Magic in the ancient Near East with special reference to ancient Israel

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In this investigation an anthropological and comparative approach wasemployed in the study of magic in the ancient Near East. Firstly, a survey waspresented with regard to anthropological theories throughout the nineteenth andtwentieth centuries. This forms the background against which evidence onmagic with respect to the cultures of the ancient Near East is investigated.Secondly, examples of magic in the Ancient Near East was discussed, withreference to Egypt, Mesopotamia and Hittite Anatolia. Reference was made tocategories such as magic spells, objects, rituals and magical experts(magicians) and various examples were discussed.Thirdly, an analysis was made about the phenomenon of magic in ancient Israel.In this context magic plays a somewhat different role in comparison to its otherancient Near Eastern neighbours. It was shown that so-called miraculousactions, miracle workers (prophets) and other religious actions (curses andblessings) in the Hebrew Bible could definitely be associated with magic. Thefrequent prohibitions against magical practises furthermore suggest that magicwas indeed been practiced in ancient Israel.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University