Dropsie College Theses
Date of Award
Spring 5-10-1966
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
First Advisor
Theodor H. Gaster
Second Advisor
Moshe Held
Abstract
The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between prophecy and mantic (divination) in the ANE in general, with special reference to the enigmatic personality of Balaam, as described in the Bible (Nu 22:2 - 24). It was formerly believed that prophecy and magic were two entirely different, even mutually exclusive, phenomena which had almost nothing in common. This somewhat simple fundamentalist view asserted that the prophet spoke God's word, whereas the magician carried out, so to speak, the Devil's work. Modern research has shown that such a view is an unpermissible oversimplification. It can be shown that both prophecy and mantic have a common source and background in divination, in that time-honored answer to the very natural human desire of obtaining a knowledge of the future Both of them go a long way together, in spite of their very different methods employed.
Recommended Citation
Windreich, Meshullam, "Prophet and Mantic as Illustrated by the Pericope of Balaam" (1966). Dropsie College Theses. 8.
https://repository.upenn.edu/dropsietheses/8
Included in
Biblical Studies Commons, Cultural History Commons, History of Religion Commons, Intellectual History Commons, Jewish Studies Commons, Language Interpretation and Translation Commons
Comments
Library at the Katz Center - Archives Room Manuscript. BS580.B3 W563 1966.