From Ugarit to Madaba: Philological and Historical Functions of the marzēaḥ

The marzēaḥ or marzēḥā has long been understood as a socio-religious association congregating for ritual feasting and drinking. It took place in a number of geographical locations in the areas where the various North-West Semitic languages were used. The relevant texts range from pre-biblical to the...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Dvorjetski, Estēe (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Oxford University Press [2016]
In: Journal of Semitic studies
Year: 2016, Volume: 61, Issue: 1, Pages: 17-39
IxTheo Classification:AG Religious life; material religion
BC Ancient Orient; religion
Online Access: Volltext (Verlag)
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Description
Summary:The marzēaḥ or marzēḥā has long been understood as a socio-religious association congregating for ritual feasting and drinking. It took place in a number of geographical locations in the areas where the various North-West Semitic languages were used. The relevant texts range from pre-biblical to the biblical and post-biblical evidence, specifically Ugarit, Ebla, Phoenicia, Emar, Palmyra, the Land of Israel, Elephantine and Nabataea. Festivals took place in honour of gods and kings and were associated with temples and banqueting structures. The present paper attempts to demonstrate that the marzēaḥ is most convincingly interpreted as an association for periodic religious celebrations, not only for the cult of the dead, but also on featured feasts, sacral sexual orgies and performances in the theatres.
ISSN:1477-8556
Contains:Enthalten in: Journal of Semitic studies
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1093/jss/fgv029