INTRODUCTIONThe Old Testament and the Ancient Near EastTwo Approaches to the World of the Ancient Near EastThe Iconographic ApproachThe Present WorkI. CONCEPTIONS OF THE COSMOS1. Technical Conceptions2. Symbolic-Mythical Conceptionsa. The Bipartite Worldb. The Multipartite World3. Dualistic Features4. That Which Fills Heaven and EarthII. DESTRUCTIVE FORCES1. Spheres of Deatha. The Graveb. Prison, Cistern and Pitfallc. Torrent and Sead. The Deserte. The Night2. The Enemies of the Individuala. Demons and Offendersb. Animal Comparisonsc. Comparisons Based on the Huntd. The Mortality and Instability of the Wicked3. Enemies of the NationIII. THE TEMPLE: PLACE OF YAHWEH’S PRESENCE AND SPHERE OF LIFE1. Temple and Mountain2. The Temple Gates3. The Forecourts and Their Furnishings4. The Altars5. The House of Yahweh6. The Furnishings of the House of Yahweh7. The Significance of the TempleIV. CONCEPTIONS OF GOD1. God in the Templea. The Rockb. Tests and Purificationsc. Tree, Fountain and Lightd. The Wings of Gode. Ears That Hear and a Mouth That Speaksf. Father and Mother, Host and Physiciang. ‘He will take me’2. God in His Creationa. Generationand Birthb. Deus faberc. Command and Wisdomd. The Judgee. The God of Lifef. Eruption and Transcendence3. Yahweh in Historya. The Warriorb. ‘My Shield’c. LeadingExcursus: RenunciationV. THE KING1. The Birth and Infancy of the King2. The Enthronement3. The King as Temple Builder and Priest4. The Representation and Furtherance of the Powers of Life5. Defense against EnemiesVI. MAN BEFORE GOD1. Attitudes of Prayera. The Encounter with the Holyb. Thanks and Praisec. Lamentation and Petition2. Processions and the Sacrificial Cult3. Music and Songa. Dancing and Jubilationb. Percussion Instruments .c. Wind Instrumentsd. String instruments4. With GodEPILOGUEABBREVIATIONSNOTESBIBLIOGRAPHYCATALOGUE OF THE ILLUSTRATIONSINDEX OF BIBLICAL REFERENCES