Table of Contents

List of Figures

Preface

Abbreviations

General

Reference Works

1. Introduction

Rainer Albertz

1.1. History of research

1.2. Interdisciplinary approach and temporal limitations of the subject

1.3. The structure of the present book

2. Methodological Reflections Rainer Albertz

2.1. Problems of modern and biblical terminology

2.2. The problem of living space in domestic buildings

2.3. Overcoming the discrepancy between the archaeological evidence and the biblical ideal

2.4. Relations between different types of family households and relations to additional kin

2.5. Conclusions for reconstructing the Israelite family and household religion

2.6. Religious-historical concepts regarding family religion

2.7. Family and household religion within the religion of Israel

3. Elements of Domestic Cult in Ancient Israel Rüdiger Schmitt

3.1. Methodology

3.2. Diagnostic objects and cult patterns

3.3. Domestic cultic assemblages in Iron Age Judah and Israel

3.4. Patterns of domestic cult activities in Iron Age Israel and Judah

3.5. Comparative data from sites outside Israel and Judah

4. Typology of Iron Age Cult Places Rüdiger Schmitt

4.1. Domestic cult: The house as space for ritual activities (Type IA)

4.2. Domestic shrines (Type IB)

4.3. Patterns of cult places outside the domestic realm

4.4. Conclusions

5. Personal Names and Family Religion Rainer Albertz

5.1. Introductory questions

5.2. Religious beliefs expressed in Hebrew personal names

5.3. Family beliefs related to the conduct of everyday life

5.4. The deities venerated in family religion

5.5. Iconographic evidence from iconic stamp seals regarding personal piety and family religion (R. Schmitt)

6. Rites of Family and Household Religion Rüdiger Schmitt

6.1. Introduction

6.2. Rites and rituals associated with the cycle of human life

6.3. Rites, rituals, and observances set by the calendar

6.4. Occasional rituals

6.5. Taboos and other observances

6.6. Family rites and rituals and their significance for the symbolic system of the family

7. Care for the Dead in the Context of the Household and Family Rüdiger Schmitt

7.1. Introduction

7.2. Status of the dead

7.3. Mourning the dead

7.4. Burying the dead

7.5. Feeding the dead and other forms of post-mortem care for the dead

7.6. Commemorating the dead

7.7. Interrogating the dead

7.8. Summary and conclusions: The functions of mortuary rites in the context of family and household religion

8. Summary

Rainer Albertz and Rüdiger Schmitt

8.1. Research history

8.2. Methodology

8.3. Archaeological evidence for domestic religious practices

8.4. Typology of cult places outside the domestic realm

8.5. The symbolic world of family religion based on personal names

8.6. Rites and rituals of family religion

8.7. Care for the dead in the context of household and family religion

Additional Tables (Tables 3.6–3.9, 5.1–5.16)

Rainer Albertz and Rüdiger Schmitt

Appendix A. Comparative Table of Israelite and Judean Assemblages in Alphabetical Order

Rüdiger Schmitt

Appendix B. Personal Names: A Comprehensive List

Rainer Albertz

B1. Names of Thanksgiving

1.1. Divine attention

1.2. Divine salvation

1.3. Divine assistance

1.4. Divine protection

B2. Names of Confession

2.1. Divine attention

2.2. Divine rescue

2.3. Divine assistance

2.4. Divine protection

2.5. Trust in god

2.6. Relationship of personal trust in god

B3. Names of Praise

3.1. Praise for the greatness of god

3.2. Praise for the goodness of god

3.3. Praise that god is alive

3.4. Call to praise and worship god

B4. Equating Names

4.1. Terms of kinship

4.2. Equating a personal/tutelary god with another god

4.3. Equating Baal with another god

4.4. Equating Yhwh or other major deities with another god

4.5. Old epithets

B5. Names of Birth

5.1. The distress of infertility

5.2. Prayers and vows

5.3. Birth oracles

5.4. Conception and pregnancy

5.5. Creation and birth

5.6. Acceptance of the child; care, naming, and circumcision of the child

5.7. Misfortune in the vicinity of birth

5.8. Infant mortality and substitute names

B6. Secular Names

6.1. Names related to the situation of birth

6.2. Personality traits

6.3. Comparing the child with animals and plants

Illustration Sources: Acknowledgments

Bibliography

Indexes

Index of Authors

Index of Ancient Personal Names

Index of Textual Sources

Index of Sites and Place-Names

Index of Subjects