Text in Afrikaans / Hierdie verhandeling dek oor die algemeen die groter geheel van die Monargale Tydvak in die geskiedenis van Israel en Juda. Daar word egter meer spesifiek gefokus op die koningskap van Josia, `n merkwaardige koning van Juda, en sy godsdienstige hervormings wat van stapel gestuur is na aanleiding van die vonds van die wetboek in die Tempel. Die verhaal van Josia word geskets teen die agtergrond van die politieke klimaat in die antieke Nabye Ooste voor- en tydens sy koningskap. Aandag word dus gegee aan ander nasies en die invloed wat hulle op Juda gehad het. Daar word ook gekyk na daardie profete wat moontlik `n invloed op Josia kon gehad het, hetsy profete wat aktief was tydens sy koningskap of in die jare onmiddellik daarvoor. Laastens word ook na die Deuteronomistiese Geskiedenis gekyk ten einde die moontlike verband daarvan met Josia en sy hervormings te bepaal / This dissertation covers, in generaL the topic of the Monarchial Period in the history of Israel. More specific attention is given to Josiah. a remarkable king of Judah, and his program of religious refonn, that was set in motion with the discovery of the Book of the Law in the Temple. The story of Josiah is told against the background of the political climate in the ancient Near East prior to and also during Josiah's reign. Other nations and their influence on Judah is carefully considered in this regard. Attention is also given to those prophets that could possibly have influenced Josiah. Some of these prophets were active during Josiah's reign and others in the years preceding his reign. Lastly the Deuteronomistic History is considered to determine the possible links to Josiah and his refonn program / Biblical and Ancient Studies / M.Th. (Old Testament)

This thesis investigates the period in Judah which took place precisely a century between the death ofHezekiah (687 BCE) and the final fall of Jerusalem (587 BCE) Seldom has a nation experienced so many dramatically sudden reversals of fortune in so relatively short a time. Throughout the first half of the seventh century BCE the Assyrian empire reigned supreme. In the second half, in rapid succession, Judah, as a vassal, experienced periods of independence and of subjection, first to Egypt, then to Babylonia, before finally destroying herself in a futile rebellion against the latter. The aim of the thesis was to set Judah in the global context and investigate the role she played. To this end the Great Powers, namely Assyria, Egypt and Babylonia were surveyed, as well as were the Small Powers, like Judah, Phoenicia and the Transjordanian states, and the relationships probed. The thesis traces the life of the wicked but extraordinarily successful King Manasseh, and his equally reprobate son, Amon, who was brutally murdered by his servants, and was avenged by 'the people of the land'. Josiah is the only monarch who fits the Deuteronomistic requirements of a good king. Religious and national reform generally go hand in hand with politics, and the cultic reform and centralization of the cult characterise his reign. · With the fall of Assyria, the temporary surge into prominence by Egypt and the tragic death of Josiah in 609 BCE, Judah experienced radical political fluctuations and with them alternate subjugation by, and rebellion against, each of the major powers. Inexperienced leadership and a situation of dual kings, followed Josiah's death. The rapidly changing international scene demanded of the rulers of Judah skillful manoeuvring and exceptional adaptability, and frequently confronted them with ominous political situations. Judaean leaders and the puppet King Zedekiah, propped up by false prophets, failed to grasp the shift in the balance of power, and clung to questionable Egyptian aid against the new world power, Babylonia. Highly vulnerable and left in the lurch, Jerusalem faced protracted siege and famine in Jerusalem, destruction ofthe Temple, and deportation ofthe cream ofher people. / Classics and Modern European Languages / D. Litt. et Phil. (Judaica)