The Topic of Intercession in Second Temple Judaism
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Maria Brutti
Abstract
This research paper focuses on two key elements that characterize the phenomenon of when intercession appears: on the one hand, the pluralism of forms and content and on the other hand, the expression of doubts about the value and credibility of intercession. After some preliminary problems, such as the research deficit, the lexicon deficit and the definition of sense, the research is carried out along two lines. The first concerns the analysis of texts about the figures of intercessors and the different modes of intercession present in the Second Book of the Maccabees; while the second focuses on specific passages in the Fourth Book of Ezra which concern the negation of intercession. The conclusion of this research, while considering the great difference between 2 Maccabees and 4 Ezra with regard to their forms, perspectives, and historical origin, also highlights the importance of the two books in later times, especially in the Christian era. While acknowledging that comparisons are always risky and in this case partial, on the basis of other biblical and Jewish texts, it recognises that the positions of 2 Maccabees and 4 Ezra on intercession are part of the varieties of Jewish identity and of the fluidity of the thought, due to the encounter both with the hellenistic culture and the emerging Christianity.
Abstract
This research paper focuses on two key elements that characterize the phenomenon of when intercession appears: on the one hand, the pluralism of forms and content and on the other hand, the expression of doubts about the value and credibility of intercession. After some preliminary problems, such as the research deficit, the lexicon deficit and the definition of sense, the research is carried out along two lines. The first concerns the analysis of texts about the figures of intercessors and the different modes of intercession present in the Second Book of the Maccabees; while the second focuses on specific passages in the Fourth Book of Ezra which concern the negation of intercession. The conclusion of this research, while considering the great difference between 2 Maccabees and 4 Ezra with regard to their forms, perspectives, and historical origin, also highlights the importance of the two books in later times, especially in the Christian era. While acknowledging that comparisons are always risky and in this case partial, on the basis of other biblical and Jewish texts, it recognises that the positions of 2 Maccabees and 4 Ezra on intercession are part of the varieties of Jewish identity and of the fluidity of the thought, due to the encounter both with the hellenistic culture and the emerging Christianity.
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Frontmatter I
- Preface: In memoriam Géza G. Xeravits (1971–2019) VII
- Contents IX
-
Part 1: Old Testament and Early Judaism
- “From the Heavens, From the Earth” 1
- Different Texts and Different Interpretations of “Exile” 29
- Effaced and Naturalized Modes of Jewish Reading: The Judah and Tamar Story (Genesis 38), the Book of Jubilees, and Robert Alter 45
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Part 2: Qumran
- The Two Spirits and the Origin of Evil 63
- Reading Instruction as a Sectarian Composition 75
- Thoughts on the Way towards “Prolegomena” to an Introduction to the Writings of the Dead Sea Scrolls 93
- Levi, Levites and Worship in Qumran 107
- Children Confined in the House of Darkness 119
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Part 3: Deuterocanonica
- “Narrate omnia mirabilia eius” (Tob 12:20 Vg) 153
- The Rhetorical Function of Burying the Dead in the Book of Tobit 161
- Das Wortfeld „Sterben“ im 2. Makkabäerbuch 177
- The Topic of Intercession in Second Temple Judaism 189
- What’s in a Name? 207
- Des Menschen Wohltat und Gottes Wohlwollen 223
- “Better”–Proverbs in the Book of Ben Sira 241
- “When the Lord created his works from the beginning” (Sir 16:26a) 255
- “Pillars of Gold on Plinths of Silver. . .” (Sir 26:18) 265
- Ben Sira 36:18–37:15: the Art of Choosing 283
- The Enigma of the Judges in Ben Sira 46: 11–12 315
- Bethesda in Sirach 50 revised 335
- Is Wisdom in Baruch 3:9–4:4 Combined with Torah? 351
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Part 4: Cognate Literature
- Good and Bad Angels in the Vitae Prophetarum 371
- “All Is Vanity, Saith the Preacher” 389
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Part 5: Antique Synagogue
- An Evolutionary Perspective on Temple, Synagogue, and Ekklēsia with Special Focus on Paul 401
- Bibliography of Géza G. Xeravits 433
- List of Contributors 441
- Index of Modern Authors 443
- Index of Sources 451
- Index of Subjects 477
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Frontmatter I
- Preface: In memoriam Géza G. Xeravits (1971–2019) VII
- Contents IX
-
Part 1: Old Testament and Early Judaism
- “From the Heavens, From the Earth” 1
- Different Texts and Different Interpretations of “Exile” 29
- Effaced and Naturalized Modes of Jewish Reading: The Judah and Tamar Story (Genesis 38), the Book of Jubilees, and Robert Alter 45
-
Part 2: Qumran
- The Two Spirits and the Origin of Evil 63
- Reading Instruction as a Sectarian Composition 75
- Thoughts on the Way towards “Prolegomena” to an Introduction to the Writings of the Dead Sea Scrolls 93
- Levi, Levites and Worship in Qumran 107
- Children Confined in the House of Darkness 119
-
Part 3: Deuterocanonica
- “Narrate omnia mirabilia eius” (Tob 12:20 Vg) 153
- The Rhetorical Function of Burying the Dead in the Book of Tobit 161
- Das Wortfeld „Sterben“ im 2. Makkabäerbuch 177
- The Topic of Intercession in Second Temple Judaism 189
- What’s in a Name? 207
- Des Menschen Wohltat und Gottes Wohlwollen 223
- “Better”–Proverbs in the Book of Ben Sira 241
- “When the Lord created his works from the beginning” (Sir 16:26a) 255
- “Pillars of Gold on Plinths of Silver. . .” (Sir 26:18) 265
- Ben Sira 36:18–37:15: the Art of Choosing 283
- The Enigma of the Judges in Ben Sira 46: 11–12 315
- Bethesda in Sirach 50 revised 335
- Is Wisdom in Baruch 3:9–4:4 Combined with Torah? 351
-
Part 4: Cognate Literature
- Good and Bad Angels in the Vitae Prophetarum 371
- “All Is Vanity, Saith the Preacher” 389
-
Part 5: Antique Synagogue
- An Evolutionary Perspective on Temple, Synagogue, and Ekklēsia with Special Focus on Paul 401
- Bibliography of Géza G. Xeravits 433
- List of Contributors 441
- Index of Modern Authors 443
- Index of Sources 451
- Index of Subjects 477