[b-hebrew] Iron and Curses in Deuteronomy 28

George Athas George.Athas at moore.edu.au
Sat Feb 7 23:45:29 EST 2009


Iron was in use from a very early time - well before the Iron Age itself. However, what distinguishes the Iron Age from the previous periods is that the Iron Age saw the dissemination of how to smelt iron at very high temperatures. This allowed for the production of toughened iron - what it is effectively steel. And it is this which revolutionised the ancient Near East. Before this time, iron would not have been a very strong material to use, certainly not in standard weaponry and construction tools.

In my opinion, the injunction not to use iron tools on altars was not to avoid foreign influence, but rather to use naturally shaped stone. It is an attempt to avoid human influence over the deity's property. This is also why certain materials are branded QD$ LYHWH (holy to Yahweh).

As for the connections between Deuteronomy and the curses in Esarhaddon's treaty, I don't think there is a direct connection. Execrations are rather formulaic and therefore would be very well known in wide quarters. I don't think, therefore, there is a documentary connection. Rather, it is a cultural connection.


Regards,

GEORGE ATHAS
Moore Theological College (Sydney, Australia)
www.moore.edu.au



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