One important set of Judaean text betrays no knowledge of a “book
of law of Moses” (or other sacred writings, for that matter), the Aramaic documents
from Achaemenid Egypt, documenting the Judaean community in Elephantine (Jeb in
Aramaic). But another characteristic of the religious practice of the
Elephantine Judaeans is that they were not monotheists. For instance, oaths
sworn in a court reveal that the Elephantine Judaeans recognized deities other
than YHW. To what extent other deities were actually worshipped is another
question. Yet, the enigmatic “Collection Account” suggests that the Judaean
community collected silver not only for YHW but also for the deities
Eshembethel and Anathbethel. Further, the epithet “god/lord of heaven” could be
used for YHW both in the context of Achaemenid officials and within the context
of the Judaean community itself. See pictures and read article at http://asorblog.org/2016/10/05/multi-dimensional-yahwism/
The witnesses, laying their coats at the feet of Saul, were the men that would cast the first stones at Stephen in Acts 7. Why did they all lay their coats at Saul’s feet? The Talmud contains a very interesting account of the act of stoning that may provide the answer. “When the trial was over, they take him [the condemned person] out to be stoned. The place of stoning was at a distance from the court, as it is said, ‘Take out the one who has cursed.’ [i] A man stands at the entrance of the court; in his hand is a signaling flag [Hebrew sudarin = sudar , ‘scarf, sweater’]. A horseman was stationed far away but within sight of him. If one [of the judges] says, ‘I have something [more] to say in his favor,’ he [the signaler] waves the sudarin , and the horseman runs and stops them [from stoning him]. Even if [the condemned person] himself says, ‘I have something to say in my favor,’ they bring him back, even four of five times, only provided that there is some substance to...
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