Behemoth, Beast of the Negev? A Fusion of Animals, Mythical Beasts and Monsters in Isaiah 30:6
The presence of mythical creatures in the Old Testament has caused wide dissension amongst scholars. Approaches range from viewing these mythical creatures as an integral part of the ANE mythical milieu, to intentional attempts to liberate some texts from mythical connotations. None of these viewpoi...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Africajournals
2018-01-01
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| Series: | Pharos Journal of Theology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.pharosjot.com/uploads/7/1/6/3/7163688/article_17_vol_99_2018_-_dyssel_nwu.pdf |
| _version_ | 1818241194854973440 |
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| author | Dr. Allan Dyssel |
| author_facet | Dr. Allan Dyssel |
| author_sort | Dr. Allan Dyssel |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The presence of mythical creatures in the Old Testament has caused wide dissension amongst scholars. Approaches range from viewing these mythical creatures as an integral part of the ANE mythical milieu, to intentional attempts to liberate some texts from mythical connotations. None of these viewpoints have adequately dealt with the appreciation of the reality, or ‘realness’ of mythical creatures. This article sheds new light on the often-sheltered practice of mythical creatures being ‘transformed’ into natural animals. This article further explores the possibility that the people of the ANE regarded natural animals and mythical
creatures as equally real and authentic. Specifically, this paper will be exploring how mythical creatures have been dealt with by the prophet Isaiah. Isaiah 30:6-7 presents a fusion of creatures, both natural and mythical. Did Isaiah indeed refer to mythological creatures, and if so, why are these mythological creatures mentioned in the same breath as ‘natural’ animals such as donkeys? Investigating the portrayal of the fiery flying serpent, amongst the young and old lions, as well as the viper, drew attention to the distinct probability that Isaiah 30:6 may have implicated Behemoth, instead of a generic reference to the beasts of the Negev. Subsequently, the likelihood that Behemoth is a more appropriate interpretation is investigated. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-12T13:25:28Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-e0b5f219fd96495396cc636a98acf5e3 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2414-3324 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-12T13:25:28Z |
| publishDate | 2018-01-01 |
| publisher | Africajournals |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Pharos Journal of Theology |
| spelling | doaj.art-e0b5f219fd96495396cc636a98acf5e32022-12-22T00:23:12ZengAfricajournalsPharos Journal of Theology2414-33242018-01-0199Behemoth, Beast of the Negev? A Fusion of Animals, Mythical Beasts and Monsters in Isaiah 30:6Dr. Allan Dyssel0Research Focus Area Ancient Texts: Text, Context, and Reception Faculty of Theology North-West UniversityThe presence of mythical creatures in the Old Testament has caused wide dissension amongst scholars. Approaches range from viewing these mythical creatures as an integral part of the ANE mythical milieu, to intentional attempts to liberate some texts from mythical connotations. None of these viewpoints have adequately dealt with the appreciation of the reality, or ‘realness’ of mythical creatures. This article sheds new light on the often-sheltered practice of mythical creatures being ‘transformed’ into natural animals. This article further explores the possibility that the people of the ANE regarded natural animals and mythical creatures as equally real and authentic. Specifically, this paper will be exploring how mythical creatures have been dealt with by the prophet Isaiah. Isaiah 30:6-7 presents a fusion of creatures, both natural and mythical. Did Isaiah indeed refer to mythological creatures, and if so, why are these mythological creatures mentioned in the same breath as ‘natural’ animals such as donkeys? Investigating the portrayal of the fiery flying serpent, amongst the young and old lions, as well as the viper, drew attention to the distinct probability that Isaiah 30:6 may have implicated Behemoth, instead of a generic reference to the beasts of the Negev. Subsequently, the likelihood that Behemoth is a more appropriate interpretation is investigated.https://www.pharosjot.com/uploads/7/1/6/3/7163688/article_17_vol_99_2018_-_dyssel_nwu.pdfBehemothbeastsfiery flying serpentsmythicalNegev |
| spellingShingle | Dr. Allan Dyssel Behemoth, Beast of the Negev? A Fusion of Animals, Mythical Beasts and Monsters in Isaiah 30:6 Pharos Journal of Theology Behemoth beasts fiery flying serpents mythical Negev |
| title | Behemoth, Beast of the Negev? A Fusion of Animals, Mythical Beasts and Monsters in Isaiah 30:6 |
| title_full | Behemoth, Beast of the Negev? A Fusion of Animals, Mythical Beasts and Monsters in Isaiah 30:6 |
| title_fullStr | Behemoth, Beast of the Negev? A Fusion of Animals, Mythical Beasts and Monsters in Isaiah 30:6 |
| title_full_unstemmed | Behemoth, Beast of the Negev? A Fusion of Animals, Mythical Beasts and Monsters in Isaiah 30:6 |
| title_short | Behemoth, Beast of the Negev? A Fusion of Animals, Mythical Beasts and Monsters in Isaiah 30:6 |
| title_sort | behemoth beast of the negev a fusion of animals mythical beasts and monsters in isaiah 30 6 |
| topic | Behemoth beasts fiery flying serpents mythical Negev |
| url | https://www.pharosjot.com/uploads/7/1/6/3/7163688/article_17_vol_99_2018_-_dyssel_nwu.pdf |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT drallandyssel behemothbeastofthenegevafusionofanimalsmythicalbeastsandmonstersinisaiah306 |