George, I believe that I used the word "quasi-religious," not "mystic" -- there's a big difference in connotation. Again, I recommend the Anchor Bible Dictionary article on Rechab, which will explain the implications of the hypothesis in much greater detail. ADB should be readily available in library reference collections. Although I can't immediately suggest how to get at it, there is also material from Comparative Religion on the guilds of smiths in the ancient world (again, please don't confuse Comparative Religion with mystic, even through both kinds of books are shelved together in many bookstores).
David Suter Saint Martin's College -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] On Behalf Of George Brooks Sent: Saturday, June 01, 2002 9:55 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: orion-list Jeremiah's Eternal Priesthood, the Rechabim In anycase, the advocacy of the Rechabites by Jeremiah is indisputable. So why does he do it? What status DO the Rechabites have? David Suter suggests they are, more or less, some mystic order of smiths. And I would suggest that the Levites themselves are ALSO a mystic order of craftsmen. I might even speculate some day that the Levites obtained their inspiration from the priestly ranks of Midian. But I won't do that today. For private reply, e-mail to "David Suter" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> ---------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe from Orion, e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the message: "unsubscribe Orion." Archives are on the Orion Web site, http://orion.mscc.huji.ac.il. (PLEASE REMOVE THIS TRAILOR BEFORE REPLYING TO THE MESSAGE)
