Privative Preposition [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII] in Purification Offering Pericopes and the Changing Face of "Dorian Gray"‪.‬

Jacob Milgrom has recently responded to my privative ("from") interpretation of the preposition [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII] in goal formulas of purification-offering ([TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII] sacrifice) pericopes. (1) I am honored by his kind words and, as always, impressed by the penetration and clarity of his argumentation. As he recognizes, my book Cult and Character has affirmed some aspects of his seminal "picture of Dorian Gray principle," but has challenged other aspects. (2) Milgrom's explication of the purification-offering system has much to commend it, including attention to detail, elegant and profound theological synthesis, and heuristic power. My investigation has found further support for his overall conclusion that "the priestly theodicy" involves human sin leaving its mark on the sanctuary, "and unless it is quickly expunged, God's presence will depart.... the sanctuary bears the scars and, with its destruction, he [the sinner] too will meet his doom." (3)