When Kings Were Gods

Biblical Time Machine

What did it mean to call a king “divine”? In this episode, Helen and Lloyd travel back to the ancient Near East — where kings were not just rulers but sacred figures and “sons of God.” They are joined by Dr Dylan Johnson, who explores how ancient peoples blurred the lines between human and divine authority, and how lawgiving, wisdom, and kingship became intertwined in their understanding of the cosmos.

Dr Dylan Johnson is Lecturer in Ancient Near Eastern History at Cardiff University’s School of History, Archaeology and Religion. His research explores how law, power, and divinity intertwined in the ancient world. He is the author of Sovereign Authority and the Elaboration of Law in the Bible and the Ancient Near East (Mohr Siebeck, 2020), and his forthcoming book, Lawgiving in the Ancient Near East (Cambridge University Press), continues his investigation into how divine and royal authority shaped early legal traditions.

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Theme music written and performed by Dave Roos, creator of Biblical Time Machine. Season 4 produced by John Nelson.