Journal article

Hêlēl ben-Šaḥar and the Chthonic Sun: A New Suggestion for the Mythological Background of Isa 14:12-15

Abstract:: This paper will explore the oft investigated problem of the mythological referents which inform Isa 14:12-15. Crucial to this will be a reinterpretation of the mysterious hêlēl ben-šaḥar of v. 12, almost universally understood by commentators and translators alike to refer to the ‘Day Star, son of the Dawn’, and thus taken to refer to the ‘morning star’, the planet Venus. Much of the scholarship has approached the ancient Near Eastern material with this meaning in mind, yet no myth hitherto proposed has provided a complete analogy to Isa 14:12-15. Thus I will begin by exploring the problems with these previous analogies, before reconsidering the meaning of hêlēl ben-šaḥar. Understanding the phrase to metonymically remind of the sun itself, the Ugaritic conception of the chthonic sun will be proposed to provide a much more satisfying parallel with our Isaiah passage.

Publication status:: Published

Peer review status:: Peer reviewed

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APA Style

Quick, L. (2018). Hêlēl ben-Šaḥar and the Chthonic Sun: A New Suggestion for the Mythological Background of Isa 14:12-15. Vetus Testamentum, 68(1), 129–148.

MLA Style

Quick, L. “Hêlēl Ben-Šaḥar and the Chthonic Sun: A New Suggestion for the Mythological Background of Isa 14:12-15.” Vetus Testamentum, vol. 68, no. 1, Brill, 2018, pp. 129–48.

Chicago Style

Quick, L. 2018. “Hêlēl Ben-Šaḥar and the Chthonic Sun: A New Suggestion for the Mythological Background of Isa 14:12-15.” Vetus Testamentum 68 (1): 129–48.
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Files:: Hêlēl ben-Šaḥar and the Chthonic Sun.pdf

(Preview, Accepted manuscript, pdf, 240.8KB, Terms of use)

Publisher copy:: 10.1163/15685330-12341299

Authors

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Institution:: University of Oxford
Division:: Humanities Division
Department:: Theology and Religion
Oxford college:: Worcester College
Role:: Author

Publisher:: Brill
Journal:: Vetus Testamentum More from this journal
Volume:: 68
Issue:: 1
Pages:: 129-148
Publication date:: 2018-01-12
Acceptance date:: 2016-03-24
DOI:: 10.1163/15685330-12341299
ISSN:: 1568-5330

Keywords:: SBTMR
Pubs id:: pubs:1059868
UUID:: uuid:76163d31-ede1-4f6a-b3ff-4e63b499d448
Local pid:: pubs:1059868
Source identifiers:: 1059868
Deposit date:: 2019-10-03

Terms of use

Copyright holder:: Brill
Copyright date:: 2018
Notes:: © Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, 2017. This is the Accepted Manuscript version of the article. The final version is available online from Brill at: https://doi.org/10.1163/15685330-12341299

Licence:: Terms and Conditions of Use for Oxford University Research Archive

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