The Context of Scripture: Canonical Compositions, Monumental Inscriptions and Archival Documents from the Biblical World, 3 Vol Set

"The Context of Scripture" presents the multifaceted world of ancient writing that forms the colourful background to the literature of the Hebrew Bible. Designed as a reference work for all engaged in the study of the Bible and the ancient Near East, and involving approximately 90 leading scholars, it provides reliable access to a broad, balanced and representative collection of ancient Near Eastern texts that have some bearing on the interpretation of the Bible. Translations of recently discovered texts are included, alongside new translations of better-known texts. The three-volume work features full cross-referencing to comparable Bible passages and bibliographical annotations with judicious commentary. HOW TO GO TO YOUR PAGE......Page 2 VOLUME I – Canonical Compositions from the Biblical World......Page 5 Contents......Page 7 Preface......Page 13 Acknowledgements......Page 14 Abbreviations and Symbols......Page 15 List of Contributors......Page 23 Introduction: Ancient Near Eastern Texts and their Relevance for Biblical Exegesis......Page 25 EGYPTIAN CANONICAL COMPOSITIONS......Page 31 DIVINE FOCUS......Page 33 From the “Book of Nut” (1.1)......Page 35 From Coffin Texts Spell 714 (1.2)......Page 36 From Pyramid Texts Spell 600 (1.4)......Page 37 From Coffin Texts Spell 75 (1.5)......Page 38 From Coffin Texts Spell 76 (1.6)......Page 40 From Coffin Texts Spell 80 (1.8)......Page 41 From Papyrus Bremner-Rhind (1.9)......Page 44 From Coffin Texts Spell 335 = Book of the Dead Spell 17 (1.10)......Page 45 Coffin Texts Spell 261 (1.11)......Page 47 From Coffin Texts Spell 647 (1.12)......Page 48 From the Berlin “Hymn to Ptah” (1.14)......Page 50 From the “Memphite Theology” (1.15)......Page 51 From Papyrus Leiden I 350 (1.16)......Page 53 From Coffin Texts Spell 1130 (1.17)......Page 56 Book of the Dead 175 (1.18)......Page 57 Coffin Text 157 (1.19)......Page 60 Book of the Dead 112 (1.20)......Page 61 The Repulsing of the Dragon (1.21)......Page 62 The Legend of Isis and the Name of Re (1.22)......Page 63 The Legend of Astarte and the Tribute of the Sea (1.23)......Page 65 The Destruction of Mankind (1.24)......Page 66 The Great Cairo Hymn of Praise to Amun-Re (1.25)......Page 67 The Great Hymn to Osiris (1.26)......Page 71 Two Hymns to the Sun-god (1.27)......Page 73 The Great Hymn to the Aten (1.28)......Page 74 Prayer to Re-Harakhti (1.29)......Page 77 The Song from the Tomb of King Intef (1.30)......Page 78 The Song from the Tomb of Neferhotep (1.31)......Page 79 Execration Texts (1.32)......Page 80 Dream Oracles (1.33)......Page 82 Daily Ritual of the Temple of Amun-Re at Karnak (1.34)......Page 85 ROYAL FOCUS......Page 89 Merikare (1.35)......Page 91 Amenemhet (1.36)......Page 96 King Lists (1.37)......Page 98 2. Abydos List (1.37B)......Page 99 3. Sakkara King List (SL) (1.37C)......Page 100 4. Turin Canon (1.37D)......Page 101 INDIVIDUAL FOCUS......Page 105 Sinuhe (1.38)......Page 107 The Shipwrecked Sailor (1.39)......Page 113 The Two Brothers (1.40)......Page 115 The Report of Wenamun (1.41)......Page 119 The Admonitions of an Egyptian Sage: the Admonitions of Ipuwer (1.42)......Page 123 The Eloquent Peasant (1.43)......Page 128 The Complaints of Khakheperrē-Sonb (1.44)......Page 134 The Prophecies of Neferti (1.45)......Page 136 Instruction of Any (1.46)......Page 140 Instruction of Amenemope (1.47)......Page 145 Dua-khety or the Satire on the Trades (1.48)......Page 152 4. LOVE POEMS......Page 155 Papyrus Harris 500 (1.49)......Page 156 Cairo Love Songs (1.50)......Page 157 Papyrus Chester Beatty I (1.51)......Page 158 The Famine Stela (1.53)......Page 160 The Legend of the Possessed Princess (“Bentresh Stela”) (1.54)......Page 164 EGYPTIAN BIBLIOGRAPHY......Page 167 HITTITE CANONICAL COMPOSITIONS......Page 175 DIVINE FOCUS......Page 177 Elkunirša and Ašertu (1.55)......Page 179 The Storm-god and the Serpent (Illuyanka) (1.56)......Page 180 The Wrath of Telipinu (1.57)......Page 181 Appu and his Two Sons (1.58)......Page 183 The Sun God and the Cow (1.59)......Page 185 Plague Prayers of Muršili II (1.60)......Page 186 The “Ritual Between the Pieces” (1.61)......Page 190 Puliša’s Ritual Against Plague (1.62)......Page 191 Zarpiya’s Ritual (1.64)......Page 192 Ritual and Prayer to Ishtar of Nineveh (1.65)......Page 194 The First Soldiers’ Oath (1.66)......Page 195 The Second Soldiers’ Oath (1.67)......Page 197 Purifying a House: a Ritual for the Infernal Deities (1.68)......Page 198 The Storm God at Lihzina (1.69)......Page 202 Establishing a New Temple for the Goddess of the Night (1.70)......Page 203 ROYAL FOCUS......Page 209 The Queen of Kanesh and the Tale of Zalpa (1.71)......Page 211 Proclamation of Anitta of Kuššar (1.72)......Page 212 Crossing of the Taurus (1.73)......Page 214 Deeds of Šuppiluliuma (1.74)......Page 215 The Hittite Conquest of Cyprus: Two Inscriptions of Suppiluliuma II (1.75)......Page 222 The Proclamation of Telipinu (1.76)......Page 224 Apology of Hattušili III (1.77)......Page 229 Excerpt from an Oracle Report (1.78)......Page 234 Assuring the Safety of the King during the Winter (1.79)......Page 237 INDIVIDUAL FOCUS......Page 243 Fragment of a Wisdom Text(?) (1.81)......Page 245 Excerpt from the Hurro-Hittite Bilingual Wisdom Text (1.82)......Page 246 Instructions to Priests and Temple Officials (1.83)......Page 247 Instructions to Commanders of Border Garrisons (1.84)......Page 251 Instructions to the Royal Guard (1.85)......Page 255 HITTITE BIBLIOGRAPHY......Page 261 WEST SEMITIC CANONICAL COMPOSITIONS......Page 267 DIVINE FOCUS......Page 269 The Balu Myth (1.86)......Page 271 Dawn and Dusk (1.87)......Page 304 Ugaritic Prayer for a City Under Siege (1.88)......Page 313 The Prayer of Nabonidus (4QPrNab) (1.89)......Page 315 Ugaritic Birth Omens (1.90)......Page 317 Ugaritic Lunar Omens (1.91)......Page 320 Ugaritic Extispicy (1.92)......Page 321 Ugaritic Dream Omens (1.93)......Page 323 Ugaritic Liturgy Against Venomous Reptiles (1.94)......Page 325 Ugaritic Rites for the Vintage (KTU 1.41//1.87) (1.95)......Page 329 Ugaritic Incantation Against Sorcery (1.96)......Page 331 Ilu on a Toot (1.97)......Page 332 A Punic Sacrificial Tariff (1.98)......Page 335 The Aramaic Text in Demotic Script (1.99)......Page 339 A Ugaritic Incantation Against Serpents and Sorcerers (1.100)......Page 357 The London Medical Papyrus (1.101)......Page 358 ROYAL FOCUS......Page 361 The Kirta Epic (1.102)......Page 363 The Aqhatu Legend (1.103)......Page 373 Ugaritic King List (1.104)......Page 386 The Patrons of the Ugaritic Dynasty (KTU 1.161) (1.105)......Page 387 INDIVIDUAL FOCUS......Page 389 Hippiatric Texts (1.106)......Page 391 Abecedaries (1.107)......Page 392 WEST SEMITIC BIBLIOGRAPHY......Page 397 AKKADIAN CANONICAL COMPOSITIONS......Page 407 DIVINE FOCUS......Page 409 The Descent of Ishtar to the Underworld (1.108)......Page 411 Nergal and Ereshkigal (1.109)......Page 414 Nergal and Ereshkigal (Amarna Version) (1.110)......Page 419 Epic of Creation (1.111)......Page 420 The Theogony of Dunnu (1.112)......Page 432 Erra and Ishum (1.113)......Page 434 Prayer to Marduk (1.114)......Page 446 Diurnal Prayers of Diviners (1.116)......Page 447 The Shamash Hymn (1.117)......Page 448 A Neo-BabyIonian Lament for Tammuz (1.118)......Page 449 An Assyrian Elegy (1.119)......Page 450 4. DIVINATION......Page 451 Mesopotamian Omens (1.120)......Page 453 Old Babylonian Incantation Against Cattle Disease (1.121)......Page 456 The Installation of the Storm God’s High Priestess (1.122)......Page 457 The Zukru Festival (1.123)......Page 461 Six Months of Ritual Supervision by the Diviner (1.124)......Page 466 Two Months Joined by the Underworld, with Barring and Opening of Doors (1.125)......Page 469 Two Kissu Festivals (1.126)......Page 472 A Psephomancy Ritual from Assur (1.127)......Page 474 Love Lyrics of Nabu and Tashmetu (1.128)......Page 475 ROYAL FOCUS......Page 477 The Adapa Story (1.129)......Page 479 Atra-Hasis (1.130)......Page 480 Etana (1.131)......Page 483 Gilgamesh (1.132)......Page 488 Babylonian King Lists (1.134)......Page 491 Assyrian King Lists (1.135)......Page 493 Assyrian Eponym Canon (1.136)......Page 495 Babylonian Chronicle (1.137)......Page 497 The Weidner Chronicle (1.138)......Page 498 A Hymn Celebrating Assurnasirpal II’s Campaigns to the West (1.139)......Page 500 A Hymn to Nanaya with a Blessing for Sargon II (1.141)......Page 502 Assurbanipal’s Coronation Hymn (1.142)......Page 503 An Assurbanipal Hymn for Shamash (1.143)......Page 504 Dialogue between Assurbanipal and Nabu (1.145)......Page 505 A Late Piece of Constructed Mythology Relevant to the Neo-Assyrian and Middle Assyrian Coronation Hymn and Prayer (1.146)......Page 506 The Adad-guppi Autobiography (1.147)......Page 507 The Autobiography of Idrimi (1.148)......Page 509 The Marduk Prophecy (1.149)......Page 510 The Dynastic Prophecy (1.150)......Page 511 INDIVIDUAL FOCUS......Page 513 Dialogue between a Man and his God (1.151)......Page 515 The Poem of the Righteous Sufferer (1.153)......Page 516 The Babylonian Theodicy (1.154)......Page 522 Dialogue of Pessimism or the Obliging Slave (1.155)......Page 525 “At the Cleaners” (1.156)......Page 527 AKKADIAN BIBLIOGRAPHY......Page 529 SUMERIAN CANONICAL COMPOSITIONS......Page 537 DIVINE FOCUS......Page 539 The Song of the Hoe (1.157)......Page 541 The Eridu Genesis (1.158)......Page 543 Enki and Ninmah (1.159)......Page 546 The Exaltation of Inanna (1.160)......Page 548 Inanna and Enki (1.161)......Page 552 To Nanshe (1.162)......Page 556 The Blessing of Nisaba by Enki (1.163)......Page 561 Letter-Prayer of King Sin-Iddinam to Nin-Isina (1.164)......Page 562 Letter-Prayer of King Sin-Iddinam to Utu (1.165)......Page 564 Lamentation over the Destruction of Sumer and Ur (1.166)......Page 565 From “Evil Spirits” (1.168)......Page 569 The Women’s Oath (1.169A)......Page 570 Bridegroom, Spend the Night in our House Till Dawn (1.169B)......Page 571 Love by the Light of the Moon (1.169C)......Page 572 ROYAL FOCUS......Page 575 Enmerkar and the Lord of Aratta (1.170)......Page 577 Gilgamesh and Akka (1.171)......Page 580 The Birth of Shulgi in the Temple of Nippur (1.172)......Page 582 The Sacred Marriage of Iddin-Dagan and Inanna (1.173)......Page 584 INDIVIDUAL FOCUS......Page 591 Sumerian Proverb Collection 3 (1.174)......Page 593 Proverbs Quoted in Other Genres (1.175)......Page 598 Shuruppak (1.176)......Page 599 Ur-Ninurta (1.177)......Page 600 The Heron and the Turtle (1.178)......Page 601 “Man and his God” (1.179)......Page 603 The Disputation Between Ewe and Wheat (1.180)......Page 605 The Disputation Between the Hoe and the Plow (1.181)......Page 608 The Disputation Between Bird and Fish (1.182)......Page 611 The Disputation Between Summer and Winter (1.183)......Page 614 6. SCHOOL DIALOGUES......Page 618 The Dialogue Between Two Scribes (1.184)......Page 619 The Dialogue Between a Supervisor and a Scribe (1.185)......Page 620 The Dialogue Between an Examiner and a Student (1.186)......Page 622 SUMERIAN BIBLIOGRAPHY......Page 625 VOLUME II – Monumental Inscriptions from the Biblical World......Page 632 Contents......Page 634 Preface......Page 642 Acknowledgements......Page 643 Abbreviations and Symbols......Page 644 List of Contributors......Page 648 Introduction: The Bible and the Monuments......Page 650 EGYPTIAN MONUMENTAL INSCRIPTIONS......Page 656 ROYAL INSCRIPTIONS......Page 658 The Tomb Biography of Ahmose of Nekheb (2.1)......Page 660 The Annals of Thutmose III (2.2A)......Page 662 The Gebel Barkal Stela of Thutmose III (2.2B)......Page 669 The Armant Stela of Thutmose III (2.2C)......Page 673 The Memphis and Karnak Stelae of Amenhotep II (2.3)......Page 674 Karnak, Campaign from Sile to Pa-Canaan, Year 1 (2.4A)......Page 678 First Beth-Shan Stela, Year 1 (2.4B)......Page 680 Karnak, Campaign to Yenoam and Lebanon (Year 1 or Later) (2.4C)......Page 681 Second Beth-Shan Stela, Year Lost (2.4D)......Page 682 Karnak, Campaign Against the Hittites (Undated) (2.4E)......Page 683 Karnak, Campaign Against the Libyans (Undated) (2.4F)......Page 685 Karnak, Campaign Against Qadesh and Amurru (Undated) (2.4G)......Page 686 The Battle of Qadesh — the Poem, or Literary Record (2.5A)......Page 687 The Battle of Qadesh — the “Bulletin” Text (2.5B)......Page 693 The (Israel) Stela of Merneptah (2.6)......Page 695 The Victory Stela of King Piye (Piankhy) (2.7)......Page 697 MORTUARY INSCRIPTIONS......Page 708 Pyramid Texts 213 and 219 (2.8)......Page 710 Coffin Text 261 (2.9)......Page 712 Coffin Text 159 (2.10)......Page 713 Book of the Dead 125 (2.12)......Page 714 Contrasting Harper Songs from the Tomb of Neferhotep (2.13)......Page 719 Hymn from the Tomb of Ay (2.14)......Page 721 EGYPTIAN BIBLIOGRAPHY......Page 724 HITTITE MONUMENTAL INSCRIPTIONS......Page 730 ROYAL INSCRIPTIONS......Page 732 Bilingual Edict of Hattušili I (2.15)......Page 734 The Ten Year Annals of Great King Muršili II of Hatti (2.16)......Page 737 “FUNCTIONAL” INSCRIPTIONS......Page 746 Treaty Between Šuppiluliuma and Aziru (2.17A)......Page 748 Treaty Between Muršili and Duppi-Tešub (2.17B)......Page 751 Treaty Between Tudhaliya and Šaušgamuwa (2.17C)......Page 753 The Treaty of Tudhaliya IV with Kurunta of Tarhuntašša (2.18)......Page 755 Hittite Laws (2.19)......Page 761 HIEROGLYPHIC INSCRIPTIONS......Page 776 Karkamiš A2 (+3) (2.20A)......Page 778 Azatiwata (2.21)......Page 779 Maraş 4 (2.22A)......Page 781 Kululu 4 (2.22B)......Page 782 HITTITE BIBLIOGRAPHY......Page 784 WEST SEMITIC MONUMENTAL INSCRIPTIONS......Page 788 BUILDING AND MEMORIAL INSCRIPTIONS......Page 790 The Inscription of King Mesha (2.23)......Page 792 The Tell Sīrān Inscription (2.25)......Page 794 The Deir Alla Plaster Inscription (2.27)......Page 795 The Siloam Tunnel Inscription (2.28)......Page 800 The Inscription of King Yahimilk (2.29)......Page 801 The Kulamuwa Inscription (2.30)......Page 802 The Azatiwada Inscription (2.31)......Page 803 The Inscription of King Yehawmilk (2.32)......Page 806 The Melqart Stela (2.33)......Page 807 Hadad-yithi (2.34)......Page 808 The Inscription of Zakkur, King of Hamath (2.35)......Page 810 The Hadad Inscription (2.36)......Page 811 The Panamuwa Inscription (2.37)......Page 813 The Bar-Rakib Inscription (2.38)......Page 815 The Tell Dan Stele (2.39)......Page 816 The Hazael Booty Inscriptions (2.40)......Page 817 The Aswan Dedicatory Inscription (2.41)......Page 818 A Nabataean Commemorative Inscription from Avdat (2.43)......Page 819 The Dedication of a Statue to the Divinised Nabataean King (2.44)......Page 820 A Nabataean Shrine Inscription from Egypt (2.46)......Page 821 VOTIVE INSCRIPTIONS......Page 824 Kuntillet Ajrud: Inscribed Pithos 2 (2.47B)......Page 826 Kuntillet Ajrud: the Two-line Inscription (2.47C)......Page 827 The Jerusalem Pomegranate (2.48)......Page 828 The Temple of the Lord Ostracon (2.50)......Page 829 Silver Bowl (Brooklyn Museum 54.50.36) (2.51A)......Page 830 Silver Bowl (Brooklyn Museum 54.50.32) (2.51C)......Page 831 MORTUARY INSCRIPTIONS......Page 832 The Khirbet Beit Lei Cave Inscriptions (2.53)......Page 834 The Royal Steward Inscription (2.54)......Page 835 The Sarcophagus Inscription of Tabnit, King of Sidon (2.56)......Page 836 The Sarcophagus Inscription of Eshmunazor, King of Sidon (2.57)......Page 837 The Tomb Inscription of Sigabbar, Priest of Sahar (2.59)......Page 839 Offering Table from the Memphis Serapeum (2.60)......Page 841 Funerary Stela (Brussels E. 4716) (2.61)......Page 842 Funerary Stela from Saqqarah (2.62)......Page 843 Funerary Stela (Carpentras) (2.64)......Page 844 Tombstone Inscription (Greco-Roman Museum 18361) (2.66)......Page 845 The Nabataean Tomb Inscription of Kamkam at Madā in Sālih (2.67)......Page 846 The Nabataean Tomb Inscription of Halafu at Madāin Sālih (2.68)......Page 847 A Nabataean Funerary Inscription from Madeba (2.69)......Page 848 SEAL AND STAMP INSCRIPTIONS......Page 850 Hebrew (2.70)......Page 852 Edomite (2.73)......Page 856 Royal Judaean Seal Impressions (2.77)......Page 857 Persian Period (2.78)......Page 858 The Seal of Aśayāhū (2.79)......Page 859 Stamps (2.80)......Page 860 WEIGHT INSCRIPTIONS......Page 862 1. HEBREW WEIGHT INSCRIPTIONS (2.81)......Page 864 “FUNCTIONAL” INSCRIPTIONS......Page 866 The Inscriptions of Bar-Gayah and Matiel from Sefire (2.82)......Page 868 MISCELLANEOUS INSCRIPTIONS......Page 874 The El Khadr Arrowheads (2.84)......Page 876 An Amulet from Arslan Tash (2.86)......Page 877 The Tel Dan Bowl (2.87)......Page 878 Inscribed Nimrad Ivories (2.88)......Page 879 WEST SEMITIC BIBLIOGRAPHY......Page 880 AKKADIAN MONUMENTAL INSCRIPTIONS......Page 894 BUILDING AND DISPLAY INSCRIPTIONS (Akkadian and Sumerian)......Page 896 Inscription of Sargon: Foundation of the Akkadian Empire (2.89)......Page 898 Inscription of Narāmsîn: Campaign Against Armānum and Ebla (2.91)......Page 899 Shu-ilishu (2.93)......Page 901 Lipit-Eshtar (2.95)......Page 902 Larsa Dynasty......Page 903 Nur-Adad (2.99B)......Page 904 Sin-iddinam (2.100)......Page 905 Warad-Sin (2.101B)......Page 906 Rim-Sin (2.102A)......Page 907 Rim-Sin (2.102D)......Page 908 Uruk......Page 909 Simurrum (2.106)......Page 910 Hammu-rapi (2.107A)......Page 911 Hammu-rapi (2.107D)......Page 912 Ammi-ditana (2.109)......Page 913 Ekallatum — Shamshi-Addu (2.110)......Page 914 Iahdun-lim (2.111)......Page 915 Kurkh Monolith (2.113A)......Page 916 Annals: Aššur Clay Tablets (2.113B)......Page 919 Annals: Calah Bulls (2.113C)......Page 921 Annals: Marble Slab (2.113D)......Page 922 Kurbail Statue (2.113E)......Page 923 Black Obelisk (2.113F)......Page 924 Aššur Basalt Statue (2.113G)......Page 925 The Die (Pūru) of Yahali (2.113I)......Page 926 Antakya Stela (2.114A)......Page 927 Orthostat Slab of Unknown Provenance (2.114C)......Page 928 Sabaa Stela (2.114E)......Page 929 Tell al Rimah Stela (2.114F)......Page 930 Calah Orthostat Slab (2.114G)......Page 931 Officials’ Inscriptions (2.115)......Page 932 Šamši-ilu — Stone Lions Inscription (2.115A)......Page 933 Ninurta-kudurrī-usur — Suhu Annals #2 (2.115B)......Page 934 Ninurta-kudurrī-usur — Suhu Annals #18 (2.115C)......Page 937 Shalmaneser IV — Pazaricik / Maraş Stela (2.116)......Page 938 The Calah Annals (2.117A)......Page 939 Summary Inscription 4 (2.117C)......Page 942 Summary Inscription 7 (2.117D)......Page 944 Summary Inscription 8 (2.117E)......Page 945 Summary Inscription 9-10 (2.117F)......Page 946 Summary Inscription 13 (2.117G)......Page 947 The Annals (2.118A)......Page 948 The Borowski Stela (2.118B)......Page 949 Nimrud Prisms D & E (2.118D)......Page 950 The Great “Summary” Inscription (2.118E)......Page 951 The Small “Summary” Inscription (2.118F)......Page 952 The Nimrud Inscription (2.118I)......Page 953 The Tang-i Var Inscription (2.118J)......Page 954 Sennacherib’s First Campaign: Against Merodach-baladan (2.119A)......Page 955 Sennacherib’ s Siege of Jerusalem (2.119B)......Page 957 Sennacherib: the “Azekah” Inscription (2.119D)......Page 959 Sennacherib: the Capture and Destruction of Babylon (2.119E)......Page 960 5. NEO-BABYLONIAN INSCRIPTIONS......Page 961 Nabopolassar’s Restoration of Imgur-Enlil (2.121)......Page 962 Nebuchadnezzar II’s Restoration of the Ebabbar Temple (2.122A)......Page 963 Nebuchadnezzar II’s Restoration of E-urimin-ankia (2.122B)......Page 964 The Sippar Cylinder of Nabonidus (2.123A)......Page 965 Nabonidus’ Rebuilding of E-lugal-galga-sisa (2.123B)......Page 968 Cyras Cylinder (2.124)......Page 969 VOTIVE SEAL INSCRIPTIONS......Page 972 Votive Seal Inscriptions (2.125)......Page 974 WEIGHT INSCRIPTIONS......Page 976 Weight Inscriptions (2.126)......Page 978 “FUNCTIONAL” INSCRIPTIONS......Page 982 The Agreement Between Ir-addu and Niqmepa (AT 2) (2.128)......Page 984 Agreement Between Pillia and Idrimi (AT 3) (2.129)......Page 986 The Laws of Eshnunna (2.130)......Page 987 The Laws of Hammurabi (2.131)......Page 990 The Middle Assyrian Laws (2.132)......Page 1008 The Neo-Babylonian Laws (2.133)......Page 1015 The Edicts of Samsu-iluna and his Successors (2.134)......Page 1017 The “Sun Disk” Tablet of Nabû-apla-iddina (2.135)......Page 1019 Will of Ammitaku Leader of Alalakh (2.136)......Page 1023 Land Grant AT 456 (2.137)......Page 1024 AKKADIAN BIBLIOGRAPHY......Page 1026 SUMERIAN MONUMENTAL INSCRIPTIONS......Page 1038 BUILDING AND DISPLAY INSCRIPTIONS......Page 1040 Ur-Nammu (2.138B)......Page 1042 Shulgi (2.139A)......Page 1043 Shulgi (2.139D)......Page 1044 Ibbi-Sin (2.141A)......Page 1045 2. Old Babylonian Inscriptions......Page 1046 VOTIVE INSCRIPTIONS......Page 1048 Lugal-murube Son of Zuzu (2.143)......Page 1050 SEAL INSCRIPTIONS......Page 1052 Servants of Kings (2.145)......Page 1054 WEIGHT INSCRIPTIONS......Page 1056 Weight Inscriptions (2.146-151)......Page 1058 “FUNCTIONAL” INSCRIPTIONS......Page 1060 Reforms of Uru-inimgina (2.152)......Page 1062 The Laws of Ur-Namma (2.153)......Page 1063 The Laws of Lipit-Ishtar (2.154)......Page 1065 TEMPLE HYMNS OF GUDEA......Page 1070 The Cylinders of Gudea (2.155)......Page 1072 SUMERIAN BIBLIOGRAPHY......Page 1090 VOLUME III – Archival Documents from the Biblical World......Page 1096 Contents......Page 1098 Preface......Page 1106 Abbreviations and Symbols......Page 1108 List of Contributors......Page 1110 Introduction......Page 1112 Understanding Hebrew and Egyptian Military Texts: A Contextual Approach......Page 1114 Hittite-Israelite Cultural Parallels......Page 1122 The “Contextual Method”: Some West Semitic Reflections......Page 1128 The Impact of Assyriology on Biblical Studies......Page 1136 Sumer and the Bible: a Matter of Proportion......Page 1142 EGYPTIAN ARCHIVAL DOCUMENTS......Page 1148 LETTERS......Page 1150 Letter I (3.1A)......Page 1152 Letter II (3.IB)......Page 1154 Letter III (3.1C)......Page 1155 The Craft of the Scribe (Papyrus Anastasi I) (3.2)......Page 1156 Praise of Pi-Ramessu (Papyrus Anastasi III) (3.3)......Page 1162 A Report of Bedouin (Papyrus Anastasi VI) (3.5)......Page 1163 CONTRACTS......Page 1166 2. DEMOTIC SELF-DEDICATION TEXTS......Page 1168 Papyrus British Museum 10624 (3.7B)......Page 1169 Papyrus Milan 6 (3.7C)......Page 1170 COURTCASES......Page 1172 The Turin Judicial Papyrus (The Harem Conspiracy against Ramses III) (3.8)......Page 1174 Papyri Rollin and Lee (Magic in the Harem Conspiracy against Ramses III) (3.9)......Page 1177 A Lawsuit over a Syrian Slave (P. Cairo 65739) (3.10)......Page 1178 ACCOUNTS......Page 1180 Semitic Slaves on a Middle Kingdom Estate (P. Brooklyn 35.1446) (3.11)......Page 1182 Semitic Functionaries in Egypt (KRI 4:104-106) (3.12)......Page 1184 EGYPTIAN BIBLIOGRAPHY......Page 1186 HITTITE ARCHIVAL DOCUMENTS......Page 1188 LETTERS......Page 1190 The King to Kaššū in Tapikka 2 (HKM 2) (3.14)......Page 1192 The King to Kaššū in Tapikka 5 (HKM 5) (3.17)......Page 1193 The King to Kaššū in Tapikka 8 (HKM 8) (3.20)......Page 1194 The King to Kaššū in Tapikka 10 (HKM 10) (3.22)......Page 1195 The King to Kaššū in Tapikka 13 (HKM 14) (3.25)......Page 1196 The King to Kaššū, Hulla and Zulapi in Tapikka (HKM 17) (3.28)......Page 1197 Letter from Queen Naptera of Egypt to Queen Puduhepa of Hatti (3.30)......Page 1198 Letter from Hattušili III of Hatti to Kadašman-Enlil II of Babylon (3.31)......Page 1199 Letter from Piha-walwi of Hatti to Ibiranu of Ugarit (3.32)......Page 1200 COURTCASES......Page 1202 The Case Against Ura-tarhunta and his Father Ukkura (3.33)......Page 1204 ACCOUNTS......Page 1208 KBo 2.1 (CTH 509) (3.34)......Page 1210 KUB 38.2 (3.35)......Page 1211 KUB 15.1 (CTH 584.1) (3.36)......Page 1213 From Büyükkale, Building A, Rooms 1-2 (3.37)......Page 1214 From Büyükkale, Building A, Rooms 4-5 (3.38)......Page 1215 From Büyükkale, Building E (3.40)......Page 1216 HITTITE BIBLIOGRAPHY......Page 1218 WEST SEMITIC ARCHIVAL DOCUMENTS......Page 1220 LETTERS......Page 1222 The Mesad Hashavyahu (Yavneh Yam) Ostracon (3.41)......Page 1224 Lachish Ostraca (3.42)......Page 1225 Arad Ostraca (3.43)......Page 1228 The Widow’s Plea (3.44)......Page 1233 2. UGARITIC LETTERS......Page 1234 (2) Talmiyānu Keeps in Touch with the Queen (RS 9.479A) (3.45B)......Page 1236 (4) The King to the Queen-mother in the Matter of the Amurrite Princess (RS 34.124) (3.45D)......Page 1237 (6) The King of Ugarit to the Queen-mother in the Matter of his Meeting with the Hittite Sovereign (RS 16.379) (3.45F)......Page 1239 (8) The King of Tyre to the King of Ugarit in the Matter of Storm-damaged Ships (RS 18.031) (3.45H)......Page 1240 (9) The King of Hatti to the King of Ugarit (RS 18.038) (3.45I)......Page 1241 (10) Puduhepa, Queen of Hatti, to the King of Ugarit (RS 17.434+) (3.45J)......Page 1243 (12) Mutual Assistance (RS 18.075) (3.45L)......Page 1244 (13) Ammittamru, King of Ugarit, to the King of Egypt (RIH 78.3+30) (3.45M)......Page 1245 (15) Part of a Letter Addressed to the King of Egypt (RS 16.078) (3.45O)......Page 1246 (17) The King to Hayyail Regarding an Allotment of Logs (RS 16.264) (3.45Q)......Page 1247 (18) Double Letter: from the Queen to Urtēnu and from Ilīmilku to the Same (RS 94.2406) (3.45R)......Page 1249 (19) The Queen to Yarmîhaddu (RS 96.2039) (3.45S)......Page 1250 (21) From an Official in Alashia to the King (RS 18.113A+B) (3.45U)......Page 1251 (24) Message of Iriritaruma to the Queen (RS 16.402) (3.45X)......Page 1252 (25) Urgitetub (Urhi-Tešub) to the Queen (RS 20.199) (3.45Y)......Page 1253 (28) A Military Situation (RS 4.475) (3.45BB)......Page 1254 (30) Brother to Sister (RS 17.063) (3.45DD)......Page 1255 (32) Emergency Report from a City-commander (RS 19.011) (3.45FF)......Page 1256 (34) Two Servants to Their Master (RS 29.093) (3.45HH)......Page 1257 (35) A Problem with Rations (RS 29.095) (3.45II)......Page 1258 (37) Anantēnu to his Master Hidmiratu (RS 92.2010) (3.45KK)......Page 1259 (38) Abniya isn’t happy (RS 94.2284) (3.45LL)......Page 1260 (40) Getting One’s Name Before the King (RS [Varia 4]) (3.45NN)......Page 1261 (42) The Greetings that Abniya Might Have Sent (RS 94.2273) (3.45PP)......Page 1262 The Passover Letter (3.46)......Page 1263 Report of Conflict and Request for Assistance (3.47)......Page 1265 Recommendation to Aid Two Benefactors (3.48)......Page 1266 Report of Imprisonment of Jewish Leaders (3.49)......Page 1268 Petition for Reconstruction of Temple(?) (Draft) (3.50)......Page 1270 Request for Letter of Recommendation (First Draft) (3.51)......Page 1272 Recommendation for Reconstruction of Temple (3.52)......Page 1277 Offer of Payment for Reconstruction of Temple (Draft) (3.53)......Page 1278 Appeal of Adon King of Ekron to Pharaoh (3.54)......Page 1279 CONTRACTS......Page 1282 Cebel Ires Daği (3.55)......Page 1284 A Barley Loan from Assur (3.56)......Page 1286 A Barley Loan from Guzāna (3.58)......Page 1287 THE MIBTAHIAH ARCHIVE (471-410 BCE)......Page 1288 Grant of a Built Wall (3.59)......Page 1289 Withdrawal from Land (3.60)......Page 1292 Bequest of House to Daughter (3.61)......Page 1294 Grant of Usufruct to Son-in-law (3.62)......Page 1298 Document of Wifehood (3.63)......Page 1300 Grant of House to Daughter (3.64)......Page 1304 Withdrawal from Goods (3.65)......Page 1307 Withdrawal from Goods (3.66)......Page 1308 Withdrawal from House (3.67)......Page 1310 Apportionment of Slaves (3.68)......Page 1313 Loan of Silver (3.69)......Page 1315 Withdrawal from Hyr (3.70)......Page 1317 Document of Wifehood (3.71)......Page 1318 Sale of Abandoned Property (3.72)......Page 1321 Bequest of Apartment to Wife (3.73)......Page 1323 Testamentary Manumission (3.74)......Page 1325 A Life Estate of Usufruct (3.75)......Page 1327 Document of Wifehood (3.76)......Page 1329 Adoption (3.77)......Page 1333 Bequest in Contemplation of Death (3.78)......Page 1335 Dowry Addendum (3.79)......Page 1338 Sale of Apartment to Son-in-law (3.80)......Page 1340 Loan of Grain (3.81)......Page 1344 ACCOUNTS......Page 1346 Village Tithe Payments at Ugarit (3.83)......Page 1348 Hesbân Ostracon A1 (3.84)......Page 1349 Ophel ostracon (3.86)......Page 1350 MISCELLANEOUS TEXTS......Page 1352 1. ARAMAIC OSTRACA......Page 1354 Instructions Regarding Children and Inquiry Regarding Passover (3.87A)......Page 1355 Instructions to Shear Ewe (3.87B)......Page 1356 Offer to Sew a Garment (3.87C)......Page 1357 Instructions Regarding Silver for Marzeah (3.87D)......Page 1358 Greetings from a Pagan to a Jew (3.87E)......Page 1359 Instructions to Aid Shepherd (3.87F)......Page 1360 Instructions Regarding Legumes and Barley, etc. (3.87G)......Page 1361 Letter Regarding Gift, Handmaiden, Allotment, and Pots (3.87I)......Page 1362 Instructions Regarding Tunic (3.87J)......Page 1363 Notice of Dispatch of Wood (3.87K)......Page 1364 An Aramaic Dream Report from Elephantine (3.88)......Page 1365 The Bukān Inscription (3.89)......Page 1366 WEST SEMITIC BIBLIOGRAPHY......Page 1368 AKKADIAN ARCHIVAL DOCUMENTS......Page 1378 LETTERS......Page 1380 A Letter of Enna-Dagan (3.90)......Page 1382 Letter Asking for the Return of Stolen Donkeys (AT 116) (3.91)......Page 1383 Letter of Abdi-heba of Jerusalem (EA 286) (3.92A)......Page 1384 Letter of Abdi-heba of Jerusalem (EA 289) (3.92B)......Page 1385 Letter of Tušratta, King of Mitanni (EA 17) (3.92D)......Page 1386 Letter of Rib-Haddi of Byblos (Gubla) (EA 362) (3.92E)......Page 1387 Letter of Lab ayu of Shechem (EA 253) (3.92F)......Page 1388 A Letter to Zalaia (3.93)......Page 1389 The Letter of Takuhlina (3.94)......Page 1390 The Murder of Sennacherib (3.95)......Page 1391 A Letter Reporting Matters in Kalah (Kalhu) (3.96)......Page 1392 A Report on Work on Dūr-Šarrukin (3.98)......Page 1393 CONTRACTS......Page 1394 Sale of a Town (AT 52) (3.99B)......Page 1396 Receipt for the Purchase of a Debt Slave (AT 65) (3.100)......Page 1397 Marriage Customs (AT 92) (3.101B)......Page 1398 Seven years of Barrenness before a Second Wife (AT 93) (3.101C)......Page 1399 Transfer of Creditors (AT 28) (3.102B)......Page 1400 Land Purchase Text (3.103)......Page 1401 Foreclosure and Redistribution of Land (3.105)......Page 1402 Land Donation for Service Rendered (3.107)......Page 1403 Royal Land Grant (3.109)......Page 1404 Sale of Three Slaves (3.111)......Page 1405 Sale of a Slave Woman (3.112)......Page 1406 A Slave Redemption (3.113)......Page 1407 Sale of a Slave (3.114)......Page 1408 Land Sale (3.115)......Page 1409 Sale of an Estate (3.117)......Page 1410 Land Sale (3.118)......Page 1411 COURTCASES......Page 1414 A Lawsuit from Hazor (3.120)......Page 1416 A Court Order from Samaria (3.122)......Page 1417 A Neo-Babylonian Dialogue Document (3.123)......Page 1418 ACCOUNTS......Page 1420 Offerings to the

The Context of Scripture illuminatingly presents the multi-faceted world of ancient writing that forms the colorful background to the literature of the Hebrew Bible. Designed as a thorough and durable reference work for all engaged in the study of the Bible and the ancient Near East, and involving 63 of the world's outstanding scholars in the field, it provides reliable access to a broad, balanced and representative collection of Ancient Near Eastern texts that have some bearing on the interpretation of the Bible. Translations of recently discovered texts are included, alongside new translations of better-known texts and in some cases the best existing translations of such texts.
The substantial three-volume work, with its specially designed page layout and large format, features full cross-referencing to comparable Bible passages, and new, up-to-date bibliographical annotations with judicious commentary. Its many distinct advantages over other collections will ensure the place of The Context of Scripture as a standard reference work for the 21st century.

The Context of Scripture is previously published in hardback by Brill (ISBN 90 04 09629 9, still available). Individual volumes are available separately in hardback only.

Annotation Hallo (Assyriology and Babylonian literature, Yale U.) and Younger (biblical studies, LeTourneau U.) present a selection of translated writings from the Ancient Near East that they hope will provide "horizontal and vertical" context to the Bible (Old Testament): "horizontal" in that the texts are arranged in relation to their historical, geographical, political, and religious settings, and "vertical" in that the entries reference both related biblical passages as well as other texts through time. Over the course of the three volumes, they include literary and religious writings ("canonical compositions"); monumental inscriptions that were clearly intended for long term survival; and archival legal contracts, personal letters, and other material shedding light on the daily lives of people. Annotation (c)2003 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)