The centrality of individual petitions in temple rituals: Hannah, Solomon, and first-person psalms

The centrality of individual petition in ritual practice in the Hebrew Bible is rarely recognized. This article draws connections between legislation for the well-being sacrifice (זבח שלמים‎; Lev. 3; 7.11–36) and individual petitions as presented in biblical narratives and psalms. Hannah’s successfu...

Full description

Saved in:  
Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Charney, Davida (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
Check availability: HBZ Gateway
Journals Online & Print:
Drawer...
Fernleihe:Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste
Published: Sage 2024
In: Journal for the study of the Old Testament
Year: 2024, Volume: 48, Issue: 4, Pages: 513-538
Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains:B Bible. Levitikus 3 / Bible. Levitikus 7 / Bible. Samuel 1. 1,1-2,11 / Bible. Könige 1. 8 / Psalms / Victim (Religion) / Lament / Prayer / Request / Temple (Jerusalem)
IxTheo Classification:HB Old Testament
Further subjects:B Psalms
B First Temple
B 1 Kings 8
B Lament
B well-being offering
B Rhetoric
B Penitence
B Sacrifice
B Petition
B Prayer
Online Access: Volltext (kostenfrei)
Description
Summary:The centrality of individual petition in ritual practice in the Hebrew Bible is rarely recognized. This article draws connections between legislation for the well-being sacrifice (זבח שלמים‎; Lev. 3; 7.11–36) and individual petitions as presented in biblical narratives and psalms. Hannah’s successful petition for a son (1 Sam. 1.1–2.10) illustrates the petition process and the stakes. Solomon’s dedication of the Temple (1 Kgs. 8) further details the process and authorizes seven types of petitions with equal provision for individuals vs. the nation and for sin-based vs. inexplicable crises. Of these, inexplicable crises faced by individuals are literally the most central. Hannah’s crisis is of this type. The types authorized for individuals are reflected in numerous first-person psalms, which also make frequent use of the terminology of well-being offerings. Individual petition provides for an ongoing oral interaction with a God who is perceived as open to persuasion in a public space where an individual’s social status may also be negotiated.
ISSN:1476-6728
Contains:Enthalten in: Journal for the study of the Old Testament
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1177/03090892231201681