Royal Ideology in Ancient Israel Essay - 1054 Words

The ongoing threat of invasion from the Philistines to some extent brought about the conditions for a monarchy within Israel. A line of charismatic Judges protected Israel before the adoption of the kingship. Thus it is evident that the change from a patriarchal, loosely-knit tribal rule to a centralised government with a monarch required much self understanding, a strong stance against anti-monarchical views and tolerance of royal ideology, which had in part to be appropriated from neighbouring monarchies. Saul bridged that chasm well as he was chosen by Yahweh primarily as a defender of his nation against continual threat from invasion. Nevertheless the introduction of the monarchy did not occur without criticism despite the subtle†¦show more content†¦Equally disseminating propaganda of the wisdom (1 Kings 4:29~) and hence justness of the king was done through symbols and building projects and to a lesser degree in literature. The centralisation of the government from Hebron to Jerusalem helped to cement the legitimacy of the kingship and guarantee order, security, prosperity, fertility etc... Central location, division into tax regions and territorial expansion were all seen as pluses of the new monarchic style. Some rulers, less capable in military manoeuvres, justified vast building projects to boast Israels growing power and prosperity. Perhaps the establishment of an Official State Religion was the most crucial reinforcement and legitimisation of the monarchy. David made a clever move in bringing a High Priest from Judah and also one from Israel. Establishing Jerusalem as not just the House of David but also Zion, the House of God (in the Arch of the Covenant), defined the characteristics of a monarchic state-the professional priesthood and temples walking hand in hand with the professional armies and palaces. The fact that the monarch in Jerusalem was portrayed as Axis Mundi, the bridge between the sacred and the profane, may have added to the criticism from the prophets who deemed they were the pontifus maximus between this world and the next. Many of the Davidic kings were also priests, and this ideology could beShow MoreRelatedRoyal Ideology in Ancient Israel2052 Words   |  9 PagesRoyal Ideology in Ancient Israel One of the main themes present in the rise of monarchy in Ancient Israel has to be the concept of royal ideology. Royal Ideology is the practice of believing that the king is considered to be at the same level of power as Yahweh, and vice versa. Throughout our studies of Ancient Israel there are many pieces of evidence to support this idea, and it had a great influence on the monarchal structure that developed throughout the time. Dealing with this subject matterRead MoreRedemption And Utopia1367 Words   |  6 Pagesand fragmented ideas. 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Most scholarship have been tryingRead MoreRastafarian79520 Words   |  319 Pagesbook to fruition. This page intentionally left blank Contents Introduction 1. Charisma, Routinization, and Rastafari 2. Dread Uprising: The Emergence of Rastafari 3. Babylon and Dread Revitalization 4. The Ethos of Rastafari: Structure, Ideology, and Ritual 5. â€Å"Coming in from the Cold†: Rastafari and the Wider Society 6. Rastafari Rules: Bearers of Jamaican Popular Culture 7. Summary and Conclusions Appendix: A Review of the Literature on Rastafari Notes Selected Bibliography Index