teilband: 4,44-11,32 (Herders Theologischer Kommentar zum Alten Testament; Stuttgart: Herders, 2012). (Reviewed by Pekka Pitkänen).

5. Utzschneider, Helmut and Wolfgang Oswalt, Exodus 1–15 (Internationaler Exegetischer Kommentar zum Alten Testament; Stuttgart: Kohlhammer, 2013). (Reviewed by Thomas B. Dozeman).


To access the reviews directly please go to

http://www.jhsonline.org/reviews_vol.html