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Libra Esoterica

Magic and Divination in Ancient Palestine and Syria

by Ann Jeffers

  • First published:
  • 20th century
  • Language: English

Description

Description from OpenAlex (opens in a new tab)

Beginning with Deut. 18:9ff and its condemnation of magicians and diviners, this book explores the window that this text gives us into magic and divination in Ancient Palestine and Syria. Investigating the wealth of language combined with the archaeological and historical evidence, it seeks to place the influence of these factors in the emerging Israelite religion. An integral part of Ancient Near Eastern cosmology and culture, magic and divination are never completely eradicated despite the ideological warfare led by the Old Testament writers. The first part examines the function of various magicians and diviners. This is followed by a chapter on dreams and visions. The third chapter looks at the techniques and devices used by the oracular practitioners. Other subjects covered include magic in warfare, in the treatment of diseases, and blessing and cursing.

Provenance

Why this book is in the catalog

Included because retained bibliographic metadata links this work to Divination and oracles and Ritual magic and grimoires.

  • Ritual magic and grimoires

    Retained metadata contains “Magic” in the title, “Magic” in the description, “Magic” in the subject metadata, and 1 additional metadata match(es).

    • “Magic”· in title
    • “Magic”· in description
    • “Magic”· in subject
    • “Magic”· in edition title
  • Divination and oracles

    Controlled discovery queries from openalex and wellcome matched “divination”. Retained metadata contains “Divination” in the title, “Divination” in the description, “Divination” in the subject metadata, and 1 additional metadata match(es).

    • “divination”· via OpenAlex
    • “divination”· via Wellcome Collection
    • “Divination”· in title
    • “Divination”· in description
    • “Divination”· in subject
    • “Divination”· in edition title

Membership records how this book met the catalog’s discovery criteria — relevance to a tradition, not a judgment of the book’s claims.

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Links to ISBN 9004105131; other editions may be cheaper. WorldCat shows libraries near you that hold a copy.

Editions

2 editions cataloged here.

OpenAlex scholarly book record

1996-01-01—English—Unknown

Wellcome Collection bibliographic record

xviii, 276 pages ; 25 cm.

1996E.J. BrillEnglish
  • 9004105131
Catalog record

Subjects

29 subject headings

Identifiers & provenance

How this record was assembled, and the authority identifiers it carries.

Cataloged from

Catalog id
openalex:W4386455566
Edition coverage
Multi source partial
Retrieved