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Shamanism and Healing Experts

Notes on Healing in the Old Testament

Bibliographic Data

ID20487550
AuthorsEhrhard S Gerstenberger (1 Philipps-Universitat Marburg, corresponding author)
Year2019
Volume26
Issue3-4
Pages216-232
Publication date2019-12-10
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueReligion and Theology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1023-0807 • E-ISSN: 1574-3012
PublisherWalter de Gruyter GmbH (PUBLISHER • DE)
DOI10.1163/15743012-02603006
OpenAlexW3082923097
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited4

This essay argues that evidence suggests that shamanistic-type healing experts were found in ancient Israel, and that the kind of healing rituals show similarities to other such shamanistic practices in other contexts. Hebrew Scriptures provides evidence for a range of designations for such persons dedicated to the mediating office between humans and the divine, some of which have certainly been involved with the art of curing. Narrative and prophetic literatures offer some illuminating evidence for healing specialists. Particular attention is paid to supplicatory psalms in the Old Testament which suggest the mediating role of healing experts. Further comparisons with Sumero-Babylonian professional rites and Navajo healing chants establish the likelihood of the presence and activities of such shamanistic-type healing experts in ancient Israel

Archaeology · Art · Hebrew · History of religions · Linguistics · Literature · Narrative · Navajo · Shamanism · Biblical Studies and Interpretation · Classics · Cross-Cultural and Social Analysis · History · Mormonism, Religion, and History · Philosophy · Psychology

  • Ritual and Narrative

    Open Access•Q Zhao, Ruijia Zhang•Religions•2026

  • ‘I Am the Lord your Healer’ Exodus 15

    Open Access•David Tuesday Adamo•In die Skriflig/In Luce Verbi•2021

  • The Nightway

    William Willard, James C Faris•Wicazo Sa Review•1995

  • Experiencing Religious Rituals

    J V Spickard•Sociological Analysis•1991

  • Babylonisch-Assyrische Diagnostik

    Jo Ann Scurlock, Nils P Heessel•Journal of the American Oriental…•2003

  • Prayer

    Harry Hoijer, Gladys A Reichard•Journal of American Folklore•1947

Unique citing works2
Citations per year0,4
Citation span2021 - 2026 (6)
Citation velocitycurrent
Highly citedNo
Citation typesNeutral: 2
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