The Identity of 'This' Strictly Forbidden by the Old Testament | Joo Won-joon, Senior Researcher at Hannim Biblical Institute [Ancient]

Summary

Dr. Joo Won-joon discusses the ancient Near Eastern blood deity Damu and the cultural and religious significance of blood in the Old Testament, covering themes of protection, life force, and exorcism, and drawing connections to Jewish dietary laws and Christian theology.

• Introduction to the blood deity Damu (Dam) in Mesopotamian religion, with evidence from personal names like Bin-damu.
• Blood had a dual role in the ancient Near East: exorcising evil spirits and providing healing or life force.
• The Old Testament prohibition against consuming blood reflects this shared cultural background, interpreting it as sacred life force.
• The Passover story, where blood on doorposts wards off the destroyer, parallels blood's apotropaic function in surrounding cultures.
• The Sinai covenant ritual involved sprinkling blood on the altar and people for purification, echoing regional practices.
• Wine and olive oil were metaphorically called the 'blood' of the vine or tree, showing cultural linguistic patterns.
• New Testament references to Christ's blood as cleansing and protective draw on these ancient blood-motif traditions.
• The episode argues that biblical texts are deeply embedded in, and not isolated from, the common religious culture of the ancient Near East.