The Samaria Ivories, Marzeaḥ and Biblical Texts

Among the best known Iron Age remains from Israelite territory are the ivory carvings excavated from Samaria. These carvings have been described as the symbolic backdrop for the marzeaḥ, an association for periodic religious celebrations that is mentioned several times in the Bible. These carvings h...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Biblical archaeologist 1992-09, Vol.55 (3), p.130-139
Main Author: Beach, Eleanor Ferris
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Banquets
Bronzes
Carving
Chalices
Design
Kings
Motifs
Palaces
Rebirth
Windows
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Description
Summary:Among the best known Iron Age remains from Israelite territory are the ivory carvings excavated from Samaria. These carvings have been described as the symbolic backdrop for the marzeaḥ, an association for periodic religious celebrations that is mentioned several times in the Bible. These carvings have never been used as iconographic resources for interpreting the marzeaḥ or for explaining biblical passages that might have been influenced by them, however. Some of Samaria's badly damaged examples may have been meaningful religious symbols and not just decorations.
ISSN:0006-0895
2325-534X
DOI:10.2307/3210292