Fassberg, The Hebrew of Qumran (Ugarit-Verlag)

NEW BOOK FROM UGARIT-VERLAG:

The Hebrew of Qumran (AOAT 482)

Steven Fassberg

Reihe + Nummer: AOAT 482
ISBN: 978-3-86835-352-5
Erscheinungsjahr: Juli 2026
Seitenanzahl: xvii + 356 pp.
£130.00
Taxes included

This grammar owes its existence to Prof. Josef Tropper, at the time editor of the series Lehrbücher orientalischer Sprachen (LOS), who invited me to contribute a short grammar to the series on the Hebrew of Qumran. Because of previous commitments, many years passed before I was able to take up the task. The grammar turned out to be longer than originally intended and Prof. Thomas R. Kämmerer, the head of Ugarit-Verlag, suggested that Alter Orient und Altes Testament (AOAT) might be a more suitable series for the volume. I thank Prof. Kämmerer and the editors of AOAT, Prof. Régine Hunziker-Rodewald and Dr. Ulrike Steinert, for accepting the manuscript for publication.

This monograph does not replace the larger grammar of Elisha Qimron, A Grammar of the Hebrew of the Dead Sea Scrolls (Jerusalem, 2018). All students and scholars of the Dead Sea Scrolls are greatly indebted to Prof. Qimron for the massive amount of data he has amassed in his grammar as well as for his countless contributions to the language and the texts of the Scrolls over the past fifty years. It would be amiss not to mention also the pioneering Hebrew work of E. Y. Kutscher, Language and Linguistic Background of the Great Isaiah Scroll (Jerusalem, 1959; English translation Leiden, 1974), which still serves as a beacon to all in the field. The important contributions of many additional scholars are noted throughout the grammar.

Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.

Old photos of late-antique church epitaphs from Shivta

GREEK FUNERARY EPIGRAPHY: Ancient Greek Inscriptions Reveal Secrets of Elite Byzantine Burials in Israel (Abdul Moeed, Greek Reporter).

Ancient Greek inscriptions on grave markers are revealing how Byzantine burials reflected power and family ties at Shivta, a former Christian settlement in Israel’s Negev Desert. Two rediscovered photographs from a 1930s excavation show where tombs were located inside the North Church baptistery, a room used for baptisms.

The graves were apparently reserved mainly for priests and children from influential families, according to a study published in Palestine Exploration Quarterly. Researchers Emma Maayan-Fanar and Yotam Tepper studied two negatives preserved in University College London’s archives. The excavation team led by H. D. Colt photographed the chapel but later removed its inscribed stone markers without leaving a complete record of their positions.

[...]

The underlying PEQ article is open access:

Old Photographs, New Discoveries: Privileged Burials in the North Church Baptismal Chapel in Shivta, Israel

Emma Maayan-Fanarn & Yotam Tepper
Published online: 07 Oct 2026
https://doi.org/10.1080/00310328.2026.2716943

ABSTRACT

This paper presents new insights into the burial practices of Byzantine Shivta, Israel, based on the analysis of two previously unpublished photographs from excavations led by H. D. Colt in the 1930s. The photographs provide the first documentation of the floor of the North Church Baptistery, revealing the spatial arrangement of the burials. By comparing the visible features of the tomb slabs to individual photographs, three out of seven people were precisely identified. They were members of privileged families and their burials follow a certain hierarchy. Baptistery burials, a distinctive feature found nowhere else in the Negev, were reserved mostly for presbyters but also for special family members who died young. The burial dates, spanning from 612 to 679 ce, coincide with major historical events during the seventh century, such as the Byzantine-Sasanian wars, the Islamic conquest of the region, and the first plague pandemic. This study cautiously proposes that the distinctive ornamentation of some slabs, such as the Golgotha cross motif, may have been a response to these events. The study furthermore expands on the dynamic nature of the gradual decline and abandonment processes in Shivta as evidenced in the North Church burial practices.

For more on the archaeology of the site of Shivta, known notably for its churches and its late-antique viticulture, start here and follow the links.

Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.

Philo's apathetic theology

THE BIBLE AND INTERPRETATION:

Philo of Alexandria’s Theology and Soteriology: Tensions, Ambiguities, and the Experience of God’s Goodness and Mercy

Philo of Alexandria combines Jewish scripture and Greek philosophy in a theology marked by tensions between divine transcendence and intimate human encounter. An apparently unknowable and impassible God also loves, shows mercy, and shares divine attributes with humans. These tensions suggest the importance of transformative religious experience in shaping Philo’s understanding of God.

See also Seeing God in Philo of Alexandria: Contemplative Ascent and Visionary Experience (State University of New York Press, 2026).

By Scott D. Mackie
Associate Fellow
Kirby Laing Centre for Public Theology in Cambridge
September 2026

Cross-file under New Book.

Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.

Nabel, "Fake Prostration in Late Antique Literature and the Ambiguities of Domination"

BIBLIOGRAPHIA IRANICA: Fake Prostration in Late Antique Literature and the Ambiguities of Domination.

Notice of a New Article: Nabel, Jake. 2026. "Fake Prostration in Late Antique Literature and the Ambiguities of Domination." Studies in Late Antiquity 10 (3). 265-293.

Follow the link for the abstract and a link to the full text of the article. Yes, ancient Judaism is involved.

Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.

A First Temple-era curse inscription

IRON AGE HEBREW EPIGRAPHY: 2,800-year-old curse reveals surprising detail about Kingdom of Judah (Assaf Golan, Israel HaYom).

Limestone tablet from the Hebron area bears a curse in ancient Hebrew and the earliest known extrabiblical reference to the title "Lord of Hosts". Find indicates the divine name and title were in use in the Kingdom of Judah during the First Temple period. The Stone is now on display in the "Six After the War" exhibition at the Bible Lands Museum Jerusalem.

Not new; this inscription has been known for quite a while. Hagaf son of Hagav must have made someone really angry!

Cross-file under Exhibition.

Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.

Patmore et al., Reading: Performance and Materiality in Hebrew and Aramaic Traditions (Open Book)

THE AWOL BLOG: Reading: Performance and Materiality in Hebrew and Aramaic Traditions.

Notice of a New Book (open access): Hector Patmore et al., Reading: Performance and Materiality in Hebrew and Aramaic Traditions. Open Book Publishers. Cambridge, UK, 2025.

Co-edited by the late Hector Patmore.

Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.

Egyptian–Hittite peace treaty fragments recovered

BIBLE HISTORY DAILY: Fragment of World’s Oldest Peace Treaty Found. Bringing people—and tablet pieces—together (Lauren K. McCormick).

The Egyptian–Hittite peace treaty was recorded in more than one place. Apparently originally cast in silver, versions of the treaty survive today from both parties on tablets in Hatti and in two temple inscriptions in Thebes (modern-day Luxor).

The best kind of peace treaty is one where both sides can declare victory and go home.

Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.

Monumental tombs on the way to the Temple

ANCIENT FUNERARY ARCHITECTURE: On the Pilgrims’ Path to the Temple: Monumental Tombs (Prof. Boaz Zissu, Dr. Omri Yitzhak Abadi, TheTorah.com).

Jerusalem’s wealthiest families in the early Roman period built monumental tombs along the roads approaching the city, placing their wealth and status on display. Yet pilgrims heading to the Temple had to avoid entering or coming into contact with these tombs, lest they become impure and be barred from the very Temple they came to visit.

Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.

Who Conquered Samaria?

THE BIBLE AND INTERPRETATION:

Who Conquered Samaria? Reconstructing the Northern Kingdom’s Final Years

The final years of the northern kingdom of Israel have long been debated, especially the date of Samaria’s fall and the identity of its conqueror. Related questions concern Shalmaneser V’s siege of Samaria, Hoshea’s imprisonment, the extent of the city’s destruction, Sargon II’s claims regarding its conquest, and the regnal synchronisms in Kings. A reevaluation of the relevant biblical and Assyrian evidence supports the argument that Shalmaneser V captured Samaria in 723 BCE after a three-year siege and that Sargon II’s later claims reflect his suppression of a renewed western revolt in 720 BCE. A concluding historical synthesis reconstructs the events leading to the fall of the northern kingdom.

See also A History of Ancient Israel (Zondervan Academic, 2026).

By Todd Bolen
Professor of Biblical Studies
The Master’s University
September 2026

Cross-file under New Book. Todd Bolen is well known to PaleoJudaica readers from his Bible Places Blog.

Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.

van Bladel, Ancient Persian: A Linguistic History (CUP, open access)

THE AWOL BLOG: Ancient Persian: A Linguistic History.

Notice of a new open-access book: Kevin T. van Bladel, Ancient Persian: A Linguistic History (CUP, 2026). Follow the link for description and access link.

Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.

Fragmentary figurine found

ANCIENT ARTIFACT: Boy finds ancient Roman treasure on show-and-tell hunt in southern Israel. Dor Wolynitz, 8, was hiking with families of reservists in the Ramon Crater when he spotted an unusual stone, later identified as a fragment of a 1,700-year-old statuette (Ynet News).

The find is a small figurine fragment, measuring about 6 centimeters by 6 centimeters, depicting part of a human figure with carefully sculpted folds of fabric that create the appearance of a cloak draped around the body in soft, flowing lines. Testing conducted by geologist Dr. Nimrod Wieler in the Israel Antiquities Authority laboratories found that the figurine was carved from phosphorite, a lightweight mineral common in the Negev region.

Locally produced. Possibly a divine figure.

Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.

Anon. (Cassels), Supernatural Religion (1874-76)

THE ANXIOUS BENCH: How An Explosive Book Rewrote The Study Of The Gospels (Philip Jenkins).

I was researching the history of the discovery and reception of “alternative” scriptures in the nineteenth century, and I kept coming across this thing called Supernatural Religion, which initially meant little to me. It soon became apparent that orthodox clergy were describing it as something like a scholarly weapon of mass destruction, and it kept on being cited with awe for several decades after its initial appearance. To oversimplify, the book made what looks like a stunningly modern claim, namely that the unofficial and heretical gospels were far more reliable authorities for the history of Jesus and the early church than were the canonical writings, and the four gospels. We suddenly seem to be dropped onto the world of Elaine Pagels, Karen King, and Bart Ehrman, but a century early.

Sounds like an interesting and highly influential book—virtually all of whose claims were wrong.

This Anxious Bench post is a continuation of Professor Jenkins's Lost and Found Scriptures series. For earlier posts, see here and links.

Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.

Kraus et al. (eds.), Das Weisheitsbuch Ben Sira / Jesus Sirach (Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, open access)

THE AWOL BLOG: Das Weisheitsbuch Ben Sira / Jesus Sirach.

Notice of a New Book (open access): Das Weisheitsbuch Ben Sira / Jesus Sirach Synopse der hebräischen, griechischen, lateinischen und syrischen Texttraditionen mit deutscher Übersetzung

Wolfgang Kraus (Hg.), Heinz-Josef Fabry (Hg.), Burkard Zapff (Hg.)
Vetus Testamentum et Orbis Antiquus. Supplementa - Band 001
Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 2026

In German. Follow the link for description and link to publisher.

Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.

Review of Satlow, An enchanted world

BRYN MAYR CLASSICAL REVIEW: An enchanted world: the shared religious landscape of late antiquity.

Michael L. Satlow, An enchanted world: the shared religious landscape of late antiquity. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2026. Pp. xiii, 343. ISBN 9780691256597.

Review by
Ryan Denson, University of Silesia. ryan.denson@us.edu.pl

... Appealing to the perspective of lived religion, Satlow routinely characterizes supernatural interactions and relationships as part of everyday life, not sequestered within the walls of a temple or church. Rather than approach one or another religious tradition in isolation, he aims to tell a “story of how people thought about and interacted with the invisible world” (3). It is a story written with a popular audience in mind, but one that simultaneously offers a useful perspective for scholars of Late Antique religion. ...

I noted the publication of the book here.

Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.

Yuval Goren (1956–2026)

SAD NEWS: Milestones: Yuval Goren (1956–2026). Archaeologist and scientist who debunked modern forgeries (Christopher A. Rollston, Bible History Daily).

Yuval Goren, a professor of archaeology at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, was a pioneer in the fields of archaeometry and microarchaeological research. Born in Petah Tikvah in 1956, Goren’s life was storybook, and his interests in both archaeology and the hard sciences began at an early age.

[...]

May his memory be for a blessing.

Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.

Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah 2026 (belatedly)

SHEMINI ATZERET began on the evening of Friday, 2 October at sundown. In Israel, this was also the holiday of Simchat Torah (Simhat Torah). Outside of Israel, the latter holiday began on 3 October at sundown. Belated best wishes to all those celebrating!

Last year's Shemini Atzeret post is here. Biblical etc. links are here.

Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.

Essen: Ethische Perspektiven zum Speisen in Antike und Gegenwart (Mohr Siebeck)

NEW BOOK FROM MOHR SIEBECK:

Essen

Ethische Perspektiven zum Speisen in Antike und Gegenwart. Kontexte und Normen neutestamentlicher Ethik XV

Edited by Dorothea Erbele-Küster, Esther Kobel, and Ulrich Volp, in collaboration with Andrew Bowden

[Food. Ethical Perspectives on Food in Antiquity and the Present.]
2026. 259 pages.
Wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zum Neuen Testament (WUNT I) 549

€129.00
including VAT

cloth
available
978-3-16-164801-4

Also Available As:
eBook PDF

Summary

Ethics (also) manifest themselves at the dining table: What, how, when, and with whom we eat is not without social, ethical, and religious implications. This volume explores these aspects of food in antiquity - from the death feast in Mari and Qaṭna, eating and fasting in the Hebrew Bible and early Judaism, to food prohibitions in mystery cults and early Christian table fellowship. Contributions from archaeology, biblical studies, early ecclesiastical, religious and cultural history show how eating practices shape identity, reinforce hierarchies, regulate purity, spark ethical discourse, and facilitate contact with the transcendent. Intercultural comparisons with Jainism, Pacific Christianity, and ritual eating practices in Judaism during Covid-19 offer new perspectives on current debates in food ethics.

One article is in English. The rest are in German.

Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.