Laws
What are two characteristics of casuistic law?
Case law, specific, gives punishment for crime, if…then format on occasion
What is the definition of “covenant”?
An agreement between two people.
What two people is the suzerain treaty between?
The suzerain and the vassal.
Give an overview of the ”stipulation” characteristic.
Commands, requirements for the vassal
What are two characteristics of apodictic law?
General, broad, no punishment, absolute
Why do you “cut” a covenant?
Typically an animal would be sacrificed; the “cut” represents the animal’s death
What is the power dynamic between the suzerain and vassal? Equal, unequal, etc?
Unequal relationship.
With the “Identification“ characteristic of Hittite Treaties, who are we identifying?
Who the suzerain is.
What are 2 characteristics of biblical law?
Majority casuistic laws, minority apodictic laws, primarily addressed to one particular audience, shaped like Suzerainty Treaties, covenant with YHWH
What general group are most laws geared towards?/ What is the typical ”audience”?
Free adult Israelite males.
What is one example of a suzerain? Think in terms of relationships.
Masters, fathers, God
What was the general use of Hittite Treaties?
Israel was starting to develop; relations with Hittites
What are 2 characteristics of covenant code?
Mostly casuistic, some apodictic, follows Lex talionis, class divisions
According to Robert S. Kawashima, did women in biblical Israel have the right to say no? Why or why not?
In general, they did not have the right to say no mainly due to limited legal status. Widows and divorcees had a little more “power”.
What is one example of a vassal?
Son, enslaved person, lower class people.
For the “Deposit of copies of treaty” characteristic of treaties, where are the copies held? And why do scholars think they are put there?
In a religious center or temple as a reminder To keep the treaty/follow the rules.
Define the difference between criminal, civil, and ritual laws.
Criminal: crimes against the government, state, or God
Civil: person vs. person
Ritual: deal with sacrifices, maintaining a relationship with God
Who was Hammurapi?
King of Babylon who wrote the Code of Hammurapi
Give a general description of Lex talionis.
The punishment has to equal the crime, monetary retribution, class distinctions; Ex: “eye for an eye”
Besides Identification, history of relationship, stipulations, and deposit of copies of treaty, what are the last two characteristics of treaties?
Divine Witnesses and Blessings/Curses