Holy Brothers: Geography, Kinship, and Priesthood in Ancient Israel

The early Israelite priesthood in the first millennium BCE is mysterious, but Frank Moore Cross's "Mushite Hypothesis" provides a historical basis. Matthew R. Rasure investigates traces of the early priesthood through narrative analysis of geography, kinship, and the memory of Moses and Aaron, positing two priestly identities active in distinct regions. These interactions shape the history, politics, and cult of the United Monarchy, the Divided Monarchy, and beyond.

Format: Hardback
Length: 172 pages
Publication date: 30 October 2023
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

The enigmatic history of the Israelite priesthood during the early first millennium BCE remains largely shrouded in mystery. While depictions of priests, prayer, and sacrifice hold prominent significance across all biblical eras, reconstructing the practices and organization of the early priesthood presents a formidable challenge due to a multitude of historical, chronological, and methodological complexities. In 1973, Frank Moore Cross made a groundbreaking proposal that linked the evolution of the priesthood to the persona of Moses and the establishment of the United Monarchy, commonly referred to as the "Mushite Hypothesis." This hypothesis provided a historical foundation for the study of the priesthood, offering a framework for understanding its development. Building upon the work of Cross, Matthew R. Rasure delves into the traces of the early priesthood by employing a narrative analysis that encompasses geography, kinship, and the memory of the characters of Moses and Aaron. Rasure posits the existence of two distinct spectra on which various biblical voices may be positioned: a polarity between the geographical center and periphery, as well as a polarity concerning interpretations of Aaron and Moses. Through these oppositions, a multifaceted picture emerges, depicting two priestly identities actively engaged in distinct regions. The intricate interplay between these priesthoods shapes the historical trajectory, political dynamics, and religious practices of the United Monarchy, the Divided Monarchy, and the subsequent periods.

Weight: 412g
Dimension: 160 x 236 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781978711280