Mond, Stier, und Kult am Stadttor: Die Stele von Betsaida (et-Tell).

• Author: LEWIS, THEODORE J.
• Position: Review

Mond, Stier, und Kult am Stadttor: Die Stele von Betsaida (et-Tell). By MONIKA BERNETT and OTHMAR KEEL. Orbis Biblicus et Orientalis, vol. 161. Gottingen: VANDENHOECK & RUPRECHT, 1998. Pp. vii + 175, illustrations. FS 56.

In 1997 during the excavations at Bethsaida (et-Tell) on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee (under the direction of R. Arav and R. A. Freund) a basalt stele was found on which was carved a bull-headed figure. The stele (115 cm high x 59 cm wide x 31 cm thick) found in situ quickly became the subject of scholarly interest due to what were thought to be very unique features. The bull figure featured two large curved horns, what looked like a stick figure's body with a sword strapped to its side, and four small circles in the shape of a rosette. The stele was part of a gate sanctuary that was destroyed in the latter half of the eighth century B.C.E.

Due to his vast knowledge of religious iconography, the excavators sought out Othmar Keel, and this book, written with Monika Bernett, presents their analysis. This brief monograph is far more important than its size would suggest. Bernett and Keel challenge the prevailing opinion about the stele and, in presenting their argument, showcase the importance of iconographic study for reconstructing religious traditions.

Through pre-publication announcements at various scholarly meetings, knowledge of the Bethsaida bull stele spread like wildfire. Early assessments concluded that (a) the motif on the stele (made out of native basalt) was unique and represented simply a local phenomenon; (b) the bull figure represented the weather god Hadad/Baal; and (c) the extremities of the "stick figure" represented either a stylized bull's body (standing upright on its hindlegs) or a bull-headed warrior with stylized human arms and legs. Bernett and Keel disagree with each of these views and offer massive iconographic documentation (in the form of over one hundred twenty figures) to prove their case. Instead, they argue that the Bethsaida stele documents the worship of the moon god. Similar moon cults are well attested in Anatolia, Syria, and Mesopotamia. In addition, the presence of the stele at the city gate helps us reconstruct similar cultic installations elsewhere in the southern.Levant.

Bernett and Keel first present solid evidence that the artistic motif on the Bethsaida stele is not unique. Very close parallels are found on two stelae from the Hauran, in several figures on a bronze...