ABSTRACT
This chapter explores commonalities shared by Deuteronomy and the incantation texts Maqlû and Šurpu. These common elements include a shared symbolic and referential system, parallel curse combinations and curse themes, and a corollary ritual framework for making and reversing an oath. Deuteronomy's covenant enactment ceremony included the traditional elements of the wider culture of the ancient Near East while shaping these elements into its own culturally unique and innovative performance. Congruences between Deuteronomy and the incantation texts demonstrate that treaties were not the only means of dissemination of formulaic curse language and that a wider range of texts and traditions should be considered in the question of the propagation of curse formulae in the ancient Near East. Possible avenues for the dissemination of curse formulae are considered, including ritual enactments to guard against or undo the effects of an oath such as the Succession Treaty of Esarhaddon (STE) and the trade of magical artifacts.
