New Light on the Origin of Passover and on the Story of the Tenth Plague

Dr. Mark E. Cohen
Wednesday, April 27, 2017
12:30-2:00 PM
4116 Susquehanna Hall

Cuneiform ritual texts from Late Bronze Age Syria inform us of a festival that seems to be quite similar to, and may be the antecedent of, the slightly later Israelite festival of the Paschal-offering.  In fact, it may be alluded to in one passage in the Book of Exodus.  Dr. Cohen will discuss the ritual in detail, the numerous points of similarity with Pesach, and how the ritual now provides the background for and an understanding of the Biblical story of the tenth plague.

Dr. Mark E. Cohen received his Ph.D. in Assyriology from the University of Pennsylvania, was Assistant Curator of the Babylonian Collection at Yale University, and taught ancient history at the University of Maryland for over twenty-five years.  He is the author of two monographs on ancient Sumerian and Babylonian hymns and lamentations, a monograph on ancient Near Eastern calendars and their festivals, and concordance of English to Assyrian and Babylonian vocabulary.  He has written numerous articles on various aspects of ancient Near Eastern religion and language.

For more information please contact dakirsch@umd.edu or call 301-405-4975