The Old Testament in the Light of the Historical Records and Legends of Assyria and BabyloniaPinches, Theophilus G. (Theophilus Goldridge)
Religion
The Old Testament in the Light of the Historical Records and Legends of Assyria and Babylonia
Pinches, Theophilus G. (Theophilus Goldridge)
Bible. Old Testament -- Criticism, interpretation, etc.
The matter of the government of Dunip, one of the most important towns of
ancient Palestine, is also of importance, as it does not seem to have
possessed an autocratic head of any kind, and may have been a kind of
republic. Its government was probably similar to that of Irqata, which was
ruled over by its elders, acknowledging the overlordship of the Egyptian
king. A similar state of things seems to have prevailed in Babylonia,
where, however, the king of Babylon was naturally recognized as lord of
the country. In all probability the towns governed by their elders were
regarded as royal cities of Egypt, whilst the others were semi-independent
states.
The relations of the Egyptian king with foreign states is well illustrated
by the following—
Letter From The Babylonian King Burra-Buriaš (Burna-Buriaš) To Amenophis
IV. King Of Egypt.
“(To) Napḫu’ruria the king of Egypt, my brother, say also thus: ‘It is
Burra-buriaš, king of the land of Karu-duniaš, thy brother. My health is
good. To thee, thy country, thine house, thy wives, thy sons, thy great
men, thine horses, thy chariots, may there be very good health.
“I and my brother have spoken friendship with each other, and we said as
follows: ‘As our fathers were with each other, let us be friendly.’ Now my
merchants, who went with Aḫi-ṭâbu, remained in the land of Kinaḫḫi
(Canaan) for trade. After Aḫi-ṭâbu proceeded to my brother,(58) in the
city Ḫinnatunu of the land of Kinaḫḫi (Canaan), when Šum-adda, son of
Malummê, (and) Šutadna, son of Šarâtum, of the city of Akka (Accho), sent
their people, they killed my merchants, and took their money away. When I
have sent (Azzu (?)) to thy presence, ask him, and let him tell thee.”
(Reverse)
“(Ki)naḫḫi is thy land, and (its) king(s are thy servants). In thy land
have I been ill-treated—res(train them): make (up) the money which they
have taken away; and kill the people who have killed my subjects, and
avenge them. And if thou kill not these people, they will return, and both
kill my caravans and thy messengers, and the messenger will be broken off
between us, and if (this happen), they will fall away from thee. One man
(of) mine, when Šum-adda had cut off his feet,(59) he held him prisoner;
and another man, when Šutadna, the Akkaite (Acchoite), had caused him to
be placed with the servants, became a servant before him.(60) Let (them
take) those men to thee, and see thou to (it). And mayest thou know how I
fare. I have caused to be brought to thee 1 mana of lapis-stone (as a
gi)ft. (Let) my (messe)nger (come back) quickly. Let me know how my
brother fares. Do not de(tain) my (mess)enger—let him come (back)
quickly.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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