Esias E. Meyer

Ritual innovation in Numbers 18

The paper engages with Numbers 18 in the light of the recent debate on ritual innovation. The focus is especially on verses 8-20 and the ‘ portion ’ of the priests, or more specifically the Aaronides. The intertextual links between Numbers 18 and other texts in Leviticus are first explored, including texts referring to the firstborn and the ban in Leviticus 27, but also Leviticus 3 and possible links with the peace offering. The article then seeks to find clarity on the diachronic relation between these different texts, before venturing into the debate on ritual innovation. Even-tually the article also explores the obvious interests of the priests and how ritualised texts are used in the service of economic innovation.

Devoted to destruction. A case of human sacrifice in Leviticus 27?

This article reflects on Leviticus 27:28–29 and the possible relation of this text to the practice of human sacrifice in ancient Israel. The article provides an overview of the current state of the debate on human and child sacrifices, before focusing on Leviticus 27. With regard to this chapter, it is argued that, although added later, it forms a suitable conclusion to the book of Leviticus. The chapter is analysed as a whole before the article focuses on verses 28 and 29. The article concludes that these verses are very vague about what is taking place, and that this vagueness was probably deliberate.

LEVITICUS 11, DEUTERONOMY 14 AND DIRECTIONALITY

The article engages with the old debate about the diachronic relationship between Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14. It starts with outlining certain criteria which might help us determine directionality. It then provides a synchronic overview of the two chapters, focusing on commonalities and differences, before moving on to the diachronic debate. As part of the diachronic debate the views of Christophe Nihan and Reinhard Achenbach are contrasted and critiqued. The article then attempts to draw some conclusions from this debate.

The Reinterpretation of the Decalogue in Leviticus 19 and the Centrality of the Cult

ABSTRACT The article builds on the emerging consensus that Leviticus 17-26 was a later addition to Leviticus 1-16.* It shows how the two halves of Leviticus differ and then argues that the addition of Leviticus 17-26 to 1-16 was an attempt to integrate ethical concerns into the larger priestly worldview in which the cult is central. The article shows how Leviticus 19,3-4 reinterpreted parts of the Decalogue by means of a process of inner-biblical exegesis. This process of inner-biblical exegesis led to some tension between Leviticus 19 and the Decalogue and to a lesser extent with texts from Leviticus 1-16.*

Rituals and social capital in the book of Leviticus? An attempt at an interdisciplinary discussion

The article is an attempt by an Old Testament scholar to engage with a debate taking place in practical theology. This debate is about the influence of religion and ritual on the formation of social capital. The author attempts to shed light on this debate by looking at the two halves of the book of Leviticus, the first half of which is dominated by ritual and the second half is characterised by a broader communal perspective.

Ritual burning and slaughtering in an AIC : perspectives from liturgical studies and Old Testament criticism

AbstractThis article offers the results of research in which two theological fields cooperated in order to investigate one specific repertoire of liturgical rituals. From the perspective of both Liturgical Studies, and its focus on the functioning of ritual within its cultural context, and Old Testament Studies, and a focus on how biblical critics understand certain rituals described in the Priestly texts in the Pentateuch, ritual burning and slaughtering in an AIC was studied. Ritual Studies is beginning to play a much more prominent role in the engagement with books such as Leviticus and Numbers and also in Liturgical Studies, and this article is an example of how these two disciplines can fruitfully cooperate in the study of liturgical rituals in an AIC in South Africa.