Persian Policy and the Yehud Community During Nehemiah

Abstract

J. Weinberg’s political and social theory, Bürger-Tempel-Gemeinde (‘citizen-temple community’), has been widely accepted as the social model for the community (or communities) of Yehud during the Persian period. Proceeding from this proposed social model many scholars have offered sociological theories for a political structure of Yehud. But it is possible that Weinberg’s theory is inadequate for the context, due in part to the general omission of the role of the Persian Empire and its political concerns, factors which most certainly demand attention. By means of a critical review of the model in reference to the book of Nehemiah, this paper explores and discusses Weinberg’s proposal of two economies which would later merge to become a theocratic state, and argues that such a proposal misappropriates the evidence. Such misappropriation is due in part to Weinberg’s heavy reliance upon the cult and its leaders for the political structure. This reliance must be addressed by setting the cultic leaders within their proper context: unofficial spin-doctors of sorts. With reference to the political structure, then, official governors, appointed by Persian authority, headed the political structure of the society and must be incorporated into any model seeking to be adequate for the context. Throughout, this study addresses Weinberg’s assertion of two coexistent economies; [ILLEGIBLE] (which roughly refers to a social mechanism for identity and solidarity) as infrastructure; and the substantiation of the role of governor separate from the cult; as well as various other elements to the Bürger-Tempel-Gemeinde theory itself.