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Article
Scripturalization and the Aaronide Dynasties
Journal of Hebrew Scriptures (2013)
  • James W Watts, Syracuse University
Abstract
Priests claiming descent from Aaron controlled the high priesthood of temples in Jerusalem and on Mount Gerizim in the Second Temple period. These Aaronides were in a position to influence religious developments in this period, especially the scripturalization of the Torah. The priests’ dynastic claims were probably a significant factor in the elevation of the Pentateuch to scriptural status. This claim can be tested by correlating what little we know about the Aaronide dynasties with what little we know about the scripturalization of two different portions of the Hebrew Bible, the Pentateuch and Ezra-Nehemiah.
Keywords
  • Scripturalization,
  • priests,
  • Aaronides,
  • Pentateuch,
  • Ezra,
  • Nehemiah,
  • Second Temple Judaism,
  • scriptures,
  • Bible
Publication Date
2013
Publisher Statement
Originally published as James W. Watts, "Scripturalization and the Aaronide Dynasties," Journal of Hebrew Scriptures 13/6 (2013) online at http://www.jhsonline.org/Articles/article_186.pdf.
Citation Information
James W Watts. "Scripturalization and the Aaronide Dynasties" Journal of Hebrew Scriptures Vol. 13 Iss. 6 (2013)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/james_watts/26/