Lectures on the Religion of the Semites First Series The Fundamental Institutions

Lectures on the Religion of the Semites: First Series The Fundamental Institutions is a book authored by W. Robertson Smith. The book delves into the religion of the Semites, which is a group of people who are descendants of Shem, one of the sons of Noah in the Bible. The author explores the fundamental institutions that are prevalent in the religion of the Semites, including the concept of God, the priesthood, and sacrifice. The book is divided into a series of lectures, each of which provides an in-depth analysis of a particular aspect of the Semitic religion. The author draws on a wide range of sources, including ancient texts and archaeological evidence, to provide a comprehensive overview of the religion of the Semites. The book is written in a scholarly style and is aimed at readers who are interested in the history and development of religion in the Middle East. Overall, Lectures on the Religion of the Semites: First Series The Fundamental Institutions is an informative and insightful book that sheds light on an important aspect of human history and culture.1894. Smith studies the primitive religions of the Semitic peoples, viewed in relation to other ancient religions and to the spiritual religion of the Old Testament and of Christianity. Contents: Introduction: The Subject and the Method of Enquiry; The Nature of the Religious Community, and the Relation of the Gods to their Worshippers; The Relations of the Gods to Natural Things-Holy Places-The Jinn; Holy Places in their Relation to Man; Sanctuaries, Natural and Artificial-Holy Waters, Trees, Caves, and Stones; Sacrifice-Preliminary Survey; First-Fruits, Tithes, and Sacrificial Meals; The Original Significance of Animal Sacrifice; The Sacramental Efficacy of Animal Sacrifice, and Cognate Acts of Ritual-The Blood Covenant-Blood and Hair Offerings; The Development of Sacrificial Ritual-Fire-Sacrifices and Piacula; and Sacrificial Gifts and Piacular Sacrifices-The Special Ideas Involved in the Latter.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.