Holy Land for Holy Israelite People in Their Ancient Near Eastern Context

Abstract

There are several ways in which Israelites and other ancient Near Eastern peoples shared similar understandings of the relationships between themselves, their deities, and their lands. However, the Pentateuch instructs YHWH’s holy Israelite people how to live in a special covenant connection with Him that profoundly affects how they view, treat, and live on the land that He gives them. Comparison and contrast between the Pentateuch (especially Leviticus) and other ancient Near Eastern texts show the unique aspects of the YHWH-human-land relationships.