Biblica - Vol 96 (2015) , , Ritual Elements in Zechariah's Vision of the Woman in the Ephah (2015)

This paper proposes a conceptual link between Zechariah's vision of the woman in the ephah (Zech 5,5-11) and Assyro-Babylonian exorcisms utilizing figurines. My comparison focuses on the integration of ritual elements in Zech 5,5-11. This analysis highlights the modifications that the ritual elements underwent before they could function as an integral part of a prophetic vision. The analysis of Zech 5,5-11 against the backdrop of Assyro-Babylonian exorcisms sheds new light on the manner in which the prophetic author(s) employed ritual material in his exemplification of sin and atonement.