A Comparative Study of the Notion of “Covenant” in Judaism and Zoroastrianism

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Assistant Professor, Department of Comparative Religions and Mysticism, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran

2 Associate Professor, Department of Comparative Religions and Mysticism, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran

3 Ph. D. Graduate of Comparative Religions and Mysticism, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran

Abstract

Abstract
In the ancient world, the covenant was a serious agreement that societies attempted to regulate the behavior of individuals and institutions, especially in areas where there was not enough social control in them. Therefore, in the history of religion, the concept of the Covenant is the longstanding concept, which has been emphasized especially in monotheistic religions. The God of the Old Testament sets his own behavior with his servants according to the covenant. The treaty in the Zarathustrianism can be study by the principle of Asha / Artah (Truth) and the practice of Mithra. It is a supernatural law that is one with natural law. This doctrine is considered a metaphysical supporter to all treaties and then, it has played a decisive role in maintaining the moral and social order. The concept of these words and their reflection in these religions are the issues that have been investigated in this study. Despite the considerable differences between these oldest religions in Western Asia, they seem to regard these doctrines as fundamental and have shown it with various shapes and symbols. The essential differences in this regard, are related to the origin of the Covenant, its inclusion, repetition and being exclusion or graduality and significant similarities related to the concept, importance and educational aspect of them. This research has been done by comparative and analytical method with the aim of understanding of this common doctrine to enhance mutual understanding between religions.
 
Discussions:
If we consider the covenant and the covenant as the axis of the relationship between God and man, all events, as well as human affairs, are interpreted on the same basis. However, this concept can be considered in terms of similarities and differences in two different fields. First, the Covenant and treaty have a single meaning in both religions. In both of them, with the closure of the treaty, the parties are obligated to perform their duty, and if they fail to do so, they must bear the consequences of it. Second, the covenant that first appeared between God and man has become an interactive model of intercourse between human beings and has become a moral concept and the basis of human communication. Of course, God's covenant with Man is fundamentally different from human contracts. Because firstly, Man and God are not equal parties, on the other hand, God is the leader and the source of that grace and love. In Judaism, there are different views about human freewill. However, in Zoroastrianism, everything is based on man's freewill. Another common point in these two religions is the tradition of salvation. The understanding of salvation in the light of understanding the Covenant is easily possible. In both religions, salvation requires observance of the Covenant with all its aspects, and non-salvation means any violation of the Covenant of any size and extent.
Result: Based on what has been said, in the sense of both religions, the covenant or treaty with God is the supreme linkage that has taken place, and this is the origin of the emergence of many customs and habits. The most important difference is that the origin of the treaty in Zoroastrianism is the principle of Asha and Mithra is the guardian of it, but in Judaism, the origin of his covenant is God, and there are no rules beyond him and God is the guardian of that. Historically, the belief in the Covenant and its beliefs in the Zoroastrian religion is roughly stable, while undergoing radical transformations Judaism. In terms of modeling, in both religions, this kind of relationship between man and God affects the relationships between human being. In this way, it has found a moral concept, In addition to religious authenticity. Therefore, the covenant between God and Man is the source of morality, so, the human morality has a superlative guarantee.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

Bibliography
- Azar Geshsab, Mobed Firouz (2005), Gaths, Zoroastrian Celestial Songs. Tehran. Forouhar Press
-  Armstrong, Kern, theology from Abraham to today (2005), translation by Mohsen Sepehr, first edition, Tehran. Markaz press.
- Akhlaqi, Marzieh (Winter 2005). Sadra's attitude toward the world of Zar and Misagh,  Journal of The New Religious Ideology, No. 3, pp. 149-166
- Ardavirafnameh, Correction: Philip Guénino (1993). Translation and Research: Jaleh Amoozgar, Tehran: Moein Publications and the French Association of Iranian Studies
- Ashrafi, Abbas (2005). Worship in the Abrahamic religions, Tehran: Amir Kabir press.
- Oshidiri Jahangir (1993). Mazdeyasna Encyclopedia, Explanation Dictionary of Zoroastrianism, Tehran: Markaz press.
- Bayer Nass, John (1976). Comprehensive History of Religions, Translation by Aliasghar Hekmat, Tehran: Scientific Cultural Press.
- Boys, Mary (1997). History of Zoroastrianism, Achaemenid, translated by Homayoun Sanati Zadeh, Tous Press.
- Boyce, Mary et al. (Summer 2009), Collection of articles in Zoroastrian Philosophy, Ethics and Society in Zoroastrian Philosophy, First Edition, Tehran: Publications of the University of Religions and sects.
- Boys, Mary (2003). Zoroastrians, their religious beliefs and customs, translation: Askar Bahrami. Tehran. Ghoghnoos Press.
- Purdavood, Ibrahim (1999). Yashts, Volume I, Tehran: Asatir Press.
- Piadeh Kuhsar, Abolqasem (spring and summer 2010). Impact points of Iranian beliefs on Jewish religion from the path of revelation. Journal of Religious Research, Fourth Year, Seventh No.
- Pirae Ali, Delara Nemati, (Spring 2013). The covenant in Holy Bible and Holy Qur'an, the Quarterly Journal of Religion and Sect, Volume 14, Issue 2, Pages 24-5
- Jalali Moghadam, Masoud (2005). Zurvanism, philosophical school, Zoroastrian mysticism based on originality of time, first edition. Tehran: Amir Kabir Press.
 - Chavush Akbari, Raheem (2003). Seven Codes of Forouhar, Tehran: Zawar Press.
- Hesampour, Saeed and Dehghani, Nahid (autumn and winter 2008) Analytical review of the types of covenants and oaths in Ferdowsi's Shahnameh. The biannual Journal of Lyrical Literature Researches. Year 6, Number 11, Pages 37-66
- Dehkhoda, Ali Akbar, (1958) Dictionary, University of Tehran
- Rivayat of Pahlavi (1989). Translation: Mahshid Mir Fakhraei. First Printing, Tehran: Institute for Cultural Studies and Research
- Soleimani, Abdul Rahim (2005). Judaism from Election to Racism Specialized Quarterly on Religions and Religions, No. 22, 6th Year.
- Shahghian, Nouri Sadat (spring and summer 2010). Divine presence (Shkhina) in the Jewish tradition. Mystical Studies (Journal of the Faculty of Humanities, Kashan University). No. 11, pp. 91- 114.
- One hundred Verses in prose and in Bondahishn (1909), directed by Dhabir, Mumbai. Electronic version
- Tabari, Zia, Culture (March 1991 and April 1992). An Attitude to   Mazdisanan putting Sedrah. Journal of chista, Issue 76 and 7. Pages: 686-690. 23.
- Azizian, Kobra, Mehregan Celebration, Journal of Chista, Issue 263, October 200924. Afifi, Rahim, Iranian mythology and culture, Toos Publishing House, 2003.
- Elements, Jaber, Mehr, guardian of the covenant, treaties and prefecture of the contractors (for the occasion of the Mehregan). Journal of chista - No. 13, November 1982, pp. 308 – 325
- Ferdowsi, Abolqasem (1996), Shahnameh, based on Moscow printing, by Said Hamidian, Volume II, Tehran: Dad Press.
- Farnbagh Dadghi (1996). Bundeshan, Report: Mehrdad Bahar, Tehran: Toos Press.
- The Bible, the Old Testament and the New Testament (1920), the Old Translation, Bible Society Publishing House, London.
- Kalbarasi Ashtari, Hossein, (autumn 2004) the Divine Alliance in the Old Testament. Journal of Philosophy of theology, No. 32, pp. 89- 106.
- Grishman, Roman (1996). Iran from the beginning to Islam. Translator: Mohammad Moein. Tehran: Scientific and Cultural Publishing.
- Lofmarck, Carl, (2005). What is the Bible? Translation by Mohammad Kazem Shaker, Tehran, Dastan Press.
- Mohammadi Arrani, Maryam (Summer 2007) Religious salvation (Zoroastrianism, Jews, Christianity). Islamic Thought and Philosophy Research Journal (TOLO), No. 22 pp. 35 to 52.
- Mazdapur, Katayoun (2011). Accurate and inaccurate, Publisher: Institute of Humanities and Cultural Studies, Second Edition, pp. 146-147
- Movahedian Attar, Ali (Spring 2014). Typology of Promised Thought in Religions, Tehran, Publication of University of Religions and sects.
- Vendidad, translation: Hashem Razi. (1998) Tehran: Fekr- e Rooz Press.
- Vahidi, Hossein, (2004). Knowledge of Zoroaster. Tehran: Ilm Press.
- Vakili, Shervin, (June 2011). The concept of creation and sacrifice in a controversial Armenian language. http://soshians.ir/fa/
- Hux, Master, (1998). The Dictionary of the Bible, Tehran, Asatir Press
- Birnbaum, Philip (1995), Encyclopedia of Jewish Concepts, New York: Hebrew Pub Company.Cohn
-sherbok, Dan (1999), A Concise Encyclopedia of Judaism, Oxford: One World.
- Focant, Camille ; Wénin, André. (1988), L'alliance ancienne et nouvelle. In: Nouvelle revue théologique, Vol. 110, no. 6, p. 850-866.
- H-A. Perret-Gentil (1861), Ancien testament, Traduit d’après L’hébreu, France, Soleil d’Orient
- Henninger, Joseph (1987), "sacrifice", in: The Encyclopedia of religion, Mircea Eliade (ed.), New York: Magmillan.
- Hinnells John R, (1973), Persian mythology, Hamlyn, London, New York.
- Hodge, Charles. (1975). Systematic theology. Study Historical Book; Flavius Josephus Anthropology, Grand Rapids: Eerdmans
- Jewish Encyclopedia http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/4714-covenant
- Noss. John Boyer (1949), Man's Religion, Macmillan Publishing Co, Inc., New York & Collier Macmillan, Publishers, London.
- Smith, Malcolm (2002), the Power of the Blood Covenant- Uncover the Secret Strength in God's Eternal Oath, Harrison House, Tulsa, Oklahoma

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics