YHWH’s Divine Images A Cognitive Approach

YHWH’s Divine Images: A Cognitive Approach by Daniel O. McClellan, published by SBL Press in 2022, explores the complex relationship between divine images and the deities they represent. This edition, consisting of 277 pages, delves into the question of how these images can simultaneously embody and not embody the divine. McClellan utilizes insights from cognitive linguistics and the cognitive science of religion to construct a theoretical framework that addresses this paradox, particularly in the context of ancient Southwest Asia.

Readers will find that McClellan applies his framework to the Hebrew Bible, illustrating how the presence of the God of Israel is manifested through specific material media. The book engages with topics such as literary criticism, biblical criticism, and interpretation, offering a detailed examination of divine agency and imagery. This scholarly work contributes to the fields of biblical studies and exegesis, providing a nuanced understanding of the interplay between religion and cognitive processes.