Ancient Near East

  1. Temples of the Ancient World. Donald W. Parry and Stephen D. Ricks, eds. (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book and FARMS, 1994.) Abbreviated as TAW throughout this page.

    • Large book composed of different articles on the temple, arranged thematically.
    • This is required reading for someone who wants to understand the ancient symbolism and setting of the temple ordinances.
    • Gospelink (requires subscription)
    • Deseret Book.

  2. “What is a Temple? A Preliminary Typology.” John M. Lundquist. TAW: 83-117.

  3. John M. Lundquist, “Temple Symbolism in Isaiah.” In Isaiah and the Prophets, ed. Monte S. Nyman (Provo, Utah: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University): 33-53.

  4. John M. Lundquist, “The Common Temple Ideology of the Ancient Near East.” In The Temple in Antiquity, ed. Truman G. Madsen (Provo, UT: BYU Religious Studies Center, 1984): 54-78.

  5. Stephen Ricks. “Liturgy and Cosmogony: The Ritual Use of Creation Accounts in the Ancient Near East.” TAW: 118-125.

    • Discusses usage of the creation narrative in Jewish temple rituals. Professor Ricks once quipped that he had offered this article to BYU Studies. The secretary he talked to said, “Why would BYU Studies be interested in THAT?” He replied (at least in class,) “If you don’t know, I’m not going to tell you.”
    • Gospelink (subscription required)

  6. Duane Wilson, “Temple Symbolism in The Conflict of Adam and Eve.” Studia Antiqua: The Journal of the Student Society for Ancient Studies, Vol. 2, Num. 2 (Fall 2002): 33-51. (Journal in pdf format)

  7. E. Jan Wilson, “Inside a Sumerian Temple: The Ekishnugal at Ur.” TTE: 303-334, esp. 312-13.

    • Among others, discusses ritual Sumerian clothing and a possible etymological relation to Joseph’s mysterious ketonet passim. This is better known in English as his “coat of many colors” but that translation comes from the Septuagint (Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible). No one is sure what the Hebrew means.
    • FARMS transcript (requires subscription)

  8. Matthew Brown, “Girded about with a Lambskin.” JBMS 6:2 (1997): 124-151.

    • “The publication of the Book of Mormon brought forward the first of many comparisons between the restorational work of the Prophet Joseph Smith and his surrounding environment, including Freemasonry. One point of comparison has been the lambskin apparel mentioned in 3 Nephi 4:7. I will suggest a possible connection between this item of apparel and ritual clothing that was worn in ancient Israel, Egypt, and Mesoamerica. I will also suggest a possible reason for the use of this item of clothing among the secret combinations in the Book of Mormon. Finally, I will discuss the lambskin apron used in Freemasonic ritual.”

  9. Stephen Ricks, “Oaths and Oath Taking in the Old Testament.” TTE: 43-54.

  10. Lynn and Hope Hilton, “The Hand as a Cup in Ancient Temple Worship.” Presentation made at BYU symposium.

    • Also includes Anchor Bible Dictionary entry on “Incense Dish” as supporting information.
    • pdf copy
    • See also the commentary on Revelation 8:3-4 under Scriptural References

  11. Donald W. Parry, “Ritual Anointing with Olive Oil in Ancient Israelite Religion”  in The Allegory of the Olive Tree: The Olive, the Bible, and Jacob 5. Stephen D. Ricks, and John Welch, eds. (SLC: Deseret Book/FARMS, 1994): 262-290.

  12. Donald W. Parry, “Washings and Anointings.” EM: 1551

  13. Bruce Porter, “Altar”  EM: 36-37.

  14. Matthew J. Grey, “Becoming as a Little Child: Elements of Ritual Rebirth in Ancient Judaism and Early Christianity.” Studia Antiqua: The Journal of the Student Society for Ancient Studies Vol. 1 Num. 1, Fall 2001. 63-85.

    • Discusses washing, anointing, clothing, and naming as early Christian and Jewish rituals of rebirth.
    • Available soon from their website.

  15. James Carroll and Elizabeth Siler, “Let My Prayer be Set Before Thee: The Burning of Incense in the Temple Cult of Ancient Israel.”  Studia Antiqua: The Journal of the Student Society for Ancient Studies Vol. 2, Num. 2 (Fall 2002):17-32.

  16. Mark J. Morrise,  “Simile Curses in the Ancient Near East, Old Testament, and Book of Mormon” JBMS 2:1 (Spring 1993): 124-138  Also in .pdf format.

  17. David Rolph Seely, “The Raised Hand of God as an Oath Gesture.” In A.B. Beck, A.H. Bartelt, P.R. Raabe , & C.A. Franke, Fortunate the Eyes that See: Essays in Honor of David Noel Freedman (Grand Rapids, MI, 1995): 411-421.

    • Seely discusses biblical passages in which one swears an oath by raising the right hand.

  18. “What is a covenant?” from my Temple Preparation FAQ

    • Discusses covenants in the scriptures and the rituals for making them, and draws comparisons to the temple ordinances.

  19. Bruce H. Porter and Stephen D. Ricks, “Names in Antiquity: Old, New, and Hidden.” – BSAF 1:501-522.

  20. Truman Madsen, “‘Putting on the Names’: A Jewish-Christian Legacy.” – BSAF 1:458-482.

  21. John Tvedtnes, “Temple Prayer in Ancient Times.” TTE: 79-98.

  22. Stephen D. Ricks, “Temples through the Ages.”  EM:??
 
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