FOR 1986 - SP01:Das gezähmte Chaos und die göttliche Gabe der Fruchtbarkeit. Naturmotivik in der althebräischen Königsideologie und ihre Transformation in der heilsgeschichtlichen Theologie des Alten Testaments

Basic data for this project

Description

In the first funding period, the project investigated to what extent monarchic rule in Israel and Judah made use of nature motifs as a means of self-legitimation. During this phase, the project also analyzed the post-monarchic transformation of these concepts (e.g. Deut 32; 1Henoch 52; and other texts). This transformation shall be investigated more deeply during the second funding period. The project will focus on the post-exilic expectations for developing an ideal constitution for Israel as a theocratic state. Based upon the results of the first funding period, two fields of research suggest themselves as a logical continuation: (1) visions of Israel¿s tribes living within a country blessed by abundant fertility (esp. Gen 49; Deut 33), and (2) the utopian visions of a restored monarchic order, in which nature returns to a salvific and even Paradisian state after being brought into chaos by the downfall of the kingdom (e.g., Isa 11; Am 9; Mic 4).