Behind | Treaties in the Ancient Near East

When a treaty is simply about military might, it is not really describing a relationship but terms of surrender, and when the relationship doesn’t matter, there’s no purpose for a “Historical Prologue.” Any “Blessings” or “Provisions to Continue” also become obsolete as, rather than a covenantal bond, the treaty becomes a contract dictated by the convenience of the greater power. Any benefits to the smaller nation, its incentives or options to continue the agreement, are irrelevant. The treaty will happen simply because the greater power wants it to, and it will last for as long as that power wants. The differences between these treaties makes it all the more tragic that Israel would leave the older style treaty with YHWH, based on love and a relational history, to accept more brutal and domineering agreements with other nations. The comparison also helps reinforce our understanding of the 2nd millennium dating for the Pentateuch and the historicity of its author Moses.