Building on Stone? Deuteronomy and Esarhaddon's Loyalty Oaths (Part 1): Some Preliminary Observations

This article addresses the question of a possible dependence that is often claimed to exist between a postulated "Ur-Deuteronomium" and the so-called "Vassal Treaty of Esarhaddon" (VTE). It investigates the textual and reconstructed historical points of contact, concluding that the arguments brought forth in support of the dependence theory are not strong enough to recommend it. In the context of this investigation, the numerous important differences that separate VTE and Deuteronomy are highlighted.