The outstanding nineteenth-century biblical scholar and Semitist William Robertson Smith gave three courses of Burnett Lectures on the Religion of the Semites at Aberdeen just over a century ago. This first series, published in 1889 (2nd edition, 1894), has long been a classic work and considered a foundational text in the comparative study of religion. The lectures, which constitute a work of considerable Semitic and Classical learning, view the primitive religions of the Semetic peoples in relation to other ancient religions, and to the spiritual religions of the Old Testament and of Christianity.
With the Logos Bible Software edition of William Robertson Smith's Lectures on the Religion of the Semites (First Series), all Scripture references are tagged and linked to the Bibles in your library. By employing the advanced search features in Logos, you can find the exact topics or passages you’re looking for—finding, for example, every mention of “kinship,” or “sacrifice.” Whether you are encountering the cultural context of the Bible for the first time, or you’re working on advanced archaeological, historical, or textual research, the Logos Bible Software edition of Lectures on the Religion of the Semites (First Series) is right for you.
Lectures on the Religion of the Semites (Second and Third Series) by William Robertson Smith are available in the Continuum Near Eastern History Collection (13 vols.).
“the doctrine of substitution of animal life for that of man” (Page 366)
“In the same measure as the god of a clan or town had indisputable claim to the reverence and service of the community to which he belonged, he was necessarily an enemy to their enemies and a stranger to those to whom they were strangers.” (Page 35)
“the development of a gloomier type of worship under the pressure of accumulated political disasters.” (Page 258)
“In a religion of this kind there is no room for an abiding sense of sin and unworthiness, or for acts of worship that express the struggle after an unattained righteousness, the longing for uncertain forgiveness. It is only when the old religions begin to break down that these feelings come in.” (Page 256)
“in Israel, Hannah, with her sad face and silent petition, was a strange figure at the sanctuary of Shiloh” (Page 259)
This is a most interesting and valuable book. When Professor Robertson Smith's series of lectures are concluded, they will form the standard work upon their subject.
—The Jewish Quarterly Review
. . . known to scholars as a bold and vigorous thinker, [Robertson Smith] was well equipped for the task of delivering a series of lectures on the Semitic religions, and it is evident that he has applied all his skill and resources to the development of his highly interesting theme.
—The Methodist Review
It is no exaggeration to say that this book is of great value as well as of deep interest to the Biblical student.
—The Reformed Quarterly Review
4 ratings
Jimmie Blossomgame
12/28/2013
Larry Proffitt
11/19/2013
Bill Shewmaker
10/8/2013
DMB
8/2/2013