Cult and Character: Purification Offerings, Day of Atonement, and Theodicy

by Roy Gane

Through the swirling smoke of Aaron’s incense, and of scholarly theories, the present volume steps toward the meaning enacted on “the Day of Purgation,” commonly known as Yom Kippur or “the Day of Atonement.” By treating moral evil both as relational/legal breach and as pollution, the Israelite system of “purification offerings” = so-called “sin offerings” addresses both the standing and state of YHWH’s people. This system shows the way not only to freedom from condemnation but also to healing of character, which is defined in terms of loyalty to YHWH. Freedom and healing come together on the Day of Purgation, when purification rituals benefit those who show themselves loyal to YHWH by affirming the freedom from condemnation that they have previously received. The effects of purification rituals on YHWH’s sanctuary and community profile harmony between justice and kindness in the character of YHWH as he deals with imperfect people of various kinds of character by pardoning and clearing the loyal but condemning the disloyal. Thus, Gane ultimately affirms Milgrom’s seminal insight that theodicy is foundational to the Israelite expiatory system. Gane’s conclusions are derived from exegetical study of Hebrew ritual texts, informed by controls to ritual analysis developed in the course of prior research through critical examination of existing ritual theories and by adapting a systems theory approach to human activity systems.

Genres: Theology

394 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Jared Greer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gane’s primary thesis is that the ‘purification’ offerings offered throughout the year for inadvertent sin and/or impurity (Lev 4-5, 12:7, etc.) cleanse the sinner, but not the sanctuary. The sanctuary is thus purged annually, on the Day of Atonement in Lev. 16. In this way, he critiques the position of his doktorvater Jacob Milgrom, who argues that these offerings only serve to purge the sanctuary.

Gane’s initial argument—that offerers are (at least sometimes) purified through hattat offerings—is substantial; but I remain highly doubtful of his argument that regular hattat offerings do not cleanse the sanctuary. The evidence he supplies is thoughtful and interesting, but ultimately insufficient to overturn the mountain of evidence pointing in the opposite direction. I am more sympathetic to the ‘middle way’ between Gane and Milgrom, which has been advanced by Jay Sklar—namely, that the hattat cleanses the sanctuary and *concomitantly* cleanses the offerer, so that both are purged/cleansed.

Gane offers much food for thought here. I especially appreciate his robust methodology and his profound knowledge of/interaction with other relevant literature in the field. This is a necessary/landmark work in Hebrew priestly studies. Nevertheless, his overall thesis is unconvincing.

[Richard Maskelony · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best extra-canonical book I have read thus far (outside of EGW's writings as well). This volume powerfully unveils the micro and macro structures within the Levitical system that point to a two-phase system of atonement or purgation. The implications for this doctrine regarding theodicy in part four would give this work magnum opus status on it's own. AMAZING! WARNING!!! This is World-class Academic work. For those without an academically strong theology degree (I'm talking intermediate to advanced hebrew proficiency) I strongly recommend his earlier and EXTREMLY relatable "Altar Call", which is essentially the same thing but for a different audience.

[Caleb Lawson · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Rather, the live goat transports Israelite moral faults to Azazel, who ends up with this noxious load. The ritual is a singularly unfriendly gesture toward Azazel. It would be like sending someone a load of chemical or nuclear waste.” - Roy Gane

This is a difficult book for me to review because my own thoughts on the Levitical system are still forming. Gane certainly gave me a lot of food for thought. If I'm understanding his argument correctly, he essentially argue the Sin & Guilt offerings of Lev. 4-6 remove sin from the offerers and place it in the inner sanctum of the sanctuary. Then, on the Day of Atonement (DOA), the sins are effectually "covered" and "atoned for." He believes Azazel is some type of goat demon (not convinced of this) who receives a goat of sinful trash (I have to be honest, I laughed when I read this). He doesn't really answer why this would be prescribed apart from saying the sins go back to where they came from. Although Biblically, 1) I don't think we could rightly say the Israelites sins can be ascribed to a demon, and 2) Lev. 17:7 plainly tells Israel not to sacrifice to goat demons. Gane contends this isn't a sacrifice but rather an offering (of sinful nuclear waste). Not sure I'm really buying that.

All in all, really helpful stuff here on every aspect of the Levitical system (especially on Lev. 10:17 as the priests eating the sin offering). Definitely stimulated a lot of questions on the Biblical text, even though it didn't resolutely answer many for me. 3.5/5

[Jeremy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful examination of the Israelite sacrificial system, especially the Day of Atonement offerings. He is very fair to people who disagree with him.