The Hittite Suzerain-Vassal Treaty and its Importance in Biblical Covenant

Israel’s Covenant with G-d has been likened in form and function to the Hittite suzerainty treaties dating back to 1400-1200 BCE, when Hittites conquered western Anatolia (Turkey) Northern Syria and northern regions of the Egyptian Empire along the Mediterranean coast.

This lecture will explore and examine parallels in structure found in Hittite - (King vs. Vassal)- treaties and the Sinai Covenant. Analysis of literary features, religious and social obligation, promise of loyalty that are included in suzerain treaties will shed more light on the role and understanding of the Biblical Covenant. Material used for this analysis will include excerpts from Hittite political and religious treaties, oaths of loyalty and Genesis 18.

This class is free and open to the community, but space is limited and registration is required. We hope you'll join us for what is bound to be a fascinating lecture from Dr. Boźena Tiesze!

Dr. Tiesze holds a PhD in Comparative Indo-European Linguistics from University of Wisconsin, Madison. She is a faculty member at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Her research interests include Hittite language, history, and culture and Hittite interaction between kingdoms of Ancient Near East and Greece during the Late Bronze age (2500-1000 BCE).

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