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sacred kingship
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sacred kingship

religious and political concept
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Also known as: divine kingship
Written by
Claus Westermann
Professor of Old Testament Exegesis, Rupert Charles University of Heidelberg. Author of Handbook to the Old Testament.
Claus Westermann
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The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.
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Article History
Key People:
Sir James George Frazer
Hirata Atsutane

sacred kingship, religious and political concept by which a ruler is seen as an incarnation, manifestation, mediator, or agent of the sacred or holy (the transcendent or supernatural realm). The concept originated in prehistoric times, but it continues to exert a recognizable influence in the modern world. At one time, when religion was totally connected with the whole existence of the individual as well as that of the community and when kingdoms were in varying degrees connected with religious powers or religious institutions, there could be no kingdom that was not in some sense sacral. Among the many possible kinds ...(100 of 5419 words)

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