Ugaritic Studies and the Hebrew Bible, 1968-1998 (with an Excursus on Judean Monotheism and the Ugaritic Texts)

Abstract

This chapter offers a synopsis of the major texts and tools as well as intellectual topics and trends that have dominated the field of Ugaritic-biblical studies since 1968. After a spurt in the mid-1980s, the role played by Ugaritic in the study of the Hebrew Bible as literature had largely faded, and those who persisted, labored largely in obscurity from the perspective of the biblical field. In order to illustrate the ongoing help which the Ugaritic texts give to biblical studies, the chapter takes the issue of Judean monotheism and the Ugaritic texts. To turn to the future, one may hope with good reason that Ugaritic studies has a great many more contributions to make, both for biblical studies and for the understanding of Late Bronze Age Syria. The field of Ugaritic will prosper despite the increasing lack of historical study in the biblical field. Keywords: Hebrew Bible; Judean monotheism; Late Bronze Age Syria; Ugaritic studies; Ugaritic texts