Theologies in Conflict in 4 Ezra: Wisdom Debate and Apocalyptic Solution (Supplements to the Journal for the Study of Judaism)

289 Pages·2008·1.3 MB·English

by  Karina Martin Hogan

Theologies in Confl ict in 4 Ezra
Supplements to the
Journal for the
Study of Judaism
Editor
John J. Collins
The Divinity School, Yale University
Associate Editors
Florentino García Martínez
Qumran Institute, University of Groningen
Hindy Najman
Department of Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations
University of Toronto
Advisory Board
j. duhaime – a. hilhorst – p.w. van der horst
a. klostergaard petersen – m.a. knibb
j.t.a.g.m. van ruiten – j. sievers – g. stemberger
e.j.c. tigchelaar – j. tromp
VOLUME 130
Theologies in Confl ict in
4 Ezra
Wisdom Debate and Apocalyptic Solution
By
Karina Martin Hogan
LEIDEN • BOSTON
2008
This book is printed on acid-free paper.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication-Data
Hogan, Karina Martin.
Theologies in confl ict in 4 Ezra : wisdom, debate, and apocalyptic solution /
by Karina Martin Hogan.
p. cm. — (Supplements to the Journal for the study of Judaism)
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-90-04-12969-6 (hardback : alk. paper)
1. Bible. O.T. Ezra IV—Criticism, interpretation, etc. 2. Covenants—Biblical
teaching. 3. Eschatology—Biblical teaching. I. Title. II. Series.
BS1355.52.H64 2008
229’.106—dc22
2008032872
ISSN 1384-2161
ISBN 978 90 04 12969 6
Copyright 2008 by Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, The Netherlands.
Koninklijke Brill NV incorporates the imprints Brill, Hotei Publishing,
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printed in the netherlands
For John, Maeve and Aoife

CONTENTS
Acknowledgements ..................................................................... xi
Abbreviations .............................................................................. xiii
Chapter One Introduction and History of Scholarship on
4 Ezra ...................................................................................... 1
1. Introduction ....................................................................... 1
2. Major Trends in the History of Scholarship on 4 Ezra ... 9
2.1 The Source-Critical Approach ................................. 9
2.2 Fourth Ezra as Theological Debate ......................... 15
2.3 The Literary-Psychological Approach ..................... 21
2.4 Moving Toward a Synthesis .................................... 32
3. The Present Study ............................................................. 35
Chapter Two The Sapiential Background of the Confl icting
Theologies in the Dialogues of 4 Ezra .................................. 41
1. Introduction ....................................................................... 41
2. Eschatological Wisdom: 4QInstruction ............................ 45
2.1 Epistemology: Revealed Wisdom ............................. 48
2.2 Election and Determinism ....................................... 52
2.3 Anthropology and Interpretation of Genesis 1–3 ... 54
2.4 Divine Justice and Mercy ......................................... 60
2.5 Eschatology: The Final Judgment and Salvation of
the Righteous ............................................................ 61
2.6 4QInstruction in Relation to the Wisdom and
Apocalyptic Traditions ............................................. 66
3. Covenantal Wisdom: Sirach and Baruch 3:9–4:4 ............ 71
3.1 The Wisdom-Torah Synthesis ................................. 76
3.2 Election and Covenant ............................................. 85
3.3 Anthropology and Moral Responsibility ................. 89
3.4 Epistemology ............................................................. 93
3.5 Divine Judgment and Mercy ................................... 96
3.6 The Place of Sirach and Baruch 3:9–4:4 in the
Wisdom Tradition .................................................... 98
viii contents
Chapter Three The Dialogues of 4 Ezra as a Wisdom
Debate .................................................................................... 101
1. Introduction ....................................................................... 101
2. Narrative Overview of the Dialogues ............................... 103
3. The Content of the Debate ............................................... 111
3.1 Anthropology and Moral Responsibility ................. 112
3.2 Epistemology ............................................................. 120
3.3 Election, Covenant and Salvation ........................... 126
3.4 The Signifi cance of the Torah ................................. 134
3.5 Divine Justice and Mercy ......................................... 143
4. The Eschatology of the Dialogues .................................... 151
5. The Outcome of the Dialogues: Ezra’s Fourth Lament ... 153
Chapter Four The Apocalyptic Solution of the Visions ......... 159
1. Introduction ....................................................................... 159
2. Narrative Overview of Ezra’s Transformation ................. 162
2.1 Prior to the Turning Point: “Consoling” the
Mourning Woman .................................................... 163
2.2 The Turning Point of Ezra’s Transformation ......... 166
2.3 After the Turning Point: The Completion of
Ezra’s Transformation .............................................. 168
3. The Content of the Visions ............................................... 173
3.1 The Vision of the Mourning Woman Interpreted ... 174
3.2 The Vision of the Eagle and its Interpretation ....... 178
Excursus 1: The Details of the Vision of the Eagle
and its Date .............................................................. 182
3.3 The Vision of the Man from the Sea and its
Interpretation ............................................................ 185
Excursus 2: The Messiah: Son or Servant of the
Most High? ............................................................... 195
3.4 Conclusions on the Vision of the Man from the Sea 198
4. The Eschatology of the Visions ........................................ 199
Chapter Five The Epilogue and the Context and Purpose of
4 Ezra .................................................................................... 205
1. The Epilogue ..................................................................... 205
1.1 New Moses and Renewed Torah ............................ 207
1.2 Ezra’s Speech to the People ..................................... 212
1.3 Ezra’s Scribal Legacy ............................................... 214
1.4 The Pseudepigraphic Setting ................................... 218
contents ix
2. The Author’s Social Location and Purpose ..................... 222
2.1 Social Location and Intended Audience ................. 222
2.2 The Purpose of 4 Ezra ............................................. 227
3. Conclusion ......................................................................... 231
Bibliography ................................................................................ 237
Indices
Ancient Sources ...................................................................... 253
Modern Authors ..................................................................... 269