Cult Image and Divine Representation in the Ancient Near East (ASOR Books)

While biblical prophets ridiculed the notion of humans fashioning an idol that they would then worship, ancient Near Eastern theologians developed a sophisticated religious system in which divine beings could be physically manifest within the material of a cultic image without being limited by that embodiment. The four essays in this compact volume examine the intriguing subject of cultic images and divine iconography in Mesopotamia, Egypt, Anatolia and Syria-Palestine. This interesting and eclectic group of essays explores the textual and artifactual evidence for the creation and veneration of divine images in the ancient Near East. The recent resurgence of scholarly interest in the study of divine representation in ancient Israel and the Near East makes this comprehensive reexamination especially timely. Contents: Cult Statues in Ancient Egypt (Gay Robins, Emory University); "A Statue for the Deity": Cult Images in Hittite Anatolia (Billie Jean Collins, Emory University); The Mesopotamian Cult Statue: A Sacramental Encounter with Divinity (Michael B. Dick, Siena College); Syro-Palestinian Iconography and Divine Images (Theodore J. Lewis, Johns Hopkins University). In Answer To The Recent Resurgence Of Interest In The Study Of Ancient Near Eastern Iconic Religions And Their Complex Relations To Israel's Aniconic Tradition, Cult Image And Divine Representation Weaves Together Art, History And Religion In An In-depth Exploration Of Divine Iconography. While Biblical Prophets Ridiculed The Notion Of Others Fashioning Idols Of Their Gods That They Would Then Worship, Ancient Near Eastern Religious Authorities Had Long Before Developed Sophisticated Systems In Which Divine Beings Were Made Physically Manifest Within The Material Of A Cult Image Without Being Limited By That Embodiment. This Collection Of Essays Examines Both The Textual And Artifactual Evidence For The Production And Theological Significance Of Divine Images In Egypt, Anatolia, Mesopotamia And Syria-palestine.--jacket. Cult Statues In Ancient Egypt / Gay Robins -- A Statue For The Deity : Cult Images In Hittite Anatolia / Billie Jean Collins -- The Mesopotamian Cult Statue ; A Sacramental Encounter With Divinity / Michael B. Dick -- Syro-palestinian Iconography And Divine Images / Theodore J. Lewis. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. In answer to the recent resurgence of interest in the study of ancient Near Eastern iconic religions and their complex relations to Israel's aniconic tradition, Cult Image and Divine Representation weaves together art, history and religion in an in-depth exploration of divine iconography. While biblical prophets ridiculed the notion of others fashioning idols of their gods that they would then worship, ancient Near Eastern religious authorities had long before developed sophisticated systems in which divine beings were made physically manifest within the material of a cult image without being limited by that embodiment. This eclectic, perceptive collection of essays examines both the textual and artifactual evidence for the production and theological significance of divine images in Egypt, Anatolia, Mesopotamia and Syria-Palestine. Contents......Page 4 Preface......Page 6 Abbreviations......Page 8 List of Illustrations......Page 10 1. Cult Statues in Ancient Egypt / Gay Robins......Page 18 2. A Statue for the Deity: Cult Images in Hittite Anatolia / Billie Jean Collins......Page 30 3. The Mesopotamian Cult Statue: A Sacramental Encounter with Divinity / Michael B. Dick......Page 60 4. Syro-Palestinian Iconography and Divine Images / Theodore J. Lewis......Page 86 Index......Page 126