Sanctuary
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Sanctuary in the Bible?
The Graf-Wellhausen hypothesis outlines a developmental model of Israelite religion, positing an initial period of local, pluralistic sanctuaries followed by a later reformist movement that mandated the centralization of worship in a single location, a shift reflected in the stratification of biblical legal texts.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding the tension between local sanctuaries and centralized worship clarifies the historical context of biblical laws regarding sacrifice and pilgrimage, revealing how theological reforms shaped the final composition of the Torah and the religious practices described in the historical books.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Sanctuary in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Sanctuary clarify?
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Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.