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Magic in the ancient Near East with special reference to ancient Israel

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In this investigation an anthropological and comparative approach was
employed in the study of magic in the ancient Near East. Firstly, a survey was
presented with regard to anthropological theories throughout the nineteenth and
twentieth centuries. This forms the background against which evidence on
magic with respect to the cultures of the ancient Near East is investigated.
Secondly, examples of magic in the Ancient Near East was discussed, with
reference to Egypt, Mesopotamia and Hittite Anatolia. Reference was made to
categories such as magic spells, objects, rituals and magical experts
(magicians) and various examples were discussed.
Thirdly, an analysis was made about the phenomenon of magic in ancient Israel.
In this context magic plays a somewhat different role in comparison to its other
ancient Near Eastern neighbours. It was shown that so-called miraculous
actions, miracle workers (prophets) and other religious actions (curses and
blessings) in the Hebrew Bible could definitely be associated with magic. The
frequent prohibitions against magical practises furthermore suggest that magic
was indeed been practiced in ancient Israel. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In hierdie ondersoek met betrekking tot magie in die ou Nabye Ooste word
gebruik gemaak van 'n antropologiese en vergelykende benadering. Eerstens
word 'n oorsig aangebied van antropologiese teorieë met betrekking tot magie in
die negentiende en twintigste eeue. Dit vorm die agtergrond waarteen die
verskynsel van magie in die ou Nabye Ooste ondersoek word.
Tweedens word voorbeelde van magie in die ou Nabye Ooste ondersoek, met
verwysing na Egipte, Mesopotamië en die Hetiete. Spesiale aandag word gegee
aan kategorieë soos magiese spreuke, magiese objekte, rituele en magiese
spesialiste. Dit word toegelig met verskillende toepaslike voorbeelde.
Derdens word 'n ondersoek gedoen na die aard van magie in Oud-Israel. In
hierdie konteks het magie ietwat van 'n ander rol vervul in vergelyking met die
ander ou Nabye Oosterse bure. Daar word aangedui dat sekere wonderdade,
wonderwerkers (profete), en ander religieuse aksies (vervloekinge en
seënuitsprake) in die Hebreeuse Bybel met magie geassosieer kan word. Die
vele verbiedinge teen die beoefening van magie is 'n duidelike aanduiding dat
magie inderdaad in Israel gepraktiseer is.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/52924
Date12 1900
CreatorsLiedeman, Gwendolene Caren
ContributorsKruger, P. A., Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences. Dept. of Ancient Studies.
PublisherStellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Source SetsSouth African National ETD Portal
Languageen_ZA
Detected LanguageUnknown
TypeThesis
Format68 pages
RightsStellenbosch University

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