O presente trabalho expõe o período em que Ezequias exerceu a regência do reino de Judá no final do século 8 a.e.c. até o início do século 7 a.e.c. Para tanto, foram abordados os seguintes temas: a definição da sua época, a explanação das fontes descobertas até a data de elaboração desta dissertação e, ainda, os trechos relevantes da Bíblia. Para subsidiar o estudo sobre a época do rei Ezequias, procurou-se demonstrar suas ações dentro de um cenário político-militar da região do Antigo Oriente. Para isso, foram pesquisadas as atuações de reis vizinhos, incluindo os registros epigráficos por eles deixados. Procurou-se, ainda, apresentar as controvérsias entre a pesquisa bíblica e a arqueológica-epigráfica da época, através de publicações de historiadores estudiosos da Bíblia e arqueólogos, que às vezes concordam e outras divergem a respeito da análise das descobertas. A atual contestação mundial quanto à veracidade da narrativa bíblica como relato histórico confiável do povo de Israel na antiguidade, torna essa pesquisa relevante por trazer ao leitor interessado uma parte do presente debate. / This work reveals the period that Hizkiah ruled over Judea at the end of the 8th and beginning of the 7th century BCE. Therefore, the following sources were approached: the definition of his era, presentation of the discoveries until the day of the elaboration of this essay, as well as passages from the Bible. To substantiate this study about the era of King Hizkiah, we have approached his actions within the political-military scenery in the Ancient Orient. To achieve that, the actions of neighboring rulers as well as epigraphic documents, which were left behind, has been analyzed. The controversy between biblical research and archaeologicalepigraphic finds of this period, where confronted, with the aid of the Bible historians publications as well as archaeologists publications, which sometimes agree and other times differ, regarding the analysis of the discoveries. Within the present world discussion about the veracity of the Bible as a trusty historical source on the life of the people of Israel in ancient times, this research becomes relevant as it brings the interested reader to be aware of this current debate.

O presente trabalho expõe o período em que Ezequias exerceu a regência do reino de Judá no final do século 8 a.e.c. até o início do século 7 a.e.c. Para tanto, foram abordados os seguintes temas: a definição da sua época, a explanação das fontes descobertas até a data de elaboração desta dissertação e, ainda, os trechos relevantes da Bíblia. Para subsidiar o estudo sobre a época do rei Ezequias, procurou-se demonstrar suas ações dentro de um cenário político-militar da região do Antigo Oriente. Para isso, foram pesquisadas as atuações de reis vizinhos, incluindo os registros epigráficos por eles deixados. Procurou-se, ainda, apresentar as controvérsias entre a pesquisa bíblica e a arqueológica-epigráfica da época, através de publicações de historiadores estudiosos da Bíblia e arqueólogos, que às vezes concordam e outras divergem a respeito da análise das descobertas. A atual contestação mundial quanto à veracidade da narrativa bíblica como relato histórico confiável do povo de Israel na antiguidade, torna essa pesquisa relevante por trazer ao leitor interessado uma parte do presente debate. / This work reveals the period that Hizkiah ruled over Judea at the end of the 8th and beginning of the 7th century BCE. Therefore, the following sources were approached: the definition of his era, presentation of the discoveries until the day of the elaboration of this essay, as well as passages from the Bible. To substantiate this study about the era of King Hizkiah, we have approached his actions within the political-military scenery in the Ancient Orient. To achieve that, the actions of neighboring rulers as well as epigraphic documents, which were left behind, has been analyzed. The controversy between biblical research and archaeologicalepigraphic finds of this period, where confronted, with the aid of the Bible historians publications as well as archaeologists publications, which sometimes agree and other times differ, regarding the analysis of the discoveries. Within the present world discussion about the veracity of the Bible as a trusty historical source on the life of the people of Israel in ancient times, this research becomes relevant as it brings the interested reader to be aware of this current debate.

This dissertation examines the interactions between early modern science and traditional Jewish legal scholarship through the life and work of Italian rabbi and physician Isaac Lampronti (1679-1756). Lampronti produced both the first alphabetically organized encyclopedia (the Paḥad Yiẓḥak) and the first periodical (the Bikurei kaẓir) of rabbinic law, which refashioned the traditional rabbinic system according to scientific methodologies and emerging Enlightenment ideas. Unwilling to relinquish the authorities of either science or traditional Jewish law, Lampronti creatively mediated the tensions between the two. The dissertation shows that the intellectual movements of the period not only catalyzed innovation within the realm of religious belief, they transformed religious practice and study as well.

<p> Hezekiah is portrayed as a pious and faithful king in three biblical accounts: 2 Kgs 18-20, Isa 36-39 and 2 Chr 29-32. The way Hezekiah is characterized, however, is quite different in each of these three biblical accounts. Utilizing narrative analysis, this dissertation concentrated specifically on the characterization of Hezekiah in the literary context of these three biblical accounts. Hezekiah's story was examined first as a discrete account applying narrative features separately and then as a story within the larger context of each book. Then, the portrayal of Hezekiah in the three biblical books was compared in conclusion. This dissertation demonstrated that these three biblical accounts relate the same reign of King Hezekiah in their unique way according to their purpose and their individual point of view. The Kings account focuses on Hezekiah's political events including his negative aspects in order to show the faithfulness of the LORD in His promise to David (2 Sam 7) through Hezekiah's faithful actions to the LORD. Hezekiah is portrayed as a round character whose characterization is developed within the story. In Isaiah, the Hezekiah story is reshaped by the narrator by omitting and inserting some parts of Hezekiah's narratives in the Kings account. Hezekiah is portrayed as a more faithful king than his father, Ahaz, in order to encourage the people who heard the visions of Isaiah, to trust in the LORD sincerely. In Chronicles, the Hezekiah narratives are related differently by expanding, abridging, and rephrasing his Vorlage. The Chronicles account depicts Hezekiah as the best king among the Davidic kings in order to indicate the beginning of the reunited kingdom. Thus, the Chronicles account fully expands Hezekiah's religious reforms and abridges his political events in order to portray him as a second David and Solomon. In the three accounts, Hezekiah is not portrayed as a perfect king, but instead as a limited human king in order to encourage the readers to see the LORD, the heavenly King.</p> / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Most studies done on the subject of this mini-dissertation have only focused on the differences in chronological detail and text – searching for the facts behind the different accounts. Much attention has thus been paid to the historicity of the various texts and the way in which the different accounts affect each others credibility. But is this the only research to be done? The contention of this mini-dissertation is that to only look at the different texts surrounding Sennacherib’s third campaign through the eyes of a modern historian is to lose the unique and significant message that the various texts wanted to convey. An event only forms part of the construction of a meaningful whole by the author; thus it can be found in various stories at different places and with varying significance attached to it, without meaning that the account of which it forms a part is neither important nor historical. It only means that the authors of the various ancient accounts wanted to achieve different outcomes with their retelling of the original story. For this reason it is important to be able to enter the world represented in, and the mind of the writer of, the ancient texts – allowing the ideology and intentions of the author to be brought to the fore and the text to speak with its own voice, not that of the modern historian. To achieve this requires knowledge of the different symbols, concepts and the meanings attached to them by the ancient societies – shifting the attention to the texts themselves by looking at the way in which the events were narrated as well as what events were narrated; thus revealing the ultimate meaning and purpose of the various texts. The intention of this mini-dissertation is to study the various texts from the underdeveloped angle discussed above, namely ideology and social values. In doing so it is proposed that a new significance will be revealed for the various texts. Research done on the subject of this mini-dissertation has mostly focused on whether there was a single campaign in 701 BC; or two campaigns, one in 701 and one later; or whether chronological difficulties should be explained as arising from the perspective of an author who wrote much later than the actual events occurred. Most studies have only focused on the differences in chronological detail and text – searching for the facts behind the different accounts. Much attention has thus been paid to the historicity of the various texts and the way in which the different accounts affect each others credibility. But is this the only research to be done? The contention of this mini-dissertation is that to only look at the different texts surrounding Sennacherib’s third campaign through the eyes of a modern historian is to lose the unique and significant message that the various texts wanted to convey. An event only forms part of the construction of a meaningful whole by the author; thus it can be found in various stories at different places and with varying significance attached to it, without meaning that the account of which it forms a part is neither important nor historical. It only means that the authors of the various ancient accounts wanted to achieve different outcomes with their retelling of the original story. For this reason it is important to be able to enter the world represented in, and the mind of the writer of, the ancient texts – allowing the ideology and intentions of the author to be brought to the fore and the text to speak with its own voice, not that of the modern historian. To achieve this requires knowledge of the different symbols, concepts and the meanings attached to them by the ancient societies – shifting the attention to the texts themselves by looking at the way in which the events were narrated as well as what events were narrated; thus revealing the ultimate meaning and purpose of the various texts. The intention of this mini-dissertation is to study the various texts from the underdeveloped angle discussed above, namely ideology and social values. The question as to why the various narratives were written as they were will be the focus of this work, pushing aside the modern paradigm and analytical methods which so often focus on the idiosyncrasies instead of the commonalities. In doing so it is proposed that a new significance will be revealed for the various texts. / Dissertation (MA (Ancient Languages and Cultures))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Ancient Languages / unrestricted

The question leading this study is whether or not the contents of Hezekiah‘s storehouses and treasuries (2 Ki 20:13, 2 Chr 32:25-28 and Is 39:2) defy or reflect the reality of the Judaean domestic economy in the late 8th – early 7th century BCE. I have adopted a multidisciplinary and holistic approach, considering the literary, political, economic, religious, and socio-cultural dimensions of Hezekiah‘s reign. The study concludes that revenue from agriculture could not have been Hezekiah‘s only source of income. Local goods and taxes were insufficient in volume and value to account for the extent of Hezekiah‘s wealth. While the religious reforms and cult centralisation introduced by Hezekiah would have generated considerable income, alternative sources must have been available to the king. Tolls, taxes, and customs imposed on the international trade traversing the Levant contributed significantly. Examination of the available archaeological evidence reflects a prosperous economy, one that favoured a powerful minority. / Biblical and Ancient studies / M. A. (Biblical Archaeology)

The question leading this study is whether or not the contents of Hezekiah‘s storehouses and treasuries (2 Ki 20:13, 2 Chr 32:25-28 and Is 39:2) defy or reflect the reality of the Judaean domestic economy in the late 8th – early 7th century BCE. I have adopted a multidisciplinary and holistic approach, considering the literary, political, economic, religious, and socio-cultural dimensions of Hezekiah‘s reign. The study concludes that revenue from agriculture could not have been Hezekiah‘s only source of income. Local goods and taxes were insufficient in volume and value to account for the extent of Hezekiah‘s wealth. While the religious reforms and cult centralisation introduced by Hezekiah would have generated considerable income, alternative sources must have been available to the king. Tolls, taxes, and customs imposed on the international trade traversing the Levant contributed significantly. Examination of the available archaeological evidence reflects a prosperous economy, one that favoured a powerful minority. / Biblical and Ancient studies / M. A. (Biblical Archaeology)

The phenomenon of inner-biblical interpretation and inter-textual replication of scriptural material within the Old Testament is receiving significant attention in current scholarship. Two narratives which are repeated three times in the Hebrew Bible provide a particularly fruitful case study for this type of research: the Hezekiah narrative (2 Kgs 18-20; Isa 36-39; 2 Chr 29-32) and the account of the fall of Judah (2 Kgs 24-25; Jer 52; 2 Chr 36). This study extends the contributions of redaction-critical, literary-critical, and text-critical studies examining the narratives of 2 Kings 18-20//Isaiah 36-39 and 2 Kings 24:18-25:30//Jeremiah 52 and emphasizes their subsequent reception in Chronicles. In addition, this investigation advances the discussion of the Chronicler's reliance upon and method of incorporating material from the Latter Prophets. It is the conclusion of this thesis that the Chronicler was familiar with the versions of the Hezekiah narrative and the account of the fall of Judah in both 2 Kings and the Latter Prophets. His method of handling these alternative accounts reflects both direct quotation (particularly in the case of 2 Kings) and indirect allusion to themes and idioms (with regard to the Latter Prophets). The result is a re-telling of Judah's history which is infused with hope for restoration as articulated by the Latter Prophets. By portraying an idealized account of Israel's past history which corresponds to prophetic descriptions of the nation's restoration, Chronicles illustrates the accessible, utopic potential held out to every generation of faithful Israel.

There is no consensus regarding the interpretation of the "Spirit like a dove" comparison in Jesus' baptism (Mk 1:10). Although scholars have proposed at least fifty different interpretations of the dove comparison, no study appears to have considered Isaiah's three dove texts as the background for the Markan dove (cf. Is 38:14; 59:11; 60:8). This neglect is surprising considering the abundance of Isaianic allusions in Mark's Prologue (Mk 1:1-15), and the growing awareness that Isaiah is the hermeneutical key for both the Markan Prologue and Jesus' baptism within it. Indeed, Mark connects the dove image inseparably to the Spirit's "descent" from heaven, which alludes to Yahweh's descent in a New Exodus deliverance in Isaiah 63:19 [MT]. Furthermore, each Isaianic dove text uses the same simile, "like a dove" or "like doves," which appears in Mark 1:10, and shares the theme of lament and restoration which fits the context of Mark's baptism account. This study therefore argues that the dove image in Mark 1:10 is a symbol which evokes metonymically Isaiah's three dove texts. So the Spirit is "like a dove" not because any quality of the Spirit resembles that of a dove, but because the dove recalls the Isaianic theme of lament and restoration associated with doves in this Scriptural tradition. After discussing the Markan dove in terms of simile, symbol, and metonymy, the study examines the Isaianic dove texts in the MT and LXX and argues that they form a single motif. Next, later Jewish references to the Isaianic dove texts are considered, while an Appendix examines further dove references in Jewish and Greco-Roman literature. Finally, the study argues that the Markan dove coheres in function with the Isaianic dove motif and symbolizes the Spirit's effect upon and through Jesus by evoking metonymically the Isaianic dove texts.