ABRAHAM HALEVI’S COMPENDIUM ON THE GENERIC NAME OF GOD IN THE TANAKH

  • Matthew Oseka Concordia Theological Seminary, Hong Kong
Keywords: Generic Name of God, History of Hebrew Grammar, History of Hebrew Lexicography, Abraham ben Daud Halevi, Judah Halevi, Maimonides, Joseph Albo

Abstract

The present paper analyses the study of the grammatical and lexical features of God’s generic name contained in the classic Jewish compendium authored by Abraham ben Daud Halevi and situates it against the disquisitions of Judah Halevi, Maimonides and Joseph Albo. These mediaeval compendia were comprehensive presentations of the Jewish tradition devised as instruments for cultivating the Jewish identity. In the Hebrew Bible both אלוה and אלוהים could denote not only God of Israel but also different agents of power such as judges, leaders, nobles, the mighty, angels or idols, depending on the context. Therefore, this topic merited examination within the framework of the Jewish tradition.

Author Biography

Matthew Oseka, Concordia Theological Seminary, Hong Kong
Concordia Theological Seminary, Hong Kong
Published
2018-01-16
Section
Articles