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Cult Centralization of the Post-Exilic Period in Israel: The Role of Cult Centralization in the History after Deuteronomistic History

Sang-Won Lee 1

1장로회신학대학교

Accredited

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this article is to explain that the regulation of cult centralization(Dtn 12) no longer plays a key role in the postexilic texts of historical books. For this purpose, this study examines the postexilic texts relating to cult-places (1 Kings 13; 2 Kings 23,16-20; 17,24-41; 2 Chr 13,4-12; Josh 8,30-35). To begin with, the themes of the texts are revealed, while investigating on which grounds the cult places are criticized. Next, it expounds how the tradition of the Deuteronomistic History in which the regulation of cult centralization plays a key role is interpreted in the Persian eras in Israel. 1 Kings 13 criticizes the cult in Bethel on the basis of the prohibitions of God and the regulations about the priest. With this text, 2 Kings 23,16-20 strengthens the deuteronomistic tradtion about the Josianic reform which fulfilled the cult centralization. 2 Chr 13,4-12 criticizes the cult in Bethel on the basis of the illegal appointment and delegation of the priest. 2 Kings 17,24-41 makes illegal a specific cult-place in Samaria, namely the YHWH-Tempel on Mt. Gerizim. Also, Josh 8,30-35 aims to delegitimize the YHWH-Tempel on Mt. Gerizim. According to the deuteronomistic tradition, the only legal cult-place for YHWH ist the tempel of Jerusalem and the regulation of cult centralization was fulfilled in virtue of the Josianic cult-reform. From the Judean pont of view which was based on this tradition the YHWH-Tempel on Mt. Gerizim could not have been accepted. Thus the tempel on Mt. Gerizim which was in competition with the tempel of Jerusalem is described with Bamoth, but is under fire on the basis of the First Commandment and the regulations about the appointment of the priest. Israel in the Persian period upholds and reinterprets the tradition of the Deuteronomistic History in regard to the Bamoth-cult.

Citation status

* References for papers published after 2023 are currently being built.

This paper was written with support from the National Research Foundation of Korea.