A Common Set of Trial Terms.

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to draw on the formulation of Neo-Babylonian trial records in order to identify a linguistically and conceptually parallel set of trial terms in Dtn 17:4, Jer 8:6 and Job 5:27. The Hebrew and Akkadian texts provide evidence for a common convention of trial description. According to this convention, trials begin with a spoken report, followed by “hearing”, all of which result in “established” facts.