“No, you posted scriptures CONDEMNING hand striking, and tried to pretend that they didn’t.”
First, those Scriptures are condemning more than just hand striking, since there is always an additional connection to some other activity which reveals the reason for the condemnation. Also, even if the striking is condemned in that context, the fact that it is so many times associated with business transactions demonstrates that it WAS a practice of the time, which you keep trying to deny.
As for your citations about blood covenants, there is no description in those verses that matches what you previously claimed, that of cutting fingers and mingling blood. Given the Old Covenant’s strict laws concerning blood and ritual purity, I’d say the burden is pretty high for you to prove that is what was being done. In fact, all the verses you cite have to do with the very specific covenants between God and man, and not with business transactions or daily affairs. On top of that, the covenants weren’t sealed by the method you specify, but rather by the blood of a sacrifice, which is an entirely different thing.
Where is the evidence that the practice you asserted (similar to childish “blood brother” rituals), was the standard practice of that day and place for sealing deals or contracts?
>> “Where is the evidence that the practice you asserted (similar to childish “blood brother” rituals), was the standard practice of that day and place for sealing deals or contracts?” <<
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TRy reading Talmud occasionally.
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>> “First, those Scriptures are condemning more than just hand striking, since there is always an additional connection to some other activity which reveals the reason for the condemnation.” <<
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Wow you must be really slow!
The hand strike carries with it the very sacrifice of one’s life if the privilidge of favor is denied. Look up and read the many oaths of the kabbalist societies. They’re pretty grim.
Whether is was a ‘business’ transaction, or a turning of the law in a supposed court of justice, or the promised taking of another’s life, yes it surely was a practice of the time, as it remains to this day, and will continue until “Mystery, Babylon” is crushed by the Lord. That is the reason for the condemnation.