Ancient Near Eastern Index – Parashat Pekudei

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Overview

Knowledge of the history, law, cultic practices and realia of the Ancient Near East can often shed much light on Tanakh. This index contains a list of links to articles which touch on the connections between Tanakh and ancient cultures.

"מַעֲשֵׂה חֹשֵׁב"

See Text and Textile in Exodus: Toward A Clearer Understanding of Ma’aseh Choshev, by Judith Lapkin Craig, for discussion of the term "מַעֲשֵׂה חֹשֵׁב". She suggests that the common translation of "designer work" is too general, and that in light of evidence from the Ancient Near East, it seems to instead refer to a very specific technique, one associated with the art of sash-making.

High Priestly Attire

See Wearing the Cosmos: The High Priestly Attire in Josephus’ Judean Antiquities, by Joabson Xavier Pena, for analysis of Josephus’ presentation of a cosmological, symbolic understanding of the significance of the priestly garments and his interpretation of how this clothing conveyed principles of Jewish beliefs about Hashem's sovereignty over all.

Census-taking

See Census and Ritual Expiation in Mari and Israel, by E.A. Speiser, for analysis of how evidence from Mari may shed light on both practical and religious aspects of census-taking in Tanakh, and vice versa. Through the Mari Texts, Speiser attempts to elucidate the terms "פקד" and "נשא ראש" and the reason for the expiating aspects of census-taking. He concludes that "פקד" actually means to "enroll" and involves the writing down of names, a deed which was deemed ominous in the ancient near east.