Biblical Hebrew Forum

[ben.crick AT argonet.co.uk (Ben Crick)]

On Sun 27 Dec 98 (07:49:39), buthfam AT compuserve.com wrote:
> here is a possibly ambiguous oath, with a footnote that is given to
> students:
> 
> ko ya`ase Y"H li vexo yosif
> ki ha-mavet yafrid beni uvenex

 This appears to be a standard "covenant invoking" oath based on the
 "cutting" of the Covenant, where a sacrificial animal is solemnly bisected
 with the words "The LORD do so to me, and more also, if I break the terms
 of this covenant...". That is, "the LORD cut me off...". The standard form
 is in Genesis 15:9-17. In a mutual covenant, both parties would pass between
 the severed pieces; but in a unilateral Covenant such as that made by YHWH
 with Abraham, YHWH in the guise of a "smoking lamp" (reminiscent of the
 pillar of cloud and fire of the Exodus) passed between the pieces, whilst
 Abraham watched as a man in a trance.

 The practice of "covenant cutting" (KaRaT B:RiT) seems to go back to Hittite
 times. All nations did it; so Ruth the Moabitess would know and use the
 formula "The LORD do so to me and more also..." even if she were not yet
 fully instructed in her mother-in-law's religion.

 Happy New Year
 Ben
-- 
 Revd Ben Crick, BA CF
 <ben.crick AT argonet.co.uk>
 232 Canterbury Road, Birchington, Kent, CT7 9TD (UK)
 http://www.cnetwork.co.uk/crick.htm