Introduction

This volume explores the ritual and symbolic world of Deuteronomy. The instructions for ritual sequences and activities in Deut 27–28 have had an enduring influence on a variety of communities in different localities and over a wide span of time. Many studies have observed commonalities between Deuteronomy and ancient Near Eastern treaties, a focus on ritual enactment of oaths and covenants, such as the one narrated in Deut 27–28 invites a comparison between these chapters and a broader span of ancient Near Eastern literature beyond the treaty genre. This volume presents a unique contribution to Deuteronomy studies with an initial exploration into common elements shared by chapters 27–28 and Mesopotamian ritual texts. This book employs an anthropological approach to ritual focusing on social functions of ritual material in Deuteronomy and their contribution to the overall literary shape of the book. Deut 27–28 provide instructions for a highly marked covenant ritual, Deut 6 and 12 provide instructions for the performance of more ordinary ritual action. Deut 6 and 12 are studied from the perspective of ritual innovation in Deuteronomy. These chapters preserve and maintain traditional ritual elements, yet also reimagine and repurpose the community's rituals to emphasize its distinctiveness.