The aggression of the biblical God named Yhwh is notorious. Students of theology, the Bible, and the Ancient Near East know that the Hebrew Bible describes Yhwh acting destructively against his client country, Israel, and against its kings. But is Yhwh uniquely vengeful, or was he just one among other, similarly ferocious patron gods? To answer this question, Collin Cornell compares royal biblical psalms with memorial inscriptions. He finds that the Bible shares deep theological and literary commonalities with comparable texts from Israel's ancient neighbours. The centrepiece of both traditions is the intense mutual loyalty of gods and kings. In the event that the king's monument and legacy comes to harm, gods avenge their individual royal protege. In the face of political inexpedience, kings honour their individual divine benefactor.

Compares psalms and inscriptions to determine whether the aggression of the biblical God against his king and country was unique.

About the Author
Collin Cornell is Visiting Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies for the School of Theology at The University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee and editor of Divine Doppelgangers: YHWH's Ancient Look-Alikes (2020).


Book Information
ISBN 9781108842679
Author Collin Cornell
Format Hardback
Page Count 325
Imprint Cambridge University Press
Publisher Cambridge University Press
Weight(grams) 420g
Dimensions(mm) 230mm * 153mm * 26mm