Zion, the City of the Great King: A Theological Symbol of the Jerusalem Cult (Journal for the Study of the Old Testament Supplement Series, No 41)

While previous research has illuminated the origins and development of the Zion tradition, this book is the first to make a thorough study of Zion as a theological symbol within the larger Jerusalem cult tradition. Drawing primarily on the Psalms and Isaiah of Jerusalem, Ollenburger shows that Zion serves pre-eminently to symbolize the kingship of Yahweh on Zion as creator and defender of world order. As such, Zion serves also to symbolize security and refuge, particularly for the poor. This study constitutes a powerful argument against the tendency of Old Testament theologians to devalue the cosmic Zion symbolism in favour of the historical theology of the exodus, especially when assessing the contemporary import of Old Testament theology. Zion symbolism is anything but an ideological tool legitimating a self-sufficient and self-serving monarchy. Instead it serves as the basis for a radical critique of the projects and pretensions of Judah's royal court. Contents......Page 6 Preface......Page 8 Abbreviations......Page 10 1. INTRODUCTION......Page 14 A. The Zion tradition......Page 16 B. Zion as a central symbol......Page 20 Introduction......Page 24 1. The problem of an enthronement festival......Page 25 2. The scholarly discussion......Page 26 3. Evaluation of the discussion......Page 29 B. The kingship of Yahweh in the enthronement Psalms......Page 34 1. 'Rejoicing' and kingship......Page 35 2. The traditio-historical background......Page 37 3. Yahweh's kingship in the Jerusalem cult......Page 45 C. The celebration of Yahweh's kingship: summary......Page 47 Introduction......Page 54 A. Yahweh as Creator and Defender......Page 55 B. Zion and David......Page 60 1. Zion symbolizes security......Page 67 2. Zion's security: Yahweh's presence as king......Page 71 3. Zion's security: Yahweh's presence as creator and defender......Page 73 4. Zion symbolizes refuge......Page 75 5. Refuge in Yahweh as creator/defender......Page 77 Introduction......Page 82 1. Yahweh's exaltation and human subordination......Page 83 2. Yahweh's exclusive prerogative......Page 88 B. The origins of Yahweh's exclusive prerogative......Page 101 1. Holy War......Page 102 2. The Prophets......Page 105 3. A common background......Page 131 4. The ancient Near Eastern context......Page 137 5. Conclusions......Page 141 A. Summary of results......Page 146 B. Conclusions and implications......Page 150 1. Exodus......Page 151 2. Zion......Page 152 3. Creation......Page 156 4. The order of the real world......Page 159 Notes......Page 164 Bibliography......Page 239 Index of Biblical References......Page 260 C......Page 267 H......Page 268 M......Page 269 S......Page 270 W......Page 271 Z......Page 272 1. Introduction -- A. The Zion Tradition -- B. Zion As A Central Symbol -- 2. Yahweh As King On Zion -- Introduction -- A. Psalms Of Yahweh's Enthronement -- (1) The Problem Of An Enthronement Festival -- (2) The Scholarly Discussion -- (3) Evaluation Of The Discussion -- B. The Kingship Of Yahweh In The Enthronement Psalms -- (1) 'rejoicing' And Kingship -- (2) The Traditio-historical Background -- (a) 'yahweh Of Hosts' And The Shiloh Ark -- Excursus: The 'temple' At Shiloh -- (b) The 'mighty One Of Jacob' -- (c) Yahweh 'enthroned Upon The Cherubim' -- (3) Yahweh's Kingship In The Jerusalem Cult -- C. The Celebration Of Yahweh's Kingship: Summary 3. The Exercise Of Yahweh's Kingship -- Introduction -- A. Yahweh As Creator And Defender -- B. Zion And David -- C. Zion As A Symbol Of Security And Refuge -- (1) Zion Symbolizes Security -- (2) Zion's Security: Yahweh's Presence As King -- (3) Zion's Security: Yahweh's Presence As Creator And Defender -- (4) Zion Symbolizes Refuge -- (5) Refuge In Yahweh As Creator/defender 4. Yahweh's Exclusive Prerogative -- Introduction -- A. Yahweh's Exclusive Prerogative In Psalms From The Jerusalem Cult -- (1) Yahweh's Exaltation And Human Subordination -- (2) Yahweh's Exclusive Prerogative -- (a) Psalm 118 -- (b) Psalms 20, 44 And 33 -- (c) Summary -- B. The Origins Of Yahweh's Exclusive Prerogative -- (1) Holy War -- (2) The Prophets -- (a) Hosea -- (b) Isaiah -- Conclusions And Implications -- (1) Exodus -- (2) Zion -- (3) Creation -- (4) The Order Of The Real World. Ben C. Ollenburger. Originally Presented As The Author's Thesis (ph. D.)--princeton Theological Seminary, 1982. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.