Biblical covenant and Hittite ishiul reexamined

Ever since the literary comparison of the biblical covenant and Hittite treaties came under strong criticism, most scholars have avoided this area of study. However, the textual similarities have recently drawn scholars to reconsider this comparison again. This article details the state of research into the Hittite genre of texts to which the treaties belong, and which was called by the Hittites ishiul. The ishiul genre included both the treaty texts and the instructions texts. These types of texts were used by the Hittites as a means of creating and maintaining loyalty within the Hittite kingdom. Within the legal framework to which these texts belong, the instructions text will be brought to the fore to suggest a possible new background for the biblical covenant.