Scribes (šōṭerîm) in Deuteronomy

A review of the seven uses of šōṭēr in Deuteronomy and the eighteen occurrences elsewhere in the Hebrew Bible indicates that the best translation in all cases is “scribe.” By the Hellenistic period and the writing of Chronicles, šōṭerîm were classified as Levites, i.e. those “bound” by oath to royal...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Edelman, Diana Vikander 1954- (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Taylor & Francis 2023
In: Scandinavian journal of the Old Testament
Year: 2023, Volume: 37, Issue: 1, Pages: 34-57
Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains:B sōtēr / Scribe / Scholar / Oath / Deuteronomium
IxTheo Classification:HB Old Testament
HD Early Judaism
HH Archaeology
Online Access: Volltext (kostenfrei)
Description
Summary:A review of the seven uses of šōṭēr in Deuteronomy and the eighteen occurrences elsewhere in the Hebrew Bible indicates that the best translation in all cases is “scribe.” By the Hellenistic period and the writing of Chronicles, šōṭerîm were classified as Levites, i.e. those “bound” by oath to royal or imperial service but based in principle in the temple, even though, like judges and possibly some gate-keepers, many worked “externally.” The temple cult is of little interest to those whose ideology is reflected in most of Deuteronomy. Nevertheless, it is possible to suggest that the Levites, who may contrast with the priests and the Levitical priests in the book, were conceived of more specifically as scribes, šōṭerîm, by profession.
ISSN:1502-7244
Contains:Enthalten in: Scandinavian journal of the Old Testament
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1080/09018328.2023.2222038