Solar Nature of Yahweh - Reconsidering the Identity of the Ancient Israelite Deity

In The Solar Nature of Yahweh: Reconsidering the Identity of the Ancient Israelite Deity, the original nature of the chief god of the Hebrew Bible, Yahweh, is reexamined. Daniel Sarlo challenges the current consensus that Yahweh was initially a storm god by examining the relevant biblical texts and comparing them with Ancient Near Eastern texts, ultimately arguing that Yahweh was a solar deity. The implication of this research is that Yahweh was not a minor god who gradually accumulated characteristics to become the head of the ancient Israelite pantheon, but rather a significant god from the very beginning, or at least before the inception of the United Monarchy.

List of contents

Introduction

Part 1-Yahweh, the Storm God?

1. Yahweh's Storm Characteristics
2. The "Solarization" of Yahweh

Part 2-Yahweh, the Sun God

3. Sun Gods of the Ancient Near East
4. Yahweh's Solar Characteristics
5. Proof of Concept: An Ancient Yahwistic Mountain Epiphany (Deut 33:2-3)

6. Conclusions

About the author

Daniel Sarlo (Ph.D. in Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations, University of Toronto) is currently an independent researcher.

Summary

In this book, the original nature of the ancient Israelite god, Yahweh, is reconsidered. Daniel Sarlo challenges the current belief that Yahweh was initially a storm god by examining the relevant biblical texts and comparing them with Ancient Near Eastern texts, ultimately arguing that Yahweh was a solar deity.

Product details

• Authors: Daniel Sarlo
• Publisher: Rowman and Littlefield
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 01.10.2022
• EAN: 9781978714311
• ISBN: 978-1-978714-31-1
• No. of pages: 240
• Series: Coniectanea Biblica
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Religion/theology > Religious writings, prayers, songbooks, religious meditations; Non-fiction book > Philosophy, religion > Religion: general, reference works; RELIGION / Biblical Studies / History & Culture, Christianity, Judaism, Criticism and exegesis of sacred texts, RELIGION / Biblical Studies / Old Testament / General, Biblical Studies & Exegesis, Criticism & Exegesis Of Sacred Texts, Jewish texts: Tanakh, Torah, Nevi’im, Ketuvim