Includes bibliographical references and index.

"The book argues that the Aramaic documents from Elephantine dating to the Achaemenid period offer not only important glimpses of Judaean religion in the Persian period but that the religion of the Judaeans in Elephantine is among the best historically verifiable cases of Persian period Yahwism. The documents have the potential of functioning as an archive that can revise the canonised image of the Judaean religion in the Persian period"-- Provided by publisher.

Print version record and CIP data provided by publisher; resource not viewed.

Abbreviations ; 1. Introduction ; 1.1 Problem and Hypotheses ; 1.1.1 Excursus: The Distance between Elephantine and Jerusalem ; 1.2 "Religion," "Dimensions of Religion," and "Religion Here, There, and Anywhere."

1.3 The Present Study in the Context of Positions in the History of Research 1.3.1 A Relic from the Preexilic Period? ; 1.3.2 Typical or Contemporary Judaean Religion? ; 1.3.3 Elephantine As an Archive Challenging the Canon ; 1.4 Outline of the Book ; 2. The Social Dimension.

2.1 "The Judaean Garrison" 2.2 Judaean Identity in Elephantine ; 2.3 The Leaders of the Judaean Community ; 2.3.1 Jedaniah and the Priests of YHW ; 2.3.2 Hananiah ; 2.3.3 The Group of Five Syenians Who Were "Hereditary Property Holders" (mh?snn) in Elephantine.

2.3.4 The Political and Religious Leaders of Judah and Samaria 2.4 Law ; 2.4.1 Oath Procedures, Courts, and Judges ; 2.4.2 Marriage and Inheritance ; 2.5 Judaean and Non-Judaean Religious Specialists ; 2.5.1 "Priest" (khn) and "Priest" (kmr).

2.5.1.1 Who Became Priests of YHW in Elephantine, and How? 2.5.2 "Servitor" (l?n), "Servant" (?bd), and "Gardener" (gnn) ; 2.6 The Economy of the Temple of YHW ; 2.6.1 Direct and Indirect Economic Support of Cults: A Survey ; 2.6.1.1 Concession Lands.

In English.

Master record variable field(s) change: 050, 082, 600, 650