Skip to main content
Skip to main content

New Light on the Origin of Passover and on the Story of the Tenth Plague -- Mark Cohen

New Light on the Origin of Passover and on the Story of the Tenth Plague -- Mark Cohen

New Light on the Origin of Passover and on the Story of the Tenth Plague -- Mark Cohen

Joseph and Rebecca Meyerhoff Program and Center for Jewish Studies Wednesday, April 27, 2016 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm Susquehanna Hall, 4116

Cuneiform ritual texts from Late Bronze Age Syria inform us of a festival that seems to be quite similar to, and may be the antecedent of, the slightly later Israelite festival of the Paschal-offering. In fact, it may be alluded to in one passage in the Book of Exodus. Dr. Cohen will discuss the ritual in detail, the numerous points of similarity with Pesach, and how the ritual now provides the background for and an understanding of the Biblical story of the tenth plague.

 

Dr. Mark E. Cohen received his Ph.D. in Assyriology from the University of Pennsylvania, was Assistant Curator of the Babylonian Collection at Yale University, and taught ancient history at the University of Maryland for over twenty-five years. He is the author of two monographs on ancient Sumerian and Babylonian hymns and lamentations, a monograph on ancient Near Eastern calendars and their festivals, and a concordance of English to Assyrian and Babylonian vocabulary. He has written numerous articles on various aspects of ancient Near Eastern religion and language.

Add to Calendar 04/27/16 12:30 PM 04/27/16 2:00 PM America/New_York New Light on the Origin of Passover and on the Story of the Tenth Plague -- Mark Cohen

Cuneiform ritual texts from Late Bronze Age Syria inform us of a festival that seems to be quite similar to, and may be the antecedent of, the slightly later Israelite festival of the Paschal-offering. In fact, it may be alluded to in one passage in the Book of Exodus. Dr. Cohen will discuss the ritual in detail, the numerous points of similarity with Pesach, and how the ritual now provides the background for and an understanding of the Biblical story of the tenth plague.

 

Dr. Mark E. Cohen received his Ph.D. in Assyriology from the University of Pennsylvania, was Assistant Curator of the Babylonian Collection at Yale University, and taught ancient history at the University of Maryland for over twenty-five years. He is the author of two monographs on ancient Sumerian and Babylonian hymns and lamentations, a monograph on ancient Near Eastern calendars and their festivals, and a concordance of English to Assyrian and Babylonian vocabulary. He has written numerous articles on various aspects of ancient Near Eastern religion and language.

Susquehanna Hall