This volume deals with Jewish and Christian apocalyptic texts and movements from the second century BCE through the fourth century CE. It focuses on two major themes, cosmology and eschatology; that is, views of structure of the universe including its religious function and interpretations of history and the future. The detailed historical and literary analysis of these themes are introduced by an essay on the cultural gap between the original contexts of these texts and those of readers today and how that gap may be bridged. The book deals with the interrelations between post-biblical Judaism and early Christianity. The relevant Jewish texts and history are discussed thoroughly in their own right. The Christian material is approached in a way which shows both its continuity with Jewish tradition and its distinctiveness.
Author(s): Adela Yarbro Collins
Series: Supplements to the Journal for the Study of Judaism 50
Publisher: Brill Academic Publishers
Year: 1996
Language: English
Pages: 273
Cover......Page 1
COSMOLOGY AND ESCHATOLOGY
IN JEWISH AND
CHRISTIAN APOCALYPTICISM......Page 6
Contents......Page 8
Abbreviations......Page 12
1. Meaning and Significance in Apocalyptic Texts......Page 16
2. The Seven Heavens in Jewish and Christian Apocalypses......Page 36
3. Numerical Symbolism in Jewish and Early Christian Literature......Page 70
4. The Origin of the Designation of Jesus as "Son of Man"......Page 154
5. The "Son of Man" Tradition and the Book of Revelation......Page 174
6. The Political Perspective of the Revelation to John......Page 213
7. The Origin of Christian Baptism......Page 233
Index of Ancient Persons and Texts......Page 254
Index of Modern Authors......Page 270
Subject Index......Page 275
Back Matter......Page 277
