Three papers were read this morning. Professor Geller’s was particularly interesting and I think Bob Cargill would have enjoyed it a lot as it dealt with divination texts in Babylon and Qurman. The gist- priests compiled divinatory texts for the use of the Monarch who then could choose the right person for the job in his government. The scrolls at Qumran that are of that genre come from the Temple in Jerusalem and were used for the same purpose as in Babylon. Said texts were primarily introduced during the period of the Seleucids.
The paper on Bathsheba was equally engaging and featured very meticulous text critical work (in the Greek versions).
Finally- I can’t really be the one to say how my paper was received. I can only observe that there was lots of laughter and a fair bit of praise afterwards. Andrew Davies and Philip Davies were both there (among a good many others) so they might have something to add here.
My co-panelists did an excellent job and raised many important issues. And question time too went well with a batch of cogent observations.
Now, we’re off to the Cambridge University Library for a tour of the Genizah unit. More anon and photos later tongith (DV).
If I didn’t think much of Jim’s presentation I would in fact not have said so but simply not responded to the invitation. But no problem, in fact. The paper was very well received, and rightly so. It was well-pitched to an audience that contained some real geeks and some who still think that all web data is stored on individual PCs and dies with the owner.
The session, as everyone would undoubtedly agree, could have gone on for much longer. There was a lively exchange, and the respondents played their part well, too. Maybe we shall see some more SOTS members appearing in the biblical studies discussion group.
Altogether the meeting was very enjoyable with some excellent papers (including the two mentioned by Jim already by Geller and de Troyer).
Highlight of the meeting was however the annual convention of the Guild of Biblical Minimalists, appropriately at the Sir Isaac Newton pub, though not on account of his ideas about the Bible…… But I will let Jim report on these matters.
By: Philip Davies on January 8, 2009
at 4:18 am