열왕기상 16-22장에 암시된 “오므리의 율례와 아합 집의 예법” 연구

Abstract

The present article aims to investigate the socioeconomic implications of “the statutes of Omri” and “all the works of the house of Ahab” as mentioned in Micah 6:16. In order to demonstrate the meaning of the statutes and the works of Omri-Ahab, this study tries to reconstruct the socioeconomic status of the Omri-Ahab dynasty based on an exegetical inquiry into several passages of the book of Kings (1 Kgs 16–22). Since the author of the book of Kings uses religious terms to describe the misdeeds and flaws of the two kings Omri and Ahab, the readers may get the impression that the works of the house of Omri refer to either idolatry or religious syncretism (1 Kgs 16:26, 30-33). However, if we look deeper into the texts of the book of Kings and investigate the socio-historical and archaeological evidences on the political and economic situations lying behind the text, we can come to reach the conclusion that “the statutes of Omri and all the works of the house of Ahab” denote not only religious misdeeds, but also some nation-wide socioeconomic reformations for the sake of ruling class. The reformations include implementing national polices that were undertaken to enhance state prosperity and military power through trade with Phoenicia and modifying of the traditional land property system. In this light, this study presents the legacy of the Omri-Ahab dynasty in the 9th century BC as described in the book of Kings. Several texts and passages in the book of Kings suggest that the Omri-Ahab dynasty promoted a series of policies that led to the destruction of the Israelite tradition. The Omri-Ahab narrative shows that these two kings endeavored to restructure the whole nation into a new kingdom fit for coping with international affairs. For instance, They constructed several cities like Samaria, Jezreel, and Jericho. By constructing of these cities, they tried to reinforce inland trade network of Israel and join the maritime trade network of Phoenicia. Ahab also adopted Baalism not only as the primary religion of the state but also as the governing ideology. In other words, both Omri and Ahab changed the fundamentals of national administration into the ‘Baal religion’. This means the adoption of the Canaanite land property system. We can also identify the meaning of “the statutes of Omri and all the works of the house of Ahab” by undertaking thorough research on 1 Kings 16-22. They refer to (1) a policy that enables the ruling classes to enhance national prosperity and military power via international trade; and (2) a new land policy that established a permanent private ownership of land by adopting a Canaanite land property system. In conclusion this study argues that even though the misdeeds and flaws of King Omri and Ahab were described in religious language, their overriding wrongdoing was the destruction of the covenant community of the free farmers of ancient Israel who were covenanted to God.