Abstract
In the light of recent archaeological finds from Iron Age Philistia and comparative evidence from Aegean and ancient Near Eastern cults, a new interpretation is suggested for the term 'opalim, mentioned in the 'ark narrative' (e.g. 1 Sam. 5.6; 6.5). Although most often intem eted as relating to 'haemorrhoids' or the bubonic plague, it is suggested that this, in fact, is a term referring to an affliction of the Philistines' membra virile.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 23-40 |
| Number of pages | 18 |
| Journal | Journal for the Study of the Old Testament |
| Volume | 32 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 2007 |
Keywords
- Archaeology
- Ark
- Cult
- Iron age
- Levant
- Phallus
- Philistine
- Religion