Historical Studies (Chinese Edition)

No.6, 2013

 

Under Theocracy and the Torah: 'Limited Monarchy' in the Hebrew Kingdom

(Abstract)

 

Zhang Qianhong and Ai Rengui

 

As regards its system of power, Hebrew kingship was different from those elsewhere in the ancient Near East: apart from the king, the Hebrew kingdom always had a number of power centers, including the Torah, priests, prophets, the populace/presbyters, etc., with God being viewed as the ultimate source of all power. In particular, the king had no right or power to make laws, being restricted by the fundamental law, the Torah. At the same time, priest and prophets, who had such spiritual powers as offering sacrifices and receiving the divine word, put the king under perpetual surveillance lest he infringe the Law or overstep his authority. As reflected in practical political life, Hebrew kingship was a limited monarchy constrained by a theocracy. This concept of restrictions on power was transmitted through Christianity to later Western countries, where it developed into an important theoretical resource for the overthrow of absolute monarchy.