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Andrews University

The "Throne of God" Motif in the Hebrew Bible

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

<p>This dissertation explores the biblical significance and theological implications of the "throne of God" motif through an exegetical investigation of the texts of the Hebrew Bible which have direct reference to it.</p> <p>Chapter I states the problems which the biblical "throne of God" motif poses, and also theobjectives, limitations, methodology, and procedure of this study.</p> <p>Chapter II reviews pertinent literature since theturn of the century. This survey reveals thecurrent status of investigation on our topic to be only fragmentary.</p> <p>Chapter III is devoted to the investigation of the"divine throne" motif in ancient Near Eastern literatures such as Sumerian, Akkadian, Hittite, Ugaritic, and Egyptian texts. One of theremarkable points in these texts is that thethrone was deified and/or worshiped as a cult object.</p> <p>Chapter IV presents a brief study of the throne terminology in order to provide a linguistic background for the exegetical study which follows. Four Hebrew terms (kissē', kissēh, môŝāb̲ and t<sup>e</sup>ḵûnāh), one Aramaic word (korsē'), and other related expressions are surveyed here.</p> <p>Chapter V undertakes an exegetical analysis of the "throne of God" passages of the Hebrew Bible. The throne of God symbolizes His eternal kingship/kingdom, judgeship, and creatorship. Thus, it points to both sides of time, i.e., Urzeit and Endzeit. It also represents the authority of the One who calls and sends the prophets: it functions as the place of revelation. It is theinsignia of God's victory over the enemies and His absolute power. It is the guarantee of safety for God's people. There are many other implications. In sum, the throne of God stands for the totality of God's attributes and activities in sustaining theuniverse and bringing about salvation of His people.</p> <p>Chapter VI summarizes and synthesizes theresults of the investigation. This chapter also compares the biblical "throne of God" motif with the extrabiblical "divine throne" motif. Many peculiar aspects of the "throne of God" motif in the Hebrew Bible attest to its own unique provenance.</p>

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Doctor of Philosophy
Level thesis:degree_level
Dissertation
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Religion, Old Testament Studies PhD
Year
1989

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Nam, Daegeuk
Contributors dc:contributor
  • Gerhard F. Hasel
  • William H. Shea
  • Kenneth A. Strand

Subjects

dc:subject × 3

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:digitalcommons.andrews.edu:dissertations-1105

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Andrews University
Base URL
digitalcommons.andrews.edu/do/oai/
Last updated
2026-07-24
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Nam, Daegeuk. The "Throne of God" Motif in the Hebrew Bible. Dissertation thesis, 1989. https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dissertations/106