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@article{ART001434036},
author={Choi, Gwanghyun},
title={'Masseboth' in the Old Testament and in Archaeology},
journal={Korean Journal of Old Testament Studies},
issn={1229-0521},
year={2010},
volume={16},
number={1},
pages={190-223},
doi={10.24333/jkots.2010.16.1.190}

TY - JOUR
AU - Choi, Gwanghyun
TI - 'Masseboth' in the Old Testament and in Archaeology
JO - Korean Journal of Old Testament Studies
PY - 2010
VL - 16
IS - 1
PB - Korean Society of Old Testament Studies
SP - 190
EP - 223
SN - 1229-0521
AB - The Hebrew word 'masseboth' ( ) is conventionally translated as 'standing stones,' 'sacred pillars' in various English versions of the Bible. In both of Korean Revised Version and New Korean Revised Version, however, the same word has a variety of meanings according to the context; they include 'tombstones,' 'monuments,' 'stone pillars,' 'idols,' 'wooden images' or 'stone images.' These translations of the word 'masseboth' are in fact an outcome of supposing its functions and purposes on the basis of the related biblical verses. Archaeologists conventionally have applied the same Hebrew word to a group of mysterious standing stones or pillars, which have been found at many sites in Israel. Some scholars have tried not only to interpret them as 'masseboth' but also to suppose their functions on the basis of biblical or extra-biblical sources. The present study questions the validity of such an approach, and emphasizes that they should be interpreted first on the basis of their archaeological contexts without any biblical preconceptions. It points out that the archaeological 'masseboth' are represented by three types: the undressed or roughly-dressed standing stone, the well-dressed iconic stele, and the well-dressed aniconic stele. These two well-dressed types seem to have originated in the urban culture of the Near East, while the undressed type probably find its origin in the desert area such as Sinai and Negev. Given the fact that they mostly come from a temple-related or cult-related context, their cultic functions can be assumed, although it is difficult to clarify what kind of cult they served for. There is no doubt that most of the biblical 'masseboth' have also certain religious meanings no matter what their functions are. Standing stones have a long history of thousands of years in Palestine. It is noteworthy that the number of occurrence of the undressed standing stones sharply increases during the Iron Age. This phenomenon may have been associated with the migration of the Israelites to Palestine and with their eventual settlement.
KW - masseboth iconic stele aniconic stele standing stones archaeology
DO - 10.24333/jkots.2010.16.1.190
ER -

Choi, Gwanghyun. (2010). 'Masseboth' in the Old Testament and in Archaeology. Korean Journal of Old Testament Studies, 16(1), 190-223.

Choi, Gwanghyun. 2010, "'Masseboth' in the Old Testament and in Archaeology", Korean Journal of Old Testament Studies, vol.16, no.1 pp.190-223. Available from: doi:10.24333/jkots.2010.16.1.190

Choi, Gwanghyun "'Masseboth' in the Old Testament and in Archaeology" Korean Journal of Old Testament Studies 16.1 pp.190-223 (2010) : 190.

Choi, Gwanghyun. 'Masseboth' in the Old Testament and in Archaeology. 2010; 16(1), 190-223. Available from: doi:10.24333/jkots.2010.16.1.190

Choi, Gwanghyun. "'Masseboth' in the Old Testament and in Archaeology" Korean Journal of Old Testament Studies 16, no.1 (2010) : 190-223.doi: 10.24333/jkots.2010.16.1.190

Choi, Gwanghyun. 'Masseboth' in the Old Testament and in Archaeology. Korean Journal of Old Testament Studies, 16(1), 190-223. doi: 10.24333/jkots.2010.16.1.190

Choi, Gwanghyun. 'Masseboth' in the Old Testament and in Archaeology. Korean Journal of Old Testament Studies. 2010; 16(1) 190-223. doi: 10.24333/jkots.2010.16.1.190

Choi, Gwanghyun. 'Masseboth' in the Old Testament and in Archaeology. 2010; 16(1), 190-223. Available from: doi:10.24333/jkots.2010.16.1.190

Choi, Gwanghyun. "'Masseboth' in the Old Testament and in Archaeology" Korean Journal of Old Testament Studies 16, no.1 (2010) : 190-223.doi: 10.24333/jkots.2010.16.1.190