bbl 450 new testament backgrounds class vii: dead sea scrolls, prophetic movements, apocalypticism,...

BBL 450 New Testament Backgrounds

CLASS VII: Dead Sea Scrolls, Prophetic movements, apocalypticism, synagogue and Sanhedrin

Dr. Esa Autero

Dead Sea Scrolls, prophetic movements, apocalypticism, synagogue & Sanhedrin

1.1 Introduction – Various Jewish Groups What are the Dead Sea Scrolls & what’s all the hype about them?

What prophetic movements existed and what did they do?

What are some of the writings similar to Revelation?

How did the synagogue and Sanhedrin function?

Dead Sea Scrolls, prophetic movements, apocalypticism, synagogue

2.1 Dead Sea Scrolls The archaeological finding of the century

900 pieces of writing at Khirbet Qumran Discovered 1947, by a Bedouin Subsequent discoveries (11 caves) DSS dated b/w 250BC and c. AD 68

Who lived in the community? Essene hypothesis


• Rule of the Community (1QS) – practices of the community Shared property (1QS 1.11-13) Pre-determinism (3.15-16, 25-26; 4.24-26; Ant 18.18)

All that is now and ever shall be originates with the God of knowledge. Before things come to be, He has ordained all their designs, so that when they do come to exist…a destiny impossible to change (3.15-16)

Communal meals Pure meals – only accessible to the initiates (6.16-21) Ranking at meals “sit before the priest by rank” (6.2-5) Discipline – reduction of portions; eating alone; no access to pure

meals; excommunication (7.25)


All who volunteer for His truth are to bring a full measure of their knowledge, strength, and wealth into the Yahad of God. Thus will they purify their knowledge in the verity of God’s laws…and likewise their wealth by the canon of His righteousness (1QS 1.11-13)

If anyone of Israel volunteers for the enrollment in the society of the Yahad…he must not touch the pure food of the general membership before they have examined him…he must not yet admix his property with that of the general membership…when a full year has passed…they shall also take steps to incorporate his property…but it shall not yet be disbursed along with that of the general membership…The initiate is not to touch the drink of the general membership prior to the passing a second year…when that second year has passed…if he be ordained…they shall ordain him…participation of pure meals, and admixture of property. (1QS 6.13-23)


Strict initiation process (1QS 6.13-23; 5.20-24) Initial examination

Provisional membership (1 yr.) Second examination

Access to pure meals by himself (1 more yr.) Full membership and handing over of property See also War 2.137-42

Purity and strict disciplineAnyone who refuses to enter the society of God…ceremonies of atonement cannot restore his innocence, neither cultic waters his purity. He cannot be sanctified by baptisms in the oceans and rivers, nor purified by mere ritual bating. (1QS 2.25-3.5)No man who suffers from a single uncleanness that affect humanity shall enter the assembly…no man with physical handicap- crippled in both legs or hands, lame, blind, deaf, dumb…visible blemish in his flesh…doddering old man unable to do his share- may enter…in the congregation…For holy angels are part of their congregation. (1QSa 2.2-9)


These are the rules…if there be found among them a man who has lied about money and done so knowingly…bar him from the pure meals…for one year…ration of bread is to be reduced by one-fourth. Anyone who answers…defiantly or impatiently…rebelling against the orders…has usurped authority…he is to be punished by reduction of rations and…pure meals for one year (1QS 6.24-7.5)Whoever nurses a grudge against his companion…punished by reduction of rations for six months…speaks foolishness: three months…interrupting his companion while in session: ten days…man who bursts into foolish horselaughter…punished by reduction of rations for thirty days (7.8-14)


Separation in the wilderness They shall separate from the session of perverse men to go

to the wilderness, there to prepare the way of truth, as it is written, ‘In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert the highway for our God (Isa 40:3)’ (1QS8.13)

Community of the New covenant They must keep the Sabbath day according to specification, and the holy days and the fast day according to the commandments of the members of the new covenant in the land of Damascus. (CD 6.18-19)


Teacher of Righteousness Conflict b/w the community & Jerusalem priest (“Wicked priest”) “He raised for them a Teacher of Righteousness to guide them in

the way of His heart” (CD 1.10-11; c. 177BC) “God made known all the mysteries of the words of His

servants the prophets (1QpHab 7.3-5)” Prepare the way of the LORD by

Separation, study, and strict Law observance Common property and communal meals End-time war and final consummation (1QM)

Conflict between the “sons light and sons of darkness”


• The content of DSS Bible manuscripts, commentaries, hymns, prayers, legal materials,

community rules, apocalyptic writings etc.

(a) Scriptural manuscripts – most abundant category 25% of all texts, < 200 manuscripts from current OT

Proto-Masoretic type the most common text Samaritan Pentateuch type texts Hebrew texts similar to LXX Unique to Qumran type texts Texts that fit none of these categories Textual (-type) plurality Was that unique to Qumran?


Torah, Prophets prominent – Writings a bit less Apocrypha & pseudepigrapha prominent (Jub. & 1 En)

Functioned as authoritative (equal to Torah, Prophets, Writings) Jubilees (x14) & 1 Enoch (x11) – only Gen, Ex, Deut, Isa & Ps more Scriptural anthologies & Rewritten Scripture (e.g. Temple Scroll; Ps-Ezek) Some of Rewritten Bible quoted as Scripture authority (Apocr.Josh; Jub) Pesher commentaries on Habakkuk, Isaiah

(b) Rules and Legal Writings Rule of the Community (1QS)

Atoning for Israel per Torah observance (1QS 8.3-10; 9.3-6) contra Temple


Rule of the congregation (1QSa) Instructions for the community in preparation for final battle Duties of men according to age, observance, & ability (1QSa 1.4-27)

“No dull-witted man…to be ordained a leader…not receive command in the war that will bring the Gentiles to their knees” (1QSa 1.20-21)

Community as atoning for the land (1QSa 1.3) Entry banned from people w/ disabilities or old age (1QSa 2.2-9) Coming of the warrior & priestly Messiahs & messianic banquet (2.11-22)

Rule of the Blessings (1QSb, 1Q28b) Blessings for various groups


• Damascus Document (CD) Instructions for the new covenant community on purity & observance Emphasis on dualistic conflict b/w good and evil

War Scroll (1QM, 4Q4491-496) Military battles of the last days – clash w/ Gentiles in the holy war

For the instructor, the Rule of War. The first attack of the Sons of light shall be taken against the forces of the Sons of darkness …troops of Edom, Moab, the sons of Ammon… (1QM 1.1-3)

Legal halakic documents (e.g. 4QMMT) Discusses the connection b/w works of the Law and righteousness We have written to you some of the works of the Law…which…would be beneficial to you…Then you will rejoice…when you find…our words to be true. And it will reckoned to you as righteousness, in that you have done what is right (4QMMT C.VII 27-32)


Temple Scroll (11QT) Rewritten Torah

(c) Liturgical and Hymnic Writings Thanksgiving Hymns (1QHa); Angelic Liturgy; and others

Variety of liturgical and practical worship documents Community worshipped “among the angels”

(d) Wisdom and apocalyptic writings Sapiential Work A; Beatitudes Daniel; 1 Enoch; Messianic Apocalypse


DSS and the New Testament Persons in the NT

John the Baptist – same time, same region (Mt 3:1; Ant. 18.116-119) Importance of water purification and repentance (Mk 1:4; Lk 3:7-14; Ant.

18.117; 1QS 3.8-9) Fulfillment of Isa 40:3 (Mk 1:1-4; 1QS 8.13-16) Also role of the Spirit in eschatological cleansing Was John part of Qumran community? One-time baptism of repentance vs. daily cleansings John not part of a community John’s public preaching vs. isolation of Qumran community


Community structure in NT and Qumran Communal sharing (Acts 2:44-45; 4:32-35; 1QS 6.13-33)

Voluntary nature “as was need” in Acts Communal discipline (Matt 18:15-22; 1 Cor 5; 1QS 5.24-6.1)

Excommunication, restoration - specifics differ (e.g. food ratios) New covenant community & spiritual temple (2Cor 3:6; Heb 8; 1 Cor 3:16-

17; 6:15-19; CD 6.18-19; 1QpHab 2.3)

Religious ideas – Qumran and NT Coming of the Messiah

“they…shall be ruled by the primitive precepts until…the Messiahs of Aaron and Israel” (1QS 9.10-11; CD 12.23; 14.19; 19.10-11; 20.1; 4QFlor 1.10-12; 4QTest 9-20)

Idea of two messiahs


Other Messianic expectations in Qumran Single Messiah of Israel & priestly authorities (1QSa 2.11-22) “Messiah of Righteousness” akin to David (4Q252 frg. 6 5.1-4) “Messiah of the Spirit” fulfilling Isa 52:7 (11Q13 2.15-20)Melchizedek, who will return them to what is rightfully theirs. He will proclaim to them Jubilee, thereby releasing them from the debt of their sins…he shall atone for all the Sons [of light] and the people who are predestined to Melchizedek (11Q13 2. 5-6, 8) Messiah as “Son of God” modelled on Son of Man in Dan 7* Messiah rules over heaven and earth; God’s restoration, healing,

raising the dead & good news to the poor (4Q521 frgs. 2+4 2.1-13) Prince of the congregation – warrior who defeats the gentiles (CD 7.20)


NT messianic ideas – similar themes in light of Jesus’ ministry Messianic era of healing, salvation & deliverance based on Isa 61 Messianic Apocalypse and Matt 11:2-6//Lk 7:18-23 Aramaic Apocalypse & Son of Man – Mk 13:24-27; 14:61-62 See also Luke 1:32-33

Some further similarities of thought and concepts Dualism in Qumran and John (1QS 3.13-4.26; CD 1.1-8.21) Divorce and remarriage (11QT 57.15-19) Sabbath (CD 10.15-11.18) Resurrection and afterlife (Messianic apocalypse; Ps. Ezek) Demonology and exorcisms (Songs of the Sage; Apocr. Ps.; Incantation Formula)


2.2 Prophetic Movements and Zealots Movements leading to Jewish revolt (AD66-70)

Emerged mainly after Herod Agrippa I († AD 44) Earlier messianic pretenders Simon & Athronges (War 2.10-70; Ant 17.206-18, 250-

98)

Agrippa courted Jewish favor & flared up nationalism (Ant 19.293-4, 300, 326, 338-42; War 2.218)

Restoration of Rome’s direct rule after Agrippa Incompetent rulers increased resentment (War 2.223-44)

Prophetic movements and individuals Theudas – prophet who made the Jordan part (Ant 20.97-98; Acts 5:36)

Squashed by Cuspius Fadus (AD 44-46) - decapitated Theudas


[97] NOW it came to pass, while Fadus was procurator of Judea, that a certain magician, whose name was Theudas, persuaded a great part of the people to take their effects with them, and follow him to the river Jordan; for he told them he was a prophet, and that he would, by his own command, divide the river, and afford them an easy passage over it; and many were deluded by his words. However, Fadus did not permit them to make any advantage of his wild attempt, but sent a troop of horsemen out against them; who, falling upon them unexpectedly, slew many of them, and took many of them alive. They also took Theudas alive, and cut off his head, and carried it to Jerusalem. This was what befell the Jews in the time of Cuspius Fadus's government. (Ant. 20.97-98)


• The “Egyptian” during procurator Felix (AD 52-60) “Joshua miracle” & the conquest of Jerusalem Moreover, there came out of Egypt about this time to Jerusalem one that said he was a prophet, and advised the multitude of the common people to go along with him to the Mount of Olives, as it was called, which lay over against the city, and at the distance of five furlongs. He said further, that he would show them from hence how, at his command, the walls of Jerusalem would fall down; and he promised them that he would procure them an entrance into the city through those walls, when they were fallen down. Now when Felix was informed of these things, he ordered his soldiers to take their weapons, and came against them with a great number of horsemen and footmen from Jerusalem, and attacked the Egyptian and the people that were with him. He also slew four hundred of them, and took two hundred alive. (Ant 20.167-69; cf. Acts 21:38)


Other “signs prophets” (War 2.258-60; 6.285-7; 7.437-41)A false prophet was the occasion of these people's destruction, who had made a public proclamation in the city that very day, that God commanded them to get upon the temple, and that there they should receive miraculous signs of their deliverance. Now there was then a great number of false prophets suborned by the tyrants to impose on the people, who denounced this to them, that they should wait for deliverance from God; and this was in order to keep them from deserting, and that they might be buoyed up above fear and care by such hopes. Now a man that is in adversity does easily comply with such promises; for when such a seducer makes him believe that he shall be delivered from those miseries which oppress him, then it is that the patient is full of hopes of such his deliverance. (War 6.285-7)[258] There was also another body of wicked men gotten together, not so impure in their actions, but more wicked in their intentions, which laid waste the happy state of the city no less than did these murderers. These were such men as deceived and deluded the people under pretense of Divine inspiration, but were for procuring innovations and changes of the government; and these prevailed with the multitude to act like madmen, and went before them into the wilderness, as pretending that God would there show them the signals of liberty. But Felix thought this procedure was to be the beginning of a revolt; so he sent some horsemen and footmen both armed, who destroyed a great number of them. (War 2.258-60)


• Some similarities w/ John the Baptist, Jesus & apostles John and Jesus seen as prophets (Matt 11:7-9; Jh 1:21-23; Matt 21:10-11; Lk 7:16, 39)

Both had disciples & crowd of followers Similarities w/ Elijah & miracles (Mk 5:22-34; 6:15; 8:28) Both seen as politically subversive (Mk 1:14; Lk 23:2; 24:19-21)

“…make him king” & prophet like Moses (Jh 6:14-15; Acts 3:22-23; 7:37)

Apostles – “turn the world upside down” (Acts 17:6; 18:13; 21:38) Peter and John b/f Sanhedrin (acts 4:10,19-22; 5:29-32)

33 But when they heard this, they were cut to the quick and intended to kill them. 34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the Law…35 And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you propose to do with these men. 36 For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a group of about four hundred men joined up with him. But he was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. 37 After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census and drew away some people after him; he too perished, and all those who followed him were scattered. 38 So in the present case…let them alone, for if this plan or action is of men, it will be overthrown; 39 but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them; or else you may even be found fighting against God.”40 They took his advice; and after calling the apostles in, they flogged them and ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and then released them. (Acts 5:33-40)


• Zealots and zealots Josephus on Zealots, zealots, fourth philosophy & sicariiThey were the Sicarii who first began these transgressions, and first became barbarous towards those allied to them, and left no words of reproach unsaid, and no works of perdition untried, in order to destroy those whom their contrivances affected. Yet did John [of Gischala] demonstrate by his actions that these Sicarii were more moderate than he was himself, for he not only slew all such as gave him good counsel to do what was right, but treated them worst of all, as the most bitter enemies that he had among all the Citizens; nay, he filled his entire country with ten thousand instances of wickedness, such as a man who was already hardened sufficiently in his impiety towards God would naturally do; for the food was unlawful that was set upon his table, and he rejected those purifications that the law of his country had ordained; so that it was no longer a wonder if he, who was so mad in his impiety towards God, did not observe any rules of gentleness and common affection towards men. Again, therefore, what mischief was there which Simon the son of Gioras did not do? or what kind of abuses did he abstain from as to those very free-men who had set him up for a tyrant? What friendship or kindred were there that did not make him more bold in his daily murders? for they looked upon the doing of mischief to strangers only as a work beneath their courage, but thought their barbarity towards their nearest relations would be a glorious demonstration thereof. The Idumeans also strove with these men who should be guilty of the greatest madness! for they [all], vile wretches as they were, cut the throats of the high priests, that so no part of a religious regard to God. might be preserved; they thence proceeded to destroy utterly the least remains of a political government, and introduced the most complete scene of iniquity in all instances that were practicable; under which scene that sort of people that were called zealots grew up, and who indeed corresponded to the name; for they imitated every wicked work; nor, if their memory suggested any evil thing that had formerly been done, did they avoid zealously to pursue the same; and although they gave themselves that name from their zeal for what was good, yet did it agree to them only by way of irony, on account of those they had unjustly treated by their wild and brutish disposition, or as thinking the greatest mischiefs to be the greatest good. Accordingly, they all met with such ends as God deservedly brought upon them in way of punishment (War 2.262-70)


• Jewish war – characterized by factions & fanaticism War 2.254-57; 4.193-216, 224-332, 305-13, 326; 4.389-95, 566-70, 574-84; 5.5-10, 248-57, 527-30

• Zealots - a faction during Jewish war (AD 66-70) Precedents in fourth philosophy & Judas the Galilean (AD6/7*)

[23] But of the fourth sect of Jewish philosophy, Judas the Galilean was the author. These men agree in all other things with the Pharisaic notions; but they have an inviolable attachment to liberty, and say that God is to be their only Ruler and Lord. They also do not value dying any kinds of death, nor indeed do they heed the deaths of their relations and friends, nor can any such fear make them call any man lord. And since this immovable resolution of theirs is well known to a great many, I shall speak no further about that matter (Ant. 18.23)

Zealots as [part of] the fourth philosophy**


• Fourth philosophy – a general title for extreme groups/views

• zealots – zeal for ancestral traditions (Ant. 6.271; 10.49; 20.47) Zeal of YHWH (Ex 20:5) as exclusivity – Zealous heroes

Phineas (Num 25:6-13; Sir 45:23-24; 1 Macc 2:26, 54) Simon and Levi, “heroes of zeal” (Jdt 9:4; cf. Gen 34; Jub 30.8-17)

For this reason I have written for thee in the words of the Law all the deeds of the Shechemites, which they wrought against Dinah, and how the sons of Jacob spake, saying: 'We will not give our daughter to a man who is uncircumcised; for that were a reproach unto us.'And it is a reproach to Israel, to those who live, and to those that take the daughters of the Gentiles; for this is unclean and abominable to Israel. And Israel will not be free from this uncleanness if it has a wife of the daughters of the Gentiles, or has given any of its daughters to a man who is of any of the Gentiles. For there will be plague upon plague, and curse upon curse, and every judgment and plague and curse will come upon him: if he do this thing, or hide his eyes from those who commit uncleanness, or those who defile the sanctuary of the Lord, or those who profane His holy name, (then) will the whole nation together be judged for all the uncleanness and profanation of this man. And there will be no respect of persons [and no consideration of persons] and no receiving at his hands of fruits and offerings and burnt-offerings and fat, nor the fragrance of sweet savour, so as to accept it: and so fare every man or woman in Israel who defiles the sanctuary.For this reason I have commanded thee, saying: 'Testify this testimony to Israel: see how the Shechemites fared and their sons: how they were delivered into the hands of two sons of Jacob, and they slew them under tortures, and it was (reckoned) unto them for righteousness, and it is written down to them for righteousness. (Jub. 30.12-17)

Elijah & the prophets of Baal (1 Kgs 18:40; 19:1-14; Sir 48:2-3; 1Macc 2:58)

Mattathias & the Maccabean brothers (1 Macc 2:23-27, 50-60)


What about the Christian zealots?

Simon – Zealot or zealot? (Lk 6:15; Acts 1:13) At least intensely zealous for ancestral Laws and dislike of Rome

Saul of Tarsus (Gal 1:13-14; Phil 3:3-6; Acts 22:3) Paul’s zeal did not stop – reinterpreted (2Cor 7:7; 9:2; 11:2; Col 4:13)

Christians not involved in Zealot movement during AD 66-70 Flight to Pella tradition (eccl.Hist. 3.5.3; Epiphanius, Pan. 29.7.2-8)

What about pharisaic Christians (Acts 15:5; 21:20) and Ebionites?


2.3 Apocalypticism Gk. apokalypto – to reveal, unveil, disclose Gk. apokalypsis – revelation, disclosure & literary genre

Apocalyptic literature – standard features and concepts Pseudonymous (under false name) – Abraham, Moses, Enoch etc.

Visionary experiences & heavenly transports – real or literary device? Codes and symbols – Kittim, Babylon, military imagery, numerology Use of known myths/concepts: dragons, cosmology, hades, Nero redivivus

Visual “in-your-face” depiction of reality Importance of understanding the symbolic world


Origins of apocalyptic literature and worldview Biblical prophecy and apocalyptic features

Isa 24-27 & Ezek Daniel and Zechariah

Minor opinions – OT wisdom (von Rad) or Iranian dualism (late sources)

Characteristics of apocalyptic literature1) Dualism – world sharply divided into two

i)Temporal dualism – present evil age & glorious age to come (4Ezra 7:43)

Short term pessimism & long term optimism NT dualism – inaugurated eschatology “already-not yet” (Rom 8:1-4; Acts

2:17-36)


ii) Vertical dualism – above & below Two parallel realms – what happens above influences below Final merging of the two by God’s intervention

2 Bar 4.1-7; 32.1-7; 44.4-15; Rev 4-5; Heb 8-10; Col 3:1-45 Therefore we should not be distressed so much over the evil which has now come as over that which is still to be. 6 For there will be a greater trial than these two tribulations when the Mighty One will renew His creation. (2 Bar 32.5-6)

ii) Anthropological [ethical] dualism – righteous and the wicked Battle b/w righteous and wicked – above and below Clear distinction

1Jh 2:8, 14, 28; 4:4; Rom 16:20; 1 Cor 15:24; 2 Cor 4:4 Predestination in some documents (CD 2.7-8; 1QS 3.13-4.26)


2) Angelic mediators – heavenly guides Angelic transport, tour, and instructions (Ezek 8-11; also Dan 7-12) Extensive dialogues & heavenly tours (1 Enoch & 2 Esdras)

Rev 5:5; 7:13-17; 10:8-11; 17:6-18; 19:9-10; 22:8-11; 2 Cor 12:1-13

1. The words of the blessing of Enoch, wherewith he blessed the elect and righteous, who will be living in the day of tribulation, when all the wicked and godless are to be removed. 2. And he took up his parable and said -Enoch a righteous man, whose eyes were opened by God, saw the vision of the Holy One in the heavens, which the angels showed me, and from them I heard everything, and from them I understood as I saw, but not for this generation, but for a remote one which is for to come. (1 En 1:1-2)


1. And now, my son Methuselah, I will show thee all my visions which I have seen, recounting them before thee. 2. Two visions I saw before I took a wife, and the one was quite unlike the other: the first when I was learning to write the second before I took thy mother, (when) I saw a terrible vision. And regarding them I prayed to the Lord. 3. I had laid me down in the house of my grandfather Mahalalel, (when) I saw in a vision how the heaven collapsed and was borne off and fell to 4 the earth. 4. And when it fell to the earth I saw how the earth was swallowed up in a great abyss, and mountains were suspended on mountains, and hills sank down on hills, and high trees were rent from their stems, and hurled down and sunk in the abyss. 5. And thereupon a word fell into my mouth, 6 and I lifted up (my voice) to cry aloud, and said: ' The earth is destroyed.' 6. And my grandfather Mahalalel waked me as I lay near him, and said unto me: ' Why dost thou cry so, my son, and why dost thou make such lamentation?' 7. And I recounted to him the whole vision which I had seen, and he said unto me: ' A terrible thing hast thou seen, my son, and of grave moment is thy dream- vision as to the secrets of all the sin of the earth: it must sink into the abyss and be destroyed with a great destruction. 8. And now, my son, arise and make petition to the Lord of glory, since thou art a believer, that a remnant may remain on the earth, and that He may not destroy the whole earth. 9. My son, from heaven all this will come upon the earth, and upon the earth there will be great destruction. 10. After that I arose and prayed and implored and besought, and wrote down my prayer for the generations of the world, and I will show everything to thee, my son Methuselah. (1 En 83:1-9)


3) Revelation of Divine Secrets Divine secrets only to the initiates (1QS 5.10-16; 9.16-17)

The Instructor will not reprove the Men of the Pit, nor argue with them about proper biblical understanding. Quite the contrary: he should conceal his own insight into the Law when among perverse men. He shall save reproof - itself founded on true knowledge…if then the secret Way is perfected among the men of Yahad, each…walk blamelessly. (1QS 9.16-19)

“words are to remain secret…until the end of time” (Dan 12:9) “Do not seal up the words…time is near” (Rev 22:10)

11 And He was saying to them, “To you has been given the mystery of the kingdom of God, but those who are outside get everything in parables, 12 so that WHILE SEEING, THEY MAY SEE AND NOT PERCEIVE, AND WHILE HEARING, THEY MAY HEAR AND NOT UNDERSTAND, OTHERWISE THEY MIGHT RETURN AND BE FORGIVEN.” (Mark 4:11-12)

NT gospel “secret” [mystery] to be proclaimed to all (1 Cor 15:50-58; Eph 3:3-13; 6:19-20; Col 2:2-7; Rev 1:20; 10:7)


5. Owing to them men shall be at fault and not reckon them in the whole reckoning of the year: yea, men shall be at fault, and not recognize them accurately. 6. For they belong to the reckoning of the year and are truly recorded (thereon) for ever, one in the first portal and one in the third, and one in the fourth and one in the sixth, and the year is completed in three hundred and sixty-four days. (1 En 82:5-6)

1. The book of the courses of the luminaries of the heaven, the relations of each, according to their classes, their dominion and their seasons, according to their names and places of origin, and according to their months, which Uriel, the holy angel, who was with me, who is their guide, showed me; and he showed me all their laws exactly as they are, and how it is with regard to all the years of the world and unto eternity, till the new creation is accomplished which dureth till eternity. 2. And this is the first law of the luminaries: the luminary the Sun has its rising in the eastern portals of the heaven, and its setting in the western portals of the heaven. (1 En 72:1-2)

Importance of correct [solar] calendar by angelic revelation


The most important secrets Fate of the righteous and the wicked

Heaven and hell (1-2 Enoch; Rev 20-22) Reality of the throne room of God – w/ its implications (1 En 14; Rev 4-5)

Sovereignty and power of God – despite God’s apparent “absence”

4) Social location and function of Apocalypticism Was apocalyptic literature cultivated in a certain social location?

Oppressed & marginalized groups – waiting for God’s deliverance Social elite disillusioned by corruption & status quo

Apocalyptic literature – encouragement to trust in God’s sovereignty despite suffering and oppression.

God’s justice “right around the corner”; remain faithful and justice will be done, everything will be made anew (Rev 1:9; 2:9-11; 13:9-10; 14:12-13; 16:15; 21:6-8).


8. And the vision was shown to me thus: Behold, in the vision clouds invited me and a mist summoned me, and the course of the stars and the lightnings sped and hastened me, and the winds in the vision caused me to fly and lifted me upward, and bore me into heaven. 9. And I went in till I drew nigh to a wall which is built of crystals and surrounded by tongues of fire: and it began to affright me. 10. And I went into the tongues of fire and drew nigh to a large house which was built of crystals: and the walls of the house were like a tesselated floor (made) of crystals, and its groundwork was of crystal. 11. Its ceiling was like the path of the stars and the lightnings, and between them were fiery Cherubim, and their heaven was (clear as) water. 12. A flaming fire surrounded the walls, and its portals blazed with fire. 13. And I entered into that house, and it was hot as fire and cold as ice: there were no delights of life therein: fear covered me, and trembling got hold upon me. 14. And as I quaked and trembled, I fell upon my face. 15. And I beheld a vision, And lo! there was a second house, greater than the former, and the entire portal stood open before me, and it was built of flames of fire. 16. And in every respect it so excelled in splendor and magnificence and extent that I cannot describe to you its splendor and its extent. 17. And its floor was of fire, and above it were lightnings and the path of the stars, and its ceiling also was flaming fire. 18. And I looked and saw therein a lofty throne: its appearance was as crystal, and the wheels thereof as the shining sun, and there was the vision of Cherubim. 19. And from underneath the throne came streams of flaming fire so that I could not look thereon. 20. And the Great Glory sat thereon, and His raiment shone more brightly than the sun and was whiter than any snow. 21. None of the angels could enter and could behold His face by reason of the magnificence and glory and no flesh could behold Him. 22. The flaming fire was round about Him, and a great fire stood before Him, and none around could draw nigh Him: ten thousand times ten thousand (stood) before Him, yet He needed no counselor. 23. And the most holy ones who were nigh to Him did not leave by night nor depart from Him. 24. And until then I had been prostrate on my face, trembling: and the Lord called me with His own mouth, and said to me: ' Come hither, Enoch, and hear my word.' 25. And one of the holy ones came to me and waked me, and He made me rise up and approach the door: and I bowed my face downwards. (1 En 14:8-25)


2.4 Synagogue and Sanhedrin

• Synagogue Terminology – Gk. synagoge & proseuche

Synagoge – gathering place (Mt 9:35) and people who gather (Jam 2:2) Metaphorical usage rare in NT (Rev 2:9; 3:9)

Proseuche – “prayer house”, place of gathering (Philo Flacc. 41; 45) And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to a riverside, where we were supposing that there would be a place of prayer; and we sat down and began speaking to the women who had assembled. (Acts 16:13)

Origins Most likely exilic and post-exilic Hellenistic style cities (c. 300BC on) w/ no city gates for meeting place 1sr refs. to proseuche for Sabbath activities* - 3rd century BC inscription &

papyri


Functions of synagogue – multiple purpose Sabbath activities (Philo Legat. 156; Luke 4:16-22; Acts 15:21)

Public prayer; Scripture readings; study of Torah Readings from Torah & prophets + sermon Gathering of tithes & Temple tax (Philo Legat. 311) Singing and worship(?) – (DSS and Pseudo-Philo)

He [Moses] appointed the Law to be the most excellent and necessary form of instruction, ordaining, not that it should be heard once for all or twice or on several occasions, but thatevery week men should desert their other occupations and assemble to listen to the Law and to obtain a thorough and accurate knowledge of it, a practice which all other legislators seem to have neglected (Ag.Ap. 2.175)


Social, legal, political gatherings and meetings Archisynagogos (Mk 5:22, 35-38; Luke 13:14; Acts 13:5; 18:8, 17)

Officiated meetings and responsible for the building“Theodotus, son of Vettenus, a ruler of the synagogue…built the synagogue for the reading of the Law and the teaching of the commandments” (CIJ 2:1404)

Geography and architecture Diaspora, Babylon, Israel, even Jerusalem

Synagogues in Palestine – similar architecture Open space w/ seats arranged concentrically


• The Sanhedrin Gk synedrion* (cf. gerousia; boule; presbyterion) – Sanhedrin in

Jerusalem – the ruling body of the Jews (Matt 26:59; Ant. 4.218; 13.166; War 7.412)

Governing body (Matt10:17), meeting place (Lk 22:66), council meeting itself

On Sanhedrin – NT, Josephus, Mishnah Sanhedrin NT & Josephus: council, high priest + Pharisees & Sadducees (Acts 5:21; 23:1-6)

mSanh. two w/ different jurisdictions (71+23) – sages and disciples (1.6; 4.3-4)

mSanh. less accurate – reflects the time of the “sages”


Tasks and functions Primary reference to governing body of Jews in Jerusalem OR local

governing boards? Sanhedrin as the Central governing body from Hasmonean times on

Herod the Great suppressed & revived during Roman procurators

Supreme decision-making body on legal matters (Ant 4.218; Acts 5:21) Probably handled tax/toll collection & other Roman administration Decided on capital punishment (Ant. 14.167; Matt 26:59-66) Only Roman carry it out (Ant. 14.167)

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