273 SELF-ABASEMENT EXPRESSION THANKS AS AN OF nism used in thanks by which non-patronage relationships between people are achieved, despite stratification in society being portrayed in the Hebrew Bible. The presence of obligation to God, even when self-abasement is used to express thanks, shows that a dependency relationship with God is expected. Does the Hebrew Bible reflect ancient Israelite practice on this matter ? Since it is a literary text, it may not reflect actual prac- tice 43. However, the possibility that it does reflect actual practice remains open since documentary texts such as Hebrew language seals, the Lachish letters, the Mesad Hashavyahu plea, and Arad 40 confirm a use of master-slave ˙deference in first temple period ˙ Israel that is the same as that in the Hebrew Bible. The use of blk in the Lachish letters witnesses to the use of self-abasement to express thanks in at least one sector of Israelite society during the last few years of the kingdom of Judah (590-587 BCE). It may be that study into epigraphic remains from elsewhere in the ancient Near East might confirm whether other societies used self- abasement to express thanks. If this is found to have occurred, then it might be possible to argue the ancient Israelites shared in the regional culture and practiced the same. This is a matter that is worth further study. Macquarie University Edward J. BRIDGE New South Wales, 2109 Australia SUMMARY Self-abasement is commonly used in the Hebrew Bible to express thanks, espe- cially in narrative texts. Using aspects of politeness theory, it is found that, by using self-abasement, a speaker accepts a loss of face and so avoids indebtedness to the hearer, but at the same time increases the hearer’s face by showing how gracious he was to favourably treat the speaker. It is a form of deference, a use of language that increases social distance between hearer and speaker. However, when self-abasement is also used to express thanks to God, avoidance of indebtedness is not in focus, rather God’s magnanimity. In prayer, self-abasement is also used to motivate God to grant the request. Solidarity in Ancient Judaism (Princeton, NJ 2010) 167-168. Schwartz’ thesis is that Ben Sira, Josephus and the early Rabbis eschewed patronage relationships. Cf. SCHWARTZ, Were the Jews, 175. 43