1.

Record Nr.

UNINA9910787270003321

Autore

Mermelstein Ari

Titolo

Creation, covenant, and the beginnings of Judaism : reconceiving historical time in the Second Temple period / / by Ari Mermelstein

Pubbl/distr/stampa

Leiden, Netherlands : , : Brill, , 2014

©2014

ISBN

90-04-28165-7

Descrizione fisica

1 online resource (228 p.)

Collana

Supplements to the Journal for the Study of Judaism, , 1384-2161 ; ; Volume 168

Disciplina

229/.06

Soggetti

Apocryphal books (Old Testament) - Criticism, interpretation, etc

Judaism - History - Post-exilic period, 586 B.C.-210 A.D

Time - Religious aspects - Judaism

Judaism - History

Lingua di pubblicazione

Inglese

Formato

Materiale a stampa

Livello bibliografico

Monografia

Note generali

Description based upon print version of record.

Nota di bibliografia

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Nota di contenuto

Preliminary Material -- 1 Introduction: The Relationship between Time and History in Second Temple Literature -- 2 Wisdom of Ben Sira: Jewish History as the Unfolding of Creation -- 3 Wisdom of Ben Sira: Timelessness in Support of the Temple-State -- 4 The Book of Jubilees: Timeless Dimensions of a Covenantal Relationship -- 5 The Animal Apocalypse: The Timeless Symbols of History -- 6 Fourth Ezra: Time and History as Theological Critique -- 7 Synthesis and Conclusions -- Bibliography -- Index of Ancient Primary Sources.

Sommario/riassunto

This study examines the relationship between time and history in Second Temple literature. Numerous sources from that period express a belief that Jewish history began with an act of covenant formation and proceeded in linear fashion until the exile, an unprecedented event which severed the present from the past. The authors of Ben Sira, Jubilees , the Animal Apocalypse , and 4 Ezra responded to this theological challenge by claiming instead that Jewish history began at creation. Between creation and redemption, history unfolds as a series of static, repeating patterns that simultaneously account for the disappointments of the Second Temple period and confirm the eternal



nature of the covenant. As iterations of timeless, cyclical patterns, the difficult post-exilic present and the glorious redemption of the future emerge as familiar, unremarkable, and inevitable historical developments.