Magic and Divination in Ancient Palestine and Syria
Book Description
This scholarly exploration delves into the fascinating world of ancient spiritual practices that flourished in Palestine and Syria, offering modern readers a window into humanity's earliest attempts to connect with the divine and understand the unseen forces shaping their lives.
Drawing from the biblical text of Deuteronomy 18:9 as a starting point, Ann Jeffers examines the rich tapestry of magical and divinatory traditions that existed alongside emerging Israelite religion. Rather than simply dismissing these practices, the author investigates how they functioned as integral components of Ancient Near Eastern spirituality and worldview, persisting despite official condemnation.
The book illuminates the roles of various spiritual practitioners, from magicians to diviners, revealing how ancient communities sought guidance through dreams, visions, and oracular techniques. Readers will discover the tools and methods these practitioners employed, as well as how magical thinking influenced warfare, healing practices, and the power of blessings and curses.
By combining linguistic analysis with archaeological findings and historical evidence, this work reconstructs a comprehensive picture of how our ancestors understood the relationship between the material and spiritual worlds. For contemporary spiritual seekers, this examination offers valuable insights into the enduring human quest for meaning, protection, and divine connection that transcends cultural and temporal boundaries.
The research spans 278 pages of detailed investigation into practices that shaped ancient consciousness and continue to influence spiritual thought today.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~8 hours)
🕉️ Tradition: Psychology & Consciousness
📄 Length: 278 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Fouilles archéologiques
- ✓ Explore Oude Testament
- ✓ Explore Magie sémitique
- ✓ Explore Divination
- ✓ Explore Excavations (Archaeology)
- ✓ Explore Magic, Semitic
- ✓ Explore Criticism, interpretation
- ✓ Explore Thèses et écrits académiques
