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Book: The Old Testament Hebrew Scriptures in Five Minutes

Chapter: 44. Why Were the Ancestors De-divinized?

DOI: 10.1558/equinox.44893

Blurb:

During the existence of the kingdoms of Israel and Judah, dead ancestors appear to have been considered divine beings who could intercede with more powerful gods on behalf of living relatives. This practice changed over time, when Yhwh became understood as the sole deity who could be petitioned directly by the living in household cult.

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