Wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zum Neuen Testament • 2. Reine Begriindet von Joachim Jeremias und O t t o Michel Herausgegeben von Martin Hengel und Otfried Hofius
16
Law and Wisdom from Ben Sira to Paul A Tradition Historical Enquiry into the Relation of Law, Wisdom, and Ethics
by
Eckhard J. Schnabel
ARTIBUS
„ , M•"8-0-
J. C. B. Mohr (Paul Siebeck) Tiibingen 1985
ClP-Kurztitelaufnahme
der Deutschen
BMiothek
Schnabel, Eckhard J.: Law and wisdom from Ben Sira to Paul: a tradition historical enquiry into the relation of law, wisdom, and ethics / by Eckhard J. Schnabel. Tubingen: Mohr, 1985. (Wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zum Neuen Testament: Reihe 2; 16) ISBN 3-16-144896-0 ISSN 0340-9570 N E : Wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zum Neuen Testament / 02
© J . C . B . M o h r (Paul Siebeck) Tubingen 1985. - AJIe Rechte vorbehaiten. / All rights reserved. Printed in Germany, - Typeset by Sam Boyd Enterprise, Singapore; printed by GuldcDruck G m b H , Tubingen; bound by Heinrich Koch KG, Tubingen.
To Barbara
Preface
It is a generally a c k n o w l e d g e d fact b o t h a m o n g O l d T e s t a m e n t scholars a n d N e w T e s t a m e n t s c h o l a r s , as well as a m o n g e x p e r t s in t h e l i t e r a t u r e of early a n d later J u d a i s m , t h a t t h e c o r r e l a t i o n of law a n d w i s d o m is of p a r a m o u n t i m p o r t a n c e for J e w i s h a n d Chris tian t h e o l o g y a n d e t h i c s . I t is t h e r e f o r e all t h e m o r e surprising t h a t this c o r r e l a t i o n has never b e e n t h e subject of a major m o n o g r a p h . T h e r e a r e o n l y a h a n d f u l of articles w h i c h c o r r e l a t e law a n d wis d o m a t least in t h e t i t l e : K . H r u b y ( 1 9 6 7 ) , A . R . v o n S a u e r ( 1 9 7 2 ) , E. Z e n g e r ( 1 9 7 3 ) , J . M a r b o c k ( 1 9 7 6 ) , G . T . S h e p p a r d ( 1 9 7 8 ) . T h e s t u d y of J . B l e n k i n s o p p o n w i s d o m a n d law in t h e O l d T e s t a m e n t ( 1 9 8 3 ) is r a t h e r brief a n d gives b u t l i m i t e d r e m a r k s o n this cor relation. T h e p r e s e n t s t u d y was w r i t t e n t o fill this a p p a r e n t gap a n d to m a k e a c o n t r i b u t i o n t o t h e investigation of t h e t h e o l o g y of early J u d a i s m a n d early C h r i s t i a n i t y , focusing o n t h e c o r r e l a t i o n of l a w a n d w i s d o m in B e n Sira, in o t h e r early J e w i s h d o c u m e n t s includ ing Q u m r a n , a n d in t h e t h i n k i n g of Paul t h e A p o s d e . T h i s b o o k is a revised a n d a b r i d g e d version of m y P h . D . thesis w h i c h was s u b m i t t e d t o t h e University of A b e r d e e n in A u g u s t 1 9 8 3 . 1 a m i n d e b t e d t o m y supervisor. Professor R o b i n S. B a r b o u r , for his c o n s t a n t e n c o u r a g e m e n t , a n d t o Professors I . H o w a r d Marshall a n d William J o h n s t o n e w h o r e a d various p a r t s of t h e m a n u s c r i p t a n d m a d e helpful c o m m e n t s . M y t h a n k s go also t o Professor M a t t h e w Black of S t . A n d r e w s w h o a c t e d as e x t e r n a l r e a d e r of t h e original thesis for his suggestions. N a t u r a l l y t h e usual caveats against guilt b y association a p p l y . I w o u l d also like t o t h a n k several friends: D r . Helge S t a d e l m a n n for his r e l e v a n t sug gestions in c o n n e c t i o n w i t h his o w n w o r k o n t h e J e w i s h w i s d o m t r a d i t i o n w h i c h finally led m e t o m y d i s s e r t a t i o n t o p i c , a n d D r . H e n r y L a z e n b y , H a n s B a y e r , a n d B o b Y a r b r o u g h for s u c c e e d i n g n o w a n d t h e n in challenging m e to t r a n s c e n d t h e s p h e r e s of l a w a n d w i s d o m t h u s m a k i n g m y t i m e a t King's College even m o r e
VI
Preface
m e m o r a b l e . B. Y a r b r o u g h h e l p e d reading t h e p r o o f s . I also w o u l d like t o r e c o r d m y g r a t i t u d e t o t h e A r b e i t s k r e i s fiir evangelikale T h e o l o g i e (AfeT) of t h e D e u t s c h e Evangelische Allianz for its financial assistance d u r i n g t h e final year of r e s e a r c h , a n d for its c o n t r i b u t i o n of a s u b s t a n t i a l p r i n t i n g g r a n t . Finally, I wish t o express m y sincere t h a n k s t o Professor M a r t i n Hengel of T u b i n g e n for a c c e p t i n g this s t u d y for p u b l i c a t i o n in t h e W U N T series. M y wife was of invaluable h e l p in m a n y w a y s . S h e is c e r t a i n l y a t r u e e m b o d i m e n t of t h e d i c t u m of Ben Sira, t h e scribe a n d wise
m a n : iJ/u;n iiiajn ^sam
nry I'jp
r\->v}vr\ H B ' K
njp (Sir 36,24).
T h e d e d i c a t i o n of this s t u d y t o h e r r e q u i r e s t h e r e f o r e n o f u r t h e r c o m m e n t b u t r a t h e r an e x c l a m a t i o n m a r k . G r o s s b o t t w a r , J a n u a r y 1984
EJS
Contents
Preface
V VII
Contents Abbreviations
XI
Introduction
1
C h a p t e r O n e : B e n Sira's I d e n t i f i c a t i o n of W i s d o m a n d haw
8
§ 1 I n t r o d u c t o r y Survey
10
§ 2 Ben 2.1. 2.2. 2.3.
16 16 20 28
Sira's C o n c e p t of W i s d o m Wisdom and Creation Wisdom and Salvation-History Summary
§ 3 Ben Sira's C o n c e p t of L a w a n d t h e C o m m a n d m e n t s 3.1 T e r m i n o l o g y 3.2. Law and Creation 3.3. Law and Salvation-History 3.4. L a w a n d t h e Fear of t h e L o r d 3 . 5 . T h e F u n c t i o n of t h e L a w 3 . 6 . Motives of O b e d i e n c e 3 . 7 . H a l a k h a h in Sirach 3 . 8 . O l d T e s t a m e n t Q u o t a t i o n s a n d Allusions 3.9. Summary E x c u r s u s I: T h e I d e n t i t y a n d H i s t o r y of t h e S o p h e r i m
29 31 42 44 45 46 55 57 60 62 63
§ 4 Ben 4.1. 4.2. 4.3. 4.4. 4.5.
69 69 79 84 87 89
Sira's I d e n t i f i c a t i o n of L a w a n d W i s d o m T h e Exegetical E v i d e n c e T h e N a t u r e of t h e I d e n t i f i c a t i o n The Rationale behind the Identification T h e C o n s e q u e n c e s of t h e I d e n t i f i c a t i o n Conclusion
VIII
Contents
C h a p t e r T w o : W i s d o m a n d L a w in t h e I n t e r t e s t a m c n t a l Literature § 5 E a r h e r J e w i s h Writings from Palestine
93 95
5.1. Baruch 5 . 2 . T h e E t h i o p i c B o o k of E n o c h 5 . 3 . T h e Psalms of S o l o m o n
95 100 112
§ 6 Earlier J e w i s h Writings from A l e x a n d r i a 6 . 1 . T h e L e t t e r of Aristeas 6 . 2 . T h e T h i r d Sibylline O r a c l e 6 . 3 . T h e W i s d o m of S o l o m o n
119 119 124 129
§ 7 L a t e r J e w i s h Writings f r o m t h e First C e n t u r y A . D . 7 . 1 . T h e F o u r t h B o o k of M a c c a b e e s 7.2. T h e F o u r t h B o o k of E z r a 7 . 3 . T h e A p o c a l y p s e of B a r u c h
134 134 138 152
§ 8 Conclusion
162
C h a p t e r T h r e e : L a w a n d W i s d o m in t h e D e a d Sea Scrolls
166
§ 9 Introduction
166
§ 1 0 L a w a n d C o m m a n d m e n t s : T h e Rule of Life 1 0 . 1 . T h e Significance a n d R o l e of t h e L a w 10.2. Terminology 1 0 . 3 . T h e C o n c e p t of R e v e l a t i o n 10.4. The Law and the Covenant 10.5. The Law and the Creator 1 0 . 6 . T h e S t u d y of t h e L a w 1 0 . 7 . T h e H a l a k h a h of t h e C o m m u n i t y 1 0 . 8 . T h e F u n c t i o n of t h e L a w a n d Motives of O b e d i e n c e E x c u r s u s I I : Q u m r a n , t h e Law, a n d Legalism
169 169 171 172 174 178 181 183
§ 11 W i s d o m : U n i v e r s a l - S y s t e m a t i c B l u e p r i n t for C r e a t i o n and Salvation 1 1 . 1 . T h e Significance of t h e S a p i e n t i a l T r a d i t i o n 11.2. Terms and Genres 11.3. Wisdom, God, and Creation 11.4. Wisdom, Revelation, and t h e Covenant 11.5. Wisdom and Teaching 1 1 . 6 . C o n d u c t a n d Ethics
187 188 190 190 195 199 201 203 204
Contents
§ 12 L a w a n d W i s d o m 1 2 . L Exegetical Evidence 1 2 . 2 . T h e N a t u r e of t h e I d e n t i f i c a t i o n 12.3. Summary
IX
206 207 221 225
C h a p t e r F o u r : W i s d o m a n d L a w in P a u l i n e C h r i s t o l o g y a n d Ethics
227
§ 13 Introduction 1 3 . 1 . T h e C o n c e p t u a l Heritage of Paul 1 3 . 2 . Paul a n d t h e C o r r e l a t i o n of L a w a n d W i s d o m 13.3. Methodological Considerations
227 227 232 234
§ 1 4 Christ 14.1. 14.2. 14.3.
236 237 240 260
and Wisdom W i s d o m C h r i s t o l o g y in R e c e n t R e s e a r c h Exegetical-Conceptual Evidence Theological-Hermeneutical Evidence
§ 1 5 Christ a n d t h e L a w 1 5 . 1 . Christ a n d T o r a h in R e c e n t R e s e a r c h 15.2. Exegetical Evidence 15.3. Theological Evaluation 1 5 . 4 . C o n c l u s i o n : W i s d o m a n d L a w in Paul's Christology
264 264 271 292
§ 1 6 T h e C h r i s t i a n Way of Life 16.1. Foundational Motivations 1 6 . 2 . Binding N o r m s : T h e L a w A s p e c t 1 6 . 3 . G u i d i n g Criteria: T h e W i s d o m A s p e c t 1 6 . 4 . C o n c l u s i o n : N o r m a t i v i t y a n d W i s d o m in Paul's E t h i c
299 301 310 323
298
338
C h a p t e r Five: C o n c l u s i o n s
343
Select B i b l i o g r a p h y
351
I n d e x of Passages
379
I n d e x of A u t h o r s
413
I n d e x of S u b j e c t s
421
Abbreviations
1. Books
of the
Bible
Gen, Ex, Lev, N u m , Deut, J o s h , Judg, Ru, l,2Sara, l,2Kgs, l,2Chr, Ezr, N e h , Esth, J o b , Ps, Prov, Qoh, Cant, Is, Jer, Lam, Ez, Dan, Hos, J o e l , A m , Obad, J o n , Mic, Nah, Hab, Zeph, Hag, Zech, Mai. Mt, Mk, Lk, J o h , Acts, R o m , l,2Cor, Gal, Eph, Phil, Col, l,2Thess, l , 2 T i m , P h l m , H e b , J a s , l,2Pet, 1,2,3John, Jude, Rev.
2. Apocrypha
and
Tit,
Pseudepigrapha
AntBibl, ApcBar, Aristob, AssMos, Bar, En(eth), En(hebr), EpArist, 4 Ezr, JosAs, J u b , Judt, l,2,3,4Macc, PsSal, Ps(syr), SapSal, Sib, Sir, TestXIIPatr (TReu,TSim, TLev, etc.).
3. Dead Sea Scrolls
(Qumran)
CD, IQS, IQSa, I Q S b , IQM, I Q H , IQpHab, IQDireMoshe ( 2 2 ) , 4QOrda-c ( 1 5 9 , 5 1 3 , 5 1 4 ) , 4 Q p I s a - e ( 1 6 1 - 1 6 5 ) , 4QpNah ( 1 6 9 ) , 4QpPsa ( 1 7 1 ) , 4QFlor (1 74), 4QTestim ( 1 7 5 ) , 4QBcr ( 2 8 6 ) , 4QDibHama-c ( 5 0 4 - 5 0 6 ) , 4QPrFetesa-<: ( 5 0 7 - 5 0 9 ) , 4QShiia-b ( 5 1 0 - 5 1 1 ) , 4QMessAr, UQPs^, 1 IQPsaDavComp (27,2-11), 1 IQMelch, 1 I Q T .
4. Other Ancient
Sources
Philo and Josephus: the conventional sigla are used. Rabbinic writings: the conventional sigla are used. Other ancient writings: the conventional sigla are used.
5. Periodicals,
Series,
Reference
Works
AA AB AGSU ALGHJ AnBibl ANRW APOT ATD AThANT AThD
Archaologischer Anzeiger Anchor Bible Arbciten zur Geschichte des Spatjudenturas und Urchristentums Arbeiten zur Literatur und Geschichte des hellenistischen Judentums Analecta Biblica Aufstieg und Niedergang der romischen Welt, ed. H. Temporini, W. Haase The Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha of the Old Testament, ed. R.H. Charles Altes Testament Deutsch Abhandlungen zur Theologie des Alten und Neuen Testaments Acta Thcologica Danica
BA BAL BBB
Biblical Archaeologist Berichte iiber die Verhandlungen der Sachsischen Akademie zu Leipzig Bonner Biblische Beitrage
XII
Abbreviations
BDR
Blass/Debrunner/Rehkopf, Grammatik des neutestamentlichcn Greichisch, 15. Auflage, 1979 BETL Bibliotheca Ephemeridum Theologicarum Lovaniensium BEvTh Beitrage zur Evangelischen Theologie BFCTh Beitrage zur Forderung Christlicher Theologie BHH Biblisch-historisches Handworterbuch, ed. B. Rcicke, L. Rost BHTh Beitrage zur Historischen Theologie Bib BibUca BiKi Bibel und Kirche BJHIL Bibliographic zur jiidisch-hellenistischen und interestamentarischen Literatur, cd. G. DeUing BJRL Bulletin of the J o h n Rylands Library BJS Brown Judaic Studies BK Biblischer Kommentar BNTC Black's New Testament Commentaries BTB Biblical Theology Bulletin BWANT Beitrage zur Wisscnschaft v o m Alten und Neuen Testament BZ Biblische Zeitschrift BZAW Beitrage zur Zeitschrift fiir die alttestamentliche Wisscnschaft BZNW Beitrage zur Zeitschrift fur die neutestamentliche Wissenschaft CB CBQ CRAI CIJ CTh]
Coniectanea Biblica Catholic Biblical Quarterly Comptes Rendues de I'Academie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres Corpus Inscriprionum Judaicarum, ed. J.B. Frey Calvin Theological Journal
DEB
Documents pour I'Etude de la Bible
DJD
Discoveries in the Judaean Desert (of Jordan)
EB EJ EKK EQ EThR EvTh EWNT ExpTim
Etudes Bibliques Encyclopedia Judaica Evangelisch-Katholischer Kommentar Evangelical Quarterly Etudes Thcologiques e l Religieuscs Evangelische Theologie Exegetisches Worterbuch zum Neuen Testament, ed. H. Balz, G. Schneider Expository Times
F R L A N T Forschungen zur R c l i ^ o n und Literatur des Alten und Neuen Testaments FThS Freiburger Theologische Studien GCS GThA
Die Griechischen Christlichen Schriftsteller der ersten drei Jahrhundcrte Gottinger Theologische Arbeiten
HAT HBT HLJ HNT HR HThK
Handbuch zum Alten Testament Horizons in Biblical Theology Hastings Law Journal Handbuch zum Neuen Testament History of Religions Herders Theologischer Kommentar
Abbreviations HThR HUCA
Harvard Theological Review Hebrew Union College Annual
ICC Int
International Critical Commentary Interpretation
IZBG
Internationale Zeitschriftenschau fiir Bibelwissenschaft und Grenzgebiete
JAAR JBL JBR JE JES JETS JJS JJSoc JNSL JQR JR JRE JSHRZ JSJ JSNT JSS JThS Jud
Journal of the American Academy of Religion Journal of Biblical Literature Journal of Bible and Religion Jewish Encyclopaedia Journal of Ecumenical Studies Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society Journal of Jewish Studies Jewish Journal of Sociology Journal of Northwest Semitic Languages Jewish Quarterly Reivew Journal of Religion Journal of Religion and Ethics Jiidische Schriften aus hellenistisch-jiidischer Zeit Journal for the Study of Judaism Journal for the Study of the New Testament Journal for Semitic Studies Journal of Theological Studies Judaica
KEK KuD
Kritisch-ExegetisCher Kommentar Kerygma und Dogma
LCL
Loeb Classical Library
MGWJ MPTh MS
Monatszeitschrift fiir Geschichte und Wissenschaft des Judentums Monatszeitschrift fiir Pastoraltheologie Monograph Series
MVAG
Mitteilungen der Vorderasiatisch-Agyptischen Gcsellschaft
NF
Neue Folge
NIGTC NovTest NRTh NTA NTA NTD NTS NTT OBO OTS
New International Greek Testament Commentary Novum Testamentura Nouvellc R e v u e T h e o l o g i q u e Neutestamentliche Abhandlungen New Testament Abstracts Neues Testament Deutsch New Testament Studies Norsk Tcologisk Tidsskrift Orbis Biblicus et Oricntalis Oudtestamentische Studien
PAAJR POS PTMS
Proceedings of the American Academy of Jewish Research Pretoria Oriental Studies Pittsburgji Theological Monograph Series
XIII
XIV
Abbreviations
PVTG PW
Pseudepigrapha Veteris Testament! Graece Paulys Realencyclop'adie der classischen Altertumswisscnschaft, ed. G. Wissowa, W. KroU et al. PWSuppl Supplementb'ande RAG RB RE REJ RGG RGW RHPR RivBibl RQ RSPT RSR RThL RTP
Reallexikon fiii Antike und Christentum, ed. T. Klauser Revue Biblique Realencyklopadie fiir protestantische Theologie und Kirche, ed. A . Hauck, 3. Auflage Revue des Etudes Juives Religion in Geschichte und Gegenwart, 3 . Auflage, ed. K. Galling Rdigionsgeschichtliche Versuche und Vorarbeiten Revue d l i i s t o i r e et de Philosophie Religjeusc Revista BibUca Revue de Qumran Revue des ScieiKes Philosophiques et Theologiques Revue des Sciences Religieuscs Revue Theologique de Louvain Revue de Theologie et de Philosophie
SB SBL SBLDS SBLMS SBLSCS SBLTT SBLSBS SBM SBS SBT SC SEA SGJ SGV SJLA SJT SMB SNT SNTS SPB SR SSN StANT STDJ Sljud StNT StPh SUNT SVF SVT SVTP
Sources Bibliques Society of Biblical Literature SBL Dissertation Series SBL Monograph Series SBL Septuagjnt and Cognate Studies SBL Texts and Translations SBL Sources for Biblical Study Stuttgarter Biblische Monographien Stuttgarter Bibelstudien Studies in Biblical Theology Sources Chretiermes Svensk Exegetisk Arsbok Schriften der Gcsellschaft des Judentums Sammlung gemeinverstandlicher Vortrage Studies in Judaism in Late Antiquity Scottish Journal of Theology Serie Monografica di 'Benedictina' Supplements to Novum Testamentum Society for N e w Testament Studies Studia Post-Biblica Studies in Religion/Sciences Religieuscs Studia Scmitica Neerlandica Studien zum Alten und Neuen Testament Studies o n the Texts of the Desert of Judah Studia Judaica Studien zum Neuen Testament Studia Thcologica Studien zur Umwclt der Neuen Testaments Stoicorum veterum fragmenta, ed. J. von A m i m Supplements t o Vctus Testamentum Studia in Veteris Tcstamcnti Pseudepigrapha
Abbreviations THAT
XV
ThWNT ThZ TSAJ TThZ TU TyndB
Theologisches Handworterbuch zum Alten Testament, ed. E. Jenni, C. Westermann Theologische Beitrage Theologische Literatuizeitung Theologische Rundschau Theological Studies Theologia Viatorum Theologisches Worterbuch zum Alten Testament, ed. G.J. Botterweck, H. Ringgren Theologisches Worterbuch zum Neuen Testament, ed. G. Kittel, G. Friedrich Theologische Zeitschrift T e x t e und Studien zum Antiken Judentum Trierer Theologische Zeitschrift T e x t e und Untersuchungen zur Geschichte der altchrlstlichen Literatur Tyndalc BuUetin
UTB
Uni-Taschenbiicher
VTKJ VT VuF
Veroffentlichungen aus dcm Institut Kirche und Judentum bei der Kirchlichen Hochschule Berlin Vetus Testamentum Verkundigung und Forschung
WHJP WMANT WTlxJ WuD WUNT
World History of the Jewish People Wissenschaftliche Monographien zum Alten und Neuen Testament Westminster Theological Journal Wort und Dienst Wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zum Neuen Testament
ZASA ZAW ZDPV ZEE ZKTh ZNW ZThK
Zeitschrift Zeitschrift Zeitschrift Zeitschrift Zeitschrift Zeitschrift Zeitschrift
ThBeitr ThLZ ThR ThSt ThViat ThWAT
6. Technical a.c. b cf. col. ET f FS G H LXX m MS{S) MT
fiir Agyptische Sprache und Altertumskunde fiir die alttestamentliche Wissenschaft des Deutschen Palastina-Vereins fiir evangelische Ethik fiir katholische Theologie fiir die neutestamentliche Wissenschaft fUr Theologie und Kirche
and Other
Abbreviations
articulus citatus Babylonian Talmud confer columna English Translation fragment Festschrift (Hommages, Studies in Honour of, etc.) Greet text of Sirach Hebrew text of Sirach Septuagint Mishnah tractate manuscript(s) Masoretic Text
Abbreviations
XVI n NT o.c. OT P t v(v) vol.
footnote N e w Testament opus citatum Old Testament Palestinian Talmud Tosefta tractate verse(s) volume
Introduction
A n y a t t e m p t t o e x a m i n e t h e i n t e r r e l a t e d n e s s of s u c h c o m p l e x p h e n o m e n a as w i s d o m a n d law involves t h e difficult p r o b l e m of m e t h o d . B o t h law a n d w i s d o m are r a t h e r fluid c o n c e p t s , each being c h a r a c t e r i z e d b y a l o n g historical a n d t h e o l o g i c a l d e v e l o p m e n t w h i c h in b o t h cases still c a n n o t b e d e s c r i b e d in a final a n d definitive w a y ' . T h e r e is a g r o w i n g r e c o g n i t i o n of the fact t h a t w i s d o m a n d l a w are closely a s s o c i a t e d w i t h e a c h o t h e r a l r e a d y in t h e O l d T e s t a m e n t , a n d t h a t t h e y a r e i n t e r r e l a t e d in various w a y s in t h e h i s t o r y of Israelite s o c i e t y ^ . Scholars have p r e s e n t e d t h e r e l a t i o n s h i p be t w e e n O T w i s d o m a n d law in different w a y s . First, it h a d b e e n a w i d e l y a c c e p t e d view t h a t t h e w i s d o m t e a c h ing is t h e p r a c t i c a l a p p l i c a t i o n of ethical p r e s c r i p t i o n s as t h e y are c o n t a i n e d in t h e law as ' o b j e c t i v e ' t e a c h i n g t o t h e ' s u b j e c t i v e ' life
1 As regards OT wisdom research, no comprehensive history of research has been written. Brief surveys on the history and the present situation of O T wisdom re search include W. Baumgartner, "Die israelitische Weisheitsliteratur", ThR 5 ( 1 9 3 3 ) 2 5 9 - 2 6 1 ; R.E. Murphy, "Assumptions and Problems in Old Testament Wisdom Research", CBQ 29 ( 1 9 6 7 ) 4 0 7 4 1 8 ; R.B.Y. Scott, "The Study of the Wisdom Literature", Int 2 4 ( 1 9 7 0 ) 2 0 - 4 5 ; J.L. Crenshaw, "Prolegomenon", Studies in Ancient Israelite Wisdom, 1 9 7 6 , pp.1-21; R.E. Murphy, "Wisdom Theses and Hypotheses", Israelite Wisdom, FS S. Terrien, 1 9 7 8 , p p . 3 5 - 4 2 ; J . A . Emerton, "Wisdom", Tradition and Interpretation, ed. G.W. Anderson, 1 9 7 9 , p p . 2 1 4 - 2 3 7 ; G.T. Sheppard, Wisdom as a Hermeneutical Construct, BZAW 1 5 1 , 1980, pp.1-12. It was only recently that a really satisfactory introduction to the Israelite wisdom literature has been written: J . L . Crenshaw, Old Testament Wis dom: An Introduction, 1 9 8 2 . A good survey of the research o n law done since A. Alt and J . Bcgrich can be found in A. Renkcr, Die Tora bei Maleachi: Ein Beitrag zur Bedeutungsgeschichte von tora im Alten Testament, FThS 1 1 2 , 1 9 7 9 , p p . 1 8 - 5 8 . 2 Cf. J . L . Crenshaw, "Method Literature", JBL 88 (1969) 16f.; P.J. Nel, The Structure BZAW 1 5 8 , 1 9 8 2 , pp.94-97; ment: The Ordering of Life in
in Determining Wisdom Influence upon 'Historical' 132; J.W. Whedbee,/jataA and Wisdom, 1 9 7 1 , pp. and Ethos of the Wisdom Admonitions in Proverbs, J . Blenkinsopp, Wisdom and Law in the Old Testa Israel and Early Judaism, 1 9 8 3 , passim.
2
Introduction
of m a n ^ . T h i s view is n o t p r o m i n e n t in t h e r e c e n t discussion. S e c o n d , o t h e r scholars find parallels b e t w e e n w i s d o m a n d law as regards t h e i r origin, f o r m , a n d s t r u c t u r e . J . P . A u d e t argues t h a t t h e w i s d o m t r a d i t i o n h a d its r o o t s in a p r e - s c h o o l a n d p r e - u r b a n civil i z a t i o n a n d was basically " u n e t r a d i t i o n de paideia d o m e s t i q u e " ; h e c o m p a r e s t h e origins of law a n d w i s d o m a n d c o n c l u d e s t h a t "sagesse et loi relevent des m e m e s d e p o s i t a i r e s d e I ' a u t o r i t e d o m e s t i q u e e t servent les m e m e s fins p a r r a p p o r t a u b i e n d u g r o u p e " ^ . J . Malfroy asserts t h a t t h e c o n t e x t in w h i c h t h e T o r a h is p a r t i a l l y p r e s e n t e d is c h a r a c t e r i z e d b y sapiential v o c a b u l a r y a n d s t y l e ^ . E. G e r s t e n b e r g e r seeks t o s h o w a close r e l a t i o n s h i p b e t w e e n t h e socalled a p o d i c t i c law, i.e. t h e categorical p r o h i b i t i v e s a n d A n c i e n t N e a r E a s t e r n w i s d o m are r e l a t e d r e g a r d i n g t h e basic i n t e n t i o n ( t h e p r o t e c t i o n from false w a y s a n d t h e t u r n i n g d o w n of evil), regard ing t h e c o n t e n t of t h e p r o h i b i t i v e s a n d t h e w a r n i n g s (rules for social c o n d u c t ) , a n d r e g a r d i n g t h e c o m m o n pedagogical a i m s ^ . T h e life-setting of t h e p r o h i b i t i v e s a n d t h e sapientiad a d m o n i t i o n is in b o t h cases t h e e t h o s of t h e clan since t h e r e are analogical or at least similar c i r c u m s t a n c e s of origin^. In a similar m a n n e r W. R i c h t e r a t t e m p t s t o s h o w t h a t legal p r o h i b i t i o n s w e r e t h e e x p o n e n t s of i n t e r n a l g r o u p i n s t r u c t i o n a n d t h a t t h e a d m o n i t i o n s of t h e wise m e n , as p r e s e r v e d in later c o l l e c t i o n s of p r o v e r b i a l m a t erial, w e r e basically of t h e s a m e s u b s t a n c e , i.e. d i r e c t a d a p t a t i o n s of t h e early family e t h i c ^ . J . L . C r e n s h a w states t h a t t h e clan e t h o s " s a w t h e virtual u n i o n of law a n d i n s t r u c t i o n " ^ . This a p p r o a c h
3 Cf. G. von Rad, Wisdom in Israel, 1 9 7 2 , pp.87f. w h o rejects this view which de scribes, for example, the Decalogue as the ethical norm from which the teachers of the proverbs began. 4 J.P. Audet, "Origines comparees de la double tradition de la loi et de la sagesse dans le Proche-Orient ancien", 25th International Congress of Orientalists, 1 9 6 0 , pp.356f. 5 J. Malfroy, "Sagesse et loi dans le Deuteronome", VT 15 ( 1 9 6 5 ) 4 9 - 6 5 . 6 E. Gerstenberger, Wesen und Herkunft des 'apodiktischen' Rechts, WMANT 2 0 , 1965, pp.49-65. 7 E. Gerstenberger,o.c, p p . 1 1 6 - 1 2 9 . Cf. H.W. "^oMi, Amos'geistigeHeimat,'mAhm 18, 1964 w h o postulates a "Sippenweisheit". 8 W. Richter, Recht und Ethos: Versuch einer Ortung des weisheitlichen Mahnspruchs, S t A N T 15, 1 9 6 6 . 9 J . L . Crenshaw, Old Testament Wisdom, p. 5 6 . See also C M . Carmichael, "Forbid den Mixtures", VT 32 ( 1 9 8 2 ) 394f. w h o refers to the obvious links between wis dom and law, particularly in early legal development before the formalization of court procedure.
Introduction
3
has b e e n criticized as c o n s t i t u t i n g an a b s o l u t i z i n g of form o n behalf of c o n t e n t . T h i r d , it has b e e n r e p e a t e d l y r e c o g n i z e d t h a t it w a s t h e c o n t e n t a n d t h e i n t e n t i o n of b o t h law a n d w i s d o m w h i c h w e r e t h e i m p e t u s for t h e d e v e l o p m e n t w h i c h , e v e n t u a l l y , led t o t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of the t w o c o n c e p t s ' ° . F o u r t h , G. O s t b o r n e m p h a s i z e s t h e close ties b e t w e e n t h e wise m e n a n d t h e p r i e s t s . A c c o r d i n g t o h i m , " I t is n o t a n easy task clearly t o distinguish b e t w e e n cultic l i t e r a t u r e a n d W i s d o m litera t u r e " " . As m m m e a n s , a c c o r d i n g t o O s t b o r n , " t o s h o w t h e w a y " , t h e close r e l a t i o n s h i p b e t w e e n l a w a n d w i s d o m is o b v i o u s . B o t h c o n c e p t s are a s s o c i a t e d w i t h I T T w h i c h is often used in t h e sense of " p r a c t i c e " o r " m o d e of p r o c e d u r e " ' ^ . If a s s o c i a t e d w i t h m t n , 1 T T a c q u i r e s t h e m e a n i n g " t h e will of Y a h w e h " (cf. Ps 119, 3 3 ; Gen 18,19; IKgs 2 , 3 ; I S a m 12,23; Deut 11,26ff.). On the o t h e r h a n d Prov 4 , 1 1 states t h a t t h e wise m a n ' s m m c o n t a i n e d i n s t r u c t i o n regarding " t h e w a y " : t h e wise m a n i n s t r u c t s his " s o n " in t h e " w a y of w i s d o m " ( n ? 3 3 n I T T ) ' ^ . T h e " w a y " d e m o n s t r a t e d
b y t h e t e a c h e r of w i s d o m t o o k t h e form of " c o m m a n d m e n t s " . A c c o r d i n g t o Prov 8,20 t h e " w a y of r i g h t e o u s n e s s " a n d t h e " p a t h s of j u d g m e n t " are characteristics of w i s d o m . T h u s , Ost b o r n c o n c l u d e s t h a t " t h e Wise m a n ' s i n s t r u c t i o n c a n t h u s b e said t o have c o n t a i n e d ' l a w ' , j u s t as t h e i n s t r u c t i o n given b y t h e priests d i d ; a n d this l a w ' was d e s c r i b e d by t h e Sage in t h e s a m e t e r m s as w e r e o t h e r w i s e e m p l o y e d w i t h r e f e r e n c e t o t h e ' l a w ' of Y a h weh"»^ Fifth, T . C . V r i e z e n p o i n t s o u t t h a t t h e p r o b l e m of t h e r e l a t i o n b e t w e e n t h e will of G o d a n d t h e c o s m i c o r d e r arose a t t h e t i m e w h e n Israel d e v e l o p e d a Y a h w i s t i c c o s m o l o g y , w h e n t h e c o s m i c
10 Cf. W. Richter, Recht, pp.140-145 emphasizing that both law and wisdom express ethos; also A. de Pury, "Sagesse et revelation", RIP 110 (1977) 3 6 w h o states that "dans sa substance morale, la Loi n'apporte done rien que la sagesse humaine n'ait pas reconnu ou n'aurait pas pu reconnaitre par ses propres m o y e n s " ; similarly P.J. Nel, Structure, p . 9 4 . 11 G. Ostborn, Tora in the Old Testament: A Semantic Study, 1 9 4 5 , p . l 1 3 . 12 Following H.S. Nybtrg, Studien zum Hoseabuche, 1 9 3 5 , p , 8 1 ; G. Ostborn, o . c , p.35 refers to Gen 6 , 1 2 ; 1 9 , 3 1 ; 3 1 , 3 5 ; Is 1 0 , 2 4 , 2 6 ; J e r 1 2 , 1 6 ; H o s 10,13; A m 4 , 1 0 ; 8 , 1 4 . 13 Cf. Prov 1,31; 2,8; 3 , 1 7 ; 6 , 2 3 ; 8 , 3 2 ; 11,20; 12,15; 2 2 , 6 ; J o b 2 3 , 1 0 - 1 1 ; 2 4 , 1 3 , Cf. G, Ostborn, Tora, pp.117f. 14 G. Ostborn, o . c , p . l 1 8 .
4
Introduction
m a j e s t y of Y a h w e h b e c a m e t h e f o c u s ' ^ . C o n s e q u e n t l y t h e r e l a t i o n between revelation (Torah) a n d reason (wisdom) became a prob l e m w h i c h led e v e n t u a l l y t o t h e c o n c e p t i o n of t h e i d e n t i t y of t h e t w o realms. Sixth, recently D . F . Morgan argued that the deuteronomistic m a t e r i a l testifies t o t h e r e s p o n s i b i l i t y w h i c h t h e scribe felt for t h e T o r a h , a n i m p o r t a n t f a c t o r in t h e d e v e l o p m e n t of t h e l a t e r e q u a t i o n of w i s d o m a n d T o r a h ' ^ . S e v e n t h , o t h e r scholars m a i n t a i n t h a t t h e similarities in t h e e t h o s of w i s d o m a n d T o r a h s h o u l d b e t r a c e d b a c k to t h e c o m mon institutional origins'''. F i n a l l y , J . B l e n k i n s o p p seems t o a s s u m e a c o m b i n a t i o n of s o m e of t h e s e factors t o b e r e s p o n s i b l e for t h e c o n f l u e n c e of w i s d o m a n d l a w . T h e Israelite w i s d o m t r a d i t i o n basically " a i m e d at p r o m o t i n g o r d e r a n d m a i n t a i n i n g an ethical c o n s e n s u s in t h e s o c i e t y b a s e d o n t h e a c c u m u l a t e d e x p e r i e n c e of t h e p a s t " ' * . T h i s aim cor r e s p o n d s w i t h t h e f u n d a m e n t a l role of law w h i c h is to o r d e r life in s o c i e t y ; t h u s , " l a w is, in a c e r t a i n sense, s u b s u m e d u n d e r wisd o m " • T h a t is, w i s d o m a n d law c o r r e s p o n d w i t h e a c h o t h e r as regards t h e i r c u l t u r a l a n d sociological origins a n d as regards their goals a n d i n t e n t i o n s . B l e n k i n s o p p goes o n t o affirm t h a t D e u t e r o n o m y is t h e " w a t e r s h e d " w i t h its scribal c h a r a c t e r ; h e r e t h e legal a n d t h e sapiential t r a d i t i o n s flow t o g e t h e r ^ . T h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of law a n d w i s d o m n o d o u b t o p e n e d u p in c e r t a i n c a n o n i c a l p s a l m s (Ps 1; 1 9 ; 1 1 9 ) w h i c h s t a t e t h a t t h e law of Y a h w e h m a k e s w i s e ^ ' . It is n o t possible a t this p o i n t t o i n c l u d e
15 Cf. T.C. Vriezen, Outline of Old Testament Theology, 1958 (= 1 9 7 0 ) , pp.25ff., supported by P.J. Nel, Structure, 1 9 8 2 , pp.96f. 16 Cf. D.F. Morgan, Wisdom in the Old Testament Traditions, 1 9 8 1 , p . 1 0 4 . 17 Cf. J . Bright, "The Apodictic Prohibition: Some Observations", JBL 9 2 (1973) 200f., followed by D. Zeller, Die weisheitlichen Mahnspruche bei den Synoptikem, Forschung zur Bibel 17, 1 9 7 7 , p . 2 9 . 18 J. Blenkinsopp, Wisdom and Law, 1 9 8 3 , p.74. 19 Cf. J . Blenkinsopp, o.c, p.75; cf. also ibid., pp.74-78. He affirms that the law is "a specialization of tribal w i s d o m " (pp.80f.). 20 Cf. J. Blenkinsopp, o . c , p p . 9 2 - 1 0 1 , particularly p.100. It is not clear which period Blenkinsopp considers to be responsible for the confluence of wisdom and law: early IsraeUte history (pp.74,80f.), or Deuteronomy which he dates into the 8th century (p.lOO),or "late" theological wisdom ( p p . 1 3 0 - 1 3 2 ) , or Sirach in the 2nd century ( p p . 1 4 0 - 1 4 5 ) . 21 Cf. H.P.
Muller, Art. " D 3 n " , ThWAT
2 (1977) 9 3 9 ; he sees "eine erste Identi-
Introduction
O
a general discussion of t h e p r o b l e m s of ' w i s d o m p s a l m s ' ^ ^ . Schol ars disagree n o t o n l y w i t h regard t o t h e e x t e n t b u t also w i t h re gard t o t h e c o n t e n t of psalms d e n o t e d as ' w i s d o m p s a l m s ' . Over fifty (!) p s a l m s h a v e b e e n labelled ' w i s d o m p s a l m ' or ' d i d a c t i c p s a l m ' . O n e of t h e m a i n causes for this variance is t o b e seen in t h e diverging views regarding t h e original life-setting of t h e s e p s a l m s . O n e is c o m p e l l e d t o c o n c l u d e t h a t " a genre 'vsdsdom p s a l m ' as s u c h c a n n o t b e r e c o n s t r u c t e d " ^ ^ . H o w e v e r , T.K. K o o s h o w e d t h a t Ps 1; 1 9 ; 119 have t o be regard ed as i m p l y i n g a p r o f o u n d theological c o n n e c t i o n b e t w e e n t h e T o r a h as t h e r e v e l a t i o n of G o d ' s w i s d o m a n d m a n ' s fear of t h e L o r d as a m a n i f e s t a t i o n of wisdom^"*. I n this c o n t e x t t h e " f e a r of t h e L o r d " s o m e t i m e s m e a n s , per metonymiam, t h e law itself (cf. Ps 1 9 , 1 0 ; 1 1 1 , 1 0 L X X ; 1 1 2 , 1 ; 1 1 9 , 3 8 . 6 3 ; 1 2 8 , 1 . 4 ; cf. Sir 1,28; 6 , 3 7 ; 9 , 1 6 ; 2 8 , 7 ) ^ ^ . T h e e t h i c of wise living consists in s u b m i s s i o n u n d e r t h e o r d e r w h i c h w i s d o m has perceived. T h i s o b e d i e n c e is i d e n t i f i e d w i t h s u b m i s s i o n u n d e r t h e T o r a h . He is wise w h o o b e y s t h e law. T h i s i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of w i s d o m a n d l a w is impHed as well in D e u t 4 , 6 ; Mai 2,6-7 (?) a n d in E z r 7,25 w h e r e " w i s d o m " is a s y n o n y m for t h e " b o o k of t h e T o r a h " 2 6 . I n t h e post-exilic p e r i o d t h e e n t i r e theological t h i n k i n g b e c a m e sapiential^^. All t h e different J e w i s h schools c l a i m e d t o possess
fizierung des (schriftlich fixierten) JHWH-Gebots mit weisheitlichem Ethos" in Jer 8,8-9 (cf. 18,18) where the priests boast to be "wise" because they possess the "Torah of Yahweh". Cf. also E. Gerstenberger, W « e n , p . l 5 1 ; D.F. Morgan, Wisdom p . 1 3 1 ; H. Gese, "Das Gesetz", Zur biblischen Theologie: Alttestamentliche Vortrage, BEvTh 7 8 , 1 9 7 7 , pp.70f.; idem, "Wisdom, Son of Man, and the Origins of Christology: The Consistent Development of Biblical T h e o l o g y " , / / B r 3 ( 1 9 8 1 ) 3 5 . 22 Cf. J. Luyten, "Psalm 73 and Wisdom", BETL 51 ( 1 9 7 9 ) 5 9 - 8 1 ; L.G. Perdue, Wisdom and Cult: A Critical Analysis of the Views of Cult in the Wisdom Litera tures of Israel and the Ancient Near East, SihT)% 3 0 , 1977, p p . 2 6 1 - 3 4 3 . 23 J. Luyten, a . c , p . 6 3 . 24 T.K. K o o , Wisdom and Torah, with Special Reference to the Wisdom Psalms, Ph.D. Diss. Edinburgh, 1 9 7 9 , p p . l 6 4 - I 9 6 . Cf. J.P.M. van der Ploeg, "Le Psaume 119 et la sa%t:sse", BETL 51 ( 1 9 7 9 ) 8 7 ; H. Gese, "Wisdom",//BT 3 (1981) 35f. 25 Cf. J . Becker, Gottesfurcht im Alten Testament, AnBibl 2 5 , 1 9 6 5 , p p . 2 6 7 - 2 7 6 . 26 Cf. H.P. MiiUer, in ThWAT 2 ( 1 9 7 7 ) 9 3 9 . 27 Cf. G. Fohrer, in ThWNT 7 (1964) 4 8 2 . G. von Rad, Theologie des Alten Testa ments, 1, p . 4 3 9 states that wisdom in this period became the "Form schlechthin, in der alles spatere Theologisieren Israels einherging". See also K. Galling, Die Krise der Aufkldrung in Israel, 1 9 5 2 , p . 1 8 w h o refers to rabbinic theology as "eine neue Erscheinungsform der Weisheit"; similarly E. J a c o b , "Principe canonique et formation de I'Ancien Testament", S 28 (1978) 117.
b
Introduction
w i s d o m : t h e s o p h e r i m , t h e h a s i d i m , t h e Essenes, t h e Pharisees, a n d t h e r a b b i s . O n e can c o r r e c t l y s p e a k of a " s a p i e n t i a l milieu"^*. A t the same time, the Torah became more and more the one entity w h i c h r e g u l a t e d p r a c t i c a l life in every r e s p e c t . T h e T o r a h p e n e t r a t e d every a s p e c t of life - individual, social, a n d n a t i o n a l ^ . W h a t is, t h e n , t h e r e l a t i o n s h i p b e t w e e n T o r a h a n d w i s d o m ? W h a t is t h e s t r u c t u r e of t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of T o r a h a n d w i s d o m as we find it in Sirach a n d in o t h e r d o c u m e n t s of t h e i n t e r t e s t a m c n tal p e r i o d ? R . E . M u r p h y w r o t e in 1 9 6 7 t h a t " f u t u r e s t u d i e s will d o u b t l e s s w r e s t l e w i t h t h e s e q u e s t i o n s I t is surprising t h a t t h e following fifteen years have n o t seen s u c h a w r e s t l i n g w i t h t h e s e q u e s t i o n s . T h e p r e s e n t s t u d y is t h e r e f o r e a m o d e s t a t t e m p t t o h e l p clarify t h e a n s w e r t o t h e s e issues. T h e c u r r e n t renaissance of research in t h e area of early J e w i s h t h i n k i n g has c e r t a i n l y a i d e d o u r e n q u i r y . T h e fact t h a t t h e litera t u r e in this a r e a a p p e a r s t o e x p a n d b y g e o m e t r i c p r o g r e s s i o n has led s o m e scholars t o limit themselves t o an analysis of general processes a n d s t r u c t u r e s while neglecting verifiable individual o b s e r v a t i o n s . O t h e r scholars l i m i t e d their discussion t o the m i n u t i a e of r e d a c t i o n - c r i t i c a l a n d historical q u e s t i o n s while n e g l e c t i n g t h e o logical c o n c e p t i o n s a n d d e v e l o p m e n t s . T r y i n g to avoid these pit falls w e will c o n c e n t r a t e o n a c o m p r e h e n s i v e exegetical s c r u t i n y of t h e relevant t e x t s a n d o n a s u c c i n c t s y s t e m a t i c analysis of t h e con c e p t u a l e v i d e n c e as regards t h e r e l a t e d n e s s of l a w a n d w i s d o m , a n d of h a l a k h a h a n d e t h i c s , in t h e various d o c u m e n t s . T a k i n g i n t o a c c o u n t t h e p r e s e n t s t a t e of r e s e a r c h , a d i s c r i m i n a t i n g use of t h e s o u r c e s is a m a t t e r - o f - c o u r s e . As regards t h e s u b t i t l e of o u r s t u d y , t h e stress is o n t r a d i t i o n r a t h e r t h a n o n h i s t o r y . W h a t m a k e s a s t u d y distinctively historical is t h e c o m p a r i s o n a n d c o r r e l a t i o n of c o n c e p t - t h e u n f o l d i n g of ideas in different d o c u m e n t s — a n d c o n t e x t - t h e historical s e t t i n g of t h e a u t h o r s a n d r e d a c t o r s of t h e s e d o c u m e n t s . T h e r e a s o n for n o t focusing o n t h e historical a s p e c t of o u r e n q u i r y is t w o f o l d : t h e
28 Cf. M. Kuchler, FriXhjildische Weisheitstraditionen: Zum Fortgang weisheitlichen Denkens im Bereich des friihjiidischen Jahweglaubens, OBO 26, 1979, pp.lff., following J . E . Worrell, Concepts of Wisdom in the Dead Sea Scrolls, 1 9 6 8 . 29 Cf. M. Avi-Yonah, Z. Baras, "Society and Religion in the Second Temple Period", WHJP 1/8 ( 1 9 7 7 ) 4 2 . 30 R.E. Murphy, "Assumptions and Problems", CBQ 29 ( 1 9 6 7 ) 4 1 8 .
Introduction
'
evidence for t h e r e l e v a n t c o n c e p t s , especially law a n d w i s d o m , is o f t e n r a t h e r scarce, a n d t h e e x a c t historical a n d c o n c e p t u a l con t e x t of t h e different d o c u m e n t s , o r of t h e individual s u b u n i t s , can n o t a l w a y s b e e s t a b l i s h e d b e y o n d d o u b t . F u r t h e r , it is increasingly recognized that the transition between the different Jewish groups is fluid a n d t h a t t h e s e g r o u p s are n o t h o m o g e n e o u s i n t h e m s e l v e s . It is m u c h m o r e p r o m i s i n g , t h e r e f o r e , a n d i n d e e d of p r i m a r y i n t e r e s t , t o p r o v i d e a d e s c r i p t i o n of t h e w a y in w h i c h t h e c o r r e l a t i o n of l a w a n d w i s d o m , w h i c h is a t least after Ben Sira a t r a d i t i o n , has b e e n taken u p ^ ' .
31 The original thesis contained an extensive chapter o n the correlation of law and wisdom in the Mishnaic system. As this section was rather long and somewhat dis cursive it was omitted. The fact that the completed system of the Mishnah dates several generations after Paul justifies this omission.
(Uiaptcr O n e
Ben Sira\s Identification of W i s d o m and Law
T h e b o o k of Sirach was c o m p o s e d b y J e s h u a b . Eleazar b . Sira, briefly called Ben Sira, b e t w e e n 1 9 0 - 1 7 5 B.C. in J e r u s a l e m ' . It was originaUy w r i t t e n in H e b r e w ^ a n d later t r a n s l a t e d i n t o Greek^ b y Ben Sira's g r a n d s o n in A l e x a n d r i a after 1 3 2 B.C^ It is generally a c k n o w l e d g e d t h a t Ben Sira was a w i s d o m t e a c h e r . R e c e n t l y it has b e e n definitely c o n f i r m e d t h a t h e was also a priest a n d a scribe^. T h e r e is a f u n d a m e n t a l u n a n i m i t y a m o n g s c h o l a r s as t o Ben
Cf. G.H. Box, W.O.E. Oesterley, "The Book of Sirach", APOT 1 ( 1 9 1 3 ) 2 9 3 ; F. Vattioni, Ecclesiastico, 1968, p.XVIII; L. Koit, Einleitung in die alttestamentlichen Apokryphen und Pseudepigraphen, 1 9 7 1 , p.50; G. Maier, AfenicA und freier Wille, pp.24f.; O. Eissfeldt, Einleitung in das Alte Testament, 4 1 9 7 6 , pp.808f.; M. Hengel, Judentum und Hellenismus, WUNT 10, 2 l 9 7 3 , p p . 2 4 1 - 2 4 5 ; H. Stadel mann, Hen Sira als Schriftgelehrter, 1 9 8 0 , pp.1-3; G.W.E. Nickelsburg, Jewish Literature between the Bible and the Mishnah, 1 9 8 1 , p p . 5 5 , 6 4 ; J . L . Crenshaw, Old Testament Wisdom, 1 9 8 2 , p . 1 5 8 . On the Hebrew text (H) of Ben Sira see R. Smend, Die Weisheit des Jesus Sirach: Hebrdisch und Deutsch, 1 9 0 6 ; F. WMiom, Ecclesiastico: Testoebraico con apparato critico e versionigreca, latina e sirica, 1968; and the studies by A.A. di Leila, The Hebrew Text of Sirach: A Text-Critical Yind Historical Study, 1 9 6 6 , and H.P. Riiger, Text und Textform im hebrdischen Sirach: Untersuchungen zur Textgeschichte und Textkritik der hebrdischen Sirachfragmente aus der Kairoer Geniza, BZAW 1 1 2 , 19 70. We used the edition of J. Ziegler, Sapientia lesu Filii Sirach, Septuaginta Vetus Testamentum Graecum ... Gottingensis, vol. 1 2 / 2 , 2 l 9 8 0 . Regarding translations of Sirach, we relied mainly on Box/Oesterley, "The Book of Sirach", APOT 1 ( 1 9 1 3 ) 2 6 8 - 5 1 7 ; G. Sauer, "Jesus Sirach (Ben Sira)", JSHRZ IU/5 ( 1 9 8 1 ) 4 8 3 - 6 4 4 ; G. Snaith, Ecclesiasticus, Cambridge Bible Commentary, 1974. See H. Stadelmann, Ben Sira als Schriftgelehrter: Eine Untersuchung zum vormakkabdischen Sofer unter Berucksichtigung seines Verhdltnisses zu Priestei^, Propheten- und Weisheitslehretum, WUNT 2 / 6 , 1980, passim.
Introduction
Sira's historical a n d theological i m p o r t a n c e w i t h regard t o t h e cor r e l a t i o n of law a n d w i s d o m ^ . It is q u i t e surprising, t h e r e f o r e , t o o b s e r v e t h a t Ben Sira's creative a n d p o r t e n t o u s i d e n t i f i c a t i o n is m o s t l y d e a l t w i t h in o n e or t w o sentences^ . O n l y a h a n d f u l of scholars m a d e s o m e m o r e specific r e m a r k s o n t h e b a c k g r o u n d a n d t h e n a t u r e of this i d e n t i f i c a t i o n * . We will s t a r t o u r discussion of B e n Sira's i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of law a n d w i s d o m w i t h a survey of t h e s e
6 An exception seems to be H.F. Weiss, Untersuchungen zur Kosmologie des hellenis tischen und paldstinensischen Judentums, TU 9 7 , 1966, p.192 w h o states that "Ansatze zu dieser spdteren (i.e. Rabbinic!) Identifizierung von Weisheit und Tora liegen ... auch schon bei Jesus Sirach vor" (italics by EJS). Similarly U. Wilckens, in ThWNT 1 ( 1 9 6 4 ) 5 0 4 . 7 See the typical statement by B.L. Mack, Logos und Sophia, 1 9 7 3 , p . 2 3 : "Bekannlich wird im Sirachbuch die Weisheit mit dem Gesetz identifiziert". See also the brief remarks of W.L. Knox, St. Paul and the Church of the Gentiles, 1939, p.60; W. Gutbrod, in ThWNT 4 ( 1 9 4 2 ) 1 0 4 2 ; W.D. Davies, Pau/ and Rabbinic Judaism: Some Rabbinic Elements in Pauline Theology, 1948 ( 2 l 9 5 5 = 1 9 6 2 ) , p . l 6 9 ; W . D . Davies, Torah in the Messianic Age and/or the Age to Come, JBL MS 7, 1 9 5 2 ; E. Janssen, Das Gottesvolk und seine Geschichte: Geschichtsbild und Selbstverstandnis im palastinensischen Schrifttum von Jesus Sirach bis Jehuda ha-Nasi, 1 9 7 1 , p . 3 2 ; E. J a c o b , "Principe canonique", SVT 28 ( 1 9 7 5 ) 1 1 7 ; J . L . Crenshaw, "Pro legomenon", 1976, p . 2 3 ; E. J a c o b , "Wisdom and Religion in Sirach", Israelite Wisdom, FS S. Terrien, 1978, p . 2 5 6 ; B.T. Viviano, Study as Worship, SJLA 26, 1978, p . l 3 2 ; P. Sigal, Emergence of Contemporary Judaism, 1/1, 1980, p . 2 2 8 , J.L. Crenshaw, Old Testament Wisdom, 1 9 8 2 , p . l 5 5 . The commentaries on Sirach which have been assigned by J . Marbock, "Sirachliteratur seit 1966", ThR 71 ( 1 9 7 5 ) 184 to the "Gattung der haute vulgarisation" d o not go into detail either. For example, O. Schilling, Das Buch Jesus Sirach, Herders Bibelkommentar, 7 / 2 , 1956, p . l 0 7 says with regard to Sir 24,1-22 that "gottliche Herkunft, Einwohnung in Israel, heilsgeschichtlicher Segen, verpflichtender Anspruch, missioruuische Kraft sind die Hauptgedanken dieses Hymnus auf die Weisheit", and he limits his obser vations o n 2 4 , 2 3 to the two sentences: "Die Weisheit ist eingegangen in die Offenbarung und das Gesetz des Alten Bundes ... Hier zeigt sich die Hochsch'atzung des Gesetzes als des vornehmsten Teils der Offenbaruag" (p.l 11). 8 Cf. O. Kaiser, "Die Begriindung der Sittlichkeit im Buche Jesus Sirach", ZThK 55 ( 1 9 5 8 ) 5 1 - 6 3 , especially 5 3 - 5 8 ; E.G. Bauckmann, "Die Proverbicn und die Spriiche des Jesus Sirach", Z/IW 72 ( 1 9 6 0 ) 33-63,especiaUy p p . 4 7 - 5 6 ; M . Hengel,/ud?n««m, p p . 2 5 2 - 2 5 4 , 2 9 1 f . ; J . Marbock, Weisheit im Wandel: Untersuchungen zur Weisheitstheologie bei Ben Sira, BBB 3 7 , 1 9 7 1 , pp.81-96; G. von Rad, Wisdom, p p . 2 4 4 - 2 4 7 ; E. Zenger, "Die spate Weisheit und das Gesetz", Literatur und Religion des Friihjudentums, e d . J . Maier etal., 1 9 7 3 , pp.43-56, especially 5 0 - 5 5 ; M . Gilbert, "L'eloge de la Sagesse (Siracide 2 4 ) " , RThL 5 ( 1 9 7 4 ) 3 2 6 - 3 4 8 , especially 3 4 5 - 3 4 8 ; J . Mar bock, "Gesetz und Weisheit: Zum Verstandnis des Gesetzes bei Jesus ben Sira", BZ 2 0 ( 1 9 7 6 ) 1-21; P.S. Fiddes, The Hiddenness of Wisdom in the Old Testament and Later Judaism, Diss. Oxford, 1 9 7 6 , p p . 3 0 9 - 3 4 0 ; G.T. Sheppard, Wisdom as a Hermeneutical Construct, BZAW 1 5 1 , 1 9 8 0 , pp.19-83 passim; P.J. Nel, Sfructur^ and Ethos, 1 9 8 2 , pp.92-97.
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o b s e r v a t i o n s . This will h e l p us t o establish a m e t h o d o l o g i c a l frame w o r k for o u r o w n t r e a t m e n t of t h e relevant passages a n d c o n c e p tions.
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O. Kaiser begins his discussion b y recognizing t h e fact t h a t B e n Sira is t h e first a u t h o r clearly t o c o r r e l a t e law a n d w i s d o m t e a c h ing^ . He goes o n t o say t h a t in o r d e r t o establish t h e w a y in w h i c h Ben Sira links r e a s o n a n d r e v e l a t i o n or w i s d o m a n d law o n e has to r e c o g n i z e t h a t h e identifies m o r a l i t y a n d w i s d o m ( p p . 5 6 f . ) . F o r Ben Sira, ' l a w ' d e s i g n a t e s t h e Mosaic law, i n c o r p o r a t i n g all divine c o m m a n d m e n t s of t h e P e n t a t e u c h : " D i e Befolgung des i m P e n t a t e u c h g e o f f e n b a r t e n G o t t e s w i l l e n s erschliefit d e n Weg zu d e r Weis h e i t , die G o t t d e n e n gibt, die i h n l i e b e n " ( p . 5 7 , q u o t i n g Sir 2 , 1 5 1 6 ; 1 5 , 1 b ; 1 9 , 2 0 ) . All p r o p e r a n d wise b e h a v i o u r is o b e d i e n c e t o t h e law revealed t o M o s e s . T h u s , w i s d o m is t h e h u m b l e s u b m i s sion t o t h e revealed will of G o d w h i c h m a n has t o receive w i t h fear a n d t r u s t ( p . 5 8 ) . B e n Sira, Uving in a t i m e of religious i n s e c u r i t y , estabUshes t h e f o u n d a t i o n of m o r a l i t y ( w i s d o m ) as s u b m i s s i o n t o t h e revealed will of G o d w h i c h is e m b o d i e d in t h e T o r a h . E.G. B a u c k m a n n s t a t e s t h a t t h e association of w i s d o m a n d law in Sir is possible o n l y w h e n " e i n e Seite ihre E i g e n a r t vollstandig aufgibt"'*^. T h e i n s t r u c t i o n of w i s d o m is n o t e s t a b l i s h e d o n t h e fact t h a t it is t h e w o r d of G o d b u t o n t h e p e r s o n a l a d v a n t a g e of m a n ( e u d a e m o n i s m ) . It is n o t r e g a r d e d as strict, divine c o m m a n d m e n t : Ben Sira d o e s n o t refer t o t h e E x o d u s e v e n t n o r t o t h e n o t i o n t h a t Israel is G o d ' s p o s s e s s i o n ; h e uses and DTn'jK but not m r r ; h e n e v e r refers specifically t o t h e G o d of I s r a e l ; t h e law a n d t h e c o m m a n d m e n t s h e m e n t i o n s are n o t p a r t i c u l a r l y t h o s e of Is rael; a n d t h e ' c o v e n a n t ' of Sir 2 4 , 2 3 is s i m p l y s y n o n y m o u s w i t h ' l a w ' ( p p . 5 2 - 5 4 ) . B a u c k m a n n c o n c l u d e s : " D a s a l t e Ziel der Weish e i t s l e h r e (ist) das n e u e Ziel des G e s e t z e s g e w o r d e n ... Das G e s e t z
9 O. Kaiser, "Begriindung der Sittlichkeit", Z T M 55 ( 1 9 5 8 ) 5 3 . 10 E.G. Bauckmann, "Proverbien", ZAW 72 ( 1 9 6 0 ) 4 9 .
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h a t in d e r Weisheitslehre seine u r s p r u n g l i c h e F u n k t i o n als O r d n u n g des B u n d e s v o l k e s verloren u n d ist selbst zur Weisheitslehre gewor d e n " ( p p . 5 5 , 6 3 ) . It s h o u l d b e n o t e d t h a t a n u m b e r of Bauck m a n n ' s £u-guments are h a r d l y s u p p o r t e d b y t h e t e x t u a l e v i d e n c e as will b e seen l a t e r . T h e m a i n q u e s t i o n w h i c h arises from his r e m a r k s is a b o u t t h e m e a n i n g of ' l a w ' in S i r a c h . M. Hengel p o i n t s o u t t h a t in Sir 2 4 ( a n d also in 1 7 , 1 1 ; 3 8 , 3 4 c . d; 3 9 , 1 ) " W e i s h e i t u n d G e s e t z sind p r a k t i s c h eins g e w o r d e n " ' ' . He e m p h a s i z e s t h e results of this i d e n t i f i c a t i o n : t h e universalistic t e n d e n c y of t r a d i t i o n a l w i s d o m is b e i n g l i m i t e d as w i s d o m be c o m e s t h e exclusive gift of G o d t o Israel, a n d t h e possibility of p r o f a n e w i s d o m is e x c l u d e d . H e n g e l traces t h e c o r r e l a t i o n of law a n d w i s d o m b a c k t o D e u t 4 , 6 a n d Ps 1; 119 b u t e m p h a s i z e s t h a t "es ist d o c h n o c h ein e n t s c h e i d e n d e r S c h r i t t bis z u r volligen I d e n t i f i k a t i o n bei Ben S i r a " ( p . 2 9 1 ) . H e p o i n t s o u t t h a t this identifica t i o n i n f l u e n c e d t h e Palestinian H a g g a d a h , the A l e x a n d r i a n p h i l o s o p h y of reHgion, t h e b o o k of B a r u c h , t h e d e v e l o p m e n t of c h r i s t o l o g y , a n d R a b b i n i c t h e o l o g y ( p p . 3 0 7 - 3 1 8 ) . T h u s , Hengel focuses o n t h e results a n d o n t h e originality of Ben Sira's i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of law a n d w i s d o m . J . M a r b o c k , in a n e x c u r s u s o n law a n d w i s d o m in S i r a c h ' ^ , begins his discussion b y p o i n t i n g o u t t h a t Ben Sira never m a k e s t h e T o r a h t h e direct o b j e c t of a p o e m or of a large p e r i c o p e ( p . 8 5 ) . T o r a h a p p e a r s as a s u m m a r y of a w i s d o m h y m n ( 1 5 , 1 ; 2 4 , 2 3 ) , as p a r t of c o m p r e h e n s i v e s a p i e n t i a l activities ( 1 9 , 2 0 ; 3 9 , 1 - 1 1 ) , o r as p a r t of G o d ' s wise o r d e r of c r e a t i o n ( 1 7 , 1 1 - 1 2 ) . T h e n M a r b o c k goes o n t o discuss Ben Sira's c o n c e p t of law ( p p . 8 6 - 9 2 ) . He points out that for Ben Sira (1) law and commandments are the norm and the motives of ethical behaviour, (2) law and commandments t>elong to God's order and arc related to wisdom with the commandments being simply the concretization of the comprehensive divine satisfaction, and (3) the law finally appears also as the Mos aic revelation as embodied in the Pentateuch.
It is a t this p o i n t t h a t M a r b o c k deals w i t h t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of law a n d w i s d o m ( p p . 8 9 - 9 1 ) . He states that in 15,1 Ben Sira presents the law as the reliable and certain way to wis d o m . In 19,20-30 the religious aspect of wisdom is being emphasized: wisdom does
11 M. Hcngel,/u£/entem, 2 l 9 7 3 , p . 2 5 3 . 12 J. Marbock, Weisheit im Wandel, 1 9 7 1 , pp.81-96.
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not exist apart from God and his law. In 21,11 we have a climax from law to the fear of God and to-wisdom. In 2 4 , 2 3 the Torah is presented as universal creation, wisdom thus being understood as comprehensive cosmic law which permeates creation and history.
F i n a l l y , M a r b o c k deals w i t h t h e m o t i v e of B e n Sira's identifica t i o n of law a n d w i s d o m ( p p . 9 3 - 9 6 ) . T h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n was " i n nerisraelisch v o r b e r e i t e t " b u t s h o u l d r a t h e r b e u n d e r s t o o d in t h e c o n t e x t of S t o i c p h i l o s o p h y as " w e i s h e i t l i c h e A n t w o r t auf d e n H e l l e n i s m u s " ( p . 9 3 ) . F o l l o w i n g J . F i c h t n e r , K. S c h u b e r t a n d M. Hengel h e believes t h a t " B e n Sira seine Z u s a m m e n s c h a u v o n torn a n d hokma i m H o r i z o n t hellenistischer D e n k k a t e g o r i e n vollzogen h a t " ( p . 9 4 ) . T h u s , M a r b o c k ' s discussion raises again t h e q u e s t i o n of t h e i m p o r t a n c e a n d p o s i t i o n of t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of law a n d w i s d o m in Sir. H e is t h e first scholar t o a t t e m p t an e x p l a n a t i o n of this i d e n t i f i c a t i o n (see f u r t h e r infra, § 4 . 2 . 1 . ) . A n d , finally, h e is m o s t e m p h a t i c in ascribing t h e m o t i v e s for this i d e n t i f i c a t i o n t o Hellenistic c o n c e p t u a l c a t e g o r i e s . G. v o n R a d a t t r i b u t e s t h e t o t a l i d e n t i f i c a t i o n s " T o r a h is t h e fear of G o d , a n d w i s d o m is T o r a h " to B e n Sira's " d i d a c t i c z e a l " ' ^ . A c c o r d i n g to v o n R a d , T o r a h in Sir s i m p l y defines a n d i n t e r p r e t s t h e t e r m " f e a r of t h e L o r d " . H e believes t h a t B e n Sira is " l i t t l e ... c a p a b l e of d e v e l o p i n g t h e idea of T o r a h " as this is n o t a subject of p a r t i c u l a r i n t e r e s t t o h i m ( p . 2 4 7 ) . I t is o b v i o u s again t h a t the role of ' l a w ' in Sir is of u t m o s t i m p o r t a n c e for o u r o w n discussion. E. Z e n g e r , like M. H e n g e l , refers t o D e u t 4,6-8 a n d Ps 1; 1 9 ; 1 1 9 as t h e O T b a c k g r o u n d of B e n Sira's i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of law a n d wis dom'"*. T h i s c o r r e l a t i o n freed T o r a h from t h e d a n g e r of b e c o m i n g a n a b s o l u t e , timeless e n t i t y : T o r a h a c q u i r e d a sapiential f u n c t i o n . At t h e s a m e t i m e t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of w i s d o m (as o r d e r of crea t i o n ) a n d T o r a h led t o t h e d e v e l o p m e n t of a T o r a h t h e o l o g y : T o r a h itself is r e g a r d e d as o r d e r of c r e a t i o n , as c o m p r e h e n s i v e o r d e r for t h e fellowship of G o d , c r e a t i o n , a n d m a n . T o r a h retains b o t h t h e divine a n d t h e h u m a n a s p e c t : " S i e ist die v o n J a h w e in S c h o p f u n g u n d G e s c h i c h t e Israels g e g e b e n e ' O f f e n b a r u n g s w e i s h e i t ' , die zu ' L e b e n s w e i s h e i t ' verhelfen s o i l " ( p . 5 5 ) . Z e n g e r ' s dis c u s s i o n focuses, like H e n g e l ' s , p r i m a r i l y o n t h e results of B e n Sira's i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of law a n d w i s d o m .
13 G. von Rad, Wisdom,
1 9 7 2 , pp.242-245 (quote on p . 2 4 5 ) .
14 E. Zenger, "Die spate Weisheit und das Gesetz", 1 9 7 3 , p.50.
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13
M. G i l b e r t discusses t h e role of w i s d o m in c r e a t i o n ' ^ a n d t h e n t u r n s t o t h e a s s i m i l a t i o n of w i s d o m a n d T o r a h . He e m p h a s i z e s t h a t d e s p i t e t h e fact t h a t T o r a h in Sir 2 4 , 2 3 a n d e l s e w h e r e refers t o t h e P e n t a t e u c h , T o r a h d o e s n o t s i m p l y consist of " c o d e s l e g a u x " w h i c h every J e w is s u p p o s e d t o p u t i n t o p r a c t i c e . G i l b e r t argues t h a t Prov 8 , 2 2 - 3 1 a n d D e u t 4,6-8 f o r m t h e b a c k g r o u n d of t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n . He e x p l a i n s B e n Sira's basic thesis w i t h t h e fol l o w i n g w o r d s : " L ' o r d r e p r i m o r d i a l q u e r e c h e r c h e n t les sages d'lsrael t r o u v e sa m e i l l e u r e f o r m u l a t i o n d a n s la T o r a h " ( p . 3 4 7 ) . T h u s , B e n Sira seeks t o j u s t i f y " l e p a t r i m o i n e sacre d e la T o r a h " ( p . 3 4 8 ) . A r e c e n t article b y J . M a r b o c k is t h e o n l y s t u d y w h i c h is de v o t e d exclusively t o t h e r e l a t i o n s h i p of w i s d o m a n d l a w in Sir a c h ' ^ . I n t h e first s e c t i o n M a r b o c k deals w i t h k e y t e x t s w h i c h b e a r o n t h e r e l a t i o n b e t w e e n law a n d w i s d o m . He e m p h a s i z e s a g a i n ' ' ' t h a t in Sir t h e law is never t h e direct s u b j e c t of a p e r i c o p e ( p . 3 ) . He goes o n t o discuss 1 7 , 1 1 - 1 4 a n d 2 4 , 2 3 in their respective con t e x t s ( p p . 3 - 9 ) a n d t h e n t r e a t s t h e t w o topics w h i c h arise from t h e s e t e x t s : (1) law a n d t h e o r d e r of c r e a t i o n , a n d (2) law a n d t h e e l e c t i o n of Israel ( p p . 9 - 1 3 ) . F o r Ben Sira t h e ' h o r i z o n of c r e a t i o n ' is m o r e i m p o r t a n t t h a n t h e law; w h e n h e refers t o t h e law h e uses v e r y general f o r m u l a t i o n s a n d n e v e r c o n c r e t i z e s it ( p . 1 0 ) . Ben Sira has " e i n e offene K o n z e p t i o n der T o r a " ( p . l l ) . Israel's elec t i o n is, in a n u n p r e c e d e n t e d m a n n e r , f o r m u l a t e d in t h e sense t h a t w i s d o m f o u n d its valid e x p r e s s i o n , its dwelling, a n d its fullness in t h e law w h i c h has b e e n e n t r u s t e d t o Israel ( p . l 3 ) . T h u s , B e n Sira's c o n c e p t of w i s d o m a n d law is c h a r a c t e r i z e d b y t h e a t t e m p t t o c o m b i n e a n d t o d o j u s t i c e t o b o t h t h e universalistic a n d t h e p a r t i cularistic d i m e n s i o n : t h e w i d t h a n d o p e n n e s s of w i s d o m in crea t i o n , a n d t h e e l e c t i o n of Israel w h i c h is m a n i f e s t in t h e law w h i c h c o n t a i n s G o d ' s w i s d o m . Finally, M a r b o c k a t t e m p t s a "geistesges c h i c h d i c h e E i n o r d n u n g " of this c o n c e p t i o n of w i s d o m a n d l a w ( p p . 1 3 - 2 1 ) . H e traces t h e r o o t s of this c o n c e p t i o n b a c k t o t h e O T , especially t o D e u t 4 . 6 . As t o t h e cause for t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of l a w a n d w i s d o m h e refers again t o t h e S t o i c p o p u l a r p h i l o s o p h y ( p . 2 0 ) . P.S. F i d d e s discusses in his d i s s e r t a t i o n t h e r e l a t i o n s h i p b e t w e e n
15 M. Gilbert, "L'eloge de la Sagesse", RThL 5 ( 1 9 7 4 ) 3 4 1 - 3 4 5 . 16 J. Marbock, "Gesetz und Weisheit: Zum Verstandnis des Gesetzes bei Jesus ben Sirach", BZ 2 0 ( 1 9 7 6 ) 1-21. 17 C f . J . Marbock, Weisheit,
1 9 7 1 , p.85.
14
Introductory
Survey
w i s d o m a n d t h e T o r a h o n t h e b a c k g r o u n d of D e u t 3 0 , 1 1 - 1 4 ; Prov 3 0 , 1 - 6 ; Ps 1 9 ' * . He c o n c l u d e s t h a t Ben Sira's i d e n t i f i c a t i o n is n o t a t o t a l l y n e w c o n c e p t b u t t h a t h e m a k e s definite an existing ten d e n c y ( p . 3 0 9 ) . He e m p h a s i z e s t h a t t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of w i s d o m w i t h t h e T o r a h , vWth t h e l a t t e r u n d e r s t o o d as a fixed b o d y of m a t e r i a l ( p . 3 1 5 ) , has to b e i n t e r p r e t e d against t h e b a c k g r o u n d of t h e flexible c o n c e p t of t h e " f e a r of t h e L o r d " ( p . 3 1 0 ) . He stresses t h a t Ben Sira's i d e n t i f i c a t i o n s h o u l d n o t be derived from the fact t h a t b o t h w i s d o m a n d t h e l a w are (allegedly) a m e a n s of p r o v i d i n g a n i n t e r m e d i a r y (as h y p o s t a s i s ) . T h e ' c o s m i c T o r a h ' was d e v e l o p e d a t a l a t e r s t a g e , p a r t i c u l a r l y in R a b b i n i c t h e o l o g y , a n d s h o u l d n o t be r e a d b a c k i n t o w i s d o m ( p p . 3 1 7 - 3 2 1 ) . G . T . S h e p p a r d deals w i t h t h e d e u t e r o n o m i s t i c b a c k g r o u n d of B e n Sira's i d e n t i f i c a t i o n o f law a n d w i s d o m ' ^ in a brief a r t i c l e . H e d e v e l o p s his views f u r t h e r in his d i s s e r t a t i o n ^ in w h i c h h e s t u d i e s Ben Sira's t e c h n i q u e s b y w h i c h h e c o n f o r m e d n o n - w i s d o m tradi t i o n s of t h e T o r a h t o t e a c h w i s d o m like t h a t of t h e biblical tradi t i o n . He does n o t discuss t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of l a w a n d w i s d o m as s u c h . W h e n h e refers t o it in his analysis of Sir 2 4 , 3 - 2 9 ; 1 6 , 2 4 - 1 7 , 14 he focuses o n its b a c k g r o u n d . He traces 2 4 , 2 3 b a c k t o D e u t 3 3 , 14 a n d t o o t h e r s t a t e m e n t s in D e u t ( p p . 6 0 - 6 9 ) . D . J . H a r r i n g t o n observes t h a t Ben Sira identifies w i s d o m a n d law^' b u t p o i n t s o u t t h a t it is " n o t e n t i r e l y e v i d e n t " h o w these t w o b l o c k s fit t o g e t h e r ( p . 1 8 7 n . 3 ) . G.W.E. N i c k e l s b u r g labels B e n Sira's i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of w i s d o m a n d T o r a h as " t h e h e a r t a n d d y n a m i c of his t h o u g h t " ^ ^ a n d t h e n goes o n t o m a k e a few o b s e r v a t i o n s o n Sir 2 4 . P.J. Nel e x p l a i n s t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of law a n d w i s d o m against t h e b a c k g r o u n d of t h e d e v e l o p m e n t of Y a h w i s t i c t h e o l o g y a n d cos-
18 P.S. Fiddes, The Hiddenness of Wisdom in the Old Testament and Later Judaism, Diss. Oxford, 1 9 7 6 , pp.277-340 (on Sirach, p p . 3 0 9 - 3 4 0 ) . His study is marred by the fact that he hardly enters into a discussion of the scholarly, especially German, literature o n the subject. 19 G.T. Sheppard, "Wisdom and Torah: The Interpretation of Deuteronomy Underly ing Sirach 2 4 , 2 3 " , Biblical and Near Eastern Studies, FS W.S. LaSor, ed. G.A. Tuttle, 1 9 7 8 , p p . 1 6 6 - 1 7 6 . 20 G.T. Sheppard, Wisdom as a Hermeneutical Construct: A Study in the Sapientializing of the Old Testament, BZAW 1 5 1 , 1 9 8 0 , pp.19-83 passim. 21 D.J. Harrington, "The Wisdom of the Scribe According to Ben S'lTa", Ideal in Ancient Judaism, ed. J.J. Collins et al., 1 9 8 0 , p p . l 8 1 f . 22 G.W.E. Nickelsburg, Literature,
1 9 8 1 , p.59.
Figures
Introductory
Survey
15
m o l o g y in w h i c h t h e r e l a t i o n s h i p b e t w e e n t h e revelation of t h e c r e a t e d o r d e r a n d t h e r e v e l a t i o n of G o d ' s will in t h e law b e c a m e a p r o b l e m ^ ^ . T h e r e l a t i o n b e t w e e n revelation (law) a n d r e a s o n (wis d o m ) was e v e n t u a l l y solved b y t h e c o n c e p t i o n of t h e n o n - c o n t r a d i c t o r i n e s s a n d i d e n t i t y of t h e t w o r e a l m s . J . A . Davis regards t h e c o r r e l a t i o n of law a n d w i s d o m as a funda m e n t a l r e l a t i o n s h i p for B e n Sira's t h o u g h t ^ * . He asserts against J . M a r b o c k t h a t t h e universalistic e l e m e n t was i n t r o d u c e d for a p o l o getic a n d for p o l e m i c a l p u r p o s e s (p.3) a n d t h e n goes o n to give " a brief a n d selective a c c o u n t of t h e r e l a t i o n s h i p b e t w e e n w i s d o m a n d l a w in S i r a c h " ( p . l O ) b y c o m m e n t i n g r a t h e r briefly o n Sir 1; 6 , 3 7 ; 1 5 , 1 ; 2 4 ; 2 9 , 9 a n d o n t h e s t u d y of t h e law as s e a r c h for wisdom. T h i s survey s h o w s t h a t w i t h t h e e x c e p t i o n of J . M a r b o c k a n d P . S . F i d d e s scholars did n o t a t t e m p t t o discuss Ben Sira's c o n c e p t a n d c o r r e l a t i o n of w i s d o m a n d law in a m e t h o d o l o g i c a l l y satisfy ing m a n n e r . V e r y o f t e n t h e y s i m p l y observe o n e o r t w o results of t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n , m a k e s o m e r e m a r k s o n his c o n c e p t of law, or speculate on the motives behind the identification. In order to arrive a t a c o m p r e h e n s i v e a n d s o u n d u n d e r s t a n d i n g of t h e c o n c e p t i o n of law a n d w i s d o m in Sir we have t o deal a d e q u a t e l y w i t h (1) B e n Sira's c o n c e p t of w i s d o m w i t h special e m p h a s i s o n its re l a t i o n w i t h c r e a t i o n , salvation h i s t o r y , a n d t h e " f e a r of t h e I x ) r d " , (2) t h e f u n c t i o n a n d i m p o r t a n c e of t h e law, a n d (3) t h e n a t u r e of his i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of law a n d w i s d o m , t h e r a t i o n a l e b e h i n d t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n , a n d its c o n s e q u e n c e s . T h e first a r e a has b e e n suffi ciently r e s e a r c h e d b y J . M a r b o c k , O . R i c k e n b a c h e r , a n d M. L o h r . T h e s e c o n d a r e a will r e q u i r e m o r e exegetical w o r k t h a n has u s u a l l y b e e n d o n e . It is h o p e d t h a t this p r o c e d u r e , t o g e t h e r w i t h a m o r e c o m p r e h e n s i v e discussion of all t h e relevant t e x t s regarding t h e t h i r d a r e a a n d a discerning r e c e p t i o n of t h e s c h o l a r l y o p i n i o n s o n t h e s u b j e c t , will e n a b l e us t o arrive at a b a l a n c e d analysis of Ben Sira's n o t i o n of law a n d w i s d o m .
23 P.J. Nel, Structure. 1 9 8 2 , pp.92-97 relying on T.C. Vriezen, Outline. 1 9 6 6 , pp.25ff. 2 4 J.A. Davis, Wisdom and Spirit: An Investigation of 1 Corinthians 1,18-3,20 against the Background of Jewish Sapiential Tradition in the Hellenistic-Roman Period, Ph.D. Diss. Nottingham, 1 9 8 2 , pp.3-10. The remarks of J. Blenkinsopp, Wisdom and Law, 1 9 8 3 , on the identification of \aw and w^isdom are very limited dealing only with Sir 24 ( p p . l 4 3 f . ) .
\ 5
•S'™Concept of
§2
Wisdom
Ben Sira's Concept of
Wisdom
In this s e c t i o n w e are able t o utilize a n d s u m m a r i z e t h e analyses a n d c o n c l u s i o n s of J . M a r b o c k ( 1 9 7 1 ) , O . R i c k e n b a c h e r ( 1 9 7 3 ) , a n d M. L o h r ( 1 9 7 5 ) ^ ^ . T h e y discuss generally t h e s a m e w i s d o m p e r i c o p e s : 1,1-10; 4 , 1 1 - 1 9 ; 6 , 1 8 - 3 7 ; 1 4 , 2 0 - 1 5 , 1 0 ; 1 9 , 2 0 - 2 4 ; 2 0 , 2 7 3 1 ; 2 1 , 1 1 - 2 8 ; 2 4 ; 3 7 , 1 6 - 2 6 ^ 6 ; 3 8 , 2 4 - 3 9 , 1 4 ; 5 1 , 1 3 - 3 0 2 ^ . T h e pas sages 1,1-10, a n d 2 4 , 1 - 3 4 can b e c o n s i d e r e d as s u m m a r i e s of t h e w i s d o m c o n c e p t i o n of B e n Sira r e g a r d i n g w i s d o m ' s c r e a t i o n a l a n d salvation-historical a s p e c t s . It is generally agreed t h a t w i s d o m in S i r a c h has a t w o - f o l d c h a r a c t e r : (1) It is a c o s m o l o g i c a l e n t i t y , a n d (2) it is t h e salvationh i s t o r i c a l p o s s e s s i o n of Israel^*. We will p r o c e e d a l o n g t h e s e lines in o u r discussion of Ben Sira's w i s d o m c o n c e p t i o n .
2.1. Wisdom and Creation 2.1.1. The universality of wisdom. T h e fact t h a t w i s d o m w h i c h is G o d ' s w i s d o m ( 1 , 1 ; 2 4 , 3 - 4 ; cf. 1,8; 4 2 , 1 8 c . 2 0 ) a n d c r e a t i o n w h i c h is G o d ' s c r e a t i o n are very closely r e l a t e d e m p h a s i z e s t h e u n i v e r s a l i t y of w i s d o m . W i s d o m was i m p a r t e d b y G o d t o "all his w o r k s " ( 1 , 9 c ) a n d t o "all flesh" ( l , 1 0 a ) 2 ^ . W i s d o m rules over t h e
25 See further P.E. Bonnard, La Sagesse en personne, 1 9 6 6 , p p . 5 3 - 8 0 ; J . L . Crenshaw, Old Testament Wisdom, 1 9 8 2 , p p . 1 4 9 - 1 7 3 . 26 Discussed only by O. Rickenbacher, Weisheitsperikopen bei Ben Sira, OBO 1, 1 9 7 3 , pp.173-175. 27 The wisdom terminology of Ben Sira is listed by J. Marbock, Weisheit, pp.13-15. 28 C f . J . Marbock, o.c, p.62; M. Hengel,/ucfenfum, p . 2 8 4 ; E . Zenger, "Spate Weisheit", pp.48f.; H.F. Weiss, Untersuchungen, p. 197. G. von Rad, Weisheit, p.242 distin guishes t w o senses of the term 'wisdom' in Sir: it is the primeval order which confronts man objectively, and it is a human characteristic which o n e should be anxious t o acquire, and calls this usage a "strangely ambivalent phenomenon" (ibid.). 29 On the expression "all flesh" in Sir see O. Rickenbacher, Weisheitsperikopen, pp.25-28. The term ra ^ma in 1,9 (and in 16,26; 17,8; 3 9 , 1 6 ) refers to God's creation; the underlying Hebrew equivalent is Hlfyia; cf. D. Barthelemy, O. Ric kenbacher, Konkordanz zum Hebrdischen Sirach, 1 9 7 3 , pp.232f. who list 32 pas sages in which DU/ya is translated by ipyov. Sec also M. Lohr, Bildung aus dem Glauben, 1 9 7 5 , p.26; J. Haspecker, Gottesfurcht bei Jesus Sirach, 1 9 6 7 , pp.67,78, 153,332.
Wisdom and Creation
1 7
e n t i r e e a r t h as well as over all p e o p l e s a n d n a t i o n s ( 2 4 , 6 ) . T h e activ i t y of w i s d o m k n o w s n o geographical or n a t i o n a l barriers as it in clud e s all spaces a n d all n a t i o n s . T h i s r u l e of w i s d o m is clearly t h e e x p r e s s i o n of its divine f u n c t i o n : i n t h e a c t i v i t y a n d rule of wis d o m G o d himself rules a n d is active^*^. 2.1.2. The order of creation. T h e w i s d o m of G o d is m a n i f e s t in t h e o r d e r of c r e a t i o n ( 1 6 , 2 4 - 1 7 , 1 4 ; 3 9 , 1 4 - 3 5 ; 4 2 , 1 5 - 4 3 , 3 3 ) . This n o t i o n is especially e v i d e n t in t h e large p e r i c o p e 1 6 , 2 4 - 1 7 , 1 4 ^ . G o d ' s wise o r d e r of c r e a t i o n is m a n i f e s t in all r e a l m s : in t h e cos mos (16,24-28), on earth a m o n g man (16,29-17,10), and particu larly a m o n g G o d ' s elect p e o p l e ( 1 7 , 1 1 - 1 4 ) . The first part of the pericope 16,24-17,14 indicates that God assigned to his works, w h e n he created them, their "portion" (fiepK) with regard to their being ( I 6 , 2 4 H ; 1 6 , 2 6 G ) 3 ' . He "set in order" his works and their spheres of activity forever ( 1 6 , 2 7 ) . In the second realm such an order can be found as well: God has set a fixed span of life for man (17,2) and assigned to him the tasks of ruUng over creation ( 1 7 , 2 b . 3 - 4 ) , of discerning between good and evil ( 1 7 , 7 ) , and of praising him (17,8). God's order of life is most distinct in the third realm, i.e. among his people. 1 7 , 1 4 summarizes what had been said in the previous verses: God's commandments are implicit in the order of creation; conduct in human and divine affairs has been disclosed in a funda mental w a y 3 2 . - This order is reflected in the very structure of this passage^^. In all three parts, Ben Sira refers t o law and commandments: God's works o b e y his "word" (idi7/ia, 1 6 , 2 8 ) ; man is filled with the fear of God ( 1 7 , 8 ) ; and God's people received at Sinai the "laws of life" (voiiot: fu)TJ(;, 1 7 , 1 1 ) , h i s "laws" (rd KotMara, 1 7 , 1 2 ) , a n d his commandments (17,14^. — The concept of order is further conveyed by the fact that in Sirach God's creational activity can be understood as "mathematisches Zahlen, Bestimmen und Zuweisen"*^.- This can be seen in terms like "number" (apii>ji<5c, 1 7 , 2 ; cf. 1,9), "to assign, to order"(StacrT^WoJ, 1 6 , 2 6 ) , "to order" (KOOM^O), 1 6 , 2 7 ) , and "portion" (/J^/3t
I n t h e c o n t e x t of t h e h y m n in 3 9 , 1 4 c - 3 5 B e n Sira e m p h a s i z e s t h e g o o d n e s s a n d p u r p o s e fulness of all w o r k s of G o d in b o t h crea t i o n a n d h i s t o r y ( 3 9 , 1 6 . 3 3 ) . T h e o r d e r i n h e r e n t in c r e a t i o n is m a d e e x p l i c i t w i t h t h e sapiential t e r m s inyn ( 3 9 , 1 6 . 2 1 . 3 3 . 3 4 ) , nya ( 3 9 , 2 8 ) , ny"? ( 3 9 , 3 0 ) ^ ^ G o d ' s a c t i v i t y inya (cf. also 1 0 , 4 ;
30 Cf. J. Marbock, Weisheit, p,62 w h o points out that such sweeping statements of an all-encompassing rule are made in the OT only of God (cf. p.62 n.72 for references). 31 Cf. the translation of G. Sauer, "Jesus Sirach", JSHRZ HI/S ( 1 9 8 1 ) 5 4 6 . O. Rickenbacker, Weisheitsperikopen, p. 148 follows S and relates the verse to the stars. 32 Cf. O. Rickenbacher, o.c., p p . l 4 8 f . 33 C f . J . Marbock, Weisheit, p . l 3 6 . 34 J. Marbock, o . c , p . 1 3 7 . 35 For a discussion of the term nj? in its sapiential usage see J. Marbock, o.c,
pp.l40f.
18
Ben Sira's Concept
of
Wisdom
4 3 , 6 ) i n d i c a t e s t h e p u r p o s e f u l n e s s a n d w i s d o m of his w o r k s . T h e c r e a t i o n is d e s c r i b e d as b e i n g " g o o d " , m a r k e d b y h a r m o n y ( 3 9 , 1 6 . 3 3 ; cf. G e n 1,31). G o d ' s acts a n d p l a n s k n o w t h e i r p r o p e r t i m e . I n this c o n t e x t " p u r p o s e , r e q u i r e m e n t , b e n e f i t " is a k e y t e r m for Ben Sira expressing t h e p u r p o s e f u l n e s s of c r e a t i o n ( 3 9 , 1 6 . 2 1 . 3 0 . 3 3 ; 4 2 , 3 3 ) ^ . F u r t h e r , Ben Sira uses p V n in t h e sense of a discernible o r d e r a n d a l l o c a t i o n b y G o d ( 3 9 , 2 5 ; cf. also 7 , 1 5 ; 1 5 , 9 ; 1 6 , 2 6 G ; 4 0 , 1 ; 4 4 , 2 ) . He links G o d ' s c r e a t i o n a l a c t i v i t y very closely w i t h G o d ' s o r d e r i n g a n d o r g a n i z i n g assigning: pbn is o f t e n used parallel t o s i a a n d is o f t e n i d e n t i c a l w i t h N 1 2 ( 3 1 , 1 3 . 2 7 = 3 4 , 1 3 . 2 7 G ; 38,1). These terms guarantee the purposefulness and o r d e r in G o d ' s c r e a t i o n a n d in G o d ' s acts in h i s t o r y as well. T h e t h i r d large h y m n o n c r e a t i o n in 4 2 , 1 5 - 4 3 , 3 3 ^ ' focuses o n the 'iffy^ ( 4 2 , 1 5 - 1 6 ) , t h e w o r k s of c r e a t i o n , a n d o n G o d ' s act ing a n d ruling in c r e a t i o n a n d in history^*. B e n Sira stresses t h e fact t h a t G o d ' s w o r k s in n a t u r e are t h e r e v e l a t i o n of his T I 3 D ( 4 2 , 1 6 - 1 7 . 2 5 ; 4 3 , 1 - 2 . 1 2 ) ^ ^ . Again h e p o i n t s o u t t h e o r d e r a n d pur posefulness of c r e a t i o n ( 4 2 , 2 3 - 2 5 ; 4 3 , 6 . 1 0 ) . T h e s e c o n c e p t s are h e r e closely l i n k e d w i t h G o d ' s o m n i s c i e n c e a n d w i s d o m ( 4 2 , 1 8 2 0 ) w h i c h o b v i o u s l y g u a r a n t e e this o r d e r . I n this p e r i c o p e Ben Sira's u l t i m a t e p u r p o s e in his discussion of t h e o r d e r of c r e a t i o n b e c o m e s o b v i o u s : his final goal is t h e praise of G o d w h i c h is t o lead t o faith- in G o d ' s w i s d o m , i.e. in G o d himself w h o is active in c r e a t i o n a n d h i s t o r y ( 4 3 , 2 8 - 3 2 ; cf. 1,2-3; 18,4-7)^"^. T h e w o r k s of c r e a t i o n are t h u s r e g a r d e d as o n e p a t h t o w i s d o m : " D e r M e n s c h k a n n die zugiingliche Seite d e r Weisheit e r k e n n e n , s o wie sie sich i h m d u r c h ihre W e r k e erschliefit"*'. Ben Sira pre-
36 The root " [ I S is further used in 8 , 9 ; 10,26; 12,5; 1 3 , 6 ; 1 5 , 1 2 ; 3 5 , 2 . 1 7 ; 3 7 , 8 ; 38,1.12; 42,21. 37 On this pericope see M. Lohr, Bildung, pp.80-94. 38 God's works in creation are the subject of 1,9.16.26.27; 17,8; his acting in history is thus designated in 11,4; 18,4; 3 3 ( 3 6 ) , 1 5 ; 3 9 , 1 6 . 3 3 . See J . Marbock, Weisheit, pp.l47f. 39 This does not, however, constitute an argument for the existence of God from the design of creation. Contra J.G. Snaith, Ecclesiasticus, 1 9 7 4 , p . 2 1 0 . God's existence was not denied by Ben Sira's contemporaries. 4 0 Cf. H. Duesberg, L Fransen, Scribes, p . 6 6 1 , followed by J. Marbock, o . c , p.151 . J . Haspecker, Gottesfurcht, pp.67f., 152f. points out that for Ben Sira the goal of creation is the fear of the Lord. 41 M.S. Segal, Sepher Ben Sira' 1 9 5 8 , ad Sir 1,6 quoted by O. Rickenbacher, Weis heitsperikopen, p.24.
Wisdom and Creation
19
sents t h e secrets of c r e a t i o n as cause of the i n q u i r y i n t o t h e locus a n d origin of w i s d o m (cf. 1,2-3.6)'''2. B u t t h e r o o t a n d t h e secrets of w i s d o m are essentially h i d d e n for m a n a n d can b e m a d e k n o w n o n l y b y revelation (cf. 4 , 1 8 ; 2 4 , 2 3 - 2 9 ) . 2.1.3. The wisdom figure. I n t h e c o n t e x t of Sir 2 4 w h i c h refers t o an ' o b j e c t i v e ' r e l a t i o n s h i p b e t w e e n w i s d o m a n d c r e a t i o n it has b e e n c l a i m e d r e p e a t e d l y t h a t this ' w i s d o m s p e c u l a t i o n ' has a mythological background. W.L. Knox was the first to point out an alleged "affinity to a Syrian Astarte with features of Isis'"^^. This view was defended and developed by H. Ringgren''^^ and especially H. Conzelmann'^5_ M . Hengel agrees with this interpretation stating that the mythological background of the wisdom speculation is particularly obvious as the parallels to the Hellenistic Isis aretalogies are firmly estabhshed'*^. J . Marbock and others follow this view*^^.
R e c e n t l y B. Lang voiced his d i s a g r e e m e n t w i t h this seemingly prevailing view. F o r m a l affinities say n o t h i n g a b o u t t h e p r o v e n a n c e of t h e c o n t e n t w h i c h , in this case, can be derived from t h e Israelite tradition"**. A n d even t h e f o r m a l affinities, i.e. the g e n r e of t h e a r e t a l o g y , are n o t u n e q u i v o c a l .
4 2 C f . J . Marbock, Weisheit, p . 3 2 . 43 W.L. Knox, "The Divine Wisdom",/rftS 88 ( 1 9 3 7 ) 2 3 6 . 4 4 H. Ringgren, Word and Wisdom: Studies in Hypostatization of Divine Qualities and Functions in the Ancient Near East, 1947, pp.l44ff. See also U. Wilckens, Weisheit undTorheit, 1959, p p . 1 6 0 - 1 7 0 (pp.165-168 on Sir 24). 4 5 H. Conzelmann, "Die Mutter der Weisheit", 1964, p p . 2 2 5 - 2 3 4 (= Theologie als Schriftauslegung, 1 9 7 4 , p p . 1 6 7 - 1 7 6 ) arguing that Sir 24,3-6 represents "ein prak tisch wortlich aufgenommenes, nur an zwei Stellen leicht retouschiertes Lied auf Isis" (p.228). 46 M. Henget Judentum, pp.284-287; supported by O. Kaiser, in VuF 27 ( 1 9 8 2 ) 8 4 f. 47 J. Marbock, o.c, p p . 4 8 - 5 4 ; B.L. Mack, Logos, p.40; E. Schiissler Fiorenza, "Wis d o m Mythology and the Christological Hymns of the New Testament", Aspects of Wisdom, ed. R.L. WUken, 1975, p p . 2 6 - 3 1 ; J.C.H. Lebram, "Jerusalem, Wohnsitz der Weisheit", Studies in Hellenistic Religions, ed. M.J. Vermaseren, 1 9 7 9 , pp. 1 1 4 , 119f., 120-128 (assuming further the influence of Athene); B. Vawter, "Prov 8,22", JBL 99 ( 1 9 8 0 ) 206; also J . Blenkinsopp, Wisdom and Law, p p . l 4 3 f . w h o believes that Ben Sira's identification of wisdom and law is dependent upon the Isis aretalogies and was therefore "natural" since Isis (Matt) stood for cosmic order and presided over the administration of law. 48 B. Lang, Frau Weisheit, 1 9 7 5 , pp.152-154. Lang concludes: "Nicht die Gottin Isis, sondcrn Frau Weisheit als erstes und Gott nahestehendes Geschopf ist Vorbild der Sophia in Sir 2 4 . An Motive anderer biblischer Schopfungstexte ankniipfend, hat
20
Sira's Concept
of
Wisdom
An aretalogy is a genre of Greek-Hellenistic literature which acclaimed the aretai, i.e. the miraculous deeds o f a god or of a miracle-working hero. J . Marbock admits that in Sir 24 the main characteristic of an aretalogy is missing, viz. the documenta tion of divine power in a miracle'^^.
Closely r e l a t e d with t h e q u e s t i o n of t h e b a c k g r o u n d of Sir 2 4 is t h e q u e s t i o n w h e t h e r w i s d o m in Sir 2 4 is a h y p o s t a s i s or n o t . T h e m a j o r i t y of scholars regard w i s d o m h e r e as h y p o s t a s i s ' ^ . This i n t e r p r e t a t i o n is, h o w e v e r , n o t u n d i s p u t e d ^ ' . R e c e n t l y J . M a r b o c k c o n c l u d e d in his e x t e n s i v e discussion of Sir 2 4 " d a S es n i c h t Ziel des Selbstpreises sein k a n n , e i n e klar u m r i s s e n e P e r s o n o d e r H y p o s t a s e zu z e i c h n e n , s o n d e r n d u r c h die D a r s t e l l u n g des Wirkens u n d der A t t r i b u t e der Weisheit zu zeigen, w o u n d wie G o t t e s Niihe, seine G e g e n w a r t u n d sein Wirken sich e r f a h r e n lafit"^^ . Fur t h e r , M a r b o c k a r g u e d t h a t B e n Sira's divine w i s d o m , t h e w i s d o m ' f r o m a b o v e ' , m u s t n o t b e u n d e r s t o o d as a n i n t e r m e d i a r y b e i n g b e t w e e n G o d a n d c r e a t i o n n o r as a h y p o s t a s i s . W i s d o m is r a t h e r a poetic personification expressing God's nearness, God's acts, and God's personal call'^. Before we discuss Ben Sira's c o n c e p t i o n of l a w we have to clarify first t h e r e l a t i o n s h i p b e t w e e n w i s d o m a n d s a l v a t i o n - h i s t o r y in Ben Sira's t h o u g h t .
2.2. Wisdom a n d Salvation-History
49
50
51 52 53
Jesus Sirach ein eigenstandiges Bild von der Sophia entworfen" (P.154). Cf. G. Pfeifer, Ursprung und Wesen der Hypostasenvorstellungen im Judentum, 1967, p . 3 1 ; P.S. Fiddes, Hiddenness of Wisdom, 1976, p p . 1 2 6 - 1 3 2 stating that there is nothing in Sir 24 "which requires, or is illuminated by, the influence of the figure of Isis" ( p . l 3 2 ) . Recently H. Gese, "Wisdom", WB7'3 ( 1 9 8 1 ) 35f. rejected the view that Sir 2 4 is based o n a pagan myth. J. Marbock, Weisheit, p.48 n . l 3 . With regard to the aretalogy see P. Weimar, "Formen friihjUdischer Literatur", Literatur und Religion des Friihjudentums, ed. J. Maier et al., 1973, p p . l 2 8 f . with bibliography. Cf. W. Schencke, Chokmah, p p . 2 8 - 3 2 ; N. Peters, Das Buch Jesus Sirach, 1913, p.7; H. Ringgren, Word, p.l 1 3 ; idem. Art. "Hypostasen", RGG 3 (1959) 5 0 4 - 5 0 6 ; M. Hengel, Judentum, p p . 2 7 5 - 2 8 2 , 2 8 7 - 2 8 9 ; H.H. Schmid, Wesen und Geschichte der Weisheit: Eine Untersuchung zur altorientalischen und israelitischen WeisheitsUteratur, BZAW 1 0 1 , 1966, p p . l 4 9 - I 5 5 ; G. Pfeifer, o.c, p p . 2 8 - S l . Cf. the scholars cited b y J. Marbock, o . c , p.66 n.84 and p.l 3 0 n.3. J. Marbock, o . c , pp.65f. J. Marbock, Weisheit, p p . l 2 9 f . , followed by J.D.G. Dunn, Christology, 1980, pp. 1 7 0 , 1 7 2 (with n.37 o n pp.326f.); cf. also J.L. Crenshaw, Old Testament Wisdom, 1982, p.72.
Wisdom and Salvation-History
21
2.2.1. The origin of wisdom. B e n Sira w a n t s t o m a k e it clear t h a t G o d possesses all w i s d o m a n d is t h e o n e s o u r c e of t r u e wis d o m ( 1 , 1 ; 2 4 , 3 ) . T h i s is t h e s e c o n d p a t h t o w i s d o m : G o d reveals t o m a n . Revealed w i s d o m is napd Kvpiov, from Y a h w e h ( l , ! ) ' " * . It " c a m e f o r t h from t h e m o u t h of t h e M o s t H i g h " ( 2 4 , 3 a ) . This p h r a s e relates w i s d o m very closely t o t h e W o r d o f G o d w h i c h is, in t h e or, r e p e a t e d l y d e s c r i b e d as p r o c e e d i n g from t h e " m o u t h of G o d " ^ ' . Wisdom is also c o n c e i v e d of as a gift of G o d ( 1 , 1 0 . 2 6 ; 1 7 , 1 1 ; 3 8 , 6 ; 4 3 , 3 3 ; 4 5 , 2 6 ; 5 0 , 2 3 ) . G o d is t h e u l d m a t e s o u r c e of wisdom. 2.2.2. Wisdom and Israel. F o r Ben Sira, w i s d o m is active in his t o r y ( 1 , 9 - 1 0 ; 2 4 , 6 - 1 2 ; 1 7 , 6 - 9 ; 4 3 , 3 3 ) . I n his great w i s d o m h y m n in c h a p . 2 4 h e c o n c e n t r a t e s o n t h e locus of w i s d o m in t h e c o s m o s a n d a m o n g m a n ' ^ . Wisdom finally finds a dwelling p l a c e ( K O T ^ T T avaei') a n d i n h e r i t a n c e {iiaTaK\r}povonri&r]Ti) in Israel ( 2 4 , 8 ) : " D i e voll e n t f a l t e t e Weisheit ist n u r in Israel zu f i n d e n " ' ' . I t is n o t c o i n c i d e n t a l t h a t t h e terms o f t h e ' t h e o l o g y of t h e a r k ' t h e place of rest ( n n u n ) a n d t h e i n h e r i t a n c e (n'?na) — a p p e a r in this context^*. God's wisdom is where God's mercy is ( 1 , 2 7 ; 3 5 , 1 4 ) 5 9 . God's wisdom is where God's love is. The OT repeatedly points out that Israel is the very sphere of God's love (Deut 7 , 8 . 1 3 ; 1 0 , 1 3 ; 2 3 , 5 ; 3 3 , 3 ; Ez 16,8; Is 6 3 , 9 ; 4 3 , 4 ; Hos 1 1 , 4 ; 14,4). T h e focus o f this divine love towards Israel is his holy city. G o d loves Mount Zion (Ps 78,68) and the gates of Zion (Ps 8 7 , 2 ) . He has chosen Zion and made it his dwelling place (Ps 1 3 2 , 13-14). Sir 24,8-12 resumes this tradition of thought. In the OT wis-
54 On mpa with genitive see BDR § 2 3 7 . 1 . 55 T h e following passages refer to the mn"' T3T in the sense of the prophetic speech as proceeding from the mouth of G o d : Is 1,20; 3 4 , 1 6 ; 4 0 , 5 ; 4 5 , 2 3 ; 4 8 , 3 ; 5 5 , 1 1 ; 62,2 :Jer 9 , 1 1 . 1 9 ; 15,19; 2 3 , 1 6 ; Ez 3 , 1 7 ; 33,7; Hos 6,5; Mi 4,4; 2Chr 3 6 , 1 2 . Other passages state that D''DDU?a (Ps 1 1 9 , 1 3 ) , m m (Ps 1 1 9 , 7 2 ) , n i i y (Ps 1 1 9 , 8 8 ) , m s a and a ' p i n ( j o b 23,12) come from the "mouth of God". In Prov 2,6 it is stated that wisdom (n?30n), knowledge ( n y T ) , and understanding ( n 3 i a n ) come from the "mouth of God". Cf. K. Weiss, Art. "ardna", ThWNT 7 ( 1 9 6 4 ) 6 9 6 . 56 On the wisdom concept in Sir 2 4 see recently J.C.H. Lebram, "Jerusalem, Wohn sitz der Weisheit", Studies in Hellenistic Religions, ed. M.J. Vermaseren, 1 9 7 9 , p p . 1 0 3 - 1 2 8 ; H. Gese, "Wisdom", HBT 3 ( 1 9 8 1 ) 32-25. 57 M. Lohr, Bildung, p . 4 3 . Cf. J.C.H. Lebram, a.c., p p . 1 1 2 - 1 2 0 w h o stresses the rela tion between wisdom and the Israelite cult and history in Sir 2 4 . See also J . L . Crenshaw, Old Testament Wisdom, pp.149 158. 58 C f . H . Gese, a.c., p.34. 59 C f . J . Marbock, Weisheit, p p . 2 7 - 3 0 ; O . Rickenbacher, Weisheitsperikopen, pp.32f.
22
Ben Sira's Concept
of
Wisdom
dom literature, for all practical purposes, Israel does not occur^''. For Ben Sira, Israel, Jerusalem, and Zion constitute a prominent t h e m e S l .
G o d ' s w i s d o m f o u n d a " d w e l l i n g p l a c e " a n d a " p l a c e of r e s t " in Israel. T h e o n l y passage in t h e O T w h i c h c a n be c o m p a r e d is Prov 1 4 , 3 3 : " W i s d o m r e p o s e s in t h e h e a r t of t h e d i s c e r n i n g " . Ben Sira refers t o t h e c o n c e p t of " r e s t " ( n u ) several times^^. He p i c t u r e s w i s d o m as seeking r e s t a n d a d w e l l i n g p l a c e ( 2 4 , 7 ) w h i c h she final ly finds in Z i o n ( 2 4 , 8 . 1 1 ) . T h u s Israel e n t e r s i n t o G o d ' s r e s t . This rest w h i c h G o d has given t o w i s d o m in Israel c a n be s h a r e d b y o t h e r s : " F o r at l e n g t h y o u will find h e r r e s t , a n d she shall b e t u r n e d for y o u i n t o g l a d n e s s " ( 6 , 2 8 ) . As t h e dwelling place^^ of w i s d o m , Israel is h e r " i n h e r i t a n c e " ^ : w i s d o m h a d b e e n l o o k i n g for a n i n h e r i t a n c e ( 2 4 , 7 ) w h i c h she f o u n d , o n a c c o u n t of G o d ' s initiative, in Israel ( 2 4 , 8 ) . In this i n h e r i t a n c e of G o d , w i s d o m t a k e s r o o t ( 2 4 , 1 2 ) a n d p r o s p e r s ( 2 4 , 1 3 - 1 7 ) . W i s d o m shares h e r in h e r i t a n c e w i t h all t h o s e w h o seek h e r ( 2 4 , 1 8 - 2 0 ) . A n d all this is t h e T o r a h , as i n h e r i t a n c e of J a c o b ( 2 4 , 2 3 ) . T h u s , t h e l o c u s of w i s d o m is J a c o b a n d Israel ( 2 4 , 8 ) , t h e t e m p l e (24,10a), Zion (24,10b), and Jerusalem (24,11). T h e section 24, 8-12 "clarifies t h a t w i s d o m is t h e divine shekina o n Z i o n ... i.e. t h e cult w h i c h , as r e v e l a t i o n on Sinai, forms t h e c e n t e r of t h e Torah T h e m a j o r i t y of passages referring to Israel is t o be f o u n d in t h e laus patrum^. Wisdom p l a y s a n i m p o r t a n t p a r t in t h e h i s t o r y of
6 0 See the brief discussion in O. Rickenbacher, o.c, p.159 w h o cites Prov 1,1; Qoh 1,12 as exceptions having no theological significance. 61 Cf. O. Rickenbacher, o.c, p p . I 5 9 - 1 6 2 . 62 Cf. O. Rickenbacher, o.c, p p . l 3 8 f . for references. 6 3 In 2 4 , 7 ; 2 8 , 1 6 ; 4 7 , 1 2 - 1 3 the concept of "rest" is combined with the notion of "dwelling". 6 4 In Deut 12,9-10; 25,19 the terms "rest" and "inheritance" are closely related. Cf. G.von Rad, Theologie, 1, p.237 ;idem, Gesammelte Studien zum Alten Testa ment, p p . 8 7 - I 0 8 ; J . Marbock, Weisheit, p . 6 2 . 65 H, Gese, "Wisdom", HBT 3 f 1981) 34. G. Vermes, Scripture and Tradition in Juda ism, SPB 4 , 2 l 9 7 3 , p.31 points out that in 2 4 , 1 0 - 1 3 the word "Lebanon" is used in relation t o the temple. It is totally inadequate to interpret 24,1-22 as seeing wisdom as city- and country-goddess w h o secures the welfare of state and people; contra J.C.H. Lebram, "Jerusalem", 1979, p p . l l 5 - I 1 9 , 1 2 4 - 1 2 7 . 66 4 4 , 2 3 ; 4 5 , 5 . 1 1 . 1 6 . 1 7 . 2 2 . 2 3 ; 46,1 ;47,2.1 l G . 1 8 . 2 3 ; 5 0 , 1 3 . 1 7 . 2 0 . 2 2 ; 5 1 , 1 2 c . e . f . o ( H ) . Cf. also F-. Janssen, Gottesvolk, 1 9 7 1 , pp.16-33 on Ben Sira's "geradliniges Ge schichtsbild" (p.l 6).
Wisdom and Salvation-History
23
Israel. In his i n t r o d u c t i o n ( 4 4 , 1 - 1 5 ) , Ben Sira describes t h e l e a d e r s , kings, a n d p r o p h e t s of Israel as wise m e n ( 4 4 , 3 - 4 . 1 5 ) . T h e w i s d o m of S o l o m o n is n a t u r a l l y e m p h a s i z e d ( 4 7 , 1 2 . 1 4 . 1 7 ) . Moses is de scribed as having received t h e " l a w of life a n d insight ( e T r t a T J j / X T } ) " ( 4 6 , 5 ; cf. 1 7 , 1 1 ) . We have seen t h a t w i s d o m is closely l i n k e d w i t h Israel a n d h e r h i s t o r y : J a c o b , Israel, t h e i n h e r i t a n c e , t h e p e o p l e , t h e h o l y c i t y , Z i o n , J e r u s a l e m , t h e t e m p l e — t h e y are all t h e l o c u s of w i s d o m ^ ' . 2.2.3. Wisdom and cult. Closely r e l a t e d w i t h the t h e m e of w i s d o m a n d Israel is t h e r e l a t i o n s h i p b e t w e e n B e n Sira's c o n c e p t of w i s d o m a n d Israel's c u l t ^ . This is n o t surprising since B.en Sira was a pries t®^. Besides t h e m a i n c u l t p e r i c o p e s 7 , 2 9 - 3 1 ; 3 1 , 2 1 - 3 2 , 2 0 ; 3 8 , 9 - 1 1 ; 4 5 , 2 3 - 2 6 B e n Sira c o m e s t o s p e a k of Israel's cult in o t h e r c o n t e x t s as well (cf. 7 , 8 - 1 0 ; 1 4 , 1 1 G ; 2 4 , 1 0 - 1 1 . 1 5 ; 4 5 . 1 4 - 1 6 ; 4 6 , 1 6 ; 4 7 , 2 ; 4 9 , 1 , 5 0 , 1 - 2 1 ) . We will briefly c o m m e n t o n t h e s e passages, follow ing t h e analyses of H . S t a d e l m a n n . In 7,8-10 Ben Sira argues against the misconception of the sacrifice as o^uj op^ratum. It is the ethical disposition of the person who is sacrificing which decides the effectiveness of the sacrifice. 7,29-31 contains a summons to proper behaviour in cultic matters which is, for Ben Sira, not (!) the product of nomism but essentially the manifestation of an attitude of the heart marked b y a living piety (love of God and reverence for the priests) and coupled with just social behaviour ( w . 3 2 - 3 5 ) . —In the context of his 'praise of wisdom' Ben Sira describes in 24,10-11.15 how wisdom came to dwell in the holy city performing the priestly service in the temple. The quintessence and climax of wisdom is her service and rule in the temple^^. Wisdom is spoken of as one spoke of the cult of the ark, indeed as of the shekhinah^^. In v.I5 wisdom is compared with the scents of the temple. — In the lengthy tractate on the Israelite cult in 3 1 , 2 1 - 3 2 , 2 0 BenSira first attacks the abuse of the cult by the impious (31,21-31). This is followed by the presentation of ethical behaviour as spiritual sacri fice (32,1-7) and by a description of the exemplary cultic behaviour of the just ( 3 2 , 8-13). He concludes in 32,14-20 with an admonition to abstain from unjust sacri-
67 These concepts occur, besides in 2 4 , 8 - 1 2 , in the prayer in 3 6 , 1 3 - 1 7 . 68 See the recent contributions by L.G. Perdue, Wisdom and Cult, 1 9 7 7 , p p . 1 8 8 - 2 1 1 and especially H. Stadelmann, BenSira, 1 9 8 0 , p p . 4 0 - 1 7 6 . 6 9 Cf. H. Stadelmann, o.c, p p . 1 2 - 2 6 , 4 0 - 1 7 6 passim. Contra P. Sigal, Emergence, I / I , p.227. 70 This is supported by the structure of chap. 2 4 ; w . I O - I I form the end and climax of the second stanza ( w . 7 - l l ) in which Ben Sira describes the search of a perma nent dwelling on earth on the part of wisdom. See H. Stadelmann, Ben Sira, pp.5153;J.C.H. Lebram, "Jerusalem", pp.114f. 71 H. Gese, " W i s d o m " , / / B r 3 ( 1 9 8 1 ) 3 5 .
24
Ben Sira's Concept
of
Wisdom
fices. One can indeed refer t o a "Kultisierung der Sittlichkeit"72 by Ben Sira with regard to this important pericope. - In the 'praise of the fathers' Ben Sira deals with Aaron the high priest in 17 verses ( 4 5 , 6 - 2 2 ) whereas Moses is portrayed in only 6 verses ( 4 4 , 2 3 b 4 5 , 5 ) . Ben Sira's interest is focused on priestly figures like Phinehas ( 4 5 , 2 3 - 2 5 ) , Samuel ( 4 6 , 1 3 - 2 0 ) , and the high priest Simon II ( 5 0 , 1 - 2 1 ) , as well as o n kings w h o stood up for the cult, like David ( 4 7 , 1 - 1 1 ) , S o l o m o n ( 4 7 , 1 2 - 2 3 ) , Hezekiah ( 4 8 , 1 7 - 2 2 ) , and Josiah ( 4 9 , 1 - 3 ) 7 3 .
2.2.4. Wisdom and the fear of the Lord. T h e t h e m e of t h e fear of t h e L o r d is so p r o m i n e n t in Sirach t h a t J . H a s p e c k e r c o u l d d e s i g n a t e this c o n c e p t as " G r u n d t h e m a u n d w i c h t i g s t e s Bildungsanliegen Sirachs in seiner p a d a g o g i s c h e n S c h r i f t " ' * , i n t e r p r e t i n g it as t h e f o r m a l a n d m a t e r i a l c l i m a x even of t h e w i s d o m p e r i c o p e s ^ ' . E v e n t h o u g h this last n o t i o n is e x a g g e r a t e d ^ ' it is n e v e r t h e l e s s o b v i o u s t h a t t h e c o n c e p t of t h e fear of t h e L o r d is a n i m p o r t a n t f e a t u r e in B e n Sira's w i s d o m b o o k : " D e r Sirazide fragt n i c h t n a c h der G o t t e s f u r c h t . Diese ist fiir i h n eine g r u n d l e g e n d v o r g e g e b e n e religiose G r o B e " " . I n 1,10 B e n Sira m e n t i o n s t h e fear of t h e L o r d for t h e first t i m e : it is d e m a n d e d in o r d e r t o a c q u i r e w i s d o m ' * . This n o t i o n is e x p a n d e d in 1,11-20'^ w h e r e t h e fear of t h e L o r d is d e s c r i b e d as t h e w a y t o v r i s d o m : t h e fear of t h e L o r d is t h e b e g i n n i n g o r es s e n c e {dpxv) of w i s d o m ( v . l 4 ) , t h e fullness of w i s d o m [ixXriayiOvri CTo^i'a?, V . 1 6 ) , t h e c r o w n of w i s d o m {are(t>avo(; 0 o 0 t ' a ? , v . l 8 ) , a n d
72 Cf. H. Stadelmann, o . c , pp.92ff. passim. 73 Cf. the statement of L.G. Perdue, Wisdom and Cult, p.191 that "in a perusal of this eulogy, Sirach may be seen most certainly as a loyalist t o the priestly institution of the post-exilic cult, and especially to the office of the high priest". Cf. also H. Stadelmann, o . c , pp.46f. 74 i.Uasfec)i.eT, Gottesfurcht bei Jesus Sirach, AnBibl 3 0 , 1967, p . 1 9 8 . 75 Cf. J . Haspecker, o . c , p p . 9 3 , 9 8 , 1 4 1 , I 8 7 regarding Sir 1,1-10; 4 , 1 6 - 1 9 ; 6,18-37; 50,27-29. 76 Cf. the review of R. Murphy in Bib 4 9 ( 1 9 6 8 ) 121 and the remarks by G.von Rad, Wisdom, p . 2 4 2 and J. Marbock, Weisheit, p p . 1 6 , 2 2 , 1 1 7 f . , l 32f. 77 O. Rickenbacher, Weisheitsperikopen, f.12. Ci. }.iias^eckev, Gottesfurcht, w h o states in his conclusion: "Es wird von Sirach ein sehr intensives und lebendiges personales Verhaltnis zu Gott vom Gottesfiirchtigen verlangt bzw. vorausgesetzt". On the relation between wisdom and the fear of the Lord in Sir see also M. Lohr, Bildung, pp.25-48. 78 We read "fear" Weisheit, 1906, O. Rickenbacher, 79 Cf. M. Lohr, o . c ,
(G miniscules, S) instead of "love" (G), following R. Smend, p.9; J. Haspecker, o.c, pp.51-53; J. Marbock, Weisheit, p . 2 1 ; o . c , p.lO; G.Sauer, in JSHRZ III/5 ( 1 9 8 1 ) 5 0 7 . pp.27-32.
Wisdom and Salvation-History
25
t h e r o o t of w i s d o m ( p t f a oocpiaq/nnon ^'w:^'^, v . 2 0 ) . T h e fear of t h e L o r d "is w i s d o m a n d i n s t r u c t i o n " ( v . 2 7 ) . In 6 , 3 6 H (= 6 , 3 7 G ) « l t h e fear of t h e L o r d is again p r e s e n t e d as a c o n d i t i o n a n d p r e r e q u i s i t e for w i s d o m a n d i n s t r u c t i o n (see also 1 5 , 1 - 2 ; 3 2 , 1 4 - 1 6 ; 39,6; 4 3 , 3 3 ; 50,28-29). W i s d o m a n d t h e fear of t h e L o r d are f u r t h e r closely r e l a t e d w i t h e a c h o t h e r b y t h e fact t h a t t h e y share t h e s a m e fruits: glory (cf. 1,11 w i t h 4 , 1 3 ; 2 4 , 1 6 - 1 7 ) , j o y a n d gladness (cf. 1,11-12 w i t h 4 , 1 2 ; 6 , 2 8 ) , h o n o u r (cf. 1,13 w i t h 6 , 2 9 ; 2 4 , 1 6 ) , a n d l e n g t h of days (cf. 1,12 w i t h 1,20). B o t h w i s d o m a n d t h e fear of t h e L o r d k e e p f r o m sin ( 1 , 2 1 ; 2 4 , 2 2 ) . 2.2.5. The fruit of wisdom. T h e w a y in w h i c h Ben Sira de scribes t h e g r o w t h a n d t h e fruit of w i s d o m equally stresses t h e close r e l a t i o n s h i p b e t w e e n his c o n c e p t of w i s d o m a n d t h e r e a l m of Israel's faith a n d history*^. T h e first fruit of w i s d o m w h i c h B e n Sira m e n t i o n s is otb\u/eipTJvr^ ( 1 , 1 8 ) * ^ , a n i m p o r t a n t t h e o l o g i c a l t e r m in t h e O T . " P e a c e " is o f t e n seen as G o d ' s gift t o his people*"*. T h e n o t i o n t h a t shalom is a r e s u l t of w i s d o m can a l r e a d y b e f o u n d in Prov 3 , 2 . 1 7 (cf. 1 2 , 2 0 ) . " G o o d h e a l t h " (Sir 1,18b) a n d " l e n g t h of d a y s " ( 1 , 2 0 ) are f u r t h e r results of w i s d o m . B e n Sira p o i n t s o u t e l s e w h e r e t h a t g o o d h e a l t h is from t h e L o r d ( 2 8 , 3 ; cf. 3 8 , 2 . 1 4 G ) . In t h e O T " l e n g t h of d a y s " (••in' TTK, O ' D ' n 3 T , L X X iiaKporijiepevaiq) is G o d ' s gift a n d r e w a r d for faithfulness' t o his c o m m a n d e m e n t s ( D e u t 4 , 4 0 ; 5 , 3 3 ; 6 , 2 ; 1 1 , 8 - 9 . 1 8 - 2 1 ; 3 2 , 4 7 ) . I n 4 , 1 2 T I S T " g o o d will, favour w i t h G o d " (as s u b j e c t ) is d e s c r i b e d as a f u r t h e r fruit of w i s d o m . This t e r m w h i c h is q u i t e c o m m o n in Sir*' is u s e d as an e q u i v a l e n t for
80 81 82 83
Thus the reconstruction of H ( 2 Q 1 8 ) by F. Vattioni, Ecclesiastico, 1 9 6 8 , p.7. On this verse see J. Haspecker, o.c, pp.60-64,130f. It seems that this theme has never been discussed previously in detail. O. Rickenbacher, Weisheitsperikopen, p.13 follows R. Smend, hesitatingly, in tak ing the fear of the Lord as subject. However, it is at least equally plausible to take wisdom as subject: both w . 1 8 . 2 0 closely relate wisdom and the fear of the Lord with wisdom clearly being the subject in v.20b. Both verses might contain the same imagery of the tree since aTeipavo<; aoysta"; in v . l 8 has been taken to refer to the crown of a tree (cf. L. Alonso-Schokel, quoted by O. Rickenbacher, o.c, p. 13; G. Kuhn in ZA W 47 ( 1 9 2 9 ) 289 wants to read nzr "shoot, sprout" and not nsr).
84 Cf. G.von Rad, Art. "ciptin?",/VilV/V^r 2 ( 1 9 3 5 ) 401f. 85 Cf. the list in O. Rickenbacher, o.c, pp.3 If.; also G. Schrenk in ThWNT 2 ( 1 9 3 5 ) 74 If.
26
Ben Sira's Concept
of
Wisdom
w i s d o m ( 1 , 2 7 ) , law a n d c o m m a n d m e n t s ( 2 , 1 6 ; 1 5 , 1 5 ) , a n d for giveness ( 3 5 , 5 ) . I n t h e O T tnxT is m o s t o f t e n used for G o d ' s favour, g r a c e , a n d g o o d will (cf. D e u t 3 3 , 2 3 ; Ps 5,1 3 ; 3 0 , 6 . 8 ; Prov 8 , 3 5 ; 1 2 , 2 ; 1 8 , 2 2 ; Is 6 0 , 1 0 ) . A n o t h e r result of w i s d o m is n 3 3 / Sofa ( 4 , 1 3 ; 6 , 3 1 ; 2 4 , 1 6 - 1 7 ; 3 7 , 2 6 ; 5 1 , 1 7 ; cf. 4 4 , 2 ) w h i c h is a charac teristic of Y a h w e h (17,1 3 ; 3 6 , 1 9 ; 4 2 , 1 6 - 1 7 ; 4 5 , 3 ; 4 9 , 1 2 ) * ^ . F u r t h e r fruits of w i s d o m w i t h a similar b a c k g r o u n d are blessing ( 4 , 1 3 ) , blessedness ( 1 4 , 2 0 ; 2 5 , 9 - 1 0 ) , rest ( 6 , 2 8 ) , j o y ( 4 , 1 2 G ; 6, 2 8 ) , p r o t e c t i o n ( 6 , 2 9 ) , h o n o u r ( 6 , 2 9 ; 2 4 , 1 6 ) , grace ( 2 4 , 1 6 ) , a n d w e a l t h ( 2 4 , 1 7 ) . Finally, w i s d o m , like t h e fear of t h e L o r d , k e e p s from sin ( 2 4 , 2 2 ) . In 2 4 , 1 3 - 1 7 w i s d o m u n f o l d s t h e blessing of h e r p r e s e n c e in a n impressive series of images, focusing o n h e r g r o w t h a n d fruitfuln e s s * ' . W i s d o m p r e s e n t s herself as living, g r o w i n g , p r o s p e r i n g , a n d b l o s s o m i n g in t h e e n t i r e c o u n t r y , from t h e L e b a n o n a n d H e r m o n t o Engedi a n d J e r i c h o , a n d o u t i n t o t h e p l a i n . " S o erweist sie (i.e. w i s d o m ) sich w i e d e r als in Israels R a u m w i r k s a m e Grofie"** . A p p e n d i x : T h e 'Laus P a t r u m ' a n d Ezra For a long time, commentators and scholars have been startled by the fact that Ben Sira does not mention Ezra in his review of Israel's history89. Different explanations have been given which we will review briefly. Some explanations are so forced or hypothetical that they can be dismissed out of hand. R. Smend thinks that it is pure chance that Ben Sira did not mention Ezra^O. Peters believes that the b o o k of Ezra did not yet exist at Ben Sira's time^l. Other scholars including K.F.Pohlmann^2^ p.R. Ackroyd^^, and R. Rivkin94 attempt to defend the view that Ben Sira did not know the Chronicler's work. Other scholars tried to explain the omission of Ezra by material differences between Ezra and Ben Sira. Box/Oesterley think that Ben Sira, as a representative of the circle of wisdom teachers w h o had a wide outlook, did not esteem the narrow and legalistic attitude of the scribes around Ezra^S. E. Jansen
8 6 On the concept of n3D in Sir see O. Rickenbacher, o.c., p p . 4 6 - 4 8 . 87 On this passage see especially J. Marbock, Weisheit, pp.74-76. 88 J. Marbock, o . c , p.74. 89 C f . J . Marbock, "Der schriftgelehrte Weke",BETL 51 (1979) p . 3 0 3 . 9 0 R. Smend, Weisheit, p . 4 7 4 . Similarly E. Rivkin, "Ben Sira and the Non-Existence of the Synagogue", In the Time of Harvest, FS A.H. Silver, 1 9 6 3 , pp.349f. w h o says that maybe Ezra was not yet known to Ben Sira "because Ezra had not yet attained historical reality yet"! 91 N. Peters, Das Buch Jesus Sirach, 1913, p . 4 2 2 . 9 2 K.F. Pohlmann, Studien zum dritten Esra, FRLANT 104, 1970. 9 3 P.R. Ackroyd, "The Maccabean Dating of OT Literature", VTS ( 1 9 5 3 ) 116. 9 4 E. Rivkin, a . c , pp.349f. 95 Box/Oesterley, in ^ T O r i ( 1 9 1 3 ) 5 0 6 in the context of Sir 4 9 , 1 3 .
Wisdom and Salvation-History
27
thinks that Ben Sira probably did not value the non-pentateuchal writings as much as he did the Pentateuch^^. P. Sigal beUeves that Ezra was omitted because he was "signally ineffective" in his mission which, as a result, had to be repeated by Nehemiah w h o took more stringent steps^^. R. Smend^S, T. Middendorp^^, and R.A.F. MacKenzie'OO j-gfer to Ezra's rigoristic dissolution of the mixed marriages which was not appreciated by Ben Sira. However, these material explanations are not conclusive and far from adequate 1"^. Numerous explanations focused in recent years on theological differences between Ezra and Ben Sira. J.C.H. Lebram thinks that Ezra was probably "Leitgestalt der Chasidiier" w h o wanted to keep Israel 'clean' by erecting a "fence around the Torah" which was not appreciated by Ben Sira who represented the "priesterliche Konzentration auf das Mosegesetz"''*2 M, Hengel'*'^ and J . Marbockl'** follow Lebram's explanation. U. Kellermannl^^ adduced "kontroverstheologische Griinde": Ben Sira did not reckon Ezra to be an example for Israel since he was for him the chief witness of the totally introvert attitude of the theocratic circles which paralysed the power of resistance to the danger of Hellenism. W.T. in der Smitten"^^ developed this argu ment further without adding substantially new insights. P. Hbffken sees the decisive theological difference between Ben Sira and Ezra in the differing evaluation of the role and function of the Levites in Ben Sira and in the Chronicler (including Ezra): as Ben Sira has a different understanding of the theocratic Israel, Ezra is, as "Prototyp des, Levitismus", intolerablel07_ finally, R.A.F. MacKenzie believes that Ben Sira had a "real distaste" or distrust for a written law'*^^. Without going into a detail ed evaluation of these explanations we note that none of them has received the un divided support o f the scholarly world. The best explanation, in our eyes, seems to be that offered by J.G. S n a i t h l 0 9 and
96 97 98 99
E.Janssen, Go«fJ!)o/A, 1 9 7 1 , p.22. P. Sigdl, Emergence. I / l , 1 9 8 0 , p p . l I5f. R. Smend, Weisheit, p . 4 7 4 . T. Middendorp, Die Stellung Jesu Ben Siras zwischen Judentum und Hellenismus, 1 9 7 3 , p.66. 100 R.A.F. MacKenzie, "Ben Sira as Historian", Trinification of the World, FS F.E. Crowe, 1 9 7 8 , pp.323f. His "working hypothesis", that Ben Sira descended from a family whose members were not in the exile but had remained in Palestine and resented Ezra's imposition of a new and stricter version of the law remains a hypo thesis. 101 P. Hiiffken, "Warum schwieg Jesus Sirach uber Esra?", ZA W 87 (1975) 185-187. 102 J.C.H. Lebram, "Aspektc der alttestamentlichen Kanonbildung", VT 18 ( 1 9 6 8 ) 189 (cf. p p . I S l f . with n.5). . 103 M. Hengel, Judentum, p.272 n.281 where he states that Ben Sira rejected any "chasidisch-pietistische Angstlichkeit und Priiderie". 104 J. Marbock, Weisheit, p.91 n . l 6 7 ; idem, "Gesetz und Weisheit", BZ 2 0 ( 1 9 7 6 ) 1 1 . In a recent article, J. Marbock, "Der schriftgelehrte Weise", BETL 5 1 ( 1 9 7 9 ) 8 0 3 n.37 states that the question of Ezra's omission is not yet solved. 105 U. Kellermann, Nehemia: Quellen, Uberlieferung und Geschichte, 1 9 6 7 , pp.l 14f. 106 W.T. in der Smitten, £5ra; QueHCTi, Uberlieferung und Geschichte, SSN 15, 1973, pp.69-74. 107 P. Hoffen, "Warum s c h w i e g j e s u s Sirach uber Esra?", ZAW 87 ( 1 9 7 5 ) 187-200. 108 R.A.F. MacKenzie, "Ben Sira as Historian", 1978, p.S24. 109 J.G. Snaith, Ecclesiasticus, 1 9 7 4 , p,247 (not discussed by P. Hoffken).
28
Ben Sira's Concept
of
Wisdom
defended by H. Stadelmann^ which is based on exegetical reasons: Ben Sira men tions only those post-exilic persons, apart from his contemporary, Simon the high priest, w h o were involved in the restoration of the city of Jerusalem and of the tem ple. And Ezra was not one of the "Erbauer und Ausgestalter des auBeren Zentruras der l l i e r o k r a t i e " ' '
2.3.
Summary
We h a v e e x a m i n e d Ben Sira's w i s d o m c o n c e p t i o n w i t h its t w o fold c h a r a c t e r as a c o s m o l o g i c a l e n t i t y a n d as t h e salvation-histori cal possession of Israel. W i s d o m links t h e t w o areas of c r e a t i o n a n d h i s t o r y ' G o d ' s w i s d o m is m a n i f e s t in c r e a t i o n . This e x p l a i n s o n t h e o n e h a n d t h e universality of c r e a t i o n a n d o n the o t h e r h a n d t h e o r d e r of c r e a t i o n . W i s d o m is universal, i.e. it k n o w s n o geo graphical or n a t i o n a l l i m i t s . T h e o r d e r of c r e a t i o n c a n b e o b s e r v e d in t h e c o s m o s , a m o n g m a n k i n d , a n d a m o n g G o d ' s p e o p l e . All of G o d ' s w o r k s are c h a r a c t e r i z e d b y g o o d n e s s a n d p u r p o s e f u l n e s s , by God's own wisdom. W i s d o m is Y a h w e h ' s w i s d o m a n d enjoys t h e r e f o r e a special r e l a t i o n s h i p w i t h G o d ' s p e o p l e . Israel's G o d is t h e o n l y t r u e s o u r c e of w i s d o m . W i s d o m can be received as G o d ' s gift. Universal wis d o m c a m e t o dwell, in a r a t h e r specific m a n n e r , in Israel a n d espe cially o n Z i o n in t h e t e m p l e . Israel is t h u s t h e i n h e r i t a n c e of w i s d o m . N a t u r a l l y w i s d o m p l a y e d a n i m p o r t a n t role in t h e h i s t o r y of Israel. T h e t e m p l e w i t h its cult is also p r e s e n t e d as t h e locus of w i s d o m . R i g h t ethical b e h a v i o u r ( w i s d o m ) is p r e s e n t e d as spiri t u a l sacrifice. C o n s e q u e n t l y , w i s d o m a n d p i e t y / f a i t h are closely r e l a t e d : t h e fear of t h e L o r d is t h e b e g i n n i n g a n d t h e e n d , t h e r o o t a n d t h e c r o w n of w i s d o m . T h e fruits of w i s d o m in o n e ' s life are e q u i v a l e n t to G o d ' s grace a n d favour b e s t o w e d u p o n m a n . Ben Sira t h e scribe a n d priest i n c o r p o r a t e d t h e p r i e s t l y , t h e p r o p h e t i c , a n d the sapiential t r a d i t i o n s of Israel a n d p r e s e n t e d w i s d o m as b e i n g active a n d essential in all realms of r e a l i t y : in n a t u r e a n d in h i s t o r y , in t h e w o r l d a n d in t h e life of G o d ' s p e o p l e .
110 H. Stadelmann, Ben Sira, 1 9 8 0 , p . 1 6 3 n . l . 111 H. Stadelmann, o . c , p. 1 6 3 ; similarly E. Janssen, Gottesvolk, 112 CtJ.Marhock, Weisheit, p.68.
p.27.
Ben Sira's Concept
§3
of Law and the Commandments
Ben Sira's Concept of the Law and the
29
Commandments
It is ratiier surprising t h a t d e s p i t e the renaissance of Sirach r e s e a r c h " ^ Ben Sira's u n d e r s t a n d i n g of the law has n o t b e e n d e a l t w i t h a d e q u a t e l y . G. v o n R a d discusses t h e role of t h e law in Sir o n l y v e r y b r i e f l y * H e is n o t very c o n s i s t e n t : h e s t a t e s w i t h r e g a r d t o t h e n u m e r o u s references to t h e law in S i r ' * ' t h a t t h e T o r a h " i n t h e f o r m of law e s t a b l i s h e d in w r i t i n g " p l a y s a n i m p o r t a n t role ( p . 2 4 4 ) a n d t h e n goes o n to say t h a t Ben Sira n e e d s t h e c o n c e p t of t h e law in o r d e r to clarify t h e idea of t h e fear of t h e L o r d (ibid.) b u t t h a t h e is little capable of d e v e l o p i n g t h e idea of T o r a h ( p . 2 4 7 ) . He c o n c l u d e s , a s t o n i s h i n g l y , t h a t " t h e T o r a h is n o t a subject of p a r t i c u l a r i n t e r e s t to S i r a c h . H e k n o w s a b o u t i t , it has a p a r t t o p l a y , b u t basically for Sirach it is of relevance o n l y in so far as it is t o b e u n d e r s t o o d o n t h e basis of... t h e great c o m p l e x of w i s d o m t e a c h i n g s " (ibid.). J . H a s p e c k e r deals w i t h t h e law o n l y in c o n j u n c t i o n w i t h his discussion of t h e c o n c e p t of t h e fear of t h e L o r d " ^ . B u t h e p o i n t s o u t t h a t t h e d o u b l e r e f e r e n c e t o t h e events at Sinai in 1 7 , 1 1 - 1 4 a n d 4 5 , 1 - 5 suggests a " d e t a i U i e r t e T h e o l o g i e des Gesetzes u n d d e r G e s e t z e s m i t t e i l u n g " (p..3.32). J . M a r b o c k d e v o t e s seven pages of his m o n o g r a p h t o Ben Sira's c o n c e p t of l a w ' * ' w h i c h are helpful in i n d i c a t i n g t h e m o r e i m p o r t a n t a s p e c t s b u t w h i c h leave m u c h t o be desired c o n c e r n i n g even basic q u e s t i o n s like t h e relevant t e r m i n o l o g y in S i r a c h ' I n his article o n law a n d w i s d o m in S i r " ^ M a r b o c k i n c l u d e d n o s e p a r a t e
113 C f . J . Marbock, in VT 24 (1974) 6 1 0 ; idem, in BZ 20 ( 1 9 7 6 ) 1; R.A.F. MacKenzie, "Ben Sira as Historian", 1978, p . 3 1 2 ; H. Stadelmann, Ben Sira, 1980, p.V. 114 Cf. G.von Rad, IVtsdom, p p . 2 4 4 - 2 4 7 . 115 On p . 2 4 4 n.8 he lists 2 5 references to the law. 116 Cf. J . Haspecker, Gottesfurcht, pp.328-3S2 where he states that the term 'law' belongs "einesteils in die Theologie des Buches, zum anderen Teil in die Ethik" (p.328). 117 J. Marbock, Weisheit, 1 9 7 1 , p p . 8 6 - 9 2 . 118 J.Marbock, o.c, p.86 lists for example npoara-yixa as one of the four expressions for law in Sir, However, this terra occurs only four times ( 6 , 3 7 ; 3 9 , 1 6 . 1 8 ; 4 3 , 1 3 ) being of theological significance only in 6,37 where npoarayna KVpiov (6,36H has ]VbV HNT', "fear of the Most High) is parallel to ^pTo\a^/m:Sa. Marbock admits that he does not attempt to provide a comprehensive discussion of Ben Sira's con cept of law (p.81).
30
Ben Sira's Concept
of Law and the
Commandments
t r e a t m e n t of law in Sir, d e s p i t e t h e s u b t i t l e of t h e a r t i c l e . He p o i n t s o u t "dafi das G e s e t z , s o w o h l was das V o k a b u l a r als a u c h die u n m i t t e l b a r e T h e m a t i k e i n z e l n e r P e r i k o p e n betrifft, h i n t e r d e m T h e m a der Weisheit u n d d e r G o t t e s f u r c h t b e a c h t l i c h zuriicks t e h t ; a u c h der S c h o p f u n g s g e d a n k e ist w e i t a u s z e n t r a l e r . Das G e s e t z ist nie selbstandiger I n h a l t , s o n d e r n b e g e g n e t . . . s t e t s eing e o r d n e t in diese grofieren Z u s a m m e n h a n g e " ' ^ * ' . A l t h o u g h this last o b s e r v a t i o n is generally valid, a n i n v e s t i g a t i o n of t h e relevant G r e e k a n d H e b r e w v o c a b u l a r y in Sir s h o w s t h a t the law is a n i m p o r t a n t c o n c e p t for B e n Sira even if h e did n o t 'dis c u s s ' it in a p a r t i c u l a r p e r i c o p e . M o r e o v e r , t h e fact t h a t Ben Sira o f t e n i n c l u d e s references t o t h e law in passages w h i c h c o n t a i n t r a d i t i o n a l w i s d o m m a t e r i a l (cf. 1,5.26; 1 9 , 1 7 . 2 0 . 2 4 ; 2 4 , 2 3 ; 3 2 , 1 4 - 1 8 . 2 2 - 2 3 ) ' ^ ' seems t o i n d i c a t e t h a t t h e great d i d a c t i c p e r i c o p e s o n w i s d o m , o n t h e fear of t h e L o r d , o n t h e d e s t i n y of m a n , o n c r e a t i o n , a n d o n t h e wise m a n all aim at establishing t h e T o r a h as t h e 'vanishing p o i n t ' of t h e activity of t h e sage'^^. F o r Ben Sira, a priest a n d s c r i b e , t h e law a n d t h e c o m m a n d m e n t s f o r m e d t h e very basis of his life a n d t h o u g h t . It is a l w a y s p r e c a r i o u s t o s p e c u l a t e o n t h e r e a s o n s a n d m o t i v e s of a p e r s o n w h o failed t o d o o r t o w r i t e this o r t h a t . W h e t h e r B e n Sira h a d specific reasons for n o t 'prais i n g ' t h e law in a h y m n o r n o t , t h e f r e q u e n c y a n d significance of his references t o t h e law given t o Israel b y G o d m a k e a m o r e ex tensive t r e a t m e n t of t h e c o n c e p t of law in Sir i m p e r a t i v e . K. Berger m a i n t a i n s t h a t for Ben Sira ( w h o m h e classifies u n d e r J e w i s h - H e l l e n i s t i c w i s d o m l i t e r a t u r e alongside S a p S a l , P s e u d o P h o c y l i d e s , a n d P s e u d o - M e a n d e r ! ) vdixoq is de f a c t o n o t t h e O T law b u t s i m p l y a m o n o t h e i s m l i n k e d w i t h general a n d social virtues'23.
119 J. Marbock, "Gesetz und. Weisheit: Zum Verstandnis des Gesetzes bei Jesus Ben Sira", BZ 20 ( 1 9 7 6 ) 1-21. 120 J. Marbock, "Gesetz und Weisheit", BZ 2 0 (1976) 2f. He denies that Ben Sira, when he refers to the law, means the Mosaic Torah (pp.3f.10). This notion is rejected, without exegetical proof, however, by 0 . Zeller, Mahnspriiche, 1 9 7 7 , p.39 n.209. 121 See also the references to wisdom (4,1 lff.;6,18ff.; 20,35ff.), to instruction (6,32ff.), and to the tear of the Lord (lO.lSff.; 2 1 , I f f . ) which serve the same purpose of referring to the Torah. 122 C f . M . Lohr, BiWurtf, p p . l 0 7 f . 123 K. Berger, Die GeseUesauslegung Jesu: Ihr historischer Hintergrund im Judentum und im Alten Testament, Teil 1, WMANT 4 0 , 1 9 7 2 , pp.38f.
lenninolo^
31
He goes o n to say that "dem Minimum an spezifisch atl Restbestand in diesem Nomos-Begriff entspricht ein Maximum an Niihe zu hellenistischem paranetischem Material ... ncben der weitgehenden Ubemahme griechischer Laster- und Tugendkataloge zeigen sich jiidische Traditionen nur mehc in der Formulierung bestimmter So2ialgcbote"'24.
S i n c e B e n Sira is o b v i o u s l y n o t a J e w i s h - H e l l e n i s t i c w r i t e r , Berger's view, at least w i t h regard t o Sir, h a s t o b e m o d i f i e d . O. R i c k e n b a c h e r a t t e m p t s a t h e m a t i c t r e a t m e n t of t h e t e r m s m i n a n d n i x a in Sir i n c l u d i n g a h s t of b o t h t e r m s w i t h their G r e e k r e n d e r i n g s ' ^ . H o w e v e r , h e does n o t discuss t h e e q u a l l y i m p o r t a n t t e r m s t3Si:?n a n d p i n . His s y s t e m a t i c discussion of n m n a n d m xa is brief a n d far from s a t i s f a c t o r y . A c c o r d i n g t o h i m , m i n m u s t n o t be s i m p l y i d e n t i f i e d w i t h t h e Mosaic T o r a h given a t Sinai b u t has t o b e u n d e r s t o o d in t h e c o n t e x t of t h e o r d e r of c r e a t i o n . A l t h o u g h this is t r u e for s o m e passages, it is clearly w r o n g for o t h e r s . Before w e a t t e m p t t o a n a l y z e t h e r e l e v a n t references t h e m a t i cally we will first have t o discuss t h e different t e r m s referring t o law in Sir. As this has n o t b e e n d o n e b e f o r e in a n e x h a u s t i v e m a n n e r w e will have t o go i n t o m o r e details t h a n we did w i t h regard t o Ben Sira's c o n c e p t of w i s d o m .
3.1. Terminology O n t h e basis of t h e H e b r e w ' ^ ^ a n d G r e e k c o n c o r d a n c e s for S i r a c h w e will t r e a t all o c c u r r e n c e s o f m n n , m s a , U3U?n , p i n and m n ' as well as t h e o c c u r r e n c e s of t h e G r e e k t e r m s Kpi.ua , a n d X d y o g Kvpiov, t a k i n g n o t e of t h e im m e d i a t e c o n t e x t s , especially of parallel t e r m s . I'onoq , evroXt],
(1) Torah. T h e t e r m m m o c c u r s 12 t i m e s in Sir: 1 5 , 1 b ; 3 2 (35), 15a.17b.18b.23a; 33(36), 2a.3b; 41,4a.8b; 42,2a; 45,5d; 49, 4 c . E x c e p t in 3 2 , 1 7 b . 1 8 b ; 4 1 , 4 a , m m is always t r a n s l a t e d b y
124 125 126 127
K. Berger, o.c, p.46 with regard to Sir 3 2 , 2 3 . O. Rickenbacher, Weisheitsperikopen, pp.85-89. D. Barthelemy, O. Rickenbacher, Konkordanz zum Hebrdischen Sirach, 1 9 7 3 . E. Hatch, H.A. Redpath, A Concordance to the Septuagint and the other Greek Versions of the Old Testament (Including the Apocyphical Books), 2 vols., 1897 (= 1975).
32
Ben Sira's Concept
of [.aw and the
Commandments
In 15,1 the phrase m i n U7Sn = "to take hold of the law" (cf. Jer 2,8) is parallel with m n ' ' K T ="to fear the Lord". The result of both is the gaining o f wisdom. In Jer 2,8 this phrase clearly refers to the Torah of the priests (!), very probably the Mosaic legislation 128. . ! „ 3 2 , 1 5 H the phrase m i n U/TT = "to seek the law" is used and is directly parallel with ( v . l 4 a . l 6 c ) and with ' ' S D n 12? I T (v.I4c). In Esr 7,10 a ; - n is used in connection with n i n ' m i n, signifying the Mosaic legislation embodied in the Pentateuch 129. 32,15a can be considered as cor responding to the "fear of the Lord" in v.16a. The context of w . 14-16 makes it probable that n i T J l i n v. 15 has a 'theological' (and not only a purely sapiential) meaning as well^^O . 3 2 , 1 7 H is more difficult to understand. reads la-IX inKT m i n "JU^a'' which is best translated as "to force the law to suit one's necess i ( y " l 3 l If ; T ) i n in v.15 is taken t o refer to the written law it is plausible to take the same meaning h e r e l 3 2 . . 3 2 , 1 8 H uses the phrase m i f l latff which proves that n i i n signifies here God's laws and commands (iai2? is used w i t h n i S a / m x a in 15,15; 3 2 , 2 3 H E ; 3 7 , 1 2 ; 4 4 , 2 0 ) 1 3 3 despite the fact that n i i n corresponds e contrario with D3n - A similar phrdsel34 is repeated in 32,23H1*, again clearly referring t o the Mosaic law; n I S a in v.22a.b is parallel to m i n in v . 2 3 . • In 33,2H n T i n is parallel to the "fear of the Lord" in v . l a and to the "word of the Lord" ( n i n ' > 1 3 T ) i n v.3a. Thus it is plausible to take this as a reference t o the Mosaic law as well. The fourth parallel term is again m m in 33,3bH. - In 4 1 , 4 we have the expression ( ]l)"''?y m i D which corresponds with the Jlia • ' ' p i n , the fixed order of God with regard to d e a t h l 3 5 . Thus, m i f l here refers to God's order of creation. - I n 4 1 , 8 the term jl'Vy m i n is repeated, n o w referring to the Mosaic law 13 6. g g ^ gira laments about the wicked and worthless men w h o have "forsaken" ( a i y ) the law. In the OT aTJ?i» used 60 times for people w h o forsake God, hiscovenant, or his c o m m a n d m e n t s ! 37 . 42,1-8 Ben Sira lists things one should not be ashamed of, or bad habits and abuses from which o n e should abstain. This list is preceded by the reference to the constitutional foundation of the Jewish state.
128 Cf. R. Smend, Weisheit, p . I 3 9 ; J. Haspecker, Gottesfurcht, pp.I40f., 3 2 9 ; J. Marbock, Weisheit, p.89; idem, "Gesetz", BZ 20 (1976) 10. 129 Cf. the later technical usage of ^ ^ , especially in Rabbinic texts. 130 Cf. J.G. Snaith, Ecclesiasticus, p p . l 5 7 f . ; Box/Oesterly, APOT 1 ( 1 9 1 3 ) 4 2 7 ; J . Haspecker, o.c, p p . 2 2 5 , 2 2 7 , 2 6 6 n . 4 8 . Contra G. Sauer, JSHRZ 111/5 ( 1 9 8 1 ) 5 8 4 w h o translates with "Wcisung". 131 Following Box/Oesterley, o . c , p . 4 2 7 . 132 This view is shared by T. Middendorp, Stellung, 1 9 7 3 , p. 163. 133 The phrase n T i n l a i y / m s a •^^W is very prominent in the OT ( 5 0 x in Deut, 2 1 x i n Ps 1 1 9 ) . C f . G . Sauer, mTHATZ (1976) 9 8 5 . 134 H B has m m 1 S 1 J ( c f . Ps 105,45; 119,34; Prov 28,7; TSa with n i S a is used in Ps 7 8 , 7 ; 1 1 9 , 1 1 5 ; see also Ps 1 1 9 , 2 . 2 2 . 3 3 . 5 6 . 6 9 . 1 1 0 . 1 2 9 . 1 4 5 ) . H*- has probably m m naiU?: see the reconstruction by E. Vanttioni, Ecclesiastico, p.l 73. Since H ^ h a s 1 I Z 7 D J / 1 u ; B a l a u ; three times (v.22a.c.23a) the reading of H E ( 1 X 1 J 1 U ? S 3 ) should be dismissed. 135 On this meaning of p i n see G. Liedke, in THAT m m with eOSoKia viiiarov. 136 See also T. Middendorp, SfWiung, p . 1 6 3 . 137 See H . P . Stiihh, in r / / / i r 2 ( 1 9 7 6 ) 2 5 1 . 138 See G. Liedke, in r//y4r 1 ( 1 9 7 1 ) 6 3 0 - 6 3 2 .
1 ( 1 9 7 1 ) 629f. G translates
Term ino logy
^^
the T o r a h l 3 9 . . i n 45,5 Ben Sira emphasizes that God gave t o Moses the command ment ( m s a ) , the law of life and discernment (71213111 •''''n m i n ) in order that he might teach ( 7 a b ) Jacob his statues ( D ' p n ) , Israel his testimonies ( m i y ) and decrees (D'>DSU;a)- This comprehensive enumeration of legal terms, together with the context (the description o f Moses in the laus patrum), prove that 45,5 is another reference t o the Mosaic Torah given at S i n a i ' 4 0 . . 49,4 has the same phrase as 41,8b: ]1'''?j; m m a t 57-In the context the kings of Judah are accused of hav ing forsaken the "law o f the Most High". Considering the OT context of similar or identical accusations, m m here must refer to the Mosaic law as w e l l ' ^ l .
T h u s , of t h e 12 o c c u r r e n c e s of m m in Sirach, ll'"*^ refer t o t h e T o r a h , t h e lex revelata, t h e c o n s t i t u t i o n a l a n d spiritual basis of Israel's h f e . T h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of m m w i t h n i s a , a ' p n , n n j / , a n d o'DSiffa referring t o t h e Mosaic l a w m a k e s it plausible t o t a k e t h e o t h e r o c c u r r e n c e s of ' l a w ' as references t o t h e Mosaic T o r a h as well'"*^. We have t o reject O . R i c k e n b a c h e r ' s s t a t e m e n t t h a t w i t h t h e e x c e p t i o n of 2 4 , 2 3 t h e r e is n o r e a s o n , " d i e B e d e u t u n g a u f e i n e erst a m Sinai e r g a n g e n e T o r a h einzuengen"''**. T h e fact t h a t t h e 12 o c c u r r e n c e s of m m in Prov d o n o t refer t o G o d ' s l a w in m o s t cases is n o p r o o f t h a t t h e same h o l d s t r u e for Ben Sira's w i s d o m b o o k . I n Prov m m is o f t e n c o n s t r u c t e d w i t h a genitive i n d i c a t i n g t h e s o u r c e of i n s t r u c t i o n , w h i c h o f t e n is t h e w i s d o m t e a c h e r o r t h e father (cf. Prov 1,8; 3,1 ; 4 , 2 ; 6 , 2 0 . 2 3 ; 7 , 2 ; 31,26). In Sir, h o w e v e r , we have four times t h e p h r a s e V^V m m ( 4 1 , 4 . 8 ; 4 2 , 2 ; 4 9 , 4 ) , four times t h e c o r r e l a t i o n of l a w a n d t h e fear of t h e L o r d ( 1 5 , 1 ; 3 2 , 1 5 ; 3 3 , 2 . 3 ) , a n d o n e r e f e r e n c e t o t h e Sinaitic revelation of t h e Mosaic l a w ( 4 5 , 5 ) . T h e references t o m m i n 3 2 , 1 7 b . l 8 b . 2 3 a are h n k e d w i t h t h e n a n b u t also w i t h t h e
139 Cf. T. Middendorp, o.c, p. 1 6 3 ; J.G. Snaith, Ecclesiasticus, p.203; G. Sauer, in JSHRZ 111/5 (1981) 6 0 8 . 140 Cf. R. Smend, Weisheit, p . 4 2 8 , J. Haspecker, Gottesfurcht, p . l 5 3 n.65;J. Marbock, "Der schriftgelehrte Weise", BETL 51 (1979) 3 0 2 w h o acknowledges the fact that 4 5 , 5 refers t o the Mosaic legislation, i.e. to the Sinaitic Torah, and not to sapiential instruction. 141 Cf. T. Middendorp, SteUung, p.l 6 3 . 142 The exception is 4 1 , 1 where the fixed order of creation is referred t o . 143 Cf. T. Middendorp, o . c , p p . 1 6 2 - 1 6 4 . See further infra. 144 O. Rickenbacher, Weisheitsperikopen, p . 8 8 . His alternative view of the meaning of b w in Sirach ("die Torah kann von der Schopfung an begonnen haben", ibid.) is totally speculative. His explanation that even in 2 4 , 2 3 nothing indicates "dafi nicht auch die Torah schon von Angang der Welt und der Menschen an da war" (p.89) is simply an argumentum e silentio.
34
Ben Sira's Concept
of Law and the
Commandments
fear of t h e L o r d ( v . l 6 ) , w i t h t h e k e e p i n g of t h e c o m m a n d m e n t s ( v . l 8 b H ^ ' " ' ^ . 2 2 a ) , and with trusting the Lord (v.22b). (2) Mizvah. B e n Sira uses t h e t e r m m s i a l O t i m e s : 6 , 3 6 b ; 1 0 , 19d; 15,15a; 32(35),18b.22b.d; 37,12b; 44,20a; 45,5c.l7a. Ex c e p t in 3 2 , 1 8 b . 2 2 d ; 4 4 , 2 0 , msTo sg. is t r a n s l a t e d w i t h evro'Kai pi'4'.
In t h e O T , especially in D e u t , m s a is u s e d as t h e d e s i g n a t i o n of a c o r p u s of d e c r e e s a n d c o m m a n d m e n t s , even as d e s i g n a t i o n of t h e law as a w h o l e : as c o m p r e h e n s i v e t e r m in c o n j u n c t i o n w i t h • ••pn a n d ni'oti^'a ( D e u t 5 , 3 1 ; 6 , 1 ; 7 , 1 1 ) , a n d in t h e f o r m u l a mran b:> ( D e u t 5 , 3 1 ; 6 , 2 5 ; 8 , 1 ; 1 1 , 8 . 2 2 ; cf. J o s h 2 2 , 3 . 5 ; 2Kgs 17,19.37; J e r 32,11). In the deuteronomistic a n d chronistic con t e x t m s a is o f t e n u s e d in s e q u e n c e s of t e r m s for law a n d c o m m a n d m e n t s w h i c h s y n o n y m o u s l y refer t o t h e w h o l e of, o r p a r t of, t h e l a w ' ^ . T h e e v i d e n c e in S i r a c h is as follows. In 6,36H (=6,37G) m x a is parallel to the "fear of the Lord". Ben Sira calls upon his readers to "study" or "meditate u p o n " ( 7 1 J T I ) the commandments of God. The term 7 1 i 7 1 = "murmelnd b e d e n k e n " ' * ' is used in 14,20 in connection with 7 1 0 3 n but is used in Josh 1,8; Ps 1,2 in connection with 7 m n . The fruit of this study of the law is insight and wisdom. - In 10,19 711 X ! 3 and the fear of the Lord are parallel again. Ben Sira states that those people are worthy of contempt w h o "transgress" ( y ) the commandments. In the OT "laj? is often used for the trangression of the T o r a h ' 4 8 . . 1 5 5 has 71 1 Jfa TQU? = "to keep the commandments", and parallels the phrase "to act according to God's pleasure ( ] 1 S T )"• Here 7 1 1 refers to the whole law as an expression of the way of life God approves'*^. - Following H""" and H E w e read in 3 2 , 1 8 b T l l S D Hp'' ( H ^ has I Q U ; ' ' ) " ^ which is parallel to T l T i n i n u ? ' in v . l 8 d , referring to the Mosaic law. It also corresponds with the fear of the Lord in v . I 6 . - In 32,22b.d we have again the phrase "IBU? m s n (HB;HBin has pi. m s a ) , correlating with n i l D T X : - in v.23a. - Ih 3 7 , 1 2 the phrase 7 1 1 X 0 T B B ' is repeated again and is linked in synonymous parallelism with the fear of the Lord. - 4 4 , 2 0 related that Abraham has "kept" ( T Q I Z ; ) the "commandments of the Most High" (TV'py m S Q ) , "entered into a covenant with him", and accepted circumcision as a mark of the covenant. If 71 I S a d o e s not refer to the Mosaic Torah h e r c ' ^ l jt certainly refers to the lex revelata. - In 46,5c
145 In 4 4 , 2 0 the Greek text has v6ixo<;. Cf. O. Rickenbacher, Weisheitsperikopen, pp. 69-71 for further details. 146 C f . G . Liedke, in 7-2 (1976) 535f. 147 Cf. L. Koehler, W. Baumgartner, Hebraisches und Aramaisches Lexikon zum Alten Testament, ^\967, I , p . 2 2 8 . 148 With nin"' •»S(Num 1 4 , 4 1 ; 2 2 , 1 8 ; 2 4 , 1 3 ; ISam 16,24), n i X a (Deut 2 6 , 1 3 ; 2Chr 2 4 , 2 0 ) , and m m (Is 24,5). Cf. H.P. Stahli, TT/^r 2 (1976) 2 0 4 . 149 Cf. J.G. Snaith, Ecclesiasticus, p.79. 150 R. Smend and Box/Oesterley read 7 n m Dp''. 151 Cf.J.G. Snaith, o . c , p . 2 1 9 .
Terminology
35
m S Q clearly refers to the Mosaic Law. - In 4 5 , 1 7 Aaron is described as having re ceived God's m s n (parallel t o p n and DSWa). These terms certainly refer to God's revealed law as well, probably t o the Mosaic law which was the foundation of the Jewish state ruled by the priests'5 2.
It follows from this discussion t h a t p r o b a b l y " ^ all 10 o c c u r r e n c e s of m x a in Sir refer t o t h e revealed l a w of G o d w h i c h , in the historical c o n t e x t , would be identified with the Mosaic law. F o u r t i m e s n 1 x a is l i n k e d w i t h t h e fear of t h e L o r d ( 6 , 3 6 ; 1 0 , 1 9 ; 3 2 , 1 8 ; 3 7 , 1 2 ) . Sir usess m s n always in t h e singular: " F u r B e n Sira g e h t es n i c h t u m e i n z e l n e G e b o t e , s o n d e r n u m die T o r a h iiberh a u p t , u m sie als g e s a m t e " ' ' * . (3) Mishpat. T h e t e r m DSiffn o c c u r s ' 2 0 t i m e s in B e n Sira: 13 r e f e r e n c e s a r e of t h e o l o g i c a l significance: 3 2 ( 3 5 ) , 1 6 a . c ; 3 5 ( 3 2 ) , 1 2 . 1 7 . 1 7 ; 4 2 , 2 b ; 4 3 , 1 3 ; 4 5 , 5 - 6 . 1 0 c . l 7 b . d ; 4 8 , 7 b ; 5 0 , 1 9 ' ' ' . I t is m o s t o f t e n t r a n s l a t e d w i t h Kplixa, K p t a t ? , or r e l a t e d t e r m s . I n t h e O T , U s\i; generally designates " e i n l l a n d e l n , d u r c h das die g e s t o r t e O r d n u n g e i n e r ( R e c h t s - ) G e m e i n s c h a f t w i e d e r h e r g c stcllt w i r d " " ^ . T h e p h r a s e m n ' ' DSii'n refers t o Y a h w e h ' s sen t e n c e or j u d g m e n t (cf. J o b 4 0 , 1 8 ; Is 3 , 1 4 ; 3 0 , 1 8 ) a n d t o his o r d e r , w a y , or legal claim (cf. 2Kgs 1 7 , 2 6 - 2 7 ; Is 5 1 , 4 ; 5 8 , 2 ; H o s 6 , 5 ) , rarely signifying t h e law. H o w e v e r , t h e p i . D ' u s a ; a refers t o t h e " i n s J a h w e r e c h t e i n g e g l i e d e r t e n k a s u i s t i s c h e n R e c h t s s a t z e " ' " (cf. Lev 18,4ff.; 2 6 , 1 5 . 4 3 ; D e u t 3 3 , 1 0 ; Ps 1 9 , 1 0 ; 8 9 , 3 1 ; 1 1 9 , 2 0 . 3 9 ; Is 2 6 , 8 - 9 ) , a n d , in c o n n e c t i o n w i t h o t h e r t e r m s for l a w , I 3 s u ; a / D i u s u ; a s y n o n y m o u s l y d e s i g n a t e t h e c o m m a n d m e n t s of Y a h w e h . T h e e v i d e n c e in Sir is as follows. In S2,16a.c it is stated that those w h o fear the Lord " k n o w " ( ] 1 3 ) his law (USU^H sg.). In the context we have parallel terms for law including n i l f l ( w . l 7 b . l 8 c ) and m X a ( w . l 8 b H B ' " . E . 2 2 b . d ) . Thus, a reference to the Mosaic law is quite possible. In 3 5 , 1 2 . 1 7 Yahweh is called U3U?a ''n'PN, "God o f judgment", w h o , as "righteous judge" DS1U?) "exercises justice" ( DBWa n u / y ) . There is no reference t o the Mosaic law intended. - In 4 2 , 2 b H ^ m and read DDB'n instead of p''7Sn (G has Kplfiara). Since this term is preceded by n i i n and p m we have prob ably another reference to the written law. - The term DSli^Q m p ' ' T in 4 3 , 1 3 re-
152 153 154 155 156 157
Cf. T. .Middendorp, SteUung, p . 1 6 3 ; H. Stadelmann, Ben Sira, p . 1 5 4 n . l . T h e evidence in 3 7 , 1 2 is n o t as clear as in the other passages. O. Rickenbacher, Weisheitsperikopen, p.70. The other 7 occurrences are 4,9HA; 3 0 , 2 0 ; 3 2 ( 3 5 ) , 5 b ; 3 8 , 1 6 c ; 3 9 , 2 9 ; 4 1 , 1 6 ; 4 7 , 1 0 . G. Liedke, in r«yl 7-2 ( 1 9 7 6 ) 1 0 0 1 . G. L i e d k e , i n r / / / i r 2 ( 1 9 7 6 ) 1009.
36
Ben Sira's Concept
of Law and the
Commandments
fers again to God's judgment (cf. 35,12.1 7; 3 9 , 2 9 ) . - In 4 5 , 5 D''UDlJ'a is the last term for law after H I X a , m i n , D'' pn and n i l y. Thus, this is a clear reference to the Mosaic Torah. - In 4 5 , 1 0 c we have again the meaning "judgment", referring to Aaron's legal responsibilities. - In 45,17b.d OStt'a is again linked with n i s a a n d p i n , designating the Mosaic law. - Although 4 8 , 7 refers to the events at Sinai, DSU?a does not refer to God's law given to Moses but to God's judgment. - In 5 0 , 19 1''UBU'a does not designate the Mosaic law either.
T h u s , OSB'a refers t o t h e revealed Mosaic l a w o n l y in 3 2 , 1 6 a . c ; 4 2 , 2 ; 4 5 , 5 . 1 7 b . d w i t h t h e last t h r e e references b e i n g t h e m o s t defi nite o n e s . In 3 2 , 1 6 a . c UD©a is l i n k e d with t h e fear of t h e L o r d . (4) Hug. T h e t e r m p n o c c u r s 21 times in Sir: 1 1 , 1 7 c . 1 8 a ; 1 4 , 12C.17'; 1 6 , 2 0 ; 3 8 , 2 2 ; 3 9 , 3 1 b ; 4 1 , 2 a . 3 a ; 4 2 , 2 ; 4 3 , 7 a . l O a . l 2 a ; 4 4 , 5 a . 2 0 c ; 4 5 , 5 e . 7 a . l 7 b . c . 2 4 a ; 4 7 , l I c . G has 1 0 timess 8iadr}Kn a n d 4 times Kpifia. T h e p r i m a r y m e a n i n g o f p n is " s o m e t h i n g s c r a t c h e d o n , confin ing line o r l i m i t " . I t is o f t e n u s e d o f a fixed o r d e r (e.g. of t h e stars) of G o d (cf. G e n 4 7 , 2 6 ; J d g 1 1 , 3 9 ; J o b 2 8 , 2 6 ; Ps 1 4 8 , 2 - 6 ; J e r 3 1 , 3 6 ) . Its t h e o l o g i c a l significance lies in t h e fact t h a t it describes G o d ' s acts a n d o r d e r s ' o f c r e a t i o n ( J o b 3 8 , 1 0 . 3 3 ; Prov 8 , 2 7 . 2 9 ; J e r 5 , 2 2 . 2 4 ; 3 3 , 2 5 ) , m a n ' s ' l i m i t s ' s e t b y G o d (Joh 1 4 , 5 . 1 3 ; 2 3 , 1 4 ; Prov 3 0 , 8 ) , t h e priestly s h a r e in t h e sacrifices (cf. E x 2 9 , 2 8 ; Lev 6, 1 1 ) , a n d ( m o s t l y w i t h t h e pi.) also G o d ' s l a w w h e n used in con j u n c t i o n w i t h o t h e r t e r m s for l a w ( w i t h •''UEUffa in D e u t 4 , 1 . 5 . 8 . 1 4 . 4 5 ; 5 , 1 . 3 1 ; 6 . 1 . 2 0 ; 7 , 1 1 ; 1 1 , 3 2 ; 1 2 , 1 ; 2 6 , 1 6 - 1 7 ; N e h 1,7; 9 , 1 3 ; 1 0 , 3 0 ; I C h r 2 2 , 1 3 ; 2 C h r 7 , 1 7 ; 1 9 , 1 0 ; 3 3 , 8 ; Ez 5 , 6 - 7 ; w i t h n i s a in D e u t 6 , 2 ; 8 , 1 1 ; 1 0 , 1 3 ; 1 1 , 1 ; 2 8 , 1 5 . 4 5 ) ' ' * . T h e e v i d e n c e in Sir is as follows. In Sir p n often refers t o the fixed orders set by God which affect man: the inescap able lot of death ( l l , 1 7 c H ; 1 4 , 1 2 . 1 7 ; 3 8 , 2 2 ; 41,2a.3a); the particular profession of man as 'temperal order' ( 1 1 , 1 8 H ) ; God's final judgment which the godless take to be far away and uncertain ( 1 6 , 2 0 H); God's rule over creation and his command ini tiating judgment ( 3 9 , 3 1 ) ; the cosmic order of stars ( 4 3 , 1 0 ) ; and the fixed times which they indicate, pn also denotes the musical order of composition in the writing of psalms ( 4 4 , 5 ) . But pn also refers t o orders of theological significance: the 'order' of circumcision which is God's convenant with Israel ( 4 4 , 2 0 ) , and the established law or 'order' of a covenant into which certain individuals are placed by God (Levi 4 5 , 7 ; Aaron 4 5 , 1 7 ; Phinehas 4 5 , 2 4 ; David 4 7 , 1 1 ) . Finally, p n i s used in conjunction
158 Cf. G. Liedke, THAT 1 ( 1 9 7 1 ) 6 2 7 - 6 3 2 . On p n as term for the cosmic order see also S. Aalen, Die Begriffe 'Licht' und 'Finstemis' im Alten Testament, im Spdtjudentum und im Rabbinismus, 1951, pp.158-163.
Terminology of, and synonymous with, 6 e . l 7 b . c ; c f . 4 2 , 2 ) 159.
r m f l , mXH, and UB1Z;?3, refering to the Mosaic law ( 4 5 ,
T h u s , p n refers t o t h e Mosaic law in 4 2 , 2 ; 4 5 , 5 e . l 7 b . c . In t h e m a j o r i t y of t h e o t h e r references it signifies G o d ' s o r d e r s in crea t i o n a n d / o r in t h e h i s t o r y of Israel. (5) Dabar Yahweh. Ben Sira refers 8 t i m e s t o t h e m n ' n a i : 3 3 , 3 a H ; 4 3 , 5 b . l 0 a . 2 6 b . 2 9 b ; 4 7 , 2 2 b ; 4 8 , 3 a ; 5 1 , 3 0 e . In 7 cases ( e x c e p t 4 3 , 2 9 b ) G has Xdyo? Kvpiov. In 3 3 , 3 m n ' corresponds with m i n , referring to God's revealed law. In the majority of the other occurrences the term designates God's word which is active in creation ( 4 3 , 5 . 1 0 . 2 6 . 2 9 ; cf. 4 8 , 3 ) .
(6) Nomas. T h e t e r m uoiuoq o c c u r s in G 2 6 t i m e s w h i c h is 9 t i m e s t h e t r a n s l a t i o n of m i n . We will discuss h e r e o n l y t h o s e pas sages w h i c h a r e e x t a n t in G r e e k o n l y ( 1 4 r e f e r e n c e s ) . T h e o t h e r s , focusing o n t h e H e b r e w original, w e r e t r e a t e d a b o v e . In the prologue (prol.) komo? clearly refers to the Pentateuch: w . 1 - 2 read "the law and the prophets and the others which followed them", and w . 8 - 1 0 mentions the "law and the prophets and the other books of the fathers". - In 2,16 i^iioq corres ponds with God's pfiiiara and b&oL (v.l5a) thus referring to God's revealed lawl^*^. - 17,11 is the first verse of the third part of Ben Sira's great pericope on God's wise order in creation which is especially evident among God's people ( 1 7 , 1 1 - 1 4 ) . God gave to Israel "knowledge" (iitujT^ixr]) and the "law of life" (fiMoc {•w'??). As v6iio<; fu>T7
159 Cf. also H. Stadelmann, Ben Sira, p . 1 5 4 n.l who does not list all referencesof pn, however. 160 Cf. R.J. Bdnki, Jesus and the Law, p.54. 161 Cf. M. Lohr, Bildung, p p . 5 4 - 5 7 ; J . Marbock, "Der schriftgelehrte Weise", BETL 51 ( 1 9 7 9 ) 3 0 2 . 162 Cf. J . Haspecker, Gottesfurcht, pp.52 n.7,156; acknowledged for 18,20 by J . Marbock, Weisheit, p . 8 9 . 163 Cf. G . S a u e r , / S / / / J Z 111/5 ( 1 9 8 1 ) 5 5 7 .
38
Ben Sira's Concept
of Law and the
Commandments
law: the w o m a n who leaves her husband and commits adultery breaks the (written) law. - In 2 4 , 2 3 the Mosaic b w is envisaged as well: ^i(3Ko<; Siadrixtji; i)i//iaToy (v.23) is equated by s y n o n y m o u s parallelism with vo/iov 6v evrelXaro finiv Mwvari<; (v. 23b) 164 . In 34 s po'/uoc also refers to the revealed, written law of God 165. . 32(35), 1 states that "he w h o keeps the law increases the sacrifices". Here udjuo? clearly refers to the Mosaic (cultic) law. It is paralleled by euroKaC in v.2. - 3 9 , 8 are part of Ben Sira's description o f the scribes and his activities (38,34c-39,1 i): the scribe studies and mediates ( S i a c o o w ) o n God's law (i/6tii^ v\piaTou, 3 8 , 3 4 d ) and teaches his in struction (rraiSela 6UiaoKaKla<:, 3 9 , 8 a ) , and glories in the "law of the covenant o f the Lord" (ev v6^i^^J 6iai?TSKr)
F r o m t h e 14 references t o vofiof; w h i c h are e x t a n t o n l y in G r e e k , 12 or p o s s i b l y 13 refer t o t h e Mosaic law: p r o l . 1.8; 2 , 1 6 ; 1 7 , 1 1 ; 1 9 , 1 7 . 2 0 . 2 4 ; 2 1 , 1 1 ( ? ) ; 2 3 , 2 3 ; 2 4 , 2 3 ; 3 2 ( 3 5 ) , 1 ; 3 8 , 3 4 d ; 3 9 , 8 . In at least f o u r passages f d/uo? is l i n k e d w i t h t h e fear o f t h e L o r d : 2 , 1 6 ; 1 9 , 2 0 . 2 4 ; 2 1 , 1 1 (cf. 1 9 , 1 1 ) . (7) Entole. G uses evroXiq 18 t i m e s w h i c h is 7 t i m e s t h e t r a n s l a t i o n o f n i S Q . We will discuss o n l y the 9 r e f e r e n c e s w h i c h are e x t a n t o n l y in t h e G r e e k M S S : 1,26; 2 3 , 2 7 ; 2 8 , 6 . 7 ; 2 9 , 1 . 9 . 1 1 ; 3 2 (35),2.7. In 1,26 the keeping of the commandments (ivroXai) is presented as the basis for acquiring wisdom, and is related t o the fear of the Lord (v.27). Similar passages make it quite plausible to see here a reference to the T o r a h l 6 7 . - 23,27 is the end of the pericope o n the adulterous w o m a n (23,22-27) w h o had been accused in 2 3 , 2 3 of having been disobedient to the Mosaic law. In v.27 we have the 'moral' of the story: nothing is better than the fear of the Lord, and nothing is sweeter than the keeping of the commandments of the Lord (i.e. the Mosaic law). - In 28,6b Ben Sira summons his readers to keep God's emoXai, reminding them that they have to die (and will face judgment). This is immaliately followed by a second call to "remember" God's commandments (28,7a) as well as God's covenant. The last expression proves that in both cases Ben Sira refers to the Mosaic law. - In 29,1 the keeping of the command ments is Unked with "practising mercy" and "lending to one's neighbour", suggest ing again that an imphcit reference t o Israel's law is meant here. The same is true for 29,9 where the reader is challenged to support the poor "for the sake of the com mandment" (cf. Deut 15,7-11), and for 29,11 where the reader is asked to spend his money "according to the commandments of the Most High". - In 3 2 ( 3 5 ) , 2.7 ^vroKai (and vdiiot; in v . l ) is related to the cultic (Mosaic, levitic) law of Israel (cf. Ex 2 3 , 1 5 ; 3 4 , 2 0 ; Deut 1 6 , 1 6 ; 26,1-4).
164 Cf. O. Kaiser, "Begnindung der Sittlichkeit", ZThK 55 ( 1 9 5 8 ) 56; E. Jacob, "Wis dom and Religion in Sirach", 1978, p.255. 165 C f . J . G . Snaith. Ecclesiasticus, pp.l65f.; G. Sauer, o.c, p . 5 8 8 . 166 Cf. M. Lohr, o . c , p . 102; J . Marbock, a . c , p . 3 0 2 . 167 Cf. J. Haspecker, Gottesfurcht, pp.315f. He points out that the pi. is "Eigenform von G" and that H probably had the sg. (cf. 6,36; 1 0 , 1 9 ; 15,15; 3 7 , 1 2 etc.). See also M. Lohr, Bildung, pp.3 If.
Terminology
39
T h u s , all t h e 9 r e f e r e n c e s t o evToXrj jivTo\ai w h i c h are e x t a n t o n l y in G refer t o t h e Mosaic law. I n t w o passages " c o m m a n d m e n t ( s ) " is/are Hnked w i t h t h e fear of t h e L o r d : 1,26; 2 3 , 2 7 . (8) KrimaJThe t e r m Kpiiia is u s e d 19 t i m e s in Sir (4 t i m e s for p n a n d 6 t i m e s for Dsu;?3 . It o c c u r s o n l y in 4 passages w h i c h are n o t e x t a n t in H. In 17,12b Kpifiara clearly refers to the decrees of the Mosaic law since it is parallel to the "eternal covenant" which God made with Israel at Sinai (v.l2a) and with the "law of life" which God gave t o his people (v.l l b ) 1 6 8 _ . jj, j g 1 4 ^pi^ara is parallel to naiSeCa and refers to the orders of God. - In 19,25 and 21,5 Kpitia refers to a "judgment" of the wise or the poor.
T h u s , 1 7 , 1 2 is t h e o n l y passage, n o t e x t a n t in H, w h e r e designates t h e Mosaic law. (9) Logos.
Kpinara
Ben Sira uses t h e t e r m Xd70<; 7 3 t i m e s ' ^ ^ .
5 4 times it refers to sapiential concepts with regard to 'speech ethics'. In 5 passages it denotes the word of God in creation ( 3 9 , 3 1 ; 4 2 , 1 5 ; 4 3 , 5 . 1 0 . 2 6 ) or in prophets ( 4 8 , 3.5; cf. 4 5 , 3 ) , and in one passage it refers to a prophetic utterance ( 4 8 , 1 ) . It does not refer to the Torah of Israel.
We are n o w able t o s u m m a r i z e t h e t e r m i n o l o g i c a l e v i d e n c e w i t h regard t o B e n Sira's c o n c e p t of law. D e s p i t e t h e fact t h a t t h e law is never t h e subject of a p a r t i c u l a r p e r i c o p e o r h y m n it m u s t be ad m i t t e d t h a t t h e s h e e r n u m b e r of u n a m b i g u o u s references t o t h e law of Israel i n d i c a t e s h o w i m p o r t a n t a n d basic t h e revealed l a w as ( w r i t t e n ) lex revelata was for Ben Sira''*^. We e s t a b l i s h e d 5 3 or possibly 5 6 references t o t h e Mosaic l a w . T h e e v i d e n c e c a n be p r e s e n t e d as follows:
168 Cf. M. Lohr, Bildung, p . 5 5 . 169 E. Hatch, H.A. Redpath do not list 3 6 ( 3 3 ) , 3 ; 4 7 , 2 2 . 170 E.G. Bauckmann, "Proverbien und die Spriiche des Jesus Sirach", Z ^ W 7 2 ( 1 9 6 0 ) 48 says that Torah, for Ben Sira, refers to the "altergebrachten Ordnungen Gottes fiir Israel". M. Hengel, Judentum, p.253 agrees that, for Ben Sira, torah signifies "in der Regel die konkrete Tora Moses" and that the same is true for mizvah (p.253 n.216).Similarly,E. Rivkin, "BenSira - The Bridge between Aaronide and Pharisaic Revolutions", Eretz Israel 12 ( 1 9 7 5 ) 9 5 n.l points out that Ben Sira witnesses to a society "operating on the basis of a literal reading of the Pentateuch". P.S. Fiddes, Hiddenness, p.315 says that in Sir 'Torah' is "compact", a fixed body of materiaL It is difficult to understand how R.A.F. MacKenzie, "Ben Sira as Historian", 1 9 7 8 , p.324 could write that "Ben Sira has a real distaste, or perhaps distrust, for a writ ten law".
Ben Sira's Concept
40 Ref.
Prol.
of Law and the
H
-
1
1,26 2 , 16
(li''7y)
mxn
lO, 1 9
mxn
15,1
m m
17,12 19,17 19, 20
-
19,24
-
21,11
-
23,23 23,27
v6)aos
^vToAat
(KijpCou)
evToAat
^VToAat
15,15 17,11
G
-
8
6,36
Commandments
v 6 u o s £crfis
viviDQ
UiJllOTOU
v6yos
^VTOAal HUpLOU
24,23
-
28,6
-
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-
evToAal uJJLcrTou
28,7 29, 1 29,9 2 9 , 11
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3 2 , 15 32,16a?
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32,16c?
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3 2 , 17
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nixn
cp6|3os ?
32,18d
m m
-
32,22b
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32,22d
(Continued on page 4 1 )
41
Terminology (Continued from page 4 0 )
Ref.
H
32,23
m m
33,2
m m
min
34,8 35, 1 35,2 35,7 37,12?
vdviOQ A;6YOS
3 3 , 3a 33,3b
G
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-
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nixn
38,34
-
39,8
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41,8
lT''7y
m m
V6V10C UpCOTOU
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li'»'7y
jnm
v6lJOS CXIJCOTOU
pn
42,2a 42,2b 44, 20
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nixn
45,5c
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45,5d
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45,5e 45,5f 45,17a
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45,17b
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45,17b
KpCyaia
45,17c
pop-Clip t a
45,17d
v6vioc
49,4
lT''7y
m m
We have seen t h a t B e n Sira never uses t h e different t e r m s for law in a genitive c o n s t r u c t i o n w i t h t e r m s like f a t h e r , m o t h e r , or w i s d o m t e a c h e r ( u n l i k e P r o v ) . 3 4 ( 3 1 ) , 8 is t h e o n l y passage w h e r e
42
lien Sira's Concept
of Law and the
Commandments
a t e r m for law ( f O A i o ? ) is used parallel w i t h w i s d o m m e a n i n g "in struction" rather than l a w " ' . In s o m e passages 'legal' t e r m s are used for the o r d e r of c r e a t i o n w i t h was e s t a b l i s h e d b y G o d : m i n in 4 1 , 4 ; m r t ' T 3 7 in 4 3 , 1 . 5 . 1 0 . 2 6 . 2 9 (cf. 4 8 , 3 ) , a n d especially pn is often u s e d : 4 4 , 2 0 ; 4 5 , 7 . 17.24;47,11. In at least 17 passages t e r m s for law are closely linked or even i d e n t i f i e d w i t h t h e fear of t h e L o r d : m i n in 1 5 , 1 ; 3 2 , 1 5 ; 3 3 , 2 . 3 ; m s a in 6 , 3 6 ; 1 0 , 1 9 ; 3 2 , 1 8 ; 3 7 , 1 2 ; m i n in 3 2 , 1 6 a . c ; j^oAto? in 2, 1 6 ; 1 9 , 1 1 . 2 0 . 2 4 : 2 1 , l l ; a n d ivro\ri in 1 , 2 6 ; 2 3 , 2 7 . In 11 passages t e r m s for law are used in a genitive c o n s t r u c t i o n w i t h " t h e Most H i g h " or w i t h " L o r d " : 1 9 , 1 7 ; 2 3 , 2 3 . 2 7 ; 2 9 , 1 1 ; 3 8 , 3 4 ; 3 9 , 8 ; 4 1 , 8 ; 4 2 , 2 ; 4 4 , 2 0 ; 4 9 , 4 (cf. also 6 , 3 6 ; 3 2 , 1 6 ) . In 8 passages t e r m s for law are l i n k e d w i t h G o d ' s c o v e n a n t w i t h his p e o p l e : 1 7 , 1 1 . 1 2 ; 2 4 , 2 3 ; 2 8 , 7 ; 3 9 , 8 ; 4 2 , 2 G ; 4 4 , 2 0 ; 4 5 , 5 . In o t h e r cases w e h a v e a clear r e f e r e n c e t o Israel's c u l t i c law: 2 8 , 6 . 7 ; 29,1.9.11; 35,1.2.7. In 2 4 , 2 3 a n d 4 5 , 5 t h e law a n d t h e c o m m a n d m e n t s of G o d are l i n k e d w i t h Moses a n d w i t h t h e events at Sinai, a n d t h u s clearly refer t o t h e P e n t a t e u c h (cf. also p r o l . 1.8). In view of t h e s e facts it is i n t e r e s t i n g to n o t e t h a t in s o m e 2 0 passages Ben Sira calls u p o n his r e a d e r s t o " k e e p t h e l a w " ( 1 , 2 6 ; 15,1.15; 19,20; 21,11; 23,27; 28,6.7; 2 9 , 1 ; 32,22.23; 35,1.2; 3 7 , 1 2 ; 4 4 , 2 0 ; cf. 2 , 1 6 ; 6 , 3 6 ) , a n d n o t t o " b r e a k " or " t r a n s g r e s s " t h e law ( 1 0 , 1 9 ; 1 9 , 2 4 ; 4 9 , 4 ; cf. 4 1 , 8 ) .
3.2. Law and Creation It a p p e a r s t o b e m e t h o d o l o g i c a l l y u n w a r r a n t e d t o identify t h e ' l a w ' w i t h t h e divine o r d e r w h i c h includes t h e w h o l e c r e a t i o n sim ply b e c a u s e in 1 7 , 1 1 - 1 2 ' l a w ' is dealt w i t h in t h e great p e r i c o p e o n c r e a t i o n " ^ . T h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of law a n d w i s d o m c e r t a i n l y h a d c o n s e q u e n c e s (!) for t h e n a t u r e of t h e law as well as for t h e rela t i o n s h i p b e t w e e n law a n d c r e a t i o n (cf. § 4 . 2 . 1 . ) . B u t a p c t i t i o prin-
171 Similarly E.G. Bauckmann, in ZAW 12 ( 1 9 6 0 ) 4 8 . 172 Contra J. Marbock, Weisheit, pp.87f. and idem, "Gesetz", BZ 2 0 ( 1 9 7 6 ) 5f. See also P.S. ViMes, Hiddenness, 1976, p p . 3 1 7 - 3 2 1 .
Law and Creation
43
cipii has t o b e a v o i d e d . T h e r e f o r e w e will s t a r t b y limiting o u r o b s e r v a t i o n s t o t h o s e passages w h e r e legal t e r m s a r e d i r e c t l y a p plied t o t h e o r d e r of c r e a t i o n . In 4 1 , 1 r m n refers to the law of death which God imposed upon man. Ben Sira deals with the subject of death particularly in 17,1-2 and 4 1 , 1 - 4 . Death is described as man's inescapable lot, a fixed order imposed by God upon creation. T h e 'fixed' order of death is a divine p n (11,1711; 1 4 , 1 2 . 1 7 ; 3 8 , 2 2 ; 4 1 , 2 . 3 ) . - In his great h y m n o n God's creation in 4 2 , 15-43-331 73 g e n Sira uses legal terms to describe the orders which God laid u p o n "his works". At the end of his observations o n the sun (43,2-4) he quite naturally refers t o God w h o created (nitfj?) it ( 4 3 , 5 ; cf. G e n 1, 14-16): "For great is the Lord w h o made it, and his words ( T i i a T ) make his mighty (ones) brilliant". Although v.5b is not totally c l e a r l 7 4 jt is obvious that the whole verse refers to the sun ( w . 6 - 8 describe the m o o n ) . God created the sun and imposed upon it his order. The sun obeys the '•>'' D ' T a i . - The m o o n (43,6-8) was created by God to regulate ( p n ) feasts and seasons (v.7;cf. Sir 33,7-9; Gen 1,14). The same applies to the order ( p n ) of the stars ( w . 9 - 1 0 ) which was instituted by God's word ( ba "131) as well (v.10). - In 4 3 , 2 6 Ben Sira underlines the fact that "by his words" ( T>n373) God creates ( "jys ) what he wills.
T h u s we see t h a t Ben Sira d o e s u s e t h e t e r m s m m , nm"" "13 7 , a n d especially pn as d e s i g n a t i n g t h e o r d e r w h i c h G o d i m p o s e d u p o n c r e a t i o n : ".'Mies wird d u r c h das W o r t G o t t e s geschaffen, in seiner U n t e r s c h i e d e n h e i t g e o r d n e t u n d e r h a l t e n ... Z w i s c h e n d e m s c h a f f e n d e n u n d d e m e r h a l t e n d e n Wort wird n i c h t d i f f e r e n z i e r t . D e m n a c h ist G o t t e s O r d n e n u n d E r h a l t e n sein S c h a f f e n , u n d d i e O r d n u n g ( p m ) , die a u f d e m W o r t b e r u h t b z w . sein A u s d r u c k ist, ist d a s L e b e n " " ' . H o w e v e r , t h e n u m b e r of passages w h e r e legal t e r m s a r e d i r e c t l y l i n k e d w i t h c r e a t i o n a n d its c o m p r e h e n s i v e o r d e r s is n o t as great as s o m e s e e m t o suggest. If in 2 4 , 2 3 t h e l a w is i d e n t i f i e d w i t h t h e p r e c e d i n g w i s d o m a n d , as a r e s u l t , is p l a c e d i n t o t h e h o r i z o n of c r e a t i o n , t h e n this does n o t p r o v e t h a t this ' l a w ' is n o t t h e Sinaitic r e v e l a t i o n b u t s o m e u n i v e r s a l , c o s m i c l a w w h i c h o p e r a t e s in c r e a t i o n a n d h i s t o r y (cf. § 4 . 2 . 1 . ) " ^ . T h e c o n -
1 73 Cf. M. Lohr, Bildung,
pp.80-94.
174 G reads instead of T>T>3N n'Ul'i •• K-aTeanevaev nopeiav"he hastens its course" in reminiscence of Ps 19,6. J.G. Snaith, Ecclesiasticus, p.210 follows G. The plural T'T'QN is difficult. R. Smend, Weisheit, ad loc. emends t o I T i a K and reads "and his word assures victory to his mighty servant" (i.e. the sun). See also B o x / Oesterley, APOT 1 ( 1 9 1 3 ) 4 7 4 . G. Sauer, JSHRZ II1/5 ( 1 9 8 1 ) 6 1 1 translates "und seine Worte lassen aufstrahlen seine Helden". 175 M. Lohr, Bildung, p.95 in his summary of Ben Sira's concept of creation. Cf. also M. Limbeck, Von der Ohnmacht des Rechts: Untersuchungen zur Gesetzeskritik des Neuen Testaments, 1 9 7 2 , pp.18-20. 176 Contra J . Marbock, "Gesetz", BZ 2 0 ( 1 9 7 6 ) 8. On the meaning of law in 2 4 , 2 3
44
Ben Sira's Con cept of Law and the
Commandemnts
s e q u e n c e s of t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of w i s d o m a n d law, w i t h regard t o t h e law, will b e discussed later (cf. 4 . 4 . 1 ) .
3.3. Law and Salvation-History T h e fact t h a t in a t least t e n passages we find t h e p h r a s e " l a w of Y a h w e h " or " l a w of t h e M o s t H i g h " s h o w s t h e close r e l a t i o n b e t w e e n t h e law a n d t h e G o d of Israel envisaged b y B e n Sira. In 1 7 , 1 1 . 1 2 ; 2 4 . 2 3 ; 3 9 , 8 ; 4 2 , 2 G ; 4 4 , 2 0 ; 4 5 , 5 terms for law are linked with the cov enant ( j T ' i a / S i a d r i K T ) ) 1 7 7 . 17,1 1.1 2 belong to the lengthy pericope o n God's control of the world ( 1 6 , 2 4 - 1 7 , 1 4 ) . After having dealt with God's creation of the universe ( 1 6 , 2 4 - 2 8 ) and of the earth and of man ( 1 6 , 2 9 - 1 7 , 1 0 ) , he turns to the chosen people ( 1 7 , 1 1 - 1 4 ) . Israel is not mentioned until v.l 7 but it is obvious that the "law of life" (v.l 1), the "eternal law" (v.l 2a), the "commandments" (v.l 2b), and the theophany ( v . l 3 ) refer to the events at Sinai described in Ex 19-201^8 The con tent of the law is summed up and formulated in accordance with the deuteronomistic Hauptgebot: to "beware of all unrighteousness" ( v . l 4 a ) , and t o love one's neighbour ( v . l 4 b ) 179. This summing up of the commandments of the law proves again that the law, in 1 7 , 1 1 . 1 2 , is not simply the concretization of the comprehensive divine order but very specifically the Mosjiic law 180. - In 2 4 , 2 3 the "book of the covenant of God the Most High" is identified with the "law" which Moses gave t o Israel as an "inheri tance". We will return to this passage later when we discuss Ben Sira's identification of law and wisdom. We want to point out at this stage that the law mentioned in 2 4 , 2 3 is the Mosaic law and has, as a result, a unique relation with the faith and history of Israel. - 3 9 , 8 belongs to Ben Sira's description of the scribe's activities. Being proudly conscious of the rich treasures of knowledge and insight entrusted t o him, the scribe glories in the "law of the covenant of the Lord" which unfolds and opens up wisdom. The scribe studies the prophets and the sayings of wise men (39,1-2) but he glories most of all in the (Mosaic) law. - In the laus patrum the commandments of God are linked with God's covenant with Abraham (44,20) and with Moses and Israel at Sinai
177 178 179 180
see supra, p.38. Cf. also J.C.H. l e b r a m , "Jerusalem", 1 9 7 9 , p . U l w h o defends po/io? in chap. 2 4 as the Sinaitic law. Cf. G.W.E. Nickelsburg, Literature, p.61 who refers to Ben Sira's "covenantal theology" as d o s e l y linked with the Torah. Cf. J. Haspecker, Gottesfurcht, p p . l 5 2 f . ; J.G. Snaith, Ecclesiasticus, p . 8 8 ; J . Mar bock, Weisheit, p.87. Cf. Mt 2 2 , 8 6 - 4 0 . Contra O. Rickenbacher, Weisheitsperikopen, pp.I48f. O. Kaiser, "Begriindung der Sittlichkeit", ZThK 55 ( 1 9 5 8 ) 5 1 - 6 3 points out in the context of his discussion of Sir 17,1 Iff. that "obwohl Sirach urmiittelbar vorher von der Schopfung und der Erkennbarkeit Gottes in seiner Kreatur spricht, zieht er doch nicht die weitergehende Konsequenz, das Gesetz mit der Harmonic des Alls, dem ewigen Logos der Natur zu identifizicren, wie es dann spater Philo g e t a n h a t " (p.56). Cf. Philo VitMos 2,52.
Law and the Fear of the Lord
45
( 4 5 , 5 ) . - The term p n i s used in several instances of God's orders for his people. It refers to circumcision ( 4 4 , 2 0 ) , to the "eternal" levitical priesthood ( 4 5 , 7 . 1 7 ) , to the hereditary rights of the priests granted to Phinehas ( 4 5 , 2 4 ) , and to the Davidic cov enant ( 4 7 , 1 1 ; cf. 4 5 , 2 5 ) . - The law is also linked with the sacrifices (35,2-4).
T h u s , t h e law is m o s t i n t i m a t e l y linked w i t h Israel's faith a n d h i s t o r y . I t is t h e very l a w of Israel's G o d , given t h r o u g h t h e m e d i a t i o n of Moses a t Sinai, t h e basis a n d t h e c o n t e n t of G o d ' s c o v e n a n t w i t h his p e o p l e .
3 . 4 . L a w a n d t h e F e a r of t h e L o r d As we h a v e n o t e d a l r e a d y , Ben Sira parallels l a w a n d t h e fear of t h e L o r d in n u m e r o u s p a s s a g e s ' * ' . J . H a s p e c k e r p o i n t e d o u t t h a t Ben Sira d o e s n o t s i m p l y o r d i r e c t l y i d e n t i f y o b e d i e n c e t o t h e l a w w i t h t h e fear of t h e L o r d , n o t even in t h e " G r u n d s a t z p a r i i n e s e " in 2 , 1 5 - 1 6 ' * ^ . I n t h e r o u t i n e p a r a l l e h s m of fear of t h e L o r d / l a w , t h e s e q u e n c e of t h e s e t w o p h r a s e s is n o t o p t i o n a l b u t d e p e n d e n t u p o n t h e focus of t h e p a r t i c u l a r passage. If t h e s t a r t i n g p o i n t of t h e c o n t e x t is a f u n d a m e n t a l o r ' i n n e r ' v i e w p o i n t we have t h e s e q u e n c e : fear of t h e L o r d - l a w (cf. 6 , 3 7 ; 1 5 , 1 ; 2 3 , 2 7 ; 3 7 , 1 2 ; 3 9 , 1). In this case t h e s e c o n d p a r t of t h e parallelism, t h e law, a p p e a r s t o be a c o n c r e t i z a t i o n . O n t h e o t h e r h a n d , if we h a v e t h e s e q u e n c e : law - fear of t h e L o r d , t h e t h o u g h t progresses f r o m t h e p r a c t i c a l t o t h e f u n d a m e n t a l , from t h e o u t w a r d t o t h e i n w a r d , from t h e c o n c r e t e t o t h e m o r e c o m p r e h e n s i v e r e a l m (cf. 1 , 2 6 - 2 7 ; 9 , 1 5 . 1 6 ; 2 1 , 1 1 ; 3 2 , 1 4 - 1 6 ; 3 2 , 2 4 - 3 3 , l ) ' * 3 . T h i s implies t h a t B e n Sira c o n siders t h e fear of t h e L o r d t o be t h e basis of t h e o b e d i e n c e t o t h e law. T h e fear of t h e L o r d is n o t ' s w a l l o w e d u p ' b y t h e k e e p i n g of t h e law. T h i s fact, o n t h e o t h e r h a n d , m a k e s sure t h a t t h e k e e p i n g of t h e l a w is n o t a r o u t i n e p e r f o r m a n c e or a c c o m p l i s h m e n t b u t a re sult of o n e ' s p e r s o n a l c o m m i t m e n t a n d c o n f i d e n c e in G o d w h o m a k e s t h e o b e d i e n c e t o his law p o s s i b l e (cf. 1 5 , 1 3 ) . In 1,26-27 we
181 See generally the discussion in J . Haspecker, Gottesfurcht, pp.63,147,153f.,167f., 328-332. 182 C f . J . Haspecker, o.c, p p . 2 8 7 - 2 8 9 . 183 Cf. J. Haspecker, o.c, p . 3 2 9 . On the structure of 3 2 , 1 4 - 1 6 and 32,14-33,1 see ibid., pp.222-227,263-268.
46
Ben Sira's Concept
of Law and the
Commandments
h a v e , t h e r e f o r e , t h e s e q u e n c e : o b e d i e n c e t o t h e l a w - fear of t h e L o r d - faithfulness a n d h u m i l i t y . T h e w i s d o m t e a c h i n g of Ben Sira is in a f u n d a m e n t a l w a y o r i e n t e d b y t h e sovereign will of G o d w h i c h d o m i n a t e s all areas of life. B u t Ben Sira is a t t h e s a m e t i m e c o n s c i o u s of t h e fact t h a t t h e w i s d o m w h i c h is f o u n d a n d 'in f e r r e d ' from t h e law is n o t s o m e a u t o n o m o u s advice b u t d e m a n d s a c o r r e l a t i n g p e r s o n a l s t r o n g c o m m i t m e n t t o G o d . T h e r e f o r e Ben Sira calls t h o s e w h o reject s u c h 'discipUne' b y a n d in t h e l a w "of f e n d e r s " ( 3 2 , 1 7 ) . T h o s e w h o fear t h e L o r d a n d w h o s t u d y law a n d t r a d i t i o n in a c o m p r e h e n s i v e m a n n e r are c o n s c i o u s of t h e fact t h a t t h e y t h e r e b y e n c o u n t e r t h e living will of G o d . T h u s we c o n c l u d e w i t h J . H a s p e c k e r : " S o s p r i c h t sich a n m a r k a n t e n Stellen das Bewufitsein, in der H i n g a b e a n das G e s e t z die t r e u e u n d d e m i t t i g e A u s l i e f e r u n g a n d e n p e r s o n l i c h e n Willen G o t tes zu voUziehen, r e c h t klar aus"'*"*.
3 . 5 . T h e F u n c t i o n of t h e L a w 3.5.1. Norm of moral and social behaviour. M a n y passages in Sirach i n d i c a t e t h a t , for Ben Sira, the Israelite law was t h e n o r m of m o r a l b e h a v i o u r ' * ' . In 1 9 , 1 7 w h i c h is t h e last verse in t h e sec t i o n o n h o w t o h a n d l e m a l i c i o u s gossip (] 9 , 4 - 1 7 ) ' * ^ , a n d t h e last verse in t h e discussion of r e b u k e ( 1 9 , 1 4 - 1 7 ) , we r e a d : " R e p r o v e y o u r n e i g h b o u r b e f o r e y o u t h r e a t e n h i m , a n d give p l a c e t o t h e l a w of t h e M o s t H i g h " (cf. Lev 1 9 , 1 7 ! ) . T h e law has t h e ability t o con vict a p e r s o n of his guilt a n d t h e ability to s h o w h i m h o w h e should behave. 2 1 , 1 1 c o n c l u d e s t h e s e c t i o n o n t h e c o n t r o l of sin ( 2 1 , 1 - 1 1 ) ' * ' : " H e w h o k e e p s t h e law k e e p s his ( n a t u r a l ) i n c h n a t i o n ' * * u n d e r
184 J. Haspecker, Gottesfurcht, p.332. 185 Cf. G.von Rad, Wisdom, p . 2 4 4 ; J . Marbock, Weisheit, pp.86ff. w h o , however, refers only to 1 9 , 1 7 ; 2 3 , 2 3 ; 2 8 , 6 . 7 ; 29,9.11 ; 4 1 , 8 . 186 C f . J . G . Snaith, Ecclesiasticus, pp.97f. 187 Cf. J.G, Snaith, Ecclesiasticus, p p . I 0 5 f . ; a s p o s s i b i l i t y i n O . Rickenbacher, Weisheits perikopen, p . l 0 5 . Similarly J. Haspecker, Gottesfurcht, p.161 w h o sees a caesura after v . l 2 . Box/Oesterley, APOT 1 (1923) 3 8 8 ; O. Rickenbacher, o.c, p p . l 0 4 f . , and others see 21,11 as the beginning of the section on the contrast between the godly man w h o is wise and the godless man who is a fool ( 2 1 , 1 1 - 2 8 ) . 188 In 21,11a S reads
(^i 5 ^
(as in 1 5 , 1 4 with H - i S ' ; cf. 27,6H) which makes it
The Function
of the Law
47 c o n t r o l , a n d a c c o m p l i s h e d w i s d o m is t h e i'ear of t h e L o r d " ' * ^ . As a result of t h e chiastic s t r u c t u r e o f t h e verse t h e k e e p i n g of t h e law is parallel t o t h e fear of t h e L o r d , a n d t h e c o n t r o l of t h e "is ' is parallel t o a c c o m p l i s h e d w i s d o m . T h e c o n t r o l of t h e ' n a t u r a l ' , i.e. evil i n c l i n a t i o n o r t e n d e n c y c a n b e achieved o n l y b y o b e y i n g t h e law w h i c h c o n t a i n s t h e n o r m for g o d l y b e h a v i o u r . 23,23 belongs to t h e section o n a d u k e r y (23,16-27): t h e adul t e r o u s w o m a n " d i s o b e y s t h e l a w of t h e M o s t H i g h " . T h e sin of a d u l t e r y consists i n b r e a k i n g t h e divine l a w w h i c h w a s laid d o w n in E x 2 0 , 1 4 a n d D e u t 5 , 1 8 a n d w h i c h h a s t o b e o b e y e d as it is God's norm. 2 8 , 6 - 7 c o n c l u d e s t h e s e c t i o n o n forgiveness a n d divine p u n i s h m e n t ( 2 7 , 3 0 - 2 8 , 7 ) : " R e m e m b e r t h e e n d t h a t a w a i t s y o u a n d cease from hate; remember corruption and death and abide b y t h e com m a n d m e n t s . R e m e m b e r t h e c o m m a n d m e n t s a n d d o n o t b e en raged a t y o u r n e i g h b o u r ; r e m e m b e r t h e c o v e n a n t of t h e M o s t High a n d o v e r l o o k i g n o r a n c e " ' ^ ' ' . Ix)yalty t o G o d ' s c o v e n a n t w i t h Israel is, for B e n Sira, i d e n t i c a l w i t h t h e k e e p i n g of t h e c o m m a n d m e n t s ( n o t e t h e s y n o n y m o u s parallelism in v . 7 ) . A n d t h e l a w i n c l u d e s t h e s t i p u l a t i o n n o t t o h a t e o n e ' s " n e i g h b o u r " o r " b r o t h e r " {-nXtiaiovl j ? T / n K ) ' ^ ' b u t t o love h i m (cf. Lev 19,1 7-18)'^^ I n 2 9 , 9 . 1 1 B e n Sira a d m o n i s h e s in t h e c o n t e x t of his discussion of l e n d i n g a n d b o r r o w i n g ( 2 9 , 1 - 1 3 ) : " F o r t h e c o m m a n d m e n t ' s
rather likely that H had ^ S ' 12?33; cf. Box/Oesterley, o . c . p . 3 8 8 ; R. Smend, Weisheit, p . l 9 2 (reading n s ' 1^313, referring t o mAb 4,1); O. Rickenbacher, o . c , p . l 0 5 . G. Maier, Menjc/t und freier Wille, 1 9 7 1 , pp.92f. states that the ivv6rtiia in 21,11 could well be the translation of an original I S ' which then cannot be interpreted here (in contrast t o 15,14; 27,6) as a 'neutral' inclination, for it im plied "eine Aufspaltung von grundlegendem Wollen und Tricb in der Richtung der spateren rabbinischen Lchre". In a similar way also J . Haspecker, o . c , p . 1 4 5 n.46. With regard to the Talmudic concept o f the j n n I S ' ' see bQid 30b: "I created the evil desire, but I also created the Torah, as its antedote: if y o u occupy your selves with the Torah, you will not be delivered into his hand". 189 In 2 1 , l i b w e follow the translation of R. Smend, M.S. Segal, O. Rickenbacher. NEB translates "wisdom is the o u t c o m e of the fear of the Lord". 190 Probably referring t o sins which were committed unconsciously. Cf. Box/Oesterley, APOT 1 ( 1 9 1 3 ) 4 0 8 . 191 These terms refer in the context of the OT to the companions of the covenant w h o have a share in the election and in the covenant with their duties and rights. Cf. J. Fichtner, in ThWNT 6 ( 1 9 5 9 ) 3 1 0 - 3 1 3 . 192 On the passages see H. Stadelmann, Ben Sira, pp.l 2 8 - 1 3 2 .
48
Ben Sira's Concept
of Law and the
Commandments
s a k e h e l p t h e p o o r ... invest'^^ y o u r treasure a c c o r d i n g t o t h e c o m m a n d m e n t s of t h e M o s t H i g h " . H e r e again t h e l a w is t a k e n t o be t h e n o r m of all m o r a l a n d social hfe (cf. D e u t 1 5 , 7 - 1 1 ) . T h e references t o t h e law in 3 2 , 1 7 . 1 8 . 2 2 . 2 3 b e l o n g t o a peri c o p e w h i c h deals w i t h t h e wise m a n (in c o n t r a s t t o t h e fool) w h o s e life is d e t e r m i n e d b y t h e law a n d c h a r a c t e r i z e d b y t h e fear of t h e L o r d ( 3 2 , 1 4 - 3 3 , 6 ) . T w o basic s t a t e m e n t s , e a c h consisting of four distichs, o n t h e fear of t h e L o r d a n d t h e zeal for t h e l a w ( 3 2 , 14-17 a n d 3 2 , 2 4 - 3 3 , 3 ) a r e foUowed, r e s p e c t i v e l y , b y a general sapiential p a r e n e s i s ( 3 2 , 1 8 - 2 3 a n d 33,4-6)'^'^. 3 2 , 1 7 forms t h e e n d of t h e first basic s t a t e m e n t : " T h e m a n of v i o l e n c e ' ^ ' will reject r e p r o o f , a n d h e forces t h e law t o suit his n e c e s s i t y ' ^ 6 " . Ben Sira c o n t r a s t s t h e m a n w h o seeks G o d (v.14) a n d fears t h e L o r d ( v . l 6 ) a n d , as a r e s u l t , k n o w s G o d ' s will ( u s u ^ a , v . l 6 ) , w i t h t h e godless m a n w h o does n o t a c c e p t criticism or r e p r o o f , n o t even from t h e l a w ! He is n o t w i l h n g t o adjust his hfe t o t h e n o r m s of t h e l a w b u t , i n s t e a d , adjusts t h e law t o his o w n desires. In 3 2 , 1 8 a gen eral parenesis s t a r t s w i t h t h e w o r d s , " A wise m a n will n o t c o n c e a l w i s d o m ' ^ ' , b u t a scoffer will n o t k e e p t h e c o m m a n d m e n t s ' ^ * ; a wise m a n will n o t a c c e p t a b r i b e , b u t t h e p r e s u m t u o u s a n d t h e scoffer will n o t k e e p t h e l a w " . T h e godless d o n o t k e e p t h e law b u t a c c e p t b r i b e s - a famiUar t h e m e in t h e O T ' ^ . T h e p a r e n e s i s e n d s w i t h t h e a d m o n i t i o n : " I n all y o u r w a y s g u a r d yourself, for h e w h o does so k e e p s t h e c o m m a n d m e n t ( m x a ) . H e w h o k e e p s
193 Cf. Liddell/Scott, Lexicon, translations
s.v. TtijTiMi A.11.7 "deposit, as in a bank". See also the
of J. Marbock,
Weisheit,
p.86 and G. Sauer, JSHRZ
111/5
(1981)
5,575. 194 FoUowing H . Stadelmann, Ben
Sira, pp.262f.; simUarly Box/Oesterley, APOT
1
(1913)426-429. 195
Following H ^ " " ( D a n II^'N ) and similarly G ((SviJpwiro
inapujX6<:)
rather
© ' N ). Cf. Box/Oesterley, o . c , p . 4 2 7 ; J . G . Snaith, Ecclesiasticus,
G. Sauer, JSHRZ
111/5 ( 1 9 8 1 ) 5 8 4 .
196 The translation follows Box/Oesterley.Greads (248 efievptoKci)
than
p. 1 5 7 ;
aiiyKpifia;
fcai Kara
TO OeXriiM. aiiToi
ei)pi\aei
S reads "and according to his will (= G) makes his
way". G. Sauer, ibid., translates "und entsprechend seinem Plan zieht er die Weisung hin". The root TT2f certainly means "need, necessity, want, requirement". 197 Reading n a D O with H ^ ™ . Cf. G. Sauer, o . c , p.584. 198 Reading
m s a
n i ? ' with H ^ ™ and
Middendorp, SteUung,
(instead of
1KiV>)-
Cf. H .
p.l 6 3 .
199 Cf. Ex 2 3 , 8 ; Deut 1 6 , 1 9 ; 2 7 , 2 5 ; Ps 15,5; Prov 6 , 3 5 ; 1 7 , 2 3 ; Is 1,23; Ez 2 2 , 1 2 . Of special importance here is Deut 1 6 , 1 9 : "Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise (!) and twists the words of the righteous".
The Function
of the Law
49
t h e l a w ( m i n ) g u a r d s himself; a n d h e w h o trusts in t h e L o r d shall n o t b e b r o u g h t t o s h a m e " ( 3 2 , 2 2 - 2 3 ) . T h e l a w a n d t h e c o m m a n d m e n t s a r e t o b e o b s e r v e d as t h e n o r m of o n e ' s a c t i o n s ( T U ^ y a ) a n d of o n e ' s b e h a v i o u r a n d life-style ( T > D m ) . T h e ethical n o r m a t i v e n e s s of t h e l a w is also e v i d e n t in 3 5 , 1 - 7 w h e r e p r o p e r ethical b e h a v i o u r is p o r t r a y e d as spiritual sacrifice^"*'. B e n Sira s t a t e s t h a t o n e s h o u l d p r a c t i s e " w o r k s of l o v e " {avTattobiboiK X^-ptv, v . 2 ) ^ ' ' c a r r y o u t " c h a r i t y " ( ^ o t c o i ' iXerjpoavvr)u, a n d a v o i d w i c k e d n e s s a n d injustice ( v . 3 ) , " f o r all this (shall b e d o n e ) o n g r o u n d s of t h e c o m m a n d m e n t s " (xapti' ^I'ToXrjc, V . 4 ) .
I n t h e s e c t i o n o n g o o d a n d b a d c o u n s e l l o r s ( 3 7 , 7 - 1 5 ) B e n Sira first lists u n r e l i a b l e c o u n s e l l o r s ( v . l l ) b e f o r e h e goes o n t o c o m m e n d c o n s u l t a t i o n w i t h a m a n w h o always fears t h e L o r d a n d w h o , as h e k n o w s , k e e p s t h e c o m m a n d m e n t s ( v . l 2 ) , i.e. w h o s e advice will b e in a c c o r d a n c e w i t h t h e l a w . In his d e s c r i p t i o n of t h e fate a n d t h e curses of t h e sinner ( 4 1 , 5 13) B e n Sira accuses t h e m p r i m a r i l y of having " f o r s a k e n ( a ' a n y a ) t h e l a w ( m m ) of t h e M o s t H i g h " (v.8). Similarly Ben Sira p o i n t s o u t t h a t e x c e p t D a v i d , H e z e k i a h , a n d J o s i a h all t h e kings of J u d a h a b a n d o n e d (afj?) the law of G o d .
T h e s e passages clearly s h o w t h a t B e n Sira r e g a r d e d t h e Mosaic law as n o r m of o n e ' s b e h a v i o u r w i t h regard t o all t h e ' w a y s ' of life. T o k e e p t h e l a w a n d t h e c o m m a n d m e n t s is t o c o m p l y w i t h G o d ' s will.
2 0 0 O n this passage see H. Stadelmann, Ben Sira, pp.93-99. 201 This term presupposes the Hebrew phrase O'lDH m'?''^:!. Cf. Box/Oesterley, APOT 1 ( 1 9 1 3 ) 4 3 7 ; H. Stadelmann, o.c, p.96 (who refers to 7,33 and 4 0 , 1 7 where T o n is translated in G b y x a p n ) . In later Rabbinic theology the "works of grace" ( D ' T O n n i ' j ' a j l ) included visits to the sick, the putting up of strangers, the equipping of poor brides and bridegrooms, the attendance o f weddings and funerals, the comforting of mourners, e t c . Cf. Strack/Billerbeck, Kommentar, 4, pp.559-510-, E. Stauffer, Art. "Ajandw", ThWNT 1 ( 1 9 3 3 ) 42-44; G. Bertram, Art. "eP70p", ThWNT 2 ( 1 9 3 5 ) 6 4 4 . 202 Charity (Hebr. H p l S ) was also part of the "good works" (D">aiU O^U/ya)Cf. Strack/BiUerbeck, o.c, p p . 5 3 6 - 5 5 8 ; R. Bultmann, An."eK€r,iJLoavvr\", ThWNT 2 ( 1 9 3 5 ) 4 8 2 . Charity differs from the "works o f love" in that the former is dor»e with m o n e y whereas the latter can be performed both with m o n e y and with per sonal activity. Charity was directed only towards the poor and the living whereas the "works of love" could benefit the rich and the dead as well. Cf. Strack/Billerbeck, o . c , p . 5 3 6 with reference to tPea 4 , 1 9 .
50
Hen Sira's Concept
of Law and the
Commandments
3.5.2. Source of wisdom. N u m e r o u s passages i n d i c a t e t h a t for B e n Sira t h e s t u d y a n d t h e iieeping of t h e law led to wisdom^*^^. C o m p a r e d w i t h t h e general f u n c t i o n of t h e l a w in the O T this is a new aspect. The following passages are relevant here. 1,26: "If you desire wisdom, keep the commandments, and the Lord will give it to y o u in abundance". 6,36: "Ponder the fear of the Most High and think upon his commandments continually; then he will give insight to your heart and in everything which you desire he will make y o u wise"204. I 5 _ l b : "He w h o observes the law will acquire her (i.e. wisdom)". 1 5 , 1 5 : "If you desire, y o u can keep the commandment, and it is insight (wisdom) to do his pleasure". 1 9 , 2 0 : "All wisdom (consists in) the fear of the Lord, and all wisdom in cludes the fulfilling of the l a w " 2 0 5 . 33,2-3: "He is not wise w h o hates the law, and he is tossed about like a ship in a storm206. A man of insight knows the word of the Lord, and for him the law is as reliable as the consultation of the lots207".
T h e s a p i e n t i a l i m p o r t a n c e of t h e T o r a h is m e n t i o n e d expressis verbis in t h e t w o references t o t h e Sinaitic r e v e l a t i o n of t h e law of Y a h w e h . G o d gave Israel via Moses " k n o w l e d g e a n d t h e l a w of l i f e " {i-nioT-qpiTiv Kai vonov f wive , 1 7 , 1 1 ) w h i c h is t h e " l a w of hfe and insight" ( n a i a m T\-\^T\|voiiov fwrj? Kai imaTTJnr](:, 4 5 , 5). T h u s , B e n Sira clearly s t a t e s t h a t o b e d i e n c e t o G o d ' s l a w a n d c o m m a n d m e n t s leads t o w i s d o m a n d is in itself t h e h a l l m a r k of true wisdom. 3.5.3. Measure of piety. Since t h e law c o n t a i n s t h e revealed will of G o d , o b e d i e n c e o t t h e law indicates o n e ' s p i e t y . F o r this r e a s o n B e n Sira l i n k e d t h e love for G o d a n d especially t h e fear of t h e L o r d very closely w i t h t h e k e e p i n g of t h e law. T h o s e w h o fear t h e L o r d a n d love h i m will s t e e p themselves in t h e law ( 2 , 1 6 ) . He
2 0 3 See already J . Haspecker, Gottesfurcht, 204 205 206 207
pp.330f.
On this passage see J . Haspecker, o.c, p p . l 3 0 f . On 1 9 , 2 0 . 2 4 s e e j . Haspecker, o . c , p p . 1 5 5 - 1 5 8 . 33,2b completed with H ^ m and H ^ (cf. G). See G. Sauer, JSHRZ III/5 ( 1 9 8 1 ) 5 8 5 . S8,5a completed with G d i^rf/iot axiri^ mordi; cjc ipdjTr]im brtXijjv. On this phrase see M. Lohr, Bildung, p.l 12 and H. Stadelmann, Ben Sira, pp.262-265 w h o points out that, at Ben Sira's time, the knowledge of the Torah had taken the place of the old oracle (lurim and thummim): "Gerade so zuverlassig, wie einst das unzweidcutige Losorakel dem Priester Auskunft uber Gottes Willen gab, erschliefit sich nun dem verstandigen Schriftforscher die Torah. Und wie einst eine gewisse Analogic zwischen priesterlichcm Wcissagen auf Grund des Loses und dem Offenbarungswort der Propheten bestand, so sind auch nun Lehrerkenntnis produzierende Schriftforschung und Prophetic zwar nicht identische, aber vergleichbare GroBen" (P.264).
I'he Function
of the Law
51
is w o r t h y of h o n o u r w h o fears t h e L o r d a n d k e e p s t h e c o m m a n d m e n t s ( 1 0 , 1 9 ; cf. 1 9 , 2 4 ) . N o t h i n g is p r e f e r a b l e or b e t t e r t h a n t o fear t h e L o r d a n d to k e e p his c o m m a n d m e n t s ( 2 3 , 2 7 ) . O b e d i e n c e t o t h e law i n d i c a t e s w h e t h e r a p e r s o n really loves t h e L o r d a n d fears h i m . 3.5.4. Rule for cult and jurisdiction. Ben Sira did n o t r e t a i n t h e c u l t u s qua lege j u s t i f y i n g all c u l t i c activities nomistically^^*. F o r h i m , c u l t i c a c t i v i t y is n o t t h e p r o d u c t of n o m i s m b u t essentially t h e m a n i f e s t a t i o n of t h e a t t i t u d e of o n e ' s h e a r t w h i c h is c h a r a c t e r i z e d b y a living p i e t y a n d b y a j u s t social c o n d u c t . H o w e v e r , t h e l a w is i m p o r t a n t n e v e r t h e l e s s : n o t as s u b s t a n t i a t i o n o r m o t i v a t i o n in t h e sense of n o m i s m b u t as r e g u l a t i o n of c u l t i c a c t i v i t y . Being priest a n d scribe it was n a t u r a l for Ben Sira t o a c c e p t t h e T o r a h as a u t h o r i t y also for this i m p o r t a n t area of J e w i s h life. Thus Ben Sira says in 7 , 3 1 ; "Glorify God and honour the priest and give (6o<;) them their portion (pbVt) as you have been commanded ( m S ) : food of the trespass-offering( D ' l a N nn'?/dta/5X'ii')andheave-offering ( T'n?3nn/"^nw«^f'a>;), sacrifices of righteousness ( p i S I ' 0 2 T j ) and holy offerings T\Tiy^T\ldnap\r]v d7iu;ii)"209_ Xhe reference to the law implies the regulating normativeness of the law in all matters relating to the cult210.The list of offerings and contributions in v.31c.d is rather selective211 which proves that it is not meant as a legal, casuistic directive but indicates pars pro toto the specific regulative function of the Torah. For the priestly portion with regard to the trespass-offering one can compare Num 18,9, lor the heave-offering Num 1 8 , 1 1 , for the sacrifices Deut 1 8 , 3 , and for the holy offerings Num 1 8 , 1 9 2 1 2 .
In 3 5 , 6 - 7 Ben Sira c o n c l u d e s his d e s c r i p t i o n of p r o p e r e t h i c a l c o n d u c t as " s p i r i t u a l sacrifices" w i t h t h e w o r d s , " ' D o n o t a p p e a r w i t h e m p t y h a n d s in t h e p r e s e n c e of t h e L o r d ! ' F o r all this (shall b e d o n e ) o n g r o u n d s of t h e c o m m a n d m e n t " . A l t h o u g h t h e q u o t e in V . 6 (cf. E x 2 3 , 1 5 ; 3 4 , 2 0 ; D e u t 1 6 , 1 6 ; 2 6 , 1 - 4 ) is n o t m e a n t t o be a p p l i e d literally b u t is r e - i n t e r p r e t e d in a spiritualizing w a y ( " h e w h o e x h i b i t s t h e ethical a t t i t u d e s a n d c o n d u c t m e n t i o n e d in vv.
208 Contra this widely held opinion see the recent convincing discussion of H. Stadel mann, Ben Sira, 1 9 8 0 , pp.67,87ff. 209 On the textual evidence see H. Stadelmaim, Ben Sira, p.56. 2 1 0 Cf. J . Haspecker, Gottesfurcht, p . 3 0 4 ; O. Rickenbacher, Weisheitsperikopen, p.145; H. Stadelmann, o.c, p . 6 8 . 211 The list in 45,20c-21 b is even more selective. 212 Cf. H. Stadelmaim, o . c , p . 6 0 . On the priestly portions see generally I^v 5,14-26; Num 18,8-19; Deut 12,6-7.
52
Ben Sira's Concept
of Law and the
Commandments
3-5 fulfills t h e c o m m a n d n o t t o a p p e a r e m p t y b e f o r e G o d " ) , it is nevertheless clear t h a t v.6 is n o t o n l y a skillfully used s u p p o r t for his (spiritualized) i n t e r p r e t a t i o n b u t is b e y o n d t h a t " e i n e d u r c h a u s p r a k t i s c h g e m e i n t e A u f f o r d e r u n g " ^ ' ^ . F o r Ben Sira t h e cult is in d e e d r e g u l a t e d b y the l a w . The Mosaic law is f u r t h e r t h e a u t h o r i t a t i v e a n d regulative basis of j u r i s d i c t i o n . T h i s is e x p l i c i t l y m e n t i o n e d in 4 2 , 4 w h e r e Ben Sira stresses t h a t o n e s h o u l d n o t b e a s h a m e d of t h e " l a w of the M o s t H i g h " a n d his " s t a t u t e " ( p i n ) n o r of t h e " a d m i n i s t r a t i o n of j u s t i c e " ( p ' T Jfa)^''* w h i c h passes s e n t e n c e u p o n t h e w i c k e d . In 4 5 , 1 7 A a r o n ( a n d w i t h h i m t h e priests in general) is d e s c r i b e d as having received t h e c o m m a n d m e n t s ( m x a ) a n d t h e a u t h o r i t y ( i n ' ^ ' U / a ' ) over s t a t u t e ( p i n ) a n d j u d g m e n t (D3U?a ). T h e priests have b e e n given the j u d i c i a l task of a p p l y i n g t h e T o r a h t o c u r r e n t legal p r o b l e m s ^ * ' . It was e x a c t l y this a p p l i c a t i o n of t h e T o r a h t o c u r r e n t legal p r o b l e m s w h i c h gave rise t o h a l a k h a h . We will investigate l a t e r w h e t h e r traces of h a l a k h a h can be f o u n d in Sirach ( § 3 . 7 . ) . 3.5.5. Foundation for teaching. Finally, t h e law is c o n s i d e r e d t o be the basis a n d t h e c o n t e n t of t e a c h i n g . In 3 8 , 3 4 c - 3 9 , l 1 Ben Sira describes t h e ideal of t h e sopher/hakham, t h e wise s c r i b e ^ ' ^ . This p e r i c o p e consists of four stanzas w i t h four distichs e a c h ^ ' ^ . T h e first t w o s t a n z a s ( 3 8 , 3 4 c - 3 9 , 3 a n d 3 9 , 4-5) describe the n o r m a l professional Hfe of t h e sopher at t h e t i m e of Ben Sira. T h e t h i r d
2 1 3 H. Stadelmann, o.c., p . 9 9 . 2 1 4 The form p ' T S a is pan.hiph. of p i X which means in hiph. "to give someone justice, to acknowledge that someone is right or innocent, to help someone gain his rights". Cf. Ex 23,7; Deut 2 5 , 1 ; 2Sam 15,4; IKgs 8 , 3 2 ; Ps 8 2 , 3 ; Prov 17,15; Is 5,23. 215 Cf. T. Middendorp, Stellung, p.l 6 3 ; H. Stadelmann, Ben Sira, p . 2 7 9 . 2 1 6 Cf. R.H. Pfeiffer, History of New Testament Times, p p . 3 6 8 - 3 7 0 ; R. Meyer, in ThWNT 9 ( 1 9 7 3 ) 2 3 ; M. Hengel, yudentorn, p p . 1 4 6 , 2 3 8 ; E. Schurer, The History of the Jewish People in the Age of Christ, 2, 1979, pp.323f.; J . Marbock, "Sir. 3 8 , 2 4 - 3 9 , 1 1 : Der schriftgelehrte Weise: Ein Beitrag zu Gestalt und Werk Ben Siras", BETL 51 ( 1 9 7 9 ) 2 9 3 - 3 1 6 ; especially H. Stadelmann, o . c , pp. 177-309 (here pp.2172 4 6 , 2 8 4 - 2 9 3 ) ; D.J. Harrington, "The Wisdom of the Scribe According to Ben Sira", Ideal Figures in Ancient Judaism, ed. J J . Collins et al., SBLSCS 12, 1980, p p . 1 8 1 188 passim. See also infra, pp.65f. 217 Cf. O. Rickenbacher, Weisheitsperikopen, p p . 1 7 7 - 1 7 9 , foUowed by J . Marbock, a.c., pp.295f. and H. Stadelmann, o.c, p . 2 2 1 . As regards the analysis of 39,1-11 we follow H. Stadelmann, o.c, p p . 2 2 1 - 2 4 6 .
The Function
of the Law
53
Stanza ( 3 9 , 6 - 8 ) deals with the special case of a 50p/ier inspired b y the free will of G o d . The last stanza ( 3 9 , 9 - 1 1 ) records the praise given to the scribe by other people. In 3 8 , 3 4 c . d Ben Sira resumes the subject of the wise scribe w h o had already been mentioned in 3 8 , 2 4 and emphasizes that the study of the law and practical devotion t o the fear of the Lord, in their synthesis, are the main characteristics of the sopher/ hakham. This twofold introductory statement on the fear of the Lord and the zeal for the l a w is then unfolded in a chiastic manner in 39,1-5. Ben Sira first describes the investigating and exploring activities of the scribe (vv.1-4), and ends with the prayer life of the scribe, corresponding t o the fear of the Lord (v.5). The scribe in vestigates the biblical b o o k s , the law and the prophets ( v . l ) 2 1 8 aijo explores the general wisdom traditions ( w . 2 - 3 ) . Here he concentrates o n the traditional wisdom motives of t h e parable (napaffoKai), riddles (dTrdxpiva napoiu'iai), and the discourses of wise men (Bfi\yr)aei ivSpCjp oi'OMacruji') w h o w a n t t o pass on experiences and per ceptions. Finally, the travel of t h e scribe is mentioned as the third source for the gathering of insights and experiences (v.4a)219. The exploring and investigating ac tivity o f the scribe is essentially receptive and reproductive. After the description of the external scope of the exploration activities of the scribe, Ben Sira returns t o the subject of the piety of the scribe, joining v.5 chiastically to 3 8 , 3 4 c . The wise scribe seeks his Creator with all his heart, he opens his mouth in prayer, and h e makes sup plication for his sins. In the w o r d s of Stadelmann, "der jiidische Schriftgelehrte ist kein autonomer InteUektucller u n d auch kein theoretischer Ethiker . . . Bei allem Wissen aber bleibt ein Mann der praktischen Gottesfurcht, die ihren persdrjichsten Ausdruck im Gebet findet"220_ . i h e third stanza 39,6-8 describes the special case of the inspired scribe. Every human being has been created with "insight of under standing" (kmor^nr) avveaeux;, 17,7a), i.e. with the critical ability of discerning be tween good and evil ( 1 7 , 7 b ) . But it is only "if God the Most High so wills" (edp KiijOioc 6 iieya<; i»e\TJ(7i3, 39,6a) that some scribes a r e "filled with the spirit of under standing" {nvevfiari avveaeuii; in\rio-9f)0€TaL, 3 9 , 6 b ) . This irveuiM ovveaeuiq is not simply a professional characteristic feature of the scribe but only a "gelegentliches donum superadditum"^^^. The activity of the inspired scribe which is portrayed in 39,6c-8 resembles that of the scribe described in 3 9 , 1 - 5 . However, whereas the 'nor mal' scribe was engaged in the reproducing investigation of Torah and tradition, in political service and in personal piety, the inspired scribe is involved, on top of that, (1) in the production of wisdom material, i.e.wise sayings (^Tjjt«iTa ctoi/3ui<;), differ-
218 On the question whether 39,1-3 contains a reference t o the threefold division of the OT canon s e e J . Marbock, o.c, p . 8 5 ; J.G. Snaith, o.c, p . 1 9 1 ; 11. Stadelmann, o . c , p.223f. 219 Cf. V. Tcherikover, Hellenistic Civilization and the Jews, 2 l 9 6 1 , p . l 4 3 ; M . Hengel, Judentum, pp.243f.; J . Marbock, Weisheit, p p . l 6 1 f f . ; H . Stadelmann, Ben Sira, pp.229f. The priestly sopherviho knew the Torah, the law of the Jewish hicrocracy, was naturally used for such missions as he had also public tasks to fulfill (cf. Sir 38,3S;45,17). 2 2 0 H. Stadelmann, o . c , pp.213f. C f . J . Marbock, "Der schriftgelehrte Weise", BETL 51 ( 1 9 7 9 ) 3 0 3 - 3 0 6 , 3 1 4 f . 221 G. Maier, Mensch, p . 3 7 , followed by H. Stadelmann, Ben Sira, p . 2 3 4 . On wisdom as special and direct gift of God see ibid., p p . 2 3 5 - 2 3 8 .
54
Ben Sira's Concept
of Law and the
Commandments
ent prayers and liturgical hymns (jrpooeuxai)^^^. v.6c.d, (2) in 'speculative' think ing, i.e. in counsel (/SouXtj), in knowledge (^TrtaniuT)), and in the secrets o f God (d-noKpv^), v.7, and (3) in the pedagogical communication of his wisdom {natSeia 5t6aaKa\ia<:): he "makes linown^SS (he knowledge of his teaching and glories in the law of the covenant of the Ix>rd"224 . j h e last stanza 39,9-11 finally describes the praise which is attributed to the wise scribe by many (iro\A.oi, v.9a), "from genera tion to generation" (eU yet>ed(; yevecov, v.9d), by the "congregation" (H TTTy. v. 10a), and by the "assembly" ( c K u X i j o t a , v.10b).
T w o passages in t h e laus patrum are also r e l e v a n t h e r e . At t h e end of t h e s h o r t p e r i c o p e o n Moses ( 4 5 , 1 - 5 ) , Ben Sira describes Moses as Israel's t e a c h e r of t h e l a w : " A n d h e (i.e. t h e L o r d ) p l a c e d in his (i.e. Moses') h a n d t h e c o m m a n d m e n t ( n i s a ) , t h e law of life and discernment ( n j i a m
••'TI
m m ) , t h a t he might teach ('la'?)
J a c o b his s t a t u t e s ( i ^ p n ) a n d Israel his t e s t i m o n i e s ( m n y ) a n d d e c r e e s (i"'U3U/a)" (45,5c-f)^^'. T h e p e r i c o p e o n A a r o n ( 4 5 , 6 - 2 2 ) begins w i t h t h e s t a t e m e n t t h a t " h e (i.e. t h e L o r d ) e x a l t e d a h o l y o n e h k e him^^^, t h a t is A a r o n of t h e t r i b e of L e v i " (v.6). T h e i m m e d i a t e c o n t e x t of 45,5c-f a n d v. 6 a suggests t h a t B e n Sira i n t e n d e d t o p l a c e A a r o n side b y side w i t h .Moses n o t o n l y generally w i t h regard t o his i m p o r t a n c e b u t r a t h e r specifically w i t h r e g a r d t o his f u n c t i o n . In the words of H. Stadelmann, "gerade als Empfanger des Gesetzes, in dessen Hand die judiziale Aufgabe der Anwendung der Torah auf aktuelle Rechtsprobleme (das Treffen von Rechtsentscheiden) und die didaktische Aufgabe der Gesetzeslehre vereinigt sind, ist Aaron 'gleich ihm' "227_
T h e t e r m i n o l o g y in 4 5 , 1 7 d e s c r i b i n g A a r o n as r e c i p i e n t a n d t e a c h e r of t h e l a w is n e a r l y i d e n t i c a l w i t h 4 5 , 5 : " H e gave h i m (i.e.
2 2 2 On the production of hymns in Sirach see L. Perdue, Wisdom pp.204ff., foUowed by H. Stadelmann, o . c , p p . 2 4 2 - 2 4 4 .
and Cult,
2 2 3 Following O. Rickenbacher, Weisheitsperikopen, p . l 8 5 w h o prefers S iK>paiv€iv. Cf. M. Lohr, Bildung, p . l 0 7 ; H. Stadelmann, o . c , p . 2 4 4 .
_o.9i_i
1977, to G
224 Contra O. Rickenbacher, o . c , p.185 w h o dismisses G with the c o m m e n t that "Ben Sira von aUem Mdglichen spricht, nur eben nicht vom Bundesgesetz". This is sim ply a petitio principii. We have seen that Ben Sira often has terms for law parallel to references to the covenant. S has "law of life". 225 The translation follows H. G mentions only the bux^i\Kr\ and the KpqMTa which should be taught. Cf. H. Stadelmann, Ben Sira, p.278; G. Sauer, JSHRZ 1II/5 (1981) 617. 2 2 6 Only G (iliioiov OUTC^) and S have the phrase "like him". It is easy to understand how this phrase which elevates Aaron to the level of Moses could be eliminated from H. Cf. H. Stadelmann, o . c , p.278 n.3. 227 H. Stadelmann, o . c , p . 2 7 9 .
Motives
of Obedience
55
A a r o n ) his c o m m a n d m e n t s ( v m s a ) , a n d i n v e s t e d h i m w i t h au t h o r i t y over s t a t u t e ( p i n ) a n d d e c r e e ( u s u / n ) , t h a t h e m i g h t t e a c h [fab) his p e o p l e s t a t u t e ( p n ) a n d d e c r e e (DSB^a) t o t h e sons of Israel" (v.l7). T h e law with all its s t a t u t e s , d e c r e e s , a n d c o m m a n d m e n t s was t h e basis a n d t h e c o n t e n t of t h e t e a c h i n g w h i c h was o n e of t h e tasks of t h e priests a n d especially of t h e priestly scribes/sages like B e n Sira.
3 . 6 . Motives of O b e d i e n c e B e n Sira never refers t o t h e m o t i v e s for o b e d i e n c e t o t h e l a w explicitly^^*. As t h e law p e r se is never t h e s u b j e c t o f a p e r i c o p e h e never discusses t h e o b e d i e n c e t o G o d ' s revealed will. T h e basis of his o b e d i e n c e , as B e n Sira sees it, can n e v e r t h e l e s s b e derived f r o m several passages. 3.6.1. Acquiring wisdom. I n several passages o b e d i e n c e t o the law is n o t o n l y i d e n t i f i e d w i t h " b e i n g w i s e " b u t is m o t i v a t e d b y t h e a c q u i s i t i o n of w i s d o m w h i c h results from t h e k e e p i n g of t h e l a w ^ . B e n Sira calls u p o n t h o s e w h o desire w i s d o m t o " k e e p t h e c o m m a n d m e n t s " as G o d will give w i s d o m " i n a b u n d a n c e " t o t h e m w h o k e e p his law ( 1 , 2 6 ) . If a m a n c o n t i n u o u s l y studies t h e l a w G o d will give h i m insight ( 6 , 3 6 ) . H e w h o a b i d e s b y t h e law wiU receive w i s d o m ( 1 5 , 1 ) . S i n n e r s will n o t a c q u i r e w i s d o m ( 1 5 , 7 ) . C o m p l e t e w i s d o m c a n b e a c h i e v e d o n l y b y o b e d i e n c e t o t h e l a w of G o d ( 1 9 , 2 0 ) . T h o s e w h o l o v e , k n o w , a n d k e e p t h e law will b e wise a n d e n t i r e l y reliable a n d s t e a d y , u n l i k e ships in a s t o r m ( 3 3 , 2 - 3 ) . B e n Sira challenges his r e a d e r s , i n d i r e c t l y , t h a t t h e y s h o u l d k e e p t h e l a w as o b e d i e n c e t o t h e law is t h e w a y t o ( c o m p l e t e ) w i s d o m .
to
3.6.2. The will of God. S o m e t i m e s B e n Sira s u m m o n s his r e a d e r s k e e p t h e c o m m a n d m e n t s s i m p l y b e c a u s e G o d himself has
2 2 8 For a discussion of the motives of obedience in Judaism see A. Nissen, Gott und der Ndchste im Antiken Judentum, WUNT 15, 1974, p p . 1 6 7 - 2 1 9 . 229 Cf. H. Stadelmann, Ben Sira, pp.299f.
56
Ben Sira's Concept
of Law and the
Commandments
c o m m a n d e d t h e m . T h e law is t h e revealed will of G o d , a n d g o d l y p e o p l e s h o u l d h e e d t h e will of G o d . It is wise a n d a sign of insight if a m a n k e e p s t h e law b e c a u s e it is G o d ' s " p l e a s u r e " ( p x T ).This m o t i v a t i o n for o b e d i e n c e b e c o m e s e v i d e n t in 1 5 , 1 5 a n d 1 9 , 1 9 . 3.6.3. Avoiding sin. A few passages stress t h e i m p o r t a n c e of k e e p i n g t h e l a w since it h e l p s t o avoid sin: " H e w h o k e e p s t h e law k e e p s his ( n a t u r a l ) i n c l i n a t i o n u n d e r c o n t r o l " ( 2 1 , 1 1 ; cf. 4 1 , 8 ) . O b e d i e n c e t o t h e law e n a b l e s m a n t o c o m b a t effectively his n a t u r a l , evil desires. 3.6.4. Fear. O n e s h o u l d f u r t h e r k e e p t h e l a w b e c a u s e a p i o u s p e r s o n "fears t h e L o r d " , w h i c h implies t h e r e s p e c t for G o d ' s will ( 2 3 , 2 7 ; 3 7 , 1 2 ) . T h u s , t h e fear of t h e L o r d w h i c h i n c l u d e s a t t e n t i o n t o G o d ' s will b e i n g e m b o d i e d in t h e revealed law is a n o t h e r m o t i v e for t h e k e e p i n g of t h e c o m m a n d m e n t s . 3.6.5. Love. motivation by is seen as t h e G o d k e e p s his
Closely Hnked w i t h t h e m o t i v a t i o n b y fear is t h e l o v e ^ ^ ' . As in t h e OT^^^, t h e m o t i v e of love for G o d basis of o b e d i e n c e in 2 , 1 5 . 1 6 ; 7 , 3 0 . H e w h o loves commandments.
3.6.6. Eternal life. If 1 9 , 1 9 was original^^^ we w o u l d have a clear r e f e r e n c e t o i m m o r t a l i t y in S i r a c h ^ ^ : " T h e k n o w l e d g e of t h e c o m m a n d m e n t s of t h e L o r d is a n i n s t r u c t i o n t o life; a n d t h e y w h o d o t h e things t h a t are pleasing t o h i m shaU r e a p at t h e t r e e of i m m o r t a H t y " . A similar c o r r e l a t i o n of o b e d i e n c e t o t h e law a n d t h e a t t a i n m e n t of " l i f e " ( m n n n n x ) is t o b e f o u n d in 1 5 , 1 5 b ( H ) .
2 3 0 See supra p.46f. with n . ] 8 8 . 231 With regard to the correlation of 'love' and 'fear of the Lord' see J . Haspecker, Gottesfurcht, pp.280ff. Compare 1,10 with 1,11-20; 2 , 1 5 a . l 6 a with 2 , 1 5 b . 1 6 b ; 7,29.31 with 7 , 3 0 . For further references in the intertestamental literature see A. Nissen, Gott und'derNdchste, p.202 n.492. 2 3 2 Cf. Deut 5 , 1 0 ; 6 , 5 ; 7,9; I 0 , 1 2 ; N e h 1,5; Is 5 6 , 6 ; Dan 9,41 ;etc. 2 3 3 19,18.19 is contained in only a few Greek MSS. Most translators print these verses only in the footnotes; cf. Box/Oesterley,/IPOr 1 (1913) 3 8 3 ; J . G . Snaith, £cc/ejiasticus, p.9 8. 2 3 4 This would contradict the view of J.G. Snaith, Ecclesiasticus, pp.56, 1 4 8 , 1 8 6 , 2 0 3 w h o thinks that Ben Sira did not believe in life after death. Cf. also Box/Oesterley / I P O r 1 (1913) 3 8 8 .
Halakhah in Sirach
57
We m i g h t have an a n a l o g o u s s i t u a t i o n in 2 1 , 1 0 . 1 1 w h e r e Ben Sira describes t h e " w a y of t h e s i n n e r " w h i c h is s m o o t h l y p a v e d b u t w h i c h e v e n t u a l l y leads t o t h e " p i t s of H a d e s " ((36t?po
3 . 7 . H a l a k h a h in Sirach T h e e x i s t e n c e of h a l a k h a h , i.e. ' o r a l ' l a w s t a n d i n g alongside t h e w r i t t e n law in Sirach has b e e n b o t h e m p h a t i c a l l y d e n i e d ^ ^ ' a n d affirmed^^^. O n l y a s h o r t article in H e b r e w has b e e n d e v o t e d t o this question^^^. O t h e r i n f o r m a t i o n has t o b e g l e a n e d from studies o n t h e d e v e l o p m e n t of t h e early h a l a k h a h T h e c o n c l u s i o n of L . l . R a b i n n o w d t z m a y serve as a s t a r t i n g p o i n t : in general t h e legal p a t t e r n is t h a t of t h e w r i t t e n law, b u t i n d i r e c t signs of t h e oral law as it w a s p r a c t i c e d in B e n Sira's t i m e c a n b e detected^^^. W i t h o u t a t t e m p t i n g t o establish a final a n d c o m p l e t e list of all possible re ferences t o traces of t h e c o n t e m p o r a r y oral l a w of B e n Sira's t i m e , w e will nevertheless t r y to i n d i c a t e t h e m a t e r i a l a n d s y s t e m a t i c evidence w i t h regard t o t h e h a l a k h a h in Sirach^"*^. 4,7 refers to the "assembly" (n7y/<juwi7<*n"i) and to the "ruler of the city" (]H3'?ti?
235 E. Rivkin, "Ben Sira - The Bridge Between the Aaronide and Pharisaic Revolu tions", Eretz Israel 12 ( 1 9 7 5 ) 1 0 1 . He makes the further, rather astonishing, state ment that "not once in his entire book does Ben Sira even quote a Biblical verse, much less explicate its meaning" (ibid.). That this evaluation is completely wrong will be shown in § 3 . 8 . 2 3 6 Cf. P. Sigal, Emergence, I / l , 1 9 8 0 , p.229: "Examples of Ben Sira's halakhah abound". Unfortunately, Sigal does not list a single reference. 237 L.I. Rabinowitz, "The Halakhah as Reflected in Ben Sira" (heht.). Papers of the 4th World Congress of Jewish Studies, 1 9 6 7 , 1, pp.145-148. 2 3 8 Cf. Z.W. Falk, Introduction to Jewish Law of the Second Commonwealth, AGSU 1 1 , 2 vols., 1 9 7 2 / 1 9 7 8 ; B.S. Jackson, Essays in Jewish artd Comparative Legal His tory, SJLA 10, 1 9 7 5 . 239 L.I. Rabinowitz, "Halakhah", p.145 bases his discussion of the halakhah in Sirach o n 9,8-9 which he interprets in the light of the later Rabbinic evidence and termino logy. Then he focuses mainly on 9 , 9 - 1 2 ; 7,30-33 citing Mishnaic and Talmudic parallels. 240 We rely mainly on the study of Z.W. Falk, Introduction, 2 vols., w h o presents the relevant Mishnaic evidence as well.
5 8
Ben Sira's Concept
of Law and the
Commandments
241 /jieyiordi') with regard to which one should make oneself beloved. This is a reference to the local government in which the townspeople decided o n administra tive questions and performed executive functions242. . 4,29 and 7,6-7 refer to the t o w n court in which the local authorities dealt with civil and even criminal cases243_ In 4,29 the judge is admonished that he should verify with w h o m he is to sit (cf. bSanh 23a). As the judges seem to have been elected by the "assembly" of the towns people, 7,6 warns that one should not submit one's own candidature unless one is qualified244_ \ judge w h o perverted justice was liable to be tried before the town court himself (7,6b.7, cf. 1,30). - In 7,19.26 Ben Sira seems to warn his readers against arbitrary divorce245. . Some have interpreted 8,8-9 as referring explicitly to the oral law as part of the authoritative Jewish tradition2'^6. j , seems, however, that this verse should be understood in the context of a sapiential chain of tradition rather than in the context of a (later) legal and 'doctrinal' (or exegetical) chain of tradition247 - 11,7 might refer to the examination of witnesses before a court warn ing the (potential) judges not to jump to conclusions and not to rebuke a person or a party until the examination of witnesses is over2''^8. . Although the OT provided only for a bailee's oath (Ex 2 2 , 6 - 1 4 ; Lev 5 , 1 . 2 1 ) , it seems to have been allowed for any plaintiff w h o brought no evidence to demand that the defendant take an oath in denial of the claim. An oath had indeed become an informal adjuration of the ac cused by the accuser and could even be administered out of court (cf. mShebu 5,1). Since false oaths increased there was also a marked tendency to refrain from admin istering oaths. Thus Sir 23,9-11 objects to the habit of taking oaths249. . 23,22-25 points out that an adtdteress offends against the law of God, against her husband, and against the child born by adultery. She will be judged before the local "assem bly" (cf. 4 2 , 1 1 ) where her child is declared a bastard^^O. . Discussing the financial
241 Correcting H A ( | i u ' 7 U ; ) with S. 10,2 has Tiy Cf. G. Sauer, in JSHRZ mi5 ( 1 9 8 1 ) 5 1 4 . 242 Cf. T. Middendorp, Sietfung, pp.148,160f.; Z.W. Falk, o . c , p . 8 3 . 243 Cf. G. Mon, Jews. Judaism, and the Classical World, 1 9 7 7 , pp.388f.; Z.W. Falk, o . c , p.90. 2 4 4 Reading "judge" in 7,6a following G (KpiTri<;, also S and L) instead of H'^ ( Vu^lQ). Cf. Box/Oesterley, APOT 1 ( 1 9 1 3 ) 3 3 8 ; T. Middendorp, o . c , p . l 5 0 ; J . G . Snaith, Ecclesiasticus, pp.41 f. 245 Cf. Z.W. Falk, o . c , p.308 w h o discusses the evidence with regard to divorce in the schools of Hillel and Shammai. 246 Cf. L.I. Rabinowitz, a . c , p.145; T. Middendorp, o . c , p.l 1 n . l . 247 Cf. H . Stadelmann, Ben Sira, pp.304-307 w h o , with regard to 3 9 , 1 , acknowledges the fact that the "tradition ( n y n U ? ) of the elders" (8,9a) might contain material from the OT, that 6,35-36 refers to a close affiliation with a personal master or mentor, and that 5 1 , 2 3 explicitly mentions a "house of instruction" {W\172 n'3). However, if one compares 8,8-9 with 9,14-15 and takes into consideration the (purely sapiential) context of 5 1 , 1 3 - 2 1 , it becomes less probable that 8,8-9 refers to the oral law. With regard to the U ; T 7 ? 2 I T a in 5 1 , 2 3 see P.W. Skehan, "The Acrostic Poem in Sirach 5 1 , 1 3 - 2 0 " , HThR 64 ( 1 9 7 1 ) 397 w h o r e a d s i o i a I T D following G {natSeia<;) and S (yulpana). 248 Cf. Z.W. Falk, Introduction, p.125 referring to mAb 1,9 and other texts. 249 Cf. Z.W. Falk, o . c , p p . l 2 9 f . ; B.S. Jackson, Essays, p . 2 4 8 . See also TAsh 2,6 ;TGad 6,4; Philo SpecLeg 2,2-5; Decai 8 4 - 8 6 . 250 Cf. G. Alon, Jews, pp.388f.; Z.W. Falk, o . c , pp.83,29Sf. discussing the Mishnaic evidence referring to mSanh 11,1; mKer 1,1 ;mYeb 4 , 1 3 .
Halakhah in Sirach
59
obligations between husband and wife, Z.W. Falk sees in 25,21-22 a reference to the custom that the bridal gift remains under the control of the wife and that the hus band might possibly not have been supposed to enjoy the produce of her propert y 2 5 1 . 2 5 , 2 5 - 2 6 ; 2 8 , 1 5 can be interpreted as referring to a husband divorcing his wife for a just cause252. . 2 6 , 2 9 ; 27,1-2; 4 2 , 4 reflect the c o m m o n custom of the Second Temple period according to which the townspeople agreed on prices, mea sures, and wages of labourers (cf. tBM 11,23) in order to avoid profiteering253. - S o m e see a reference to the oral law in the "wisdom spoken by the faithful" in 3 4 , 8 2 5 4 . . 3 4 , 3 0 is an explicit reference to corpse-cleanness which is, for Ben Sira, a source of "routine homiletic dicta on the moral Ufe"255. . 36,25a(H) has been inter preted by B.S. Jackson in the context of the problem of 'breaking the fence' as actio de pastu pecoris^^^. - 37,1 Ih-i is to be understood in the context of the labour law: it is inadvisable to consult virith the "yearly hireling"257 since he is personally involved258. . 3 8 , 3 2 c . 3 3 describes the deciding factor in the performance of pubUc judicial functions: the qualifications of knowledge. Ignorant artisans were not able to join the elders and scribes and sages in the local government, the 'people's council'259. - S o m e see another direct reference to the oral law in 39,2-3 where Ben Sura describes the scribes as preserving the sayings of famous men and investigating para bles and proverbs260. -42,3a is part of the partnership law: a man w h o laid out the money is not to be ashamed to require an account from his partner when he returns from his j o u r n e y 2 6 1 . - 4 2 , 3 b belongs to the laws regulating the inheritance: the heir is warned not to hesitate to stand o n his right as to the "distribution of an inheri tance and a property". Sometimes it was necessary to resort to distribution by a court (cf. tPea 4 , 5 ) 2 6 2 . . 42,7 illustrates the contemporary customs regarding loans and bailments263. o n e used to write a bill as evidence (cf. DJD 2 , p p . 1 2 , 1 1 4 ; mShebi 10, 1: tKet 4 , 1 3 ) . Ben Sira warns against the practice of letting objects of bail pass from hand to hand without any bill being written.
This evidence i n d i c a t e s t h a t Sirach c o n t a i n s e l e m e n t s of con t e m p o r a r y h a l a k h a h in t h e areas of c o n s t i t u t i o n a l a n d g o v e r n m e n tal m a t t e r s ( 4 , 7 . 2 9 ; 7 , 6 . 7 ; 2 3 , 2 4 ; 3 8 , 3 2 . 3 3 ; 4 2 , 1 1 ) , evidence in
251 Cf. Z.W. Falk, o.c, pp.298f. 252 Cf. Z.W. Falk, o . c , p . 3 0 8 . 253 See also mKer 1,7. Cf. Z.W. Falk, o . c , p.203 (note the misprints of the Sirach references!). 2 5 4 Cf. J.C;. Snaith, Ecclesiasticus, pp.l66f. 255 J. Neusner, The Idea of Purity in .Ancient Judaism, SJl.A 1, 1 9 7 3 , p.37 (referring to 3 4 , 2 5 G ) . 256 B.S.Jackson, £ j . ? a y i , p . 2 6 1 . 257 Reading T\W T D U ? with H B " " and H ' ^ (H^^ has K T Q I U ? which makes no sense). Cf. Box/Oesterley, APOT 1 ( 1 9 1 3 ) 4 4 5 ; G. Sauer, JSHRZ 111/5 ( 1 9 8 1 ) 5 9 4 . G should read correspondingly fua^iov knereLov. For the textual evidence see J. Ziegler, Sapientia lesu Filii Sirach, 2 l 9 8 0 , p p . l 0 7 f . , 2 9 6 . Cf. Deut 15,18. 258 Cf. Z.W. Falk,/ntroducrton, p . 2 1 4 . 259 Cf. G. Mon, Jews, p.400 n.73; Z.W. Falk, o . c , p.83. 2 6 0 C f . J . G . Snaith, rrclesiasticus, p.\92. 261 Cf. Z.W. Falk, o . c , p.230. 262 Cf. Z.W. Falk, o . c , p . 3 4 9 . Cf. E.E. Urbach, Sages. 1975, p.511 (on 30,4-6).
50
"^'i Sira's Concept
of Law and the
Commandments
courts (11,7), property (36,25), contracts (26,36; 3 7 , 1 1 ; 41,24; 4 2 , 3 . 8 ; 4 3 , 4 ) , bridal gifts ( 2 5 , 2 1 . 2 2 ) , divorce ( 7 , 1 9 . 2 6 ; 2 5 , 2 5 . 2 6 ; 28,15), and inheritance (30,4-6; 42,2)2*^.
3 . 8 . Old T e s t a m e n t Q u o t a t i o n s a n d Allusions I t has b e e n c l a i m e d r e c e n t l y t h a t Ben Sira q u o t e s t h e O T " n o t o n c e in his e n t i r e book""^^. This view is n o t shiired b y (jthcr schol ars, h o w e v e r . Several studies p r o v e that Ben Sira used t h e O T r a t h e r e x t e n s i v e l y a n d in different ways^^''. A. E b e r h a r t e r distinguishes b e t w e e n (1) allusions ( " A n s p i e l u n g e n " ) , i.e. m a t e r i a l a n d formal r e m i n i s c e n c e s w h i c h leave t h e pos sibility of an i n d e p e n d e n t f o r m a t i o n o p e n , (2) references ( " A n l e h n u n g e n " ) w h e r e t h e s u b j e c t - m a t t e r a n d form i n d i c a t e clearly a r e l a t i o n s h i p t o O T r e f e r e n c e s , a n d (3) reflexive c o m b i n a t i o n s of several t e x t s of O T passages^^^. G . T . S h e p p a r d r e c e n t l y designed a m o r e s o p h i s t i c a t e d c h e c k l i s t of t h e m e a n s of referring t o specific O T t e x t s a n d tracUtions^^*: (1) full c i t a t i o n of a single biblical t e x t , a t least several w o r d s in l e n g t h , w i t h o u t a l t e r a t i o n in w o r d i n g , (2) partial c i t a t i o n of a single biblical t e x t w i t h a l t e r a t i o n in w o r d i n g , i n c l u d i n g a d d i t i o n s a n d o m i s s i o n s , (3) t h e use of k e y w o r d s or p h r a s e s as Stichwortverbindungen w i t h specific t e x t s or t r a d i t i o n s , (4) allusions t o specific t e x t s or t r a d i t i o n s , (5) p a r a p h r a s e of specific t e x t s or tra d i t i o n s , (6) i m a g i n a t i v e c h o i c e of m e t a p h o r s t h a t a l l o w for a var i e t y of free a s s o c i a t i o n s w i t h biblical imagery^^^. S h e p p a r d f u r t h e r
2 6 3 Cf. Z.W. Falk, o . c , p p . 2 0 4 , 2 1 8 . 264 Proving wrong both E. Rivkin, "BenSira", 1 9 7 5 , p.101 and J. Marbock, "Gesetz", 1976, p.lO w h o claim that typically Israelite laws do not occur in Sirach. 265 E. Rivkin. a . c , p . l O l . 266 A. Eberharter, Der Kanon des Alten Testaments zur Zeit des Ken Sira. Auf Grund der Beziehungen des Sirachbuches zu den Schriften des Alten Testaments dargestellt, 1 9 1 1 ; J.K. Zink, The Use of the Old Testament in the Apocrypha, Ph.D. Diss. Duke University, 1 9 6 3 , p p . 7 8 - 8 8 , 1 9 2 , 2 0 0 f . , 2 0 5 - 2 0 7 , T. Middendorp, 5fetfun^, 1 9 7 3 , pp. 35-91. 267 A. Eberharter, o . c , pp.4f. 268 G.T. Sheppard, Wisdom, 1 9 8 0 , p p . 1 0 0 - 1 0 2 , 269 G.T. Sheppard, o . c , p p . 1 0 0 - 1 0 2 uses Sir 2 4 as a case study and arrives at the following conclusions (the figures indicate the categories described above): (1)
Old Testament
Quotations
and Allusions
61
lists e i g h t possible r e d a c t i o n a l m e a n s of i n t e r p r e t i n g specific O T t e x t s or t r a d i t i o n s w i t h a l t e r a t i o n s of t h e i r original c o n t e x t s ^ ' ' ^ . T . M i d d e n d o r p a t t e m p t s t o p r o v e t h a t t h e original t e x t of Sir a c h d i d n o t c o n t a i n so m u c h b o r r o w e d m a t e r i a l from t h e O T . Ben Sira himself f o r m u l a t e d his views i n d e p e n d e n t l y , i.e. he was rela tively i n d e p e n d e n t w i t h regard t o t h e w o r d i n g of t h e biblical t e x t . Oral t r a d i t i o n is r e s p o n s i b l e for t h e f r e q u e n t " R i i c k b i e g u n g " of t h e Sirach t e x t to O T passages^^'. W h e t h e r M i d d e n d o r p ' s p r o c e d u r e is m e t h o d o l o g i c a l l y s o u n d m a y b e left u n d e c i d e d at this p o i n t . His decisions, often based o n the p r i o r i t y of an a s s u m e d Vorlage of G^'^^ o r on t h e ' m o t i v e s ' of t h e oral t r a d e n t s w i t h re gard t o such " R i i c k b i e g u n g e n " , a p p e a r a t t i m e s to b e forced a n d speculative. A. E b e r h a r t e r f o u n d in Sirach 6 6 allusions a n d 6 7 references t o t h e P e n t a t e u c h , 2 1 allusions a n d 4 8 references t o t h e ' f o r m e r ' p r o p h e t s , 6 9 allusions a n d 3.5 references to t h e ' l a t e r ' p r o p h e t s , a n d 171 allusions a n d 1 2 5 references t o t h e h a g i o g r a p h a : all in all 3 2 7 allusions a n d 2 7 5 references t o t h e OT^^^. O t h e r a u t h o r s c l a i m e d as well t h a t Ben Sira q u o t e d from every b o o k of t h e OT^^*. J . K . Z i n k f o u n d 10 explicit c i t a t i o n s of t h e O T in Sir^^'. T . M i d d e n d o r p f o u n d 7 0 allusions t o t h e P e n t a t e u c h , 4 6 allusions t o t h e historical b o o k s , 5 1 allusions t o t h e p r o p h e t i c a l b o o k s , a n d over 1 6 0 allusions t o t h e h a g i o g r a p h a , a l t o g e t h e r ca.
Sir 2 4 , 2 3 : Deut 3 3 , 4 ; (2) Sir 2 4 , 1 5 : Ex 3 0 , 2 3 - 2 4 ; (3) Sir 2 4 , 4 b ; (4) Sir 2 4 , 1 3 - 1 4 . 16-17.26; (5) Bar 3 , 3 0 , (6) Sir 24,13-14.16-17. 270 G.T. Sheppard, o.c, p p . 1 0 3 - 1 0 8 . 271 T. Middendorp, Stellung, pp.35-49 discussing 6 0 passages. 272 See his statement that "G geht auf eine eigene Vorlage zuriick ... wahrscheinlich, d a 6 diese Vorlage von G in den meisten Fallen einen besseren Text hatte als den der Genizafragmente. G hilft der Textkritik oft, Memorierfehler zu sichten. G, von friiheren Auslegern oft als ungenau, umschreibend, frei oder erklarend bezeichnet, scheint seiner Vorlage getreu zu folgen" (p.49). In the light of the present text-critical situation of Sirach research, such sweeping statements do not seem to be warranted. 273 Cf. A. Eberharter, Kanon, pp.6-52 (my own count). 2 7 4 Cf. the list of authors mentioned by P.R. Ackroyd, "Criteria for the Maccabean Dating of the Old Testament Literature", F 7 ' 3 (1953) 115 n.3. 275 Cf. J.K.. Zink, Use of the OldTcstament,w.l»-88,\92,2m.: 1,14 (Prov 1,7; 9 , 1 0 ) ; 2,18 (2Sam 2 4 , 1 4 ) ; 15,19 (Ps 3 3 , 1 8 ) ; 17,17 (Deut 32,8-9); 17,27 (Ps 6,6); 20,29 (Deut 1 6 , 1 9 ) ; 2 7 , 2 6 (Prov 2 6 , 2 7 ) ; 3 4 , 1 6 (Ps 3 3 , 1 8 ) ; 3 6 , 2 4 (Prov 18,22); 49,7 Qer 1,10). He found further 207 impUcit citations of the OT (ray o w n count).
62
J^^n Sira's Concept
of Law and the
Commandments
3 3 0 allusions t o t h e OT^^^. H . S t a d e l m a n n t o u c h e s t h e q u e s t i o n of t h e O T q u o t a t i o n s o n l y briefly in his e x c u r s u s o n " S c h r i f t f o r s c h u n g " in Sir^^^. He finds d i r e c t q u o t a t i o n s from t h e T o r a h (i.e. t h e P e n t a t e u c h ) in 3 5 , 6 ( D e u t 1 6 , 1 6 ) , 4 5 , 2 3 ( N u m 2 5 , 1 3 ) ; 2 3 , 1 3 (Deut 33,4). It w o u l d be b e y o n d t h e s c o p e of this s t u d y t o give a c o m p l e t e a n d e x h a u s t i v e analysis of t h e technic;d a n d m a t e r i a l e v i d e n c e of O T q u o t a t i o n s a n d allusions in Sir, as diis w o u l d p r o v i d e m a t e r i a l for a m o n o g r a p h of its o w n . It is o b v i o u s , h o w e v e r , t h a t Ben Sira n o t o n l y k n e w b u t also u s e d t h e O T e x t e n s i v e l y a n d in diverse ways.
3.9. S u m m a r y O u r t r e a t m e n t of the c o n c e p t a n d p o s i t i o n of t h e l a w a n d t h e c o m m a n d m e n t s in Sirach p r o v e d t h a t a l t h o u g h t h e law is never t h e subject of a l o n g e r p e r i c o p e , it is nevertheless of f u n d a m e n t a l i m p o r t a n c e t o B e n Sira^^*. T h e n u m e r o u s e x p h c i t references t o t h e ( w r i t t e n ) law have even p r o m p t e d s o m e scholars t o believe t h a t Ben Sira's m a i n objective was t h e ' p i e t y of t h e law'"^^^ a n d t h a t h e a t t e m p t e d to establish t h e T o r a h as t h e 'vanishing p o i n t ' of t h e diverse activities of t h e sage^*°. T h u s , it seems t h a t Ben Sira did n o t (!) have a " o f f e n e K o n z e p t i o n der T o r a " ^ * ' after aU. T h e t e r m s m i n / f d j u o c a n d m s a / ^ f r o X a i refer, in t h e vast m a j o r i t y of t h e passages, specifically t o t h e Mosaic Torah^*^. W h e n Ben Sira describes t h e o r d e r of c r e a t i o n h e s o m e t i m e s uses legal t e r m s . As s u c h passages arc relatively rare it is un w a r r a n t e d to h o l d t h e view t h a t Ben Sira u n d e r s t o o d t h e law es sentially as a c o m p r e h e n s i v e c o s m i c law. T h e realm of c r e a t i o n is n o t identical w i t h t h e realm of t h e law.
276 Cf. T. Middendorp, SteUung, pp.49-91 (my own count). For a critical evaluation ol Middcndorp's procedure cf. H. Stadelmann, lien Sira, p . 2 5 5 . 277 EI. Stadelmann, o . c , pp.254f. 278 C f . a i r c a d y J . Haspecker, G o « « / t i n / i « , 1967, p . 3 3 2 . 279 Cf. B.L. Mack, Z.o^o5, p.26. 280 Cf. M. Liihr, Bildung, p p . l 0 7 f . 281 C o n t r a J . M a r b o c k , " G e s e t z " , « Z 20 ( 1 9 7 6 ) 11. 2 8 2 See also M. Hengel,/urffnti/m, p . 2 5 3 .
Excursus
63
F o r B e n Sira t h e law is very closely Unked w i t h Israel's h i s t o r y a n d faith. T h e law is the w o r d of Y a h w e h a n d was revealed a t Sinai t h r o u g h t h e m e d i a t i o n of Moses a n d t h u s is, as a r e s u l t , t h e f o u n d a t i o n , t h e c o n t e n t , a n d t h e aim of t h e c o v e n a n t . T h e law as lex revelata w a s , in the eyes of Ben Sira, the n o r m or m o r a l a n d social c o n d u c t , t h e s o u r c e a n d the m e a n s of a t t a i n ing w i s d o m , t h e m e a s u r e of o n e ' s d e v o t i o n t o G o d , t h e rule for t h e t e m p l e cult a n d for j u r i s d i c t i o n , a n d last b u t n o t least t h e f o u n d a t i o n or ' t e x t b o o k ' for t e a c h i n g . Ben Sira challenges his readers t o o b e y t h e law a n d t o k e e p t h e c o m m a n d m e n t s as this is t h e sure r o a d t o w i s d o m a n d to a g o d l y life. Finally we e s t a b h s h e d t h e e x i s t e n c e of h a l a k h i c m a t e r i a l in Sir as well as his c o n c e p t u a l a n d material d e p e n d e n c e o n t h e O T .
E x c u r s u s 1: T h e I d e n t i t y a n d H i s t o r y of t h e S o p h e r i m 1.
Term
The term T S I D t a n be explained on the basis of an 'internal' Hebrew etymology. It is probably a denominative formation with the original seiise of "he w h o makes a T S O (list, written document)". Thus, T S T Q i s a person professionally concerned with b o o k s 2 8 3 . The Talmudic etymology interprets D ' l B I D as scholars w h o count the letters of the Torah: "Therefore the early (Sages) were called Sopherim because they counted all the letters of the Torah" ( m i n a t Z ? m T I I N "73 D ' T S I D T ' n t C ) , bQid 30a. If this statement is taken to provide an etymological explanation, it has certainly no historical signficance284. T S I D c a n refer to a literate person285, ^n elementary teacher, a secretary286, a secretary of state287, a temple scribe^^S^ and a (proto-Rabbinic) scribe289. A jif. fcrentiation with regard to the different usage in subsequent historical contexts and with regard to the technical or honorific usage of 1 S I D is therefore essential. Attempts to identify the sopherim often presuppose that they must correspond to some 'party' or movement. It has to be stressed therefore that sopherim is not the name for a party but a professional or educational designation290_ The term sopher
283 284 285 286 287 288 289
Cf. E. Schurer,//.story, 2, 1979, p.324 n.2. Cf. E.E. Urbach, 5 a ^ « , 1 9 7 5 , p . 5 6 8 . Cf. the term KwfiOv •ypatifiareit; used by Josephus in Ant 1 6 , 2 0 3 ; Bell 1,24. 2Kgs 2 5 , 1 9 : N 2 y n TtZ? I S O ; 2Kgs 1 2 , 1 1 : T ' p a n T S O . Ezr 7 , 1 2 . 2 1 : N ' a t Z ? T\bK NITT T S D . Cf. the edict of Antiochos III in Ant 12,142: 7pa/i/uaT6i<: rov lepoO, In the sense of Schriftgelehrter. Cf. Sir 3 8 , 2 4 - 3 9 , 1 1 . On the whole sec R. Meyer, Tradition und Neuschdpfung, 1965, p p . 3 8 - 4 2 ; idem, in ThWNT 9 ( 1 9 7 3 ) 22f.; E. Rivkin,//irfdcn Revolution, 1978, pp.158-160,2021. 2 9 0 Cf. M. Hengel, Judentum, p . 1 4 4 : "Berufs- bzw. Bildungsbezcichnung"; P. Sigal,
64
Ben Sira's Concept
of Law and the
Commandments
was used as a proper title only in the Tannaitic literature referring to the so-called 'early sages'. S o m e of the sopherim were given titles themselves, such as ' a l , ] 3 - | ,
m i n or N a N 2 9 i . 2. Identity
in
history
In pre-exilic times the term sopher was used to denote secretaries in the adminis tration of the Israelite monarchy, especially the royal secretary ( "l'7an 1 S D ) 2 9 2 . The royal secretary was responsible for the king's correspondence and for the keeping of the official state armals. If we follow J . Begrich and particularly T.N.D. Mettinger, this office was modelled on the 'royal secretary' in Egypt^SS. On this international scale the royal secretaries seem to have been closely related t o or even identical with the 'wise men', at least in a secondary sense294. x h e LXX translation of "1310 with ypafiiMTev': fits into this general context. In the time of Ezra, NT SO seems to have been used as the designation of a Persian office: N ' n © n'^N ""T K m "ISO (Ezr 7,12.21), a civil servant "dessen Ressort innerhalb der persischen Verwaltung die Belange des jiidischen Gottes bzw. seiner G e m d n d e sind"295_ Jh[s term imphes that Ezra is responsible to the Persian king and also that he is invested with authority as state official with regard to the priests in Jerusalem296 The activity of Ezra the sopher (cf. Ezr 8 , 1 . 4 . 9 . 1 3 ; 12,6.36) "stellte die Weichen fiir jene Konzentration auf die Torah, die im Judentum der Folgezeit immer starker zu beobachten ist"29''. Scribism as ideology begins with the view that the Mosaic law given by God was binding and therefore had to be authoritatively in terpreted and applied to daily affairs, a view which has to be traced back to Neheiah's establishment of the Mosaic Torah as the constitution of Judea. Thus, from the 4th century B.C. onwards, the men w h o could apply the completed (written) Torah
Emergence, 1/2, 1 9 8 0 , p . 3 : "denoting a functionary"; cf. also J. Neusner, "The Formation of Rabbinic Judaism",/17V«W 11/19,2 (1979) 38f. 291 Cf. E. Schurer, o.c, p p . 3 2 5 - 3 2 7 . 2 9 2 2Kgs 12,10; 1 8 , 3 7 ; 19,2 ; 2 2 , 3 . 8 - I O . I 2 ; 2 C h r 3 4 , 8 ; J e r 3 6 , 1 0 . 1 2 . 2 0 - 2 1 . 2 9 3 Cf. J. Bcgrich, "Sofer und Mazkir", ZAW 35 ( 1 9 4 0 ) 10-15; T.N.D. Mettinger, State Officials, 1 9 7 1 , p p . 2 5 - 5 1 . Sec also E. Schurer, o.c, p . 3 2 4 . 2 9 4 C. Kayatz, Studien zu Proverbien 1-9, WMANT 2 2 , 1966, p . l 3 ; H . Mantel, "The Development of the Oral Law During the Second Temple Period", WHJP 1/8 ( 1 9 7 7 ) 5 5 ; R. Riesner, Jesus als Lehrer: Eine Untersuchung zum Ursprung der EvangelienUberlieferung, WUNT II/7, 1 9 8 1 , p p . l 5 4 - l 5 6 ; R.T. Beckwith, "The Pre-History and Relationships of the Pharisees, Sadducees and the Essenes", RQ 11 ( 1 9 8 2 ) 19f. 295 Cf. H.H. Schaeder, Esra der Schreiber. 1930, p . 4 9 , followed by A . G u t t m a n n , Rabbinic Judaism, 1 9 7 0 , p.4; W. Rudolph, Esra und Nehemia, H A T 2 0 , p p . 6 7 , 7 2 ; R. Meyer, in ThWNT 9 (1973) 22f.;W.T. in der Smitten, f j r a ; QueZfen, Uberliefer ung und Geschichte, 1 9 7 3 , p p . I 0 5 - l 1 0 ; H. Mantel, a.c, p.55. But note the objec tions raised by S. Mowinckel, Studien zu dem Buche Ezra-Nehemiah, 3 , 1965, pp. I I 7 - I 2 4 w h o sees 'sopher' in Ezr 7,12 as a scholar in the law rather than as titic of a Persian office. Cf. also J . Marbock, "Der schriftgelehrte Weise", BETL 51 (1979) 298 n.l5. 2 9 6 Cf. R. Meyer, in ThWNT 9 (1973) 22 ;K. GaUing, Die Biicher der Chronik, Esra, Nehemia, KIT) 12, 1954, p . 2 0 5 . 297 R. Riesner, o . c , p . l 6 2 . Cf. also J.Z. Lauterbach, Rabbinic Essays, 1 9 7 3 , p . l 6 5 w h o regards the sopherim as the successors of Ezra.
Excursus
65
constituted an important class or profession. The scribes regarded the study, inter pretation, and application of the Torah as the centre of p i e t y 2 9 8 . In the pre-Maccabean period we encounter sopherim at the temple (Ant 1 2 , 1 4 2 ) . The temple scribes were literate priests w h o were responsible for copying the Scrip tures, especiaUy the Pentateuch, and for transmitting them with meticulous care. T h e y were the custodians of the Holy Scriptures299. it is in the context of this per iod that w e hear of hasidic sopherim (IMacc 7 , 1 2 - 1 3 ) 3 0 0 . They were legal experts w h o interpreted the law and applied it t o new situations. These scribes were search ing for a law which would establish the legitimacy of A l c i m u s ^ ' " . At the beginning of the second century the priest and wisdom teacher Ben Sira uses the word TS1 0 for the first time in the 'technical' sense of 'scribe': the scholar w h o is "1310 and D3n at the same time ( 3 8 , 2 4 : aoipia ypaiitiareijji; =n?33n - ) 3 1 D ) . In 38,24-39,11 he pictures the ideal scribe (see supra § 6 . 5 . 5 . ) . In 38,24-S4b Ben Sira discusses the relation b e t w e e n the sopher/hakham aiKd the lay people w h o have other professions. His aim is to show that craftsmen always remain craftsmen and that the highest level of wisdom can be attained only by the (priestly302) sopher w h o has the necessary leisure to study the Torah^OS. In 3 8 , 3 4 c - 3 9 , l l Ben Sira de scribes then the ideal of scribe as such. In his description of the work of the scribe we find a new and extremely important element: whereas iht sopher ot the Persian per-
298 C f . J . Neusner, "Formation of Rabbinic Judaism", .4iV«W 11/19,2 ( 1 9 7 9 ) 38f. 299 Cf. R. Meyer, in ThWNT 9 ( 1 9 7 3 ) 2 2 f . ; E . E . Urbach, Sa^ej, p . 5 6 8 . Some see a re ference to the sopherim at the temple in Jer 8,8; cf. R. R i e s n e r , / e j u s , p.160. In TLev 8,1 7 levitical scribes are expressly mentioned. 3 0 0 Cf. R. Riesner, o.c, p.l 6 8 . 301 R. Meyer, a.c, p.23 identifies these scribes with the temple scribes. But there is nothing in the context of IMacc 7,12-13 which would warrant this identification. P. Sigal, Emergence, I / l , p p . l 9 9 f . caUs the scribes of IMacc 7,12 "scholastics of Torah" and identifies them as the "new class of proto-Rabbis". This view cannot be justified either, since the text relates these scribes t o the hasidim w h o clearly can not be regarded as being, exclusively, proto-Rabbis. 3 0 2 The apologetic interest of Ben Sira aims at emphasizing that lay people have no business with the priestly scribe. This has been clearly recognized b y H. Stadel mann, Ben Sira, p p . 2 7 4 - 2 9 3 passim. The view of H.H. Schaeder, Esra der Schrei ber. p.59 that in Sir 38,24-39,11 Ben Sira praises the ideal figure of the "schriftgelehrten, torakundigen Laien" is totaUy erroneous. M. Hei\ge\, Judentum, p.l46 believes that in this passage the sopher has already a relatively autonomous (!) signi ficance, emancipating himself from the priesthood and aUowing lay people into his rank in order to combat HeUenism. As regards the historical context, this view seems to be correct. But Ben Sira is seemingly not part of this development but rather opposes it! Cf. H. Stadelmann, o.c, p . 2 9 2 . E. Rivkin, "Pharisaism and the Crisis of the Individual in the Greco-Roman Worid",/QR 61 ( 1 9 7 0 ) 3 3 proves that Ben Sira underwrites Aaronide authority b y pointing out that he reminds his rea ders of the fate of Dathan, Abiram, and Korah w h o had dared to chzdlengc Aaron's supremacy (Sir 4 5 , 1 7 - 1 9 ) . Cf. E . Rivkin, Hidden Revolution, p p . l 9 I - 2 0 7 where he describes the sopherim at Ben Sira's time as "Pentateuchalists, hierocratic intel lectuals, Aaronide supremacists, and lovers and seekers of Wisdom" w h o share "only a name with the Pharisees-Hakhamim-Soferim, not an essence" ( p . l 9 7 ) . It should be noted that Rivkin faUs to see the apologetic (!) nature of Ben Sira's description of the sopher, and the halakhah existed already in that time.
66
Ben Sira's Concept
of Law and the
Commandments
iod focused his interest exclusively on the Torah (cf. Ezra), we find that the sopher of the pre-Maccabean period includes topics and traditions of traditional w i s d o m (Sir 39,2-3). Ben Sira's sopher is an intellectual, not a 'scribe' in the old sense,ascholar, not a copyist, a sage, not a secretary. This fusion of traditional scribal (Torah) erudition and wisdom teaching can also be seen in the telling phrases, mentioned already, of the aoyjla yfiati/juiTeux; = I S I D n B D n (Sir 3 8 , 2 4 ) 3 0 4 . v v i t h Ben Sira, D D D and are essentially identiccJ terms^OS. R. Meyer's statement that "erst die feste Verbindung von 'Weisheit' und 'Gesetz' beziehungsweise von 'Wcisen' und 'Schrcibem' als deren Tragem ergibt den komplexen Begriff des Schriftgelehrten"306 has t o be modified, however, with reference t o the fact that the term sopher and the corresponding 'profession' existed before Ben Sira, denoting the priestly scholar who concentrated o n the Torah307. R . H . Pfeiffer pointed out that Ben Sira, with his fusion of hakham and sopher, "marks the transition from the Bible t o the Talmud, from the authority of inspiration (which he still claims ... ) to the authority of learning. The t w o phases of this study, wisdom and I>aw, remained basic in Judaism after Sirach"308. Others maintain similarly that Ben Sira gives the "first description of the emergent proto-rabbi"309. it necessary, however, to differentiate between the different types of sopherim after Ben Sira. As concerns Ben Sira himself, with his claim of pos sessing the "spirit of understanding" ( 1 9 , 6 ) and thus being inspired like the prophets, M. Hengel has rightly distinguished t w o potential directions of further development: (1) the development of a new 'prophecy' founded o n the inspired interpretation of law and prophets (as among the Essenes and the Zealots), or (2) the institutionaliza tion of exegesis (as in the later Rabbinic system )310 £ . Rjvkin dissociates Ben Sira and his fellow-sopherim completely from the Pharisees w h o m he takes to be identical with the hakhamim/sopherim^ 11. He does not see, however, that Ben Sira has to defend (!) the priestly-Aaronide sopherim, that there are indeed similarities between Ben Sira's sopher and the later Pharisaic sopherim, and that the early halakhah exist ed already in Ben Sira's d a y 3 1 2 . Further, Rivkin's exclusive identification of (post-
3 0 3 Cf. H. Stadelmann, o.c, p p . 2 8 4 - 2 9 3 . O n the alleged relation between Ben Sira and the 'Instruction of Cheti' {ANET, pp.432ff.) and the 'Praise of the Learned Scribe' (ANET, pp.431f.) see the critical assessment, with negative conclusions, by O. Rick enbacher, Weisheitsperikopen, p p . l 8 6 - 1 9 2 , followed by H. Stadelmann, Ben Sira, p p . 2 8 7 - 2 9 0 and J. Marbock, "Der schriftgelehrte Weise", B£ri 51 ( 1 9 7 9 ) 2 9 5 . 3 0 4 Cf. H. Stadelmann, o.c, p . 2 2 5 . This was already observed by R. Meyer, Tradition, pp.41f.; idem, in ThWNT 9 ( 1 9 7 3 ) 2 3 ; also J. Marbock, a.c., p p . 3 0 2 f . , 3 1 1 - 3 1 4 . E. Rivkin, "Scribes, Pharisees, I>awyers, Hypocrites: A Study in S y n o n y m i t y " , HUCA 4 9 ( 1 9 7 8 ) 139 rightly pointed out that the term ypaiiixaTeix; did not keep up with this change in meaning of T S I D 305 Cf. our discussion infra, § 4 . 3 0 6 R. Meyer, o.c, 1979, p.40.
p . 4 2 ; cf. idem, a.c.,
p . 2 3 ; also M. Kiichler,
Weisheitstraditionen,
307 C f . H . Stadelmann, o . c , p . 2 2 7 . 3 0 8 R.H. P f e i f f e r , / / M f o r y , 1949, p . 3 6 9 . 309 P. Emergence, 1/2, 1980, p . l 8 . 3 1 0 Cf. M. H e n g e l , / J i d e n t u m , p . 2 4 8 . 311 E. Rivkin,//itirfen/?«/o/uft'on, p p . 1 9 7 - 2 0 4 . 3 1 2 Cf. L. Finkelstein, "Some Examples of Maccabean Halaka", JBL 4 9 ( 1 9 3 0 ) 2 0 - 4 2 ; L.I. Rabinowitz, "Halakhah", 1 9 6 7 , p p . 1 4 5 - 1 4 8 .
Excursus
6 7
Hasmonean) sopherim with the Pharisees=/taftAamim is not warranted. One can say, at least, that a similar phenomenology is operative in the sagc/scribc of Ben Sira and
in the later r a b b i t ' s . As regards the special case of the 'inspired' scribe, a position which Ben Sira ob viously claims for himself, later rabbinic theory assumed for all the rabbis, called D ' n a n , the authority of both revelation (inspiration) and interpretation (exegesis), based o n their succession of both priest and prophet^l^. The Hasmonean period v\ntnessed a second concentration on the Torah as a reaction against the attempt to abolish the law by the Hellenizers^lS. xhis is true for the Sad ducees and for the Pharisees, as well as for the Qumran C o m m u n i t y ^ l S . The scribes were no longer recruited from among the priests only but more and more from among the lay p e o p l c ^ l ? j h e i r power was not based any more on priestly descent but on their erudition and expertise in the Torah. Each of the above-mentioned "parties' or movements had its own scribes who also combined wisdom and law^l^. The Pharisaic scribes came from priestly or non-priestly circles and were involved in the working out of halakhah, especially concerning ritual purity319. We know orJy a small number of scribes w h o belonged to a Pharisaic c o m m u n i t y 3 2 0 . These scribes were, according to the later Rabbinic tradition, in principle committed to non-writing with regard to halakhah. Their allegiance to the law was strengthened by the fact that the priests were by now no longer the (sole) custodians of the Iaw321. There were also Sadducean scribes. It would be very strange if the Sadducees w h o acknowledged the Torah as sole binding authority would include no professional ex positors of the Torah. This is all the more probable since the sopherim were, as we have seen, originally recruited from the priests, and the Sadducees consisted largely, if not almost exclusively, of priests. Josephus (Ant 18,16) and the NT (cf. expressions as "scribes of the Pharisees", Acts 2 3 , 9 ; Mk 2,16; Lk 5,30) presuppose that there were Sadducean scribes too322_ The halakhah to which R. Eliezer b. Zadok refers in mSanh 7,2 (the death penalty by burning is to be applied literally) is described in bSanh 52b as a Sadducean legal practicc323_
313 314 315 316 317
Cf. D.J. Harrington, "The Wisdom of the Scribe", 1 9 8 0 , p p . l 8 6 f . Cf. P. Sigal, Emergence, 1/2, p . l 8 . C f . M . Hengel, o . c , p . 5 6 3 . Cf. H. Stadelmann, Ben Sira, pp.227f. C f . J . Jeremias, y m / r a / f m in the Time of Jesus, ^ 1 9 7 9 , p p . 2 3 3 - 2 3 5 .
3 1 8 Cf. E. Schurer, History, 2, p . 3 2 9 , R. Meyer, in ThWNT 9 (1973) 2 3 ; P. Sigal, o . c , I / l , p.3; J. Jeremias, o . c , p p . 2 5 4 - 2 5 6 ; H. Mantel, "Development", WHJP 1/8 ( 1 9 7 7 ) 5 5 ; R. Riesner, Jesus, p p , 1 6 8 - 1 7 6 . J . Jeremias, o . c , p . 2 5 4 rightly rejects "the completely false idea that the Pharisees were the same as the scribes". Also J. Neusner, "Formarion", ANRW 11/19,2 (1979) 38 w h o points out that the rab binic traditions about the Pharisees before 70 A.D. d o not mention a stress o n , or even the presence of, the ideal of the study of Torah, and that neither Josephus nor the Gospels confuse the scribes with the Pharisees ( p p . 3 9 4 1 ) . Contra E. Rivkin, " S c r i b e s " , 4 9 (1978) 135-142. 319 320 321 322
C f . J . Jeremias, yeruM/em, p p . 2 5 6 - 2 5 8 . Cf. J. Jeremias, o . c , p . 2 5 4 . Cf. E. Rivkin, "Scribes", H f / C ^ 49 ( 1 9 7 8 ) 139, Cf. E. Schurer, History, 2, p . 3 2 9 ; J. JeremUs, o . c , p.231 ;J. Le Moyne, Les Sadduceens, EB, 1 9 7 2 , pp.4 I f . , 3 5 2 - 3 5 4 . 3 2 3 Cf. E. Schiirer, o . c , pp.329f. with n.29. On Sadducean halakhah see J . Le Moyne,
58
Ben Sira's Identification
of Law and Wisdom
The scribes in Qumran focused o n the study of the Torah as well (cf. IQS 6,6-7). The exploration of the Scriptures remained here the task of the priests and Levites (cf. CD 6,4-6; 13,2-3; 14,7-8; IQS 2,8-9). But the goal was to provide all members of the Community with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. This is probably why they were caUed "pupils of G o d " ( bH •'1^^2b, cf. CD 2 0 , 4 ; IQH 2 , 3 9 ; 8,36; IQM 1 0 , 1 0 ) . The priestly "feacher of Righteousness' was the expounder of Torah par excellence ( m i D T l i : ; - m , C D 6 , 7 . 1 0 - 1 1 ) 3 2 4 . It seems that there were also 'independent' scribes. We know of scribes w h o op posed Sadducean teachers and championed Pharisaic ideas but w h o did not seem to belong to a Pharisaic community. For example, Yohanan b. Zakkai defends Pharisaic opinions against Sadducean views speaking of himself in the third person (mYad 4 , 6 ) 3 2 5 . And the halakhot o n ritual purity which characterize the Pharisees are not sig nificant in the traditions on Y o h a n a n b . Zakkai326. it coidd well be that a part of the 'proto-rabbis' stood above the 'parties'327. After 70 A . D . scribism changed, introducing important differences with regard to the pre-70 scribal ideology: the temple cult was replaced by the study o f the Torah, the priest b y the rabbi (= scribe), and the centre of piety shifted away entirely from the temple cult and its sacrifices328. Thus the scribal ideal w a s carried to its logical conclusion: "If study of Torah was central and knowledge o f Torah important, then the scribe had authority even in respect to the Temple and the cult; indeed, his knowledge was more important than what the priest k n e w " 3 2 9 T h e rabbinism of the early Yavneans, especially Yohanan b. Zakkai, is the continuation of pre-70 scribism. In the Mishnah, TBI D is a title applied only t o scribes of earlier times w h o had already an authority for the Tannaim330 The scholar/scribes of Tannaitic times are called D''a3n. If TS1D (or aram. NTSO) is not meant as a title referring to the 'early sages' it is used as the most c o m m o n designation for the elementary teacher331, for a copyist or professional writer332, for a bookbinder333_ or for a town-archivist334. Thus the term TS1 0 acquired again its original meaning referring to a person o . c , pp.369-379. 3 2 4 O. Betz, Offenbarung und Schriftforschung in der Qumransekte, WUNT 6, 1 9 6 0 , pp.19-36; R. Riesner,/esus, p p . l 7 0 f . 3 2 5 Cf. J. Jeremias, o . c , pp.255f. On his disputes with the Sadducees see J. Neusner, A Life ofRabban Yohanan ben Zakkai, SPB 6, 1 9 6 2 , pp.52-60. 3 2 6 C f . J . Neusner, £ar/y Rabbinic Judaism, SJLA 13, 1 9 7 5 , pp.57f. 327 Cf. R. Riesner, Jesus, p . l 74. It is wrong, however, to identify such 'independent' scribes with the 'proto-rabbis' in contradistinction t o the Pharisees w h o were only interested in the transmission of practical instructions for proper behaviour and showed n o interest in wisdom traditions (contra R. Riesner, o . c , p.l 74). The 'protorabbis' were to be found in the diverse Pharisaic communitites as well. 328 C f . J . Neusner, "Formation", ^ V f i W 11/19,2 ( 1 9 7 9 ) 3 8 . 329 C f . J . Neusner, a . c , p . 3 8 . 3 3 0 Cf. mOri 3 , 9 ; mYeb 2 , 4 ; 9 , 3 ; mSanh 1 1 , 3 ; mKel 1 3 , 7 ; mPar 11,4-6; mToh 4 , 7.1 1; mTeb 4 , 6 ; mYad 3 , 2 . Cf. E. Schurer, History, 2 , p.325 n.9; J. Jeremias, Art. "7POMMaTfu<;", ThWNT 1 ( 1 9 3 3 ) 7 4 1 . 331 Cf. tMeg 3 , 1 9 ; 4 , 3 8 ; pPea 21a; pilag 76c; pMeg 7 4 a ; p Y e b 13a;bBB 21b. The ele mentary school is called D'TSID r f a or 131071 f f n : cf. tSot 6,2; pTaan 6 9 a ; bKet 105a. 332 Cf.mGit 8,8; 3 , 1 ; 7 , 2 ; 9 , 8 ; mBM 5,11 ;mShab 12,5; mSanh 4 , 3 ; 5,5. 3 3 3 Cf. mPes 3 , 1 . 3 3 4 Cf. bBB 21b.
The Exegetical
Evidence
69
professionally concerned with books and documents^^S. R. Eliezer summed up the new situation lamenting that "since the day that the Temple was destroyed, the hakhamim began to be like the sopherim and the sopherim became like hazzanim" (mSot9,15).
§4
Ben Sir's Identification
of Law and
Wisdom
We are n o w in a p o s i t i o n t o u n d e r s t a n d t h e n a t u r e of Ben Sira's i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of l a w a n d w i s d o m , as well as t h e r a t i o n a l e b e h i n d it a n d its c o n s e q u e n c e s . Before w e discuss t h e c h a r a c t e r of t h e iden t i f i c a t i o n , we will first have t o focus o n t h e m a t e r i a l e v i d e n c e of t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n i n Sirach since this has n o t b e e n d o n e before^^^.
4 . 1 . T h e Exegetical E v i d e n c e 4.1.1. The explicit evidence. I n seven passages we find a clear a n d direct i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of w i s d o m a n d law. (1) 1 5 , 1 : " H e w h o fears the Lord^^^ will d o t h i s , a n d h e w h o k e e p s t h e law will ac q u i r e it (i.e. w i s d o m ) " . This verse is t h e formal a n d m a t e r i a l c e n t r e of t h e w i s d o m p e r i c o p e 14,20-15,10^^^ in w h i c h Ben Sira p r e s e n t s p i e t y as t h e conditio sine qua non for o b t a i n i n g wisdom^^9. Personal faith w h i c h i n c l u d e s o b e d i e n c e t o t h e l a w will lead t o w i s d o m . As in 2 4 , 2 3 t h e T o r a h a p p e a r s h e r e as t h e s u m m a r y of a w i s d o m h y m n , a n d as in 1,26 o b e d i e n c e t o t h e law is
335 Cf. J. Jeremias, a.c, p . 7 4 1 ; R. Riesner, o.c, p . l 8 4 ; P. Sigal, Emergence, 1/2, p.3; E. Schiirer, o.c, p . 3 2 4 ; A. Gutmann, Rabbinic Judaism, p.7. Josephus does not use ypaiximT€V<: for the scribe of his time (except Bell 6 , 2 9 1 : iepoypaMMaTetc) but employs rather paraphrases (cf. Ant 1 7 , l 4 9 f . ) or calls them aopioTai (cf. Ant 1 7 , 1 5 2 ; BeU 1,648). 3 3 6 J. Marbock, "Gesetz", BZ 20 (1976) 1-21 discusses only 17,11-14; 2 4 , 2 3 . 337 H starts 15,1 with ' a which is omitted by G and S. We follow O. Rickenbacher, Weisheitsperikopen, p.77 w h o interprets the ' a as a A!-a//irwiation
ACT(, p . l 0 7 ; O . Rickkenbacher, o.c, p.7 7 ;J.G. Snaith, Ecclesiasticus, p.75. 339 Cf. H. Stadelmann, Ben Sira, p.301 n . l .
70
Hen Sira's Identification
of Law and
Wisdom
seen as a p r e r e q u i s i t e for a t t a i n i n g wisdom**^. T h e l a w is a sure w a y t o w i s d o m . T o k e e p t h e law is t o be wise. (2) 1 7 , 1 1 : " H e gave t h e m knowledge**"', a n d h e gave t h e m as a n i n h e r i t a n c e t h e law of Hfe". T h e chiastic s t r u c t u r e of this verse identifies " k n o w l e d g e " {emaTrtiiri) a n d " l a w of l i f e " {v6iio<; fw???) w h i c h G o d gave t o Israel (cf. 4 5 , 5 ) . In t h e c o n t e x t of t h e Sinaitic revelation of G o d w e have h e r e a n o t h e r e x p l i c i t o c c u r r e n c e of the i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of law a n d w i s d o m ^ ^ . (3) 1 9 , 2 0 : "All w i s d o m is t h e fear of the L o r d , a n d aH w i s d o m is t h e fulfilment of t h e l a w " ^ ^ As in 2 , 1 5 - 1 6 ; 6 , 3 6 ; 15,1 Ben Sira closely links t h e fear of t h e L o r d , w i s d o m , a n d t h e law. H e r e t h e fear of t h e L o r d a n d w i s d o m are identified, a n d it is p o i n t e d o u t t h a t t h e fulfilment of t h e law consists in this s y n t h e s i s ' ^ . T h e k e e p i n g of G o d ' s law e q u a l s c o m p r e h e n s i v e w i s d o m ^ ' . (4) 2 1 , 1 1 : " H e w h o k e e p s t h e law keeps his ( n a t u r a l ) incHnat i o n u n d e r c o n t r o l , a n d a c c o m p l i s h e d w i s d o m is the fear of t h e Lord"^. I n v . l l b w i s d o m is identified w i t h t h e fear of t h e L o r d ^ ' ' . T h e chiastic s t r u c t u r e of t h e verse suggests t h a t w i s d o m is also identified w i t h t h e c o n t r o l of t h e ' n a t u r a l ' i n c H n a t i o n ( i s ' ) a n d t h e fear of t h e Ix)rd w i t h o b e d i e n c e t o the T o r a h ^ . It has
340 Cf. J. Marbock, o.c, p p . 8 5 , 8 8 . Taken alone, 15,1b hardly implies the identifica tion of law and wisdom. However, the context is decisive here: Torah is the sum mary of the wisdom hymn. 341 Box/Oesterley, APOT 1 ( 1 9 1 3 ) 376 suggest that G reads n a ' » 2 instead of r f T a and translate "he set before them the covenant". This emendation would fit the context (cf. the "law of life") but is not warranted by the textual evidence and has to remain speculative. 3 4 2 Acknowledged by P.J. Nel, Structure, 1 9 8 2 , p . 9 3 . 3 4 3 The translation follows O. Rickenbacher, Weisheitsperikopen, pp.99f. w h o omits iv in v.20b in accordance with the fact that in over 2 0 passages H and S stand against G omitting anything which would correspond to kv. If this conjecture is correct, J. Marbock's statement that in 19,20 the law appears as part of more comprehensive sapiential activities (Weisheit, p.85) has to be modified. 3 4 4 Cf. M. Lohr, Bildung, p.36. 345 Cf. O. Rickenbacher, o.c, p . 1 0 0 , quoting L. Alonso-Schokel, Proverbios y Ec clesiastico , 1968, ad l o c : "El temor del Senor es sintesis de la sabiduria, complir su ley es toda la sabiduria". We acknowledge the fact that this exegesis rests on an emendation. The text as it is (cf. NEB "all wisdom ... includes the fulfilling of the law") supports rather the correlation of wisdom and law. 3 4 6 On the context, the translation, and the meaning of the verse see supra, pp.46f. 347 Cf.J. Haspecker, Gottesfurcht,p.\&l;i.G. Snaifh,Ecclesiasticus,p.\0&. 3 4 8 Cf. O. Rickenbacher, Weisheitsperikopen, p . l 0 6 ; J.G. Snaith, ficcZeitasticuj, p . 1 0 6 ; H. Stadelmann, Ben Sira, p . 2 2 2 .
The Exegetical
Evidence
71
n o t b e e n o b s e r v e d y e t t h a t besides this s t r u c t u r a l parallelism we also find a s y n o n y m o u s parallelism w i t h regard t o t h e c o n t e n t : as o b e d i e n c e t o t h e law leads t o i n n e r discipline a n d a g o d l y life, so does accomplished wisdom which corresponds with c o m m i t m e n t t o G o d . In o t h e r w o r d s : o b e d i e n c e t o t h e law is a c c o m p l i s h e d wasd o m - b o t h are s t r o n g l y l i n k e d w i t h t h e fear of t h e L o r d , a n d b o t h are t h e f o u n d a t i o n a n d t h e m e a n s of a t t a i n i n g a g o d l y life w h i c h is in a c c o r d a n c e w i t h G o d ' s c o m m a n d m e n t s . (5) 2 4 , 2 3 : " A l l this is t h e b o o k of t h e c o v e n a n t of G o d M o s t H i g h ^ ^ ' t h e law w h i c h Moses i m p o s e d u p o n u s , as i n h e r i t a n c e for t h e assembly^'*^ of J a c o b " ^ ' ' . T h e r a v r a ttavra is usually u n d e r s t o o d as c o m p r e h e n d i n g w i s d o m , w h i c h f u n c t i o n s in c r e a t i o n a n d in h i s t o r y ( 2 4 , 1 - 2 2 ) , as t h e Mosaic law c o n t a i n i n g G o d ' s will (cf. t h e t e r m " i n h e r i t a n c e " ) for his p e o p l e ^ ' ^ . W i s d o m a n d law are clearly i d e n t i f i e d . T h e ^ii3Xo
s t o o d as s y n o n y m o u s w i t h t h e b o o k of t h e l a w in v . 2 3 b
. Ben
3 4 9 Retaining G fiiffKoti 6UII?T|KT)<; tJeoO VipiaTov with J. Marbock, Weisheit, pp.35, 4 0 , 7 7 ; J.G. Snaith, o.c, p . l 2 4 ; M. Lohr, Bildung, p . 4 6 ; G. Sauer, JSHRZ III/5 ( 1 9 8 1 ) 5 6 5 ; contra O. Rickenbacher, o.c, p p . l 2 6 f . followed by H. Stadelmann, o.c, p.248 n . l . It is not necessary to see in 2 4 , 2 3 a tristich: cf. J . Marbock, o.c, p.45. 3 5 0 Following S instead of G {avvayu>ya[<;). Cf. O. Rickenbacher, o.c, p.167 ;J. Mar bock, o.c, p.40. 351 We retain the authenticity of 24,23ff. Cf. M. Hengel, Judentum, p.289 n . 3 3 9 , con tra W.I,. Knox, ' T h e Divine Wisdom", JThS 18 ( 1 9 3 7 ) 233,236f. U. Wilckens, Weisheit und Torheit, 1959, p p . l 6 7 f . states that this pericope represents in a later redactor's mind "die zentrale Aussage des gaiuen Liedes". We do not take into account the variant in the Syriac version, viz. "all this is in the book of the cove nant of God Most High", following practically all scholars. If "in" were original, G with its predilection for iv (cf. supra n.343) would certainly have translated it. On the relationship of 2 4 , 2 3 with 24,1-22 see also G.T. Sheppard, "Wisdom and Torah", 1 9 7 8 , p p . 1 6 6 - 1 6 8 . 3 5 2 Contra J.C.H. Lebram, "Jerusalem", 1 9 7 9 , p p . 1 0 8 - 1 1 2 w h o relates raOra iravra to 24,20-22 and rejects the usual interpretation of this phrase as expressing the identification of wisdom and law since, according to him, this phrase contains only a comparison: "das Gesetz gibt dem Menschen soviel, wie die Weisheit, namlich ewige Siittigung" (p.l 10). Wisdom is not identified with the law but the law, as b o o k ( I ) , is seen as mediator of sapiential perception (p.108). Lebram's interpreta tion does not do justice to the conceptual context of Sir 24. He asserts that such an identification would be not impossible for Ben Sira, historically speaking, referring to Ezr 7,25 and Bar 4 , 1 , assuming, obviously, that Sir 2 4 , 2 3 is the only passage in Sirach which could contain the identification of law and wisdom. 3 5 3 C f . J . Marbock, Weisheit, p.77, following E. Kutsch, "Gesetz und Gnadc: Probleme des alttestamentlichen Bundesbegriffes", ZAW 79 (1967) 18-35, part. p.30 w h o
72
Ben Sira's Identification
of Law and
Wisdom
Sira o f t e n relates t h e c o v e n a n t t o t h e revealed l a w ( 1 7 , 1 1 . 1 2 ; 2 4 , 2 3 ; 2 8 , 7 ; 3 9 , 8 ; 4 2 , 2 G ; 3 3 , 2 0 ; 45,5)^^^. 2 4 , 2 3 b is a q u o t a t i o n f r o m Deut 33,4^5'. J. Marbock thinks that, as a result of this identification of law and wisdom, "der Begriff des Gesetzes bei Ben Sira ebenfalls eine gewisse Erweiterung und Auffiillung erfahren m u 6 " 3 5 6 . first, the dignity of the law is enhanced: since it is linked with wisdom which is active in creation and in Israel's history, the law is 'projected back' to creation. Second, the law assumes the characteristics of a comprehensive cosmic law which permeates creation and history: it is seen as universal creation-wisdom^'''. Later rabbinic theology developed this concept of the Torah as cosmological princip]g358 It has t o be emphasized, however, that the law does n o t give u p its identity as God's revealed and authoritative law given to Israel through the mediation of Moses.
T h e law w h i c h d o m i n a t e d t h e life of t h e p i o u s J e w is t h e o n l y s o u r c e of t r u e w i s d o m : " D i e w a h r e u n d l e t z t e S t u f e d e r Weisheit liegt . . .fiir B e n Sira in d e r d u r c h M o s e s v e r m i t t e l t e n O f f e n b a r u n g , die das d a u e r n d e u n d e i g e n t l i c h e E r b e des V o l k e s i s t " ^ ' ^ . In 2 4 , 2 5 2 7 Ben Sira uses p o e t i c m e t a p h o r s t o illustrate t h e g r e a t w i s d o m of l a w . T h e T o r a h overflows w i t h w i s d o m — c o m p a r a b l e w i t h t h e overflowing a n d life-giving w a t e r s of t h e rivers of p a r a d i s e , t h e Pish o n , Tigris, E u p h r a t e s , a n d G i h o n (cf. G e n 2 , 1 1 - 1 4 ) , t o w h i c h Ben Sira a d d s t h e rivers J o r d a n a n d N i l e ^ ^ . Water is of p a r a m o u n t im p o r t a n c e for life. F o r Ben Sira w a t e r is a sign of blessing, a s y m b o l
pointed out that in deuteronomistic theology I T ' i a and rTTin are used as synonyms. 3 5 4 Cf. J. Marbock, o.c, p.78 w h o quotes (only) 17,12 ; 2 8 , 7 ; and IMacc 1,56.57 w h e r e . r d ffiffkia Tov vd/sov are parallel to fiiffkiov 6iat>)7Kr)<;. Contra O. Ricken bacher, Weisheitsperikopen, p p . l 6 6 f . w h o states that the object of 'covenant' in Sir is never Israel nor Moses but mankind, the patriarchs, and David. Although this observation is generally true he does not take note of the fact that in the 8 passages mentioned above Ben Sira links the 'covenant' with the (Mosaic) law. Thus, the covenant is indeed related t o Israel! 355 Cf. J. Marbock, o.c, p.77; J.G. Snaith, Ecclesiasticus, p . l 2 4 ; M . Lohr, Bildung, p . 4 6 ; H. Stadelmann, Ben Sira, p . 2 5 0 ; G.T. Sheppard, "Wisdom and Torah", 1 9 7 8 , pp.168-170. 356 357 358 359 360
J. Marbock, o . c , p.77, followed by H. Stadelmann, o . c , p . 2 5 0 . C f . J . Marbock, o . c , p . 9 1 ; also J. Blenkinsopp, Wisdom and Law, p . 1 4 4 . Cf. H.F. Weiss, Untersuchungen, 1966, pp.283-304. C f . J . Marbock, o . c , p . 7 8 . The context of these verses is clearly the Torah (i.e. the Torah pours out wisdom here, not G o d ) . W.L. Knox, "The Divine Wisdom", y T W 3 ( 1 9 3 7 ) 232f. thinks that Sir 24,23-27 is an interpolation because the equation of the masculine v6tio<: with a river can be understood only on Greek background. This emendation must remain speculative, however.
The Exegetical
Evidence
7 3
of life a n d w i s d o m (cf. 1 5 , 3 ; 2 1 , 1 3 ) ^ ' . T h e r e f e r e n c e t o t h e m o tive of p a r a d i s e ^ ^ a d d s t o t h e significance of t h e refreshing full ness of life i n w i s d o m w h i c h b e c o m e s accessible in t h e T o r a h ^ ^ . In 2 4 , 2 8 - 2 9 B e n Sira applies t h e m o t i f of t h e i n s c r u t a b i l i t y of wis d o m (cf. 1,2-3.6) t o t h e l a w w h i c h c o n t a i n s this w i s d o m ' ^ . T h e T o r a h c o n t a i n s this blessing of p r o f o u n d w i s d o m in s u c h an a b u n d a n c e t h a t d e s p i t e all scribal s t u d y i t h a s b e e n impossible a n d al w a y s will r e m a i n i m p o s s i b l e t o e x h a u s t its m e a n i n g ^ ' . T h u s , B e n Sira seems t o i n t e r p r e t t h e l a w as s o m e k i n d of final e n t i t y a n d r e v e l a t i o n of G o d ' ^ . (6) 3 4 , 8 : " W i t h o u t lies shall t h e l a w b e c o m p l e t e d , a n d w i s d o m finds c o m p l e t i o n in a m o u t h w h i c h is f a i t h f u l " . T h e chiastic s t r u c t u r e of this verse proves t h a t w i s d o m a n d law a r e i d e n t i f i e d : " w i t h o u t l i e s " equals t h e "faithful m o u t h " , a n d " l a w " is parallel to " w i s d o m " , b o t h of which are being " c o m p l e t e d " . (7) 4 5 , 5 c . d : " A n d h e p l a c e d in his h a n d t h e c o m m a n d m e n t , t h e law o f life a n d i n s i g h t " . T h e p h r a s e n a i a m • ' " n r m n c o n t a i n s a clear i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of law a n d w i s d o m (naian)^^'. T h e c o n t e x t is t h e Sinaitic r e v e l a t i o n of t h e T o r a h t o Israel. 4.1.2. The implicit evidence. Twelve passages p r e s u p p o s e , i m p l y , o r result in t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of law a n d w i s d o m . (1) 1 , 2 6 : "If y o u desire w i s d o m , k e e p t h e c o m m a n d m e n t s ^ ^ , a n d t h e L o r d will give it t o y o u in a b u n d a n c e " . O b e d i e n c e t o t h e law is t h e c o n -
361 Cf. O. Rickenbacher, Weisheitsperikopen, pp.l09f. 362 Cf. J. Marbock, Weisheit, p.78 w h o refers to the significance of the (eschatological) waters/rivers of paradise in Ez 4 7 ; J o e l 4 , 1 8 ; Z e c h 14,8; Ps 3 6 , 9 ; 4 6 , 5 ; as well as to the salvational symbolism of water in Is 12,3; 4 1 , 1 8 ; Jer 3 1 , 1 2 . 3 6 3 Cf. H. Stadelmann, Ben Sira, p . 2 5 1 . 364 Cf. M. Lohr, «i"Wun?, p . 4 6 ; contra Box/Oesterley, ^TOr I ( 1 9 1 3 ) 3 9 9 ; J.G. Snaith, Ecclesiasticus, p . l 2 4 ; G. Sauer, JSHRZ III/5 (1981) 5 6 6 w h o relate vv.28-29 with wisdom instead of with the law. R. Smend, J. Marbock, O. Rickenbacher, M. Lohr, H. Stadelmann and others relate these verses to the law, which is required by the c o n t e x t . Cf. J.C.H. Lebram, "Jerusalem", 1 9 7 9 , p . 1 0 7 w h o relates 24,25-29 to the law or to Moses, 3 6 5 C f . H . Stadelmann, o . £ . , p . 2 5 1 . 3 6 6 Cf. J. Marbock, o.c, p . 7 9 and U. Wilckens, Weisheit, p p . l 6 7 f . w h o notes that 2 4 , 23 is the central statement of the 'hymn' in which wisdom has b e c o m e the "Offenbarergestalt KOT 'iioxvv" ( p . l 6 7 ) . 367 C f . J . Marbock, Weisheit, p p . 7 0 , 9 0 , 1 3 0 . 368 J. Haspecker, Gottesfurcht, p . 3 1 5 emends into the singular. Cf. O. Rickenbacher, Weisheitsperikopen, pp.5,14.
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d i t i o n for a c q u i r i n g w i s d o m . It is t r u e t h a t , in o n e s e n s e , w i s d o m is m o r e c o m p r e h e n s i v e t h a n t h e T o r a h since it is t h e p e r s o n a l gift a n d p r e s e n c e of God^^^. B u t this verse also implies t h a t b e i n g wise equals t h e k e e p i n g of t h e law^™. O b e d i e n c e t o t h e law will m a k e o n e wise. (2) 2 , 1 5 - 1 6 : " T h e y w h o fear t h e L o r d will n o t b e d i s o b e d i e n t t o his w o r d s , a n d t h e y w h o love h i m will k e e p his w a y s . T h e y w h o fear t h e L o r d will seek his favour, a n d t h e y w h o love him s t e e p themselves in t h e l a w " . T h e s e verses link t h e fear of t h e L o r d w i t h o b e d i e n c e t o t h e law^^'. In 1 , 1 4 . 1 6 . 1 8 . 2 0 (cf. 1 9 , 2 0 ; 2 1 , 1 1 ; 3 5 , 1 4 ) t h e fear of t h e \x>rd was d e s c r i b e d as " b e g i n n i n g " a n d " f u l l n e s s " , as " c r o w n " a n d " r o o t " of w i s d o m . O n e c a n say t h a t " d i e G o t t e s furcht ist das T u n der Weisheit, sie ist die Weisheit als Lebensvollzug"^''^. W i s d o m c a n n o t b e a t t a i n e d w i t h o u t t h e fear of t h e L o r d w h i c h , for its p a r t , is closely c o n n e c t e d w i t h t h e k e e p i n g of G o d ' s c o m m a n d m e n t s . Again we find a n implicit c o r r e l a t i o n of l a w a n d wisdom. (3) 6 , 3 6 : " P o n d e r t h e fear of t h e L o r d , a n d s t u d y his c o m m a n d m e n t at all t i m e s ; t h e n h e will give insight t o y o u r h e a r t , a n d in e v e r y t h i n g w h i c h y o u desire h e will m a k e y o u wise"^^^. As in 2 , 15-16 t h e fear of t h e L o r d is l i n k e d w i t h t h e law. T h e fear of t h e L o r d a n d t h e law are d e s c r i b e d as b e i n g t h e p r e r e q u i s i t e s for ac q u i r i n g w i s d o m . B e n Sira impUes again t h a t for h i m fearing G o d a n d s t u d y i n g (for t h e sake of k e e p i n g ) t h e law leads t o w i s d o m a n d i n d e e d e q u a l s w i s d o m . T h e c o n t e x t of this verse ( 6 , 1 8 - 3 6 ) re veals t h e fact t h a t a c c o r d i n g t o B e n Sira sapiential i n s t r u c t i o n leads t o t h e s t u d y of G o d ' s c o m m a n d m e n t s t h e r e b y closely linking t h e o b j e c t s of s a p i e n t i a l t e a c h i n g w i t h t h e T o r a h , a n d t o t h e close as s o c i a t i o n of t h e p r o m i s e s c o n n e c t e d w i t h w i s d o m (cf. t h e fruit of w i s d o m w h i c h consists in rest, j o y , a n d h o n o u r , w . 1 9 . 2 8 - 3 1 ) . T h e s e p r o m i s e s c o m e as a result of o b e d i e n c e t o t h e l a w (cf. D e u t
369 J. Marbock, o.c, p.89 referring to 3 9 , 6 , 1,10.26. 3 7 0 Cf. P.J. Nel, Structure, p p . 9 3 , 9 6 . 371 J. Haspecker, o.c, p p . 3 2 8 - 3 3 2 emphasizes that the fear of the Lord is not simply identical with obedience to the law but goes beyond it. 3 7 2 M. Lohr, Bildung, p . 3 1 , referring to J . Haspecker, Gottesfurcht, pp.83,96. 3 7 3 With regard to text-critical matters in this verse see J . Haspecker, o.c, p p . 6 0 - 6 4 ; O. Rickenbacher. Weisheitsperikopen, p.64. J . Marbock, Weisheit, p . l 17 sees this verse as a later redactional interpretation. This view cannot be substantiated, however.
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28,1-14!)^^'*. T h e m e t a p h o r s in 6,30-31 s e e m t o possess a s y m b o l i c significance linking discipleship of w i s d o m w i t h t h e s t u d y of t h e law375. (4) 1 5 , 1 5 : " I f y o u desire^^^ y o u c a n k e e p t h e c o m m a n d m e n t , a n d i t is based u p o n insight, t o a c t a c c o r d i n g t o his p l e a s u r e " . T h e phrase " t o keep the c o m m a n d m e n t " corresponds with " t o act ac c o r d i n g t o ( G o d ' s ) p l e a s u r e " . O b e d i e n c e t o G o d ' s l a w is e q u a t e d w i t h " i n s i g h t " (nainn^^^). T h e wise m a n will a l w a y s k e e p t h e commandments. (5) 1 9 , 2 4 : " I t is b e t t e r t o lack p e r c e p t i o n a n d t o b e g o d f e a r i n g t h a n t o overflow w i t h p r u d e n c e a n d t o transgress t h e law"^^^. This verse parallels 19,20^^^ a n d b e l o n g s t o t h e brief s e c t i o n o n t h e cleverness a n d p r u d e n c e of t h e godless sinner ( 1 9 , 2 2 - 2 5 ) . T h e passage s h o w s t h a t t h e s c r i b e , even as wise m a n , r e m a i n s c o m m i t t e d t o G o d a n d his w o r d . It s t a t e s ex negativo t h a t t h e t r u e wise m a n will fear t h e L o r d a n d k e e p t h e l a w . (6) 2 4 , 2 2 : " W h o e v e r listens t o m e will n o t b e p u t t o s h a m e ; a n d t h o s e w h o p e r f o r m t h e i r w o r k ( s ) ^ ^ in m e will n o t s i n " . This verse c o n c l u d e s t h e self-praise of w i s d o m ( 2 4 , 1 - 2 2 ) a n d is t h e last verse of t h e f o u r t h s t a n z a ( w . 1 9 - 2 2 ) w h i c h describes w i s d o m ' s i n v i t a t i o n t o m a n ^ ' . Wisdom p r o m i s e s t o t h o s e w h o h e e d h e r advice a n d a c t a c c o r d i n g l y a godly hfe w i t h o u t sin. T h i s implies t h e i d e n t i t y of w i s d o m a n d law since o b e d i e n c e t o t h e l a w is also said t o l e a d t o a disciplined life w h i c h avoids sin (cf. 2 1 , 1 1 ) . This is c o n f i r m e d b y t h e fact t h a t t h e t e r m s " l i s t e n " o r " o b e y " (vttaKO-
3 7 4 C f . M . Lohr, o . c , p.35. 3 7 5 C f . J . G . Snaixh, Ecclesiasticus, p AO. 3 7 6 In 15,15-17 Ben Sira explains his conviction that man was created by God as a free being (15,14) with the threefold use of the verb ^ S f l . Man can Iteep the law if he wishes. Cf. G. Maier, Mensch, pp.91-97, also O. Rickenbacher, Weisheitsperikopen, pp.l46f.;.M. l i i h r , Bildung, p . 5 1 . 377 IIA and IlBm read H J i a n instead of HJiaK in (cf. G monv). is to be preferred. Cf. F. Vattioni, Ecclesiastico, p.77; G. Sauer, JSHRZ III/5 ( 1 9 8 1 ) 5 4 2 . 3 7 8 J . Haspecker, Gottesfurcht, pp.68,156f. followsS: "Es gibt den an Verstand Armen, der der Siinde entgeht, und es gibt den an Verstand Uberreichen, der siindigt". But he cannot exclude the terminology o f G. .379 Cf. supra, p.70. 3 8 0 Following the translation of G. Sauer, o . c , p . 5 6 5 . O. Rickenbacher, o . c , p p . 1 1 2 , 125 translates: "die mir gemaB handeln". G has oi ipyal;6iJ.evoi iv ^noi. 381 See the structural analysis of O. Rickenbacher, o . c , pp. 113-118 w h o follows L. Alonso-Schokel, Prouerdioi y Ecclesiastico, 1 9 6 8 , ad loc. See also H. Stadel mann, Ben Sira, pp.51-53,247f.
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vtov) a n d " d o i n g " (ipya^otievoi) are t r a d i t i o n a l t e r m s c o n n e c t e d w i t h t h e p r a c t i c e of t h e law^*^. (7) 2 4 , 3 2 - 3 3 is p a r t of Ben Sira's t e s t i m o n y a b o u t himself ( 2 4 , 3 0 - 3 4 ) . As scribe h e s t u d i e s first of all t h e law in o r d e r t o a t t a i n l e a r n i n g a n d e r u d i t i o n a n d w i s d o m ; b u t his k n o w l e d g e h a d b e c o m e so vast a n d o v e r f l o w i n g (v.31) t h a t he c a m e t o share his l e a r n i n g a n d i n s t r u c t i o n {-natSeia, v.3 2) a n d his t e a c h i n g {5i8aaKalia, v.33) w i t h o t h e r s . His l a b o u r s , i.e. his s t u d y of G o d ' s ( w r i t t e n ) r e v e l a t i o n a n d of t r a d i t i o n , have n o t b e e n for himself a l o n e b u t b e n e f i t e d all t h o s e w h o seek w i s d o m ( v . 3 4 ) . T h e parallelism of natdeia (which belongs t o t h e r e a l m of w i s d o m ) a n d StdaoKaXla ( w h i c h is t h e re sult a n d aim of t h e s t u d y of t h e law) suggests again a close cor r e l a t i o n of w i s d o m a n d law. This is s u p p o r t e d b y t h e c o n t e x t : " B e i der A r b e i t am G e s e t z . . . l i b e r k a m i h n (i.e. Ben Sira) auf e i n m a l die Weisheit in i h r e r Fiille"^*^. T h e law a p p e a r s as t h e ves sel of w i s d o m . T h e s t u d y a n d p r a c t i c e of t h e law will result in wise b e h a v i o u r . (8) 3 3 , 2 - 3 : " H e is n o t wise w h o h a t e s t h e law, a n d he is tossed a b o u t like a ship in a s t o r m . A m a n of insight k n o w s t h e w o r d of t h e L o r d , a n d for h i m t h e l a w is as reliable as t h e c o n s u l t a t i o n of lots"^**. Ben Sira e m p h a s i z e s h e r e t h a t o b e d i e n c e t o t h e l a w is e n t i r e l y reliable a n d s t e a d y a n d t h e r e f o r e u n l i k e ships in s t o r m s (v.2) or c a r t w h e e l s a n d axles w h i c h are a l w a y s m o v i n g ( v . 5 ) ^ * ' . V. 2a implies e contrario t h a t t h e wise m a n will love t h e l a w w h i c h c e r t a i n l y i n c l u d e s t h e s t u d y a n d p r a c t i c e of t h e law. In v.3a it is similarly s t a t e d t h a t a " m a n of i n s i g h t " ( J i a j V;->H) k n o w s G o d ' s w o r d . T o be wise a n d s t e a d f a s t c o r r e s p o n d s w i t h d e d i c a t i o n t o t h e law. (9) 3 8 , 3 4 c . d / 3 9 , 8 b e l o n g t o B e n Sira's d e s c r i p t i o n of t h e 5 o p / i ^ r / hakham (cf. § 3 . 5 . 5 . a n d E x c u r s u s I) w h o s t u d i e s G o d ' s r e v e l a t i o n , t h e law a n d t h e p r o p h e t s , as well as t r a d i t i o n ( 3 8 , 3 4 d - 3 9 , 3 ) . T h e wise scholar m e d i t a t e s u p o n G o d ' s law ( 3 8 , 3 4 c . d ) . He p r o c l a i m s t h e " d i s c i p l i n e of his i n s t r u c t i o n " {naiSeia 6 t 6 a 0 / < a X t a c ) a n d is p r o u d of t h e Israelite law ( 1 9 , 8 ) . B o t h t h e p e r s o n a n d t h e a c t i v i t y of t h e scribe i m p l y t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of l a w a n d wisdom^^^. 382 383 384 385 386
Cf. O. Rickenbacher, Weisheitsperikopen, p.125. M. Lohr, iS.-Wun^, p . 4 6 . On this verse see already supra, p.50. Cf.J.G. Snaith, Ecclesiasticus, ppA59t Sec generally H. Stadelmann, Ben Sira, pp.228f. with his remarks in the context of his discussion of 3 8 , 3 4 c - 3 9 , 8 .
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( 1 0 ) 4 4 , 4 c : "Wise t h i n k e r s in t h e i r k n o w l e d g e of S c r i p t u r e S c h o l a r s agree t h a t t h e t e r m n't:? ' a a n refers to t h e scribes^**. T h e fact t h a t t h e wise m e n s t u d y a n d k n o w G o d ' s revealed w o r d implies again a close c o r r e l a t i o n of w i s d o m a n d l a w . T h i s passage corresponds to 38,34c.d and 39,8. ( 1 1 ) 5 1 , 1 5 c . d : " M y foot w a l k e d in u p r i g h t n e s s ; from m y y o u t h 1 b e c a m e a c q u a i n t e d w i t h her (i.e. w i s d o m ) " ^ * ^ . In this a u t o b i o g r a p h i c a l n o t e w h i c h belongs t o t h e e p i l o g u e of his b o o k ( 5 1 , 1 3 3 0 ) , Ben Sira c o r r e l a t e s a p i o u s life ( " u p r i g h t w a l k " , n a m n n a n , v.l5c) with the acquaintance with wisdom ( v . l 5 d ) . Since a "walk in u p r i g h t n e s s " is t h e c o r o l l a r y of o b e d i e n c e t o t h e l a w this verse i m p l i e s again t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of l a w a n d w i s d o m . T h e m a n w h o k e e p s t h e law a n d , as a r e s u l t , lives a r i g h t e o u s life, is b e i n g ac quainted with wisdom. ( 1 2 ) 5 1 , 3 0 a . b : " P e r f o r m y o u r w o r k s in r i g h t e o u s n e s s , a n d he will give y o u y o u r r e w a r d in his t i m e " . In his last a p p e a l w h i c h c o n c l u d e s his s u m m o n s to search for a n d t o s t u d y w i s d o m ( 5 1 , 2 3 3 0 ) , B e n Sira p r e s e n t s p r a c t i c a l r i g h t e o u s n e s s in life as p r e r e q u i site for t h e a t t a i n m e n t of w i s d o m w h i c h is G o d ' s " r e w a r d " ( 1 T 3 C / fiiai?d<;) for t h e p i o u s . T h e " r i g h t e o u s n e s s " of o n e ' s w o r k s implies t h e k e e p i n g of t h e law. T h e m a n w h o is o b e d i e n t t o t h e law will b e r e w a r d e d w i t h w i s d o m . A g a i n , c o m m i t m e n t t o t h e l a w leads t o w i s d o m . T o k e e p t h e law a n d t o b e wise is, in t h e e n d , t h e s a m e . 4.1.3. Secondary passages. T w o passages in t h e m a i n b o d y of Sir ( 1 , 5 ; 1 9 , 1 9 ) a n d several lines in t h e p r o l o g u e ( 1 - 3 . 1 2 - 1 4 . 2 9 . 3 5 - 3 6 ) also refer t o t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of law a n d w i s d o m . T h e s e passages r e p r e s e n t later e d i t i n g s of, a n d a d d i t i o n s t o , t h e Ben Sira t e x t . (1) 1,5: " T h e f o u n t a i n of w i s d o m is G o d ' s w o r d o n high, a n d
387 Cf. G. Sauer, JSHRZ III/5 ( 1 9 8 1 ) 615 foUowing I,. Delekat, "Zum hebraischen Worterbuch", VT 14 ( 1 9 6 4 ) 32f. (on m T S D in Ps 7 1 , 1 5 ) . See also R. Smend, Weisheit, p.418 who translates with "Schriftgelehrsamkeit". 388 Cf. N. Peters, Box/Oesterley, .M.S. Segal, H . Duesberg, Y. Yadin; cf. J . Marbock, Weisheit, p.l66. 389 FoUowing generaUy H Q ; cf. O. Rickenbacher, Weisheitsperikopen, p p . l 9 7 , 2 0 2 f . ; G. Sauer, o.c., p . 6 3 6 . 3 9 0 Only extant in a few MSS (cf. the evidence in J. Ziegler,5a;SiV«tta, p . 1 2 8 ) ; m i s s i n g in S. GeneraUy regarded as secondary, cf. recently G. Sauer, JSHRZ 111/5 ( 1 9 8 1 ) 507.
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h e r w a y s are t h e e t e r n a l c o m m a n d m e n t s " ^ ^ ° . T h e s y n o n y m o u s parallelism links " G o d ' s w o r d " {\6yo<; &€ov) w i t h t h e " e t e r n a l ^ ^ ' c o m m a n d m e n t s " (evroXai), b o t h referring t o t h e I s r a e h t e law. This verse asserts t h a t t h e law i s ' t h e basis a n d s o u r c e of w i s d o m (v. 5 a ) - a n d c o n t a i n s t h e n o r m a l v. e ( " e t e r n a l " ) e x p o s i t i o n of wise con d u c t ( " w a y s " ) a n d d e m e a n o u r ( v . 5 b ) . H e r e t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n is m o s t e x p h c i t a n d u n a m b i g u o u s , even m o r e e x p l i c i t t h a n in Sir^^^. W i s d o m seems t o have b e e n ' s w a l l o w e d u p ' b y t h e l a w : t h e r e is n o w i s d o m besides t h e law as all w i s d o m arises o u t of t h e law. A n d t o k e e p t h e c o m m a n d m e n t s is i d e n t i c a l w i t h wise c o n d u c t . (2) 1 9 , 1 9 : " T h e k n o w l e d g e {yvu}ai<;) of t h e c o m m a n d m e n t s (evToXai) of t h e L o r d is hfe-giving i n s t r u c t i o n (naiSeia fcor??), a n d t h o s e w h o d o w h a t pleases h i m will r e a p from t h e t r e e of i m m o r tality"^^^. T h e "live-giving i n s t r u c t i o n " m e a n s p r a c t i s e d w i s d o m w h i c h results in ' t r u e life', life in its fullness. This i n s t r u c t i o n for wise c o n d u c t is i d e n t i c a l w i t h t h e k n o w l e d g e of t h e l a w . He w h o knows the c o m m a n d m e n t s knows h o w to behave 'wisely'. Wisdom a n d law are i d e n t i c a l , wise c o n d u c t a n d o b e d i e n c e t o t h e law are the same. (3) Prol. 1-3. T h e g r a n d s o n of B e n Sira begins his p r o l o g u e t o t h e t r a n s l a t i o n of his g r a n d f a t h e r ' s w i s d o m b o o k b y referring t o t h e t h r e e f o l d division of t h e S c r i p t u r e s , t h e law a n d t h e p r o p h e t s a n d t h e w r i t i n g s ^ ^ , " f o r w h i c h Israel has t o b e p r a i s e d w i t h r e g a r d t o h e r i n s t r u c t i o n (naiSeia) a n d w i s d o m {aoifia)" (line 3 ) . T h e c o n t e n t of G o d ' s w r i t t e n r e v e l a t i o n is d e s i g n a t e d as " i n s t r u c t i o n a n d w i s d o m " . T h u s B e n Sira's g r a n d s o n , w r i t i n g n e a r t h e e n d of t h e s e c o n d c e n t u r y , e x t e n d e d t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of l a w a n d wis d o m t o a n i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of t h e e n t i r e w r i t t e n r e v e l a t i o n w i t h wis d o m . A n y b o d y w h o seeks w i s d o m is referred t o t h e S c r i p t u r e s . T h e q u e s t i o n w h e t h e r Ben Sira's g r a n d s o n is p e r s o n a l l y r e s p o n s i b l e for t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n law = w i s d o m c a n n o t b e a n s w e r e d .
391 On the concept of eternity in Sir see O. Rickenbacher, Weisheitsperikopen, pp.2224. Often God is linked with the concept of ai-\U or TJ?: 1,2.4.9; 2 , 9 ; 1 6 , 2 7 . 2 8 ; 1 8 , 1 ; 3 6 , 2 2 ( ! ) ; 3 9 , 2 0 ; 4 2 , 2 3 ; 5 1 , 8 . It is plausible that the commandments are called "eternal" because their author, Yahweh, is eternal. 3 9 2 This might be a further, internal, reason for regarding 1,5 as secondary! 3 9 3 This verse is extant in L and MS 6 7 2 . C f . J . Ziegler, Sapientia, p . 2 1 3 . 3 9 4 See p.53 with n.218.
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(4) Prol. 1 2 - 1 4 . T h e a u t h o r of t h e p r o l o g u e describes B e n Sira's m o t i v e s in w r i t i n g his b o o k : h e w a n t e d t o c o m p i l e m a t e r i a l w h i c h deals w i t h " i n s t r u c t i o n a n d w i s d o m " (iraidaia Kai a o i ^ t ' a , line 12) in o r d e r t h a t all t h o s e w h o s e e k l e a r n i n g ((piXo/Ltai?ei<:) a n d h o l d o n t o e r u d i t i o n ( h n e 13) m i g h t b e in a b e t t e r p o s i t i o n t o m a k e p r o gress w i t h regard t o t h e life a c c o r d i n g t o t h e law (6id TTJq evvoixov |3tcbaeco
4 . 2 . T h e N a t u r e of t h e I d e n t i f i c a t i o n 4.2.1. The universalistic dimension. Most scholars w h o a t t e m p t e d t o e x p l a i n B e n Sira's i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of l a w a n d w i s d o m refer t o t h e fact t h a t w i s d o m is s e e n as t h e o r d e r i n g p r i n c i p l e of t h e w o r l d , as t h e p r i m e v a l o r d e r , o r as t h e universal c o s m i c l a w , a n d t h a t this universal w i s d o m is identified wdth t h e law w h i c h is seen as p a r t of G o d ' s o r d e r of c r e a t i o n , a n d as o r d e r i n g p r i n c i p l e for t h e hfe of m a n . W i s d o m a n d law are c o r r e l a t e d in t h e i r c o m m o n universalis tic o r i e n t a t i o n ^ ^ ^ . We have a l r e a d y p o i n t e d out^^^ t h a t w e m u s t avoid m a k i n g t h e m i s t a k e of p o s t u l a t i n g a p r i o r i t h e c o s m i c a n d universalistic p e r s p e c t i v e of t h e Israelite l a w . We m u s t n o t c o n f u s e
395 G. Sauer, JSHRZ III/5 ( 1 9 8 1 ) 5 0 7 translates lines 35-36: "die es sich vorgenommen haben, ihren Lebenswandel im Sinne des Gesetzes zu fiihren". 3 9 6 Cf. J.L. Koole, "Die Bibel des Ben Sira", OTS 14 ( 1 9 6 5 ) 3 7 7 . J. Marbock, Weis heit, p p . 6 8 f . , 8 9 - 9 4 ; E. Zenger, "Spate Weisheit", 1 9 7 3 , pp.63-55; M. GUbert, "L'eloge de la Sagesse", RThL 5 ( 1 9 7 4 ) 347f.; J . Marbock, "Gesetz", BZ 20 ( 1 9 7 6 ) 6-13. Similarly R.J. B a n k s , / « u i and the Law, p.54. 397 Cf. supra, pp.42f. See also P.S. rxiies,
Hiddenness,
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cause a n d effect. While it is t r u e t h a t legal t e r m s are u s e d t o des cribe t h e o r d e r of c r e a t i o n ( § 3 . 2 . ) it c a n n o t b e m a i n t a i n e d t h a t t h e l a w p e r se equals G o d ' s o r d e r of c r e a t i o n a n d is therefore iden tified w i t h w i s d o m w h i c h is m a n i f e s t in t h e o r d e r o f c r e a t i o n . T h e law in Sir is p r i m a r i l y t h e Mosaic law. T h e universalistic d i m e n s i o n of t h e law is n o t t h e cause b u t t h e result of its i d e n t i f i c a t i o n w i t h w i s d o m (cf. § 4 . 4 . 1 . ) . W h e n m i n is l i n k e d w i t h t h e o r d e r of d e a t h w h i c h G o d im p o s e d u p o n m a n ( 4 1 , 4 ) a n d w h e n ' ' ' ' ' 1 3 7 a n d pn a r e r e l a t e d w i t h different a s p e c t s of c r e a t i o n ( 1 1 , 1 7 ; 1 4 , 1 2 . 1 7 ; 3 8 , 2 2 ; 4 1 , 2 . 3 ; 4 3 , 5 - 1 0 ) , this d o e s n o t p r o v e t h a t t h e w r i t t e n Mosaic T o r a h is e q u a t e d w i t h a c o s m i c , universal o r d e r i n g p r i n c i p l e . It o n l y proves t h a t legal t e r m s c a n b e u s e d in m o r e t h a n j u s t o n e s e n s e . T h u s it s e e m s t o b e w r o n g t o c o n c l u d e from t h e c o n t e x t s of 1 7 , 11 a n d 2 4 , 2 3 t h a t Ben Sira a c k n o w l e d g e s t h e " S c h o p f u n g s h o r i z o n t ausdriicklich als der vor d e m G e s e t z stehende""^^^ , as t h e law, for Ben Sira, signifies i n d e e d b o t h w i t h regard t o t i m e a n d space t h e Mosaic legislation. B e n Sira was a scribe a n d a priest. T h i s ' n a t u r a l l y implies t h a t t h e iMosaic law was a self-evident, given en t i t y for h i m . F o r Ben Sira t h e T o r a h is t h e f o u n d a t i o n a n d t h e s t a r t i n g p o i n t for all his o t h e r activities besides t h e s t u d y of t h e law. It is n o t w i s d o m w h i c h is c o n f i n e d a n d l i m i t e d t o t h e T o r a h , b u t t h e T o r a h is being ' e x p a n d e d ' t o e n c o m p a s s w i s d o m ^ ^ ^ . T h e p r e d o m i n a n t l y s a p i e n t i a l c h a r a c t e r of Sir is d u e t o t h e p u r p o s e a n d t h e r e a d e r s of t h e b o o k . We c o n c l u d e , t h e r e f o r e , t h a t Ben Sira did n o t i d e n t i f y w i s d o m a n d law b e c a u s e b o t h realms h a d a universalistic d i m e n s i o n . This was n o t t h e case w i t h regard t o t h e law, t h e Mosaic T o r a h , at least n o t t o begin w i t h . T h e a p p a r e n t universalistic d i m e n s i o n of t h e T o r a h in Sir s h o u l d b e r e g a r d e d as t h e r e s u l t , r a t h e r t h a n t h e c a u s e , of t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of l a w a n d w i s d o m * ' ^ .
3 9 8 Contra J. Marbock, a - c , p.10. 399 Cf. H. Stadelmann, Ben Sira, pp.228f., following J. Marbock, Weisheit, pp.8696. 4 0 0 This is implicitly acknowledged by J . Marbock, o.c, p.91 w h e n he says that Israel's Torah "bekommt ... auch einen Zug in Richtung eines umfassenden VVeltgesetres, das Schopfung und Geschichte durchwaltct" (italics by EJS). Cf. the same state ment in idem, "Gesetz", BZ 2 0 ( 1 9 7 6 ) 8. In his discussion, however, Marbock does not differentiate between cause and effect and, as a result, fails to see the con sequences of this evidence.
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4.2.2. The particularistic dimension. The particularistic dimen sion of b o t h t h e T o r a h a n d w i s d o m is o n e of t h e r e a s o n s for B e n Sira's i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of law a n d w i s d o m ' ' ^ ' . We h a v e seen t h a t B e n Sira r e l a t e s t h e law in n u m e r o u s passages very closely w i t h Yah weh'**'^ £md his c o v e n a n t ( s ) w i t h his p e o p l e Israel"*^^, w i t h t h e r e v e l a t o r y events at Sinai'**'*, a n d even w i t h t h e Israelite c u l t i c l a w ^ ^ (cf. § 3 . 3 . ) . O n t h e o t h e r h a n d it is o b v i o u s t h a t Ben Sira also p r o v i d e d w i s d o m w i t h a p a r t i c u l a r i s t i c p e r s p e c t i v e : w i s d o m c o m e s from Y a h w e h ^ , f o u n d its dweUing p l a c e in I s r a e l ^ ^ , a n d is closely l i n k e d w i t h t h e t e m p l e cult a n d t h e fear of t h e L o r d (cf. §2.2.). T h e Tai)Ta -ndvTa of 2 4 , 2 3 focuses w i s d o m o n t h e realm of t h e " c o v e n a n t of G o d t h e M o s t H i g h " a n d identifies it w i t h " t h e law w h i c h Moses i m p o s e d u p o n " Israel. W i s d o m , after having f o u n d its valid e x p r e s s i o n , its d w e l l i n g p l a c e , in Israel ( 2 4 , 8 - 1 2 ) , f o u n d its fullness in t h e (Mosaic) law w h i c h Israel is t o h e e d , t o p r a c t i s e , a n d to teach. T h e law a n d w i s d o m are o n e in t h a t t h e y are b o t h G o d ' s gift t o Israel. B o t h p l a y a significant role in Israel's faith a n d h i s t o r y . A n d b o t h are m o s t i m p o r t a n t for t h e individual believer, t h e p i o u s J e w , a n d also for t h e scribe, t h e sopher/hakham. 4.2.3. The theological dimension. T h e t h e o l o g i c a l d i m e n s i o n of Ben Sira's i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of law a n d w i s d o m is evident w h e n we l o o k a t t h e basis a n d focus of this c o r r e l a t i o n : t h e s u b m i s s i o n t o G o d ' s will as regards t h e life of t h e n a t i o n a n d t h e life of t h e in dividual believer. T h i s s u b m i s s i o n t o G o d ' s will is t h e objective of b o t h t h e law a n d w i s d o m a n d is s u m m a r i z e d in t h e fear of t h e Lord^. I n several passages t h e fear of t h e L o r d a n d t h e o b e d i e n c e to
401 This is rightly seen by J. Marbock, a.c., p . 1 3 . 4 0 2 Cf. 19,17;23,23.27:29,11,38,34;39,8;41,8;42,2;44,20;49,4. 403 404 405 406
Cf. 1 7 , 1 1 . 1 2 ; 2 4 , 2 3 ; 28,7; 39,8; 4 2 , 2 G ; 4 4 , 2 0 ; 4 5 , 5 . Cf. 2 4 , 2 3 ; 4 5 , 5 . Cf. 28,6.7 ; 2 9 , 1 . 9 . 1 1 ; 3 5 , 1 . 2 . 7 . Cf. 1,19, 2 4 , 3 and the passages which describe wisdom as God's gift (see supra, p,21). 407 Cf. 2 4 , 8 and the references to Israel in the laus patrum (see supra, p.22 n.66). 4 0 8 Cf. P.S. Fiddes, Hiddenness, p . 3 1 0 w h o states that wisdom and law are identified in Sir by means of the flexible concept of the fear of the Lord.
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t h e law are d e s c r i b e d as p r e r e q u i s i t e a n d s o u r c e of w i s d o m ( 2 , 1 5 . 16; 6,36; 1 5 , 1 ; 21,11). 19,20 states unequivocally that the keeping of G o d ' s law equals c o m p r e h e n s i v e w i s d o m w h i c h e q u a l s t h e fear of t h e L o r d (cf. 1 9 , 2 4 ) . T h e fear of t h e L o r d can b e c o r r e l a t e d w i t h t h e law ( 2 , 1 5 . 1 6 ; 1 9 , 1 9 . 2 0 . 2 4 ; cL 1,5; 6 , 3 6 ) a n d w i t h wis d o m (1,14.16.18.20; 1 5 , 1 ; 19,20; 21,11). Obedience to the law a n d p r a c t i s e d w i s d o m are b o t h pleasing t o G o d ( 2 , 1 5 . 1 6 ; 1 5 , 1 5 ) . G o d r e w a r d s t h o s e w h o k e e p his c o m m a n d m e n t s a n d t h o s e w h o are wise w i t h " l e n g t h of d a y s " (cf. Sir 1,20 w i t h D e u t 4 , 4 0 ; 5 , 3 3 ; 6,2; 32,47). W i s d o m a n d law are o n e since t h e y are b o t h t h e e x p r e s s i o n of G o d ' s will for Hfe. T o k e e p t h e c o m m a n d m e n t s is p r a c t i s e d wis d o m , a n d t o be wise m e a n s t o o b e y t h e law — b o t h are p r o o f of o n e ' s fear of t h e L o r d a n d of o n e ' s desire t o c o m m i t o n e ' s life t o G o d in s u b m i t t i n g t o his will c o n c e r n i n g all areas of life. T h i s t h e o logical d i m e n s i o n leads d i r e c t l y to t h e e t h i c a l d i m e n s i o n of Ben Sira's i d e n t i f i c a t i o n . 4.2.4. The ethical dimension. T h e m a j o r i t y of passages w h i c h express or i m p l y t h e c o r r e l a t i o n of w i s d o m a n d law refer t o t h e e t h i c a l d i m e n s i o n of t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n * ^ . B o t h law a n d w i s d o m aim a t l e a d i n g t h e individual a n d t h e n a t i o n t o a p i o u s a n d g o d l y life, t o i n w a r d a n d o u t w a r d discipline. W i s d o m a n d law, b o t h t a k e n u p b y a n d in t h e fear of t h e L o r d , lead t o a n u p r i g h t w a l k in G o d ' s w a y s ( 2 , 1 5 . 1 6 ; 5 1 , 1 5 ; cf. p r o l . 1 2 - 1 4 . 2 9 . 3 5 - 3 6 ) ' * " ' . P i e t y c h a r a c t e r i z e s t h e wise m a n w h o k e e p s t h e c o m m a n d m e n t s ( 1 5 , 1 . 1 5 ) . B o t h w i s d o m a n d law aim a t d e t e r m i n i n g (me's hfe ( 1 7 , 1 1 ; 4 5 , 5 ; cf. 1 9 , 1 9 ) . B o t h e n a b l e m a n t o k e e p his sinful desires u n d e r c o n t r o l a n d t o avoid sin ( 2 1 , 1 1 ; 2 4 , 2 2 ; 5 1 , 1 5 ) . O b e d i e n c e t o t h e c o m m a n d m e n t s has p r a c t i c a l , ' w i s e ' r e s u l t s : a
409 The ethical foundation of the identification is recognized by O . Kaiser, "Begriin dung", ZZ'/jA: 55 ( 1 9 5 8 ) 5 1 - 6 3 , particularly pp.54-58, but not further elaborated. 4 1 0 The concept of life (or generally of human existence) as walking a (good or bad) path/walk' is an O T motif which is very prominent in the intertestamental litera ture. Cf. S. Aalen, Begriffe, 1 9 5 1 , p . l 8 5 . Cf. Sir 5,2.9.; 8 , 1 5 ; 1 2 , 1 5 ; 14,21 ; 1 7 , 1 5 ; 2 1 , 1 0 ; 3 9 , 2 4 ; Fob 4 , 1 9 ; B a r 4 , 2 . 1 3 ; J u d t 1 3 , 1 2 ; SapSal 5,6;Jub 5,13; 12,21 ;20,3; 2 1 , 2 2 ; 2 3 , 2 1 . 2 6 ; 2 5 , 1 5 ; 3 5 , 1 3 ; TJud 13,2; 2 3 , 5 ; 2 4 , 3 ; T I s s 3,1-2 ; 4 , 6 ; 5,1.8; TDan 5,5; TNaph 4 , 1 ; TAsh 5,4; ApcBar 4 4 , 3 ; 4Ezr 3 , 8 ; 7 , 7 9 . 1 2 9 . 1 3 3 . R.T. Herford, Pirke .4both, 1 9 3 0 , p.39 points out that the termna*??! is a technical term for "the rule of right conduct in life".
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p i o u s p e r s o n will n o t lie b u t b e faithful in his s p e e c h ( 3 4 , 8 ) . All t h o s e w h o k e e p t h e c o m m a n d m e n t s a n d a c t wisely will n o t b e p u t t o s h a m e ( 2 4 , 2 2 ; 3 2 , 2 3 ; 3 3 , 2 . 3 ; 4 4 , 2 0 ) . A p i o u s , g o d l y hfe is a wise Ufe ( 5 1 , 3 0 ) . B o t h t h e l a w a n d w i s d o m are c o m p a r e d w i t h light w h i c h gives o r i e n t a t i o n . A c c o r d i n g t o 4 5 , 1 7 A a r o n h a d received t h e task of " e n h g h t e n i n g " Israel b y t h e l a w {iv ^ ' d / J a ; auTOV ipojTlaai 'lopaijX •**'). A n d in 2 4 , 3 2 Ben Sira says t h a t h e will " b r i n g i n s t r u c t i o n (ffatSet'a) t o light as d a w n (co? bp&pov i^cortw) a n d will m a k e shine f o r t h {eK^pavo^) t h e s e things afar off". B o t h t h e law a n d wis d o m reveal t h e vvdll of G o d in t h e ethical s p h e r e * ' ^ . W i s d o m a n d law are t h e p r e r e q u i s i t e a n d basis of p i e t y a n d at t h e s a m e t i m e t h e r e w a r d a n d result of p i e t y . Practical a n d c o n c r e t e s u b m i s s i o n t o G o d ' s will w h i c h is laid d o w n in t h e T o r a h a n d definitively o u t l i n e d in w i s d o m implies a n d n e c e s s i t a t e s o b e d i e n c e t o t h e c o m m a n d m e n t s a n d wise c o n d u c t . G e n u i n e c o m m i t m e n t t o G o d w h i c h is e x p r e s s e d in t h e fear of t h e L o r d is t h e cause as well as t h e effect of o n e ' s o b e d i e n c e t o t h e l a w a n d o n e ' s wise behav i o u r . R i g h t ethical b e h a v i o u r equals wise c o n d u c t a n d results from o b e d i e n c e to G o d ' s revealed l a w . 4.2.5. The didactic dimension. I n several passages B e n S i r a p o i n t s o u t t h a t t h o s e w h o desire w i s d o m s h o u l d k e e p t h e l a w . C o m m i t m e n t t o G o d a n d o b e d i e n c e t o his c o m m a n d m e n t s will unfailingly lead t o w i s d o m ( 1 , 2 6 ; 6 , 3 6 ; 1 5 , 1 ; 5 1 , 3 0 ; cL 1,5; 1 9 , 1 9 ; p r o l . 121 4 . 2 9 . 3 5 - 3 6 ) . T h e scribe w h o is also a ( w i s d o m ) t e a c h e r s t u d i e s b o t h t h e T o r a h a n d w i s d o m m a t e r i a l ( 3 8 , 3 4 d - 3 9 , 3 ; 4 4 , 4 ; cf. p r o l . 7 - 1 1 ) . He also c o m m u n i c a t e s b o t h t h e law w i t h t h e i m p U c a t i o n s of its c o m m a n d m e n t s a n d w i s d o m w i t h its i n s t r u c t i o n a n d disci p l i n e ( 2 4 , 3 2 . 3 3 ; 3 9 , 8 ; cf. p r o l . 1 2 - 1 4 . 3 1 - 3 6 ) . T h e sopher/hakham s t u d i e s a n d teaches b o t h t h e law a n d t h e w i s d o m t r a d i t i o n s , a n d challenges his s t u d e n t s t o m e d i a t e u p o n a n d t o k e e p t h e law of G o d as this is t h e (from n o w o n o n l y ? ) s u r e a n d infallible r o a d to w i s d o m .
411
H and S do not have a verb here. R. Smend, Weisheit, ad l o c , suggests thai the term i?u)rif6n> is based o n an original rimn'? • Cf. Bar 4 , 2 .
412
On the concept of light in this context see S. Aalen, o . c , pp.l 78-192 (on Sirach, pp.l84f.).
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4.3. The Rationale Behind the Identification 4.3.1. Theological motives. T h e c o r r e l a t i o n of w i s d o m a n d law has u n d o u b t e d l y an O T b a c k g r o u n d w h i c h we d e s c r i b e d earher4l3. T h e k e y passage in this c o n t e x t is D e u t 4 , 6 - 8 w h e r e t h e Mosaic law is, i n d i r e c t l y , d e s i g n a t e d as wisdom*'"*. O t h e r i m p o r t a n t re ferences w h i c h p r e p a r e d t h e c o m p l e t e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of w i s d o m a n d l a w are J e r 8 , 8 ; Mai 2,6-7 ( ? ) ; Ezr 7 , 6 . 1 0 . 2 5 , a n d t h e so-called w i s d o m - p s a l m s Ps 1; 1 9 ; 1 1 9 . B e n Sira, t h e scribe a n d T o r a h s c h o lar, k n e w t h e s e passages a n d r e s u m e d this earlier tracUtion of t h e c o r r e l a t i o n of t h e t w o r e a l m s of law a n d w i s d o m * ' ^ . B u t it has t o b e e m p h a s i z e d t h a t it is still a decisive s t e p t o t h e c o m p l e t e iden t i f i c a t i o n in Sirach"*'^. 4.3.2. Philosophical motives. It was especially J . M a r b o c k w h o m a i n t a i n e d t h a t it was t h e S t o i c p o p u l a r p h i l o s o p h y w h i c h c a u s e d B e n Sira t o c o m b i n e t h e T o r a h a n d c o s m i c w i s d o m * ' ^ . In S t o i c
4 1 3 Seen by J. Marbock, Weisheit, p p . 8 2 - 8 5 , 9 3 , 9 5 ; M. Henge\, Judentum, p.291 ;M. Gilbert, "L'eloge", RThL 5 ( 1 9 7 4 ) 346f.; J. Marbock, "Gesetz", BZ 2 0 ( 1 9 7 6 ) 19; E. J a c o b , "Wisdom", 1978, p.256; P J . Nel, Structure, 1 9 8 2 , pp.92-97. P.S. Fiddes, Hiddenness, 1976, p.309 states that Ben Sira just makes explicit an exist ing tendency. 4 1 4 Cf. especially G.T. Sheppard, "Wisdom and Torah", 1978, p p . 1 6 6 - 1 7 6 . He admits that Deut 4 "does not propose the same full identification" as Sir 2 4 , 2 3 ( p . 1 6 8 ) , but that Deut refers to the book (!) of Torah (Deut 30) which comes near to Israel (Deut 4; 30) from beyond the heavens, and is her wisdom (Deut 4 , 3 2 ; ibid., pp. 169f.). 4 1 5 This has been stressed recently by H. Gese, "Wisdom", 7 / 5 r 3 ( 1 9 8 1 ) 35-37. It has been pointed out that Ben Sira stands in the deuteronomistic tradition which makes it even more plausible to assume that he knew Deut 4,6-8. Cf.J. Marbock, Weis heit, pp.95f. 4 1 6 Cf. M. Hengel,y«(fen(«m, p . 2 9 1 . 417 Cf. j . Marbock, "Gesetz", p.20 idem, o.c, pp.93f. He contradicts himself when he states that he does not want to maintain or prove that Ben Sira is here 'directly' dependent on Stoicism (ibid., p . 1 4 5 ) . Marbock follows K. Schubert, Die Reli gion des nachbiblischen Judentums, 1 9 5 5 , pp.l6f.: "Durch die Weisheits- und Torahauffassung im Buch Jesus Sirach ist die Begegnung des palastinensischen Judentums mit der stoischen Philosophie in der 1. Halfte des 2 . Jahrhunderts v. Chr. erwiesen, denn sie entspricht im wesentlichen der stoischen Konzeption vom Weltgesetz". Besides K. Schubert and J. Marbock see also M. Hengel, o.c, p p . 2 6 8 , 2 8 8 f . , 2 9 1 . More cautious is J.L. Koole, "Bibel", OTS 16 ( 1 9 6 5 ) 377 n . l : "Ob Ben Sira hier unter hellenistischen (sic) Einfluss steht, darf auf sich beruhen" (quot ing Cicero, de natura deorum 2 , 1 4 . 3 7 : "Ipse autem h o m o ortus est ad mundum contemplandum et imitandum"). Similarly also M. Lohr, Bildung, p p . 3 2 , 4 8 , 5 0 .
The Rationale
Behind the Identification
85
p h i l o s o p h y , votxoq was t h e c o s m i c law. M a r b o c k beheves t h a t Ben Sira i d e n t i f i e d t h e Israelite law w i t h c o s m i c w i s d o m w h i c h existed from t h e b e g i n n i n g in o r d e r t h a t t h e T o r a h s h o u l d a c q u i r e a n an cient d i g n i t y , a u t h o r i t y , a n d universality w h i c h w o u l d p r e s e n t it as of e q u a l r a n k t o t h e S t o i c law of t h e c o s m o s . O u r results as regards B e n Sira's c o n c e p t of law s h o w t h a t for h i m T\1^ri/v6fioq is n o t s o m e k i n d of c o s m i c or universal law b u t very specifically t h e Mosaic law, G o d ' s w r i t t e n r e v e l a t i o n . T h u s , M a r b o c k ' s view is deprived of its basis: B e n Sira's law d o e s n o t in a n y w a y r e s e m b l e the S t o i c c o s m i c law*'^. In a d d i t i o n t o t h e materialistic a n d m o n i s t i c a s p e c t s . S t o i c p h y sics p o s t u l a t e a strict 'legal' d i m e n s i o n w h i c h is i m m a n e n t in t h e t o t a l i t y of t h e w o r l d . T h i s d e t e r m i n i n g p o w e r is called \6yo(;, vovq (soul, r e a s o n , n e c e s s i t y , p r o v i d e n c e ) , o r g o d ( Z e u s ) . F o r t h e Stoics t h e divine is i d e n t i c a l w i t h t h e living t o t a l i t y of t h e w o r l d . Stoic p h y s i c s is p a n t h e i s t i c * ' ^ . T h u s o n e s h o u l d n o t e t h e following facts: (1) t h e S t o i c ' l a w ' belongs t o t h e r e a l m of S t o i c p h y s i c s a n d e t h i c s , (2) t h e m o n i s t i c a n d p a n t h e i s t i c aspect of t h e S t o i c c o s m i c l a w c o n t r a d i c t s e v e r y t h i n g w h i c h Ben Sira w o u l d s t a n d for, (3) B e n Sira's g r a n d s o n never t r a n s l a t e d m i n or ni2f72 w i t h Xd70? or vov<; w h i c h S t o i c p h y s i c s uses p r e d o m i n a n t l y for t h e p o s t u l a t e d c o s m i c law, (4) Ben Sira clearly conceives of t h e T o r a h as w r i t t e n (!) law w h i c h c o n t r a d i c t s t h e S t o i c s ' c o n c e p t of t h e c o s m i c l a w as t h e liv ing t o t a l i t y of t h e w o r l d . T h u s , w e c o n c l u d e t h a t t h e law in Sir has n o t h i n g in c o m m o n w i t h t h e S t o i c c o s m i c law a n d t h a t Ben Sira w a s t h e r e f o r e n o t in fluenced b y S t o i c p h i l o s o p h y w h e n h e i d e n t i f i e d w i s d o m a n d law.
418 Cf. P.J. Nel, Structure, 1 9 8 2 , p.97 w h o states that the identity of law and wisdom "is not necessarily postulated under pressure of external factors"; cf. also W.D. Davies,/"au/ and Rabbinic Judaism, p. 169. 419
Cf. Zeno according to Diogenes Laertius 7,88 {= SVF 1,162): "6 vdfioq b KOifd?, Sanep iarw 6 AptJoc Xoyoc Sid ndvrwv ipx6fJievo(;, d a u T d c uiv T(i> A a , Ka&rtyevdvi TOUTV TCOK SITCJI' SioiKnoew? 6VTI" ("the universal law, which is true reason permeating everything, is identical with Zeus, the guide of the pervading of all things".) SimUarly Cicero, de re publica 3,33: "Est quidem ver lex recta ratio ... diffusa in omnes"; cf. idem, de legibus 1,6.18; 2,8. Cf. also Chrysippos, Uepi v6nov, S V F 3 , 3 1 4 . Cf. M. Hengel, Judentum, p . 2 8 8 ; J . Marbock, Weisheit, p.94. On Stoic physics sec M. Pohlenz, Die Stoa: Geschichte einergeistigen Bewegung, 1, 1948, pp.64-110; S. Sambursky, Physics of the Stoics, 1 9 5 9 ; H.J. Storig, Kleine Weltgeschichte der Philosphie, 1, 1 9 7 4 , p . l 9 5 ; F.H. Sandbach, The Stoics, 1975, pp.69-94; R.B. Todd, "Monism and Immanence: The Foundations of Stoic Phy sics", The Stoics, eA.iM. Rist, 1 9 7 8 , p p . 1 3 7 - 1 6 0 .
86
Ben Sira's Identification
of Law and
Wisdom
J. Marbock admits tliat the Torah, with regard to its c o n t e n t , confronts creation and man as it was given by God and as it is the expression of God's personal will, in contrast to the cosmic law of Stoicism''^20 f^^t has been pointed out by H.F. Weiss'^21. Marbock does not see that if the content of Torah is incompatible with the Stoic 'law' because it is determined b y Yahweh, the extent of the Torah cannot correspond with it either; the extent of the cosmic law of the Stoics is the cosmos = materia = Zeus. In Sir the scope of the Torah is obviously Israel, God's people! M. Hengel endeavours not to present Ben Sira simply as a HellenizingJew'*22. BenSira could 'rediscover' in Stoicism a strict urge for ethical conduct, the concept of the value of man as God's first creation, the harmony and purposefulness of the world, and other thoughts. But then Hengel quickly points out that this was simply an "orientalische Riickinterpretation" since the Stoa had grown up o n Semitic ground and (therefore?!) had many things in c o m m o n with the thought-world of the OT. Hengel stresses the fact that Ben Sira did not take over Stoic monism with its identification of god and cosmos. And it is obvious of course that it would have been much more natural for Ben Sira to take the concepts of the importance of ethical conduct, the value of man, the purposefulness of creation, etc., from the OT which he said he stu died, than from the philosophy of the 'Gentiles'.
I t has t o b e p o i n t e d o u t f u r t h e r t h a t t h e view of t h o s e scholars w h o e m p h a s i z e t h e Hellenistic influences in Sir*^^ is, a t least, e q u a l i s e d hy t h e o b s e r v a t i o n s of o t h e r scholars w h o stress B e n Sira's c o m m i t m e n t t o t h e t r a d i t i o n a l J e w i s h faith*^*. Even if it is t r u e t h a t Sir c o n t a i n s r e m i n i s c e n c e s of G r e e k l i t e r a t u r e a n d e d u c a tion*^^, it is o b v i o u s t h a t t h e s e r e m a i n e d w i t h i n n a r r o w limits*^^. B e n Sira's g r a n d s y n t h e s i s of w i s d o m , law, t e m p l e , c u l t , a n d Zad o k i t e p r i e s t h o o d c a n n o t b e u n d e r s t o o d o n a Hellenistic o r S t o i c b a c k g r o u n d b u t m u s t be e x p l a i n e d b y B e n Sira's focus o n G o d ' s r e v e l a t i o n a n d G o d ' s gifts t o his p e o p l e .
420 421 422 423
C f . J . Marbock, Weisheit, p . 9 4 . Cf. H.F. Weiss, Untersuchungen. p.28S. Cf.M. Hengel,/u(ientom,p.268. Besides J. Marbock see T. Middendorp, SteUung, 1973, passim; M. Hengel, Juden tum, p p . 2 6 5 - 2 7 0 . 4 2 4 Cf. A.A. di Leila, "Con-servative and Progressive Theology: Sirach & Wisdom", CBQ 28 ( 1 9 6 6 ) 139-1,54, here 139-146. Cf. also .M. Hengel's review of Middcndorp's book in JSJ 5 ( 1 9 7 4 ) 83-87. A. Momigliano,.4/ien Wisdom, 1 9 7 5 , pp.95f. says that he cannot sec "any clear trace" that Ben Sira had read Greek b o o k s ; he is con vinced that Ben Sira "reaffirmed Jewish traditional faith against the temptations of Hellenism" and "repudiated Greek w i s d o m " (ibid.). Similarly R.J. Banks, Jesus and the Law, 1 9 7 5 , p.54 states that "Hellenistic influence is generally absent". See also the recent remarks of G. Sauer, JSHRZ 1II/5 ( 1 9 8 1 ) 4 9 0 - 4 9 2 and of O. Kaiser, "Judentum und Hellenismus", VuF 27 ( 1 9 8 2 ) 79-86. 4 2 5 Cf. T. Middendorp, o . c , pp.7-34. 4 2 6 Cf. G. Sauer, o . c , p . 4 9 1 ; he points out that "gerade die genauerc Betrachtung einiger Einzelziigc, wie etwa die Stellung zum Arzt, zeigen, dad Sir bei alien neuen Gedanken dennoch im Zentrum seines Gotlesglaubens vcrbleibt" (ibid.).
The Consequences
of the Identification
87
4.3.3. Historical motives. Besides t h e t h e o l o g i c a l b a c k g r o u n d of Ben Sira's i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of w i s d o m a n d law w e m i g h t also a s s u m e t h a t this c o r r e l a t i o n was at least facilitated, if n o t p r o m p t e d , b y t h e h i s t o r i c a l circumstances*^^. B e n Sira is t h e first k n o w n r e p r e s e n t a t i v e of t h e sopherim/hakhamim w h o carried o n t h e w o r k of E z r a a n d of t h e hasidim. G . F . M o o r e believes t h a t t h e identifica t i o n of w i s d o m a n d T o r a h was a c o m m o n p l a c e in B e n Sira's time*^^ as a result of this scribal/sapiential b a c k g r o u n d * ^ . Al t h o u g h this c a n n o t b e p r o v e d it is a t least very plausible t h a t Ben Sira, as scribe a n d p r i e s t , s t u d i e d a n d t a u g h t in a n e n v i r o n m e n t w h i c h h a d all t h e theological Interpretamente ready which were n e e d e d for t h e c o r r e l a t i o n a n d i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of l a w a n d w i s d o m .
4.4. T h e C o n s e q u e n c e s of t h e I d e n t i f i c a t i o n 4.4.1. Immediate consequences. First of all, B e n Sira's identifi c a t i o n h a d c o n s e q u e n c e s for t h e w i s d o m c o n c e p t . T h e universalis tic t e n d e n c y of w i s d o m is h m i t e d a n d t h e possibility of p r o f a n e w i s d o m is e x c l u d e d . F r o m n o w o n , w i s d o m Ls t h e exclusive gift of Y a h w e h t o I s r a e l * ^ . Ben Sira is ' t o r a h f y i n g ' a n d ' h i s t o r i f y i n g ' wis d o m * ^ ' . T h e saving h i s t o r y of r e v e l a t i o n is j o i n e d t o w i s d o m as o r d e r of c r e a t i o n : " O n t h e basis of t h e i d e n t i t y of w i s d o m a n d T o r a h , t h e t r a d i t i o n c o n c e r n e d w i t h r e v e l a t i o n as a h i s t o r y of sal v a t i o n was carried oyer i n t o w i s d o m in m o s t impressive fash i o n "*^^. As a r e s u l t , essentially s a p i e n t i a l i n s t r u c t i o n s are n o w o c casionally s u b s t a n t i a t e d b y r e f e r e n c e s t o law a n d revelation*^^.
4 2 7 J. Marbock, Weisheit, pp.83-85 is the only scholar w h o discusses this. He points out that Ezra the scribe played an important role in the development of an environ ment in which both Torah and wisdom material were studied. This was the case in the later temple schools. 4 2 8 Cf. G.F. Moore, yurfatsm in the First Centuries of the Christian Era, 1, 1927, p . 2 6 5 . 4 2 9 G. von Rad, Wisdom, p.245 explained the "total identification" of wisdom and Torah by Ben Sira's "didactic zeal". It seems that with regard to the number and importance of the passages which refer to this correlation (many occupy a key position in a pericope), this explanation is not fully adequate. 4 3 0 Cf. M. Hengel, Judentum, p p . 2 5 2 - 2 5 4 . J.L. Crenshaw, "Prolegomenon", 1976, p.26 speaks of a "theologization of wisdom". Cf. also M. Kiichler, Weiiheitstraditionen, 1 9 7 9 , p . 4 3 . 431 Cf. E . J a c o b , "Wisdom", 1 9 7 8 , p . 2 5 6 . 4 3 2 H. Gese, " W U d o m " , i / B r 3 ( 1 9 8 1 ) 3 5 . 4 3 3 Cf. D. ZeUer, Mahnspriiche, 1977, p.40, referring to Sir 3 , 2 ; 7 , 1 5 . 2 9 . 3 1 ; 1 7 , 1 4 ;
88
Ben Sira's Identification
of Law and
Wisdom
O n t h e o t h e r h a n d , t h e T o r a h t a k e s o n sapiential p e r s p e c t i v e s : it is freed from t h e d a n g e r of b e c o m i n g a n a b s o l u t e , t i m e l e s s , foss i h z e d e n t i t y * ^ . T h e s a p i e n t i a l f u n c t i o n of T o r a h is b e i n g u n d e r l i n e d , i.e. h e r task of h e l p i n g Israel ( a n d t h e n a t i o n s ! ) t o c o p e w i t h life a n d w i t h h i s t o r y . As t h e T o r a h is p l a c e d i n t o t h e h o r i z o n of t h e o r d e r of c r e a t i o n , i.e. of w i s d o m , it a s s u m e s a universalistic d i m e n s i o n . T h e T o r a h is n o w itself r e g a r d e d as s o m e k i n d of o r d e r of c r e a t i o n , as " t r e i b e n d e ( s ) G r u n d p r i n z i p der G e s c h i c h t e I s r a e l s " a n d " u m f a s s e n d e O r d n u n g fiir die G e m e i n s c h a f t v o n G o t t , Kosm o s u n d M e n s c h h e i t " * ^ ^ . A t t h e s a m e t i m e t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of law a n d w i s d o m can deprive t h e T o r a h of h e r ties w i t h specific c o n t i n g e n t e v e n t s of Israel's h i s t o r y : Israel's e l e c t i o n was i m p l i e d (!) in t h e p r e s e n t a t i o n of t h e gift of t h e T o r a h in t h e p r o c e s s of c r e a t i o n . In this c o n t e x t it was o n l y c o n s i s t e n t " d a 6 das G e s e t z seine RoUe als Weg d e r B e w a h r u n g e i n e r u o r g e o r d n e t e n E r w a h l u n g auf d e m B o d e n der G e s c h i c h t e verlor u n d zur I n s t a n z der Heilsermoghchung schlechthin wurde"*^^. 4.4.2. Far-reaching consequences. T h e far-reaching c o n s e q u e n c e s of B e n Sira's i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of w i s d o m a n d l a w will b e o n l y sum m a r i z e d h e r e . It will b e c o m e e v i d e n t l a t e r t h a t B e n Sira's identifi c a t i o n i n f l u e n c e d Baruch*^^, Palestinian aggadah a n d t h e A l e x a n d r i a n p h i l o s o p h y of r e h g i o n * ^ , r a b b i n i c t h e o l o g y w i t h its ' T o r a h theology' which considers t h e T o r a h t o be a cosmological principle in t h e m a n n e r o f wisdom*^^, r a b b i n i c h a l a k h a h * ^ , a n d finally t h e d e v e l o p m e n t of c h r i s t o l o g y a n d C h r i s t i a n e t h i c s * * ' .
19,17; 2 3 , 2 3 ; 28,6-7; 29,1.9.1 IG; 32,7 ; 3 4 , 1 5 ; 3 5 , 2 3 - 2 4 ; 4 1 , 4 . 4 3 4 Cf. E. Zenger, "Spate Weisheit", 1 9 7 3 , p.50, contra H.H. Schmid, Wesen, p . l 9 5 w h o stated that wisdom and law are "eins auch in ihrer Erstarrung". 4 3 5 E. Zenger, a.c, pp.54f. Cf. jdso A. Nissen, "Tora und Geschichte im Spatjudentum", NovTest 9 ( 1 9 6 7 ) 2 5 0 - 2 5 8 ; M. Kuchler, Weisheitstraditionen, pp.41 f. 4 3 6 K. Miiller, "Geschichte, Heilsgeschichte und Gesetz", Literatur und Geschichte des Fruhjudentums, e d . J . Maier, 1 9 7 3 , p . l 0 2 . 4 3 7 Cf. M. llengeX, Judentum, pp.307 f. 4 3 8 Cf. M. Hengel,yi«ien««m, p . 2 9 2 . 4 3 9 Cf. E. Zenger, "Spate Weisheit", p . 5 3 ; M . Hengel, o.c, p p . 3 0 9 - 3 1 8 ; H.F. Weiss, Untersuchungen, pp.283-304. 4 4 0 Cf. P. Sigal, Emergence, I / l , 1 9 8 0 , p.229 who calls Ben Sira a "forecaster of the rabbinic halakhah". Cf. also H. Stadelmarm, Ben Sira, p.227. 441 Cf. M. Hengel, o . c , p.292.
Conclusion
89
4.5. Conclusion We have e x a m i n e d Ben Sira's significant a n d p o r t e n t o u s i d e n t i fication of law a n d w i s d o m . T h e fact t h a t this i d e n t i f i c a t i o n is re ferred t o in 19 passages altogether**^ a n d o f t e n o c c u r s at k e y posi t i o n s in t h e different p e r i c o p e s , s h o w s h o w i m p o r t a n t this t h e o l o g o u m e n o n is for Ben Sira**^. Ben Sira's i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of law a n d w i s d o m is c h a r a c t e r i z e d b y four d i m e n s i o n s : a p a r t i c u l a r i s t i c , a t h e o l o g i c a l , a n e t h i c a l , a n d a d i d a c t i c d i m e n s i o n . T h e universalistic d i m e n s i o n of t h e T o r a h was r e c o g n i z e d as b e i n g o n e of t h e results of t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n r a t h e r t h a n its basis. T h e p a r t i c u l a r i s t i c perspective w h i c h lies a t t h e f o u n d a t i o n of t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n implies t h a t b o t h t h e law a n d wis d o m are r e g a r d e d b y B e n Sira as possessions of I s r a e l : t h e y w e r e b o t h given b y G o d t o his p e o p l e , t h e y b o t h have a n i m p o r t a n t a n d lasting f u n c t i o n in Israel's faith a n d h i s t o r y , a n d t h e y are b o t h of u t m o s t i m p o r t a n c e for t h e p i o u s . T h e t h e o l o g i c a l f o u n d a t i o n of t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n is s u m m a r i z e d b y t h e c o n c e p t of t h e fear of t h e L o r d w h i c h is t h e goal of b o t h w i s d o m a n d l a w ; G o d ' s will for t h e n a t i o n a n d for t h e individual is e m b o d i e d in b o t h law a n d w i s d o m . T h e e t h i c a l d i m e n s i o n of t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n is d e t e r m i n e d b y t h e fact t h a t b o t h law a n d w i s d o m are the basis a n d p r e r e q u i s i t e , t h e c o n t e n t a n d r e a l m , t h e r e w a r d a n d t h e result of p r a c t i c a l a n d per sonal p i e t y at t h e s a m e t i m e . R i g h t e t h i c a l c o n d u c t is p r e s c r i b e d a n d d e s c r i b e d in t h e law a n d o u t l i n e d a n d c o n c r e t i z e d in w i s d o m . T h e d i d a c t i c f o u n d a t i o n of t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n is p e r s o n i f i e d in t h e scribe a n d w i s d o m t e a c h e r w h o studies a n d t e a c h e s b o t h law a n d w i s d o m a n d w h o challenges his s t u d e n t s t o k e e p t h e c o m m a n d m e n t s a n d t o b e wise. T h e o l o g i c a l a n d historical m o t i v e s p r o m p t e d Ben Sira t o iden-
4 4 2 Besides 5 secondary passages, including the prologue. 4 4 3 I cannot agree with M. Black when he says that "the correlation of Torah with wisdom is certainly significant but complete identification is doubtful except in some probably secondary traditions attributed to Ben Sira" (private communica tion). Both the explicit and the implicit exegetical evidence seems to support our conclusions in an overhelming manner. It is impossible to attribute all passages which express the identification law = wisdom to secondary traditions. The com plete identification of law and wisdom by Ben Sira is also recognized and acknow ledged, though not discussed extensively, by the vast majority of scholars.
90
Ben Sira's Identification
of Law and
Wisdom
tify t h e t w o realms of law a n d w i s d o m . T h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n has a n i n d i r e c t b a c k g r o u n d in d e u t e r o n o m i s t i c t h e o l o g y a n d in t h e wis d o m - p s a l m s of t h e O T . A n d it was facilitated b y t h e t r a d i t i o n s w h i c h c a m e t o g e t h e r in t h e p e r s o n of t h e scribe w h o c o m b i n e s t h e theological e m p h a s e s of t h e hasidim, hakhamin, and sopherim. C o n c e p t s of S t o i c p h i l o s o p h y w e r e e x c l u d e d as m o t i v e s b e h i n d Ben Sira's i d e n t i f i c a t i o n . T h e c o n s e q u e n c e s of t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of l a w a n d w i s d o m w e r e i m m e d i a t e a n d far-reaching: t h e universalistic t e n d e n c y of w i s d o m was l i m i t e d , p r o f a n e w i s d o m was e x c l u d e d , a n d t h e law a c q u i r e d a universalistic d i m e n s i o n as c o m p r e h e n s i v e o r d e r for t h e r e l a t i o n ship b e t w e e n G o d , c r e a t i o n , a n d m a n . B o t h law a n d w i s d o m p o s sess a d o u b l e c h a r a c t e r : b o t h realms have a c o s m o l o g i c a l a n d a salvation-historical aspect***. T h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n , f u r t h e r , influenc e d t h e i n t e r t e s t a m e n t a l l i t e r a t u r e as well as t h e d e v e l o p m e n t of rabbinic and Christian thought. As regards the tcnn 'identification', we want to make a few observations o n what is meant by identity, as a concept of logic, in this context**^, if identity is defined as a relation of the terms x and y (or law and wisdom) o n e can say that x and y are the same term when every assertion which is true of x is also true of y, and the x and y are not the same if there is at least one assertion which is true of the one but false of the other. Similarly, if the identity is defined as a relation of classes x and y (or 'law' consisting of commandments, and 'wisdom' consisting of the sapiential tradition and theology), class x is identical with class y when, and only when, every member of X is a member of y and vice versa. Identity is a relation which is symmetrical (it is always true that if x is the same as y , y is the same as x), transitive (it is always true that if X is the same as y and y the same as z, x is the same as z ) , and self-relative (the same term which is antecedent in the relation may always be sequent). The Aristo telian formulation of the law of identity is "presence of the same form in the same matter". One can say that identity in its strictest logical sense can subsist only be tween a term and itself. However, the assertion of identity does not exclude difference or diversity: the point of identity may lie entirely in the formal, or in the material, aspect of the com plex or its formal element may change without affecting the other element. Thus, there appears to be always a certain degree of arbitrariness involved in deciding h o w far and to what degree the formal, or the material, constituents can be modified without nullifying the relation of the identity. In the context of our discussion of the identification of wisdom and law, the term 'identify' has to be understood not in the sense of 'determine the identity o F but rather in the sense of 'make identical, or o n e , with', 'to treat as the same';'to associate inseparably'.
4 4 4 This was recognized by H.F. Weiss, Untersuchungen, p.l97. 4 4 5 Cf. A.E. Taylor, Art, "Identity", Encyclopaedia of Religion 1 9 4 0 , pp.95-99; G. Schischkoff, Philosophisches Worterbuch, the following observations.
and Ethics, vol. 7, ^^1914, p.287 for
Conclusion
91
When one attempts to apply these definitions and specifications of (Aristotelian) logic to the concepts and areas of Jewish law and wisdom, one has to notice that this is hardly, if at all, possible. The following reasons explain this difficulty: (1) Neither law nor wisdom are clearly and unambiguously defined or definable terms, concepts, or 'classes'; (2) neither the OT writers nor the Jewish authors of later times discussed law or wisdom according to or in terms o f this sort of logic; (3) not even the authors of EpArist, SapSal, 4.Macc, or AntBibl w h o were presumably aware of Greek (Aristo telian) logic treated the concept of law or the concept of wisdom or the correlation of the two concepts systematically or cogently in terms of logic; (4) the notion of identity is expressed in Hebrew (and hence often in LXX Greek!) by nominal sen tences (without the copula 'is') or by correlation in a parallelismus membrorum which makes it difficult to grasp the systematism of the 'logic' involved. It is ob vious that if we tried to present Ben Sira's 'identification' of law and wisdom in the terms mentioned above, the 'identification' would disappear: it is certainly not pos sible to say that every assertion which is true of law is also true of wisdom, or that every constituent which makes up 'law' is always also a constituent of 'wisdom'. For this reason we use, instead of the term 'identification', also the term 'correlation' in the sense of a mutual relation of law and wisdom implying an intimate or, after Ben Sira, even a necessary connection.
W h e n we say t h a t Ben Sira identified o r c o r r e l a t e d law a n d wis d o m , we assert an i d e n t i t y in diversity. H o w e v e r , it is difficult t o k n o w w h e t h e r Ben Sira i n t e n d e d a formal or a m a t e r i a l i d e n t i t y or a m i x t u r e of b o t h possibilities w i t h t h e stress o n o n e or o n t h e o t h e r . I t seems t h a t t h e l a t t e r is m o r e p r o b a b l e , i.e. t h a t Ben Sira i d e n t i f i e d law a n d w i s d o m b o t h as regards t h e f o r m a l a n d the ma terial aspect. The formal a s p e c t is r e l a t e d t o t h e revelation of G o d in t h e h i s t o r y of his p e o p l e , t o t h e fear of the L o r d as goal of G o d ' s will for his p e o p l e , a n d t o t h e p e r s o n a n d f u n c t i o n of t h e scribe as T o r a h s c h o l a r a n d w i s d o m t e a c h e r . T h e m a t e r i a l a s p e c t is l i n k e d w i t h t h e e t h i c a l d i m e n s i o n : b o t h t h e law a n d w i s d o m are t h e basis, t h e p r e r e q u i s i t e , t h e r e a l m , a n d t h e result of p r a c t i c a l G o d - a p p r o v e d p i e t y . T h e cosmological d i m e n s i o n w h i c h t r e a t s G o d ' s wise o r d e r s of c r e a t i o n as identical w i t h G o d ' s law is also ( m o r e p o t e n t i a l l y ? ! ) c o n n e c t e d w i t h t h e m a t e r i a l a s p e c t . It w o u l d s e e m to b e a r b i t r a r y t o d e c i d e w h e t h e r t h e f o r m a l or t h e m a t e r i a l a s p e c t of t h e e s t a b l i s h e d i d e n t i t y of law a n d w i s d o m is p r i m a r y or m o r e i m p o r t a n t . O u r i n v e s t i g a t i o n of t h e s u b s e q u e n t r e c e p t i o n a n d use of Ben Sira's i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of law a n d w i s d o m c o n c e n t r a t e s , after having e s t a b l i s h e d t h e r e s p e c t i v e n o t i o n s of law a n d w i s d o m in t h e var i o u s d o c u m e n t s , o n t h o s e p e r i c o p e s w h i c h e x p r e s s this identifica t i o n e x p l i c i t l y . I m p l i c i t a s p e c t s of t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n w i t h r e s p e c t t o t h e f o r m a l a n d t h e o l o g i c a l e v i d e n c e are o n l y o c c a s i o n a l l y re ferred t o .
9 2
Earlier Jewish
Writings from
Palestine
We o m i t Philo from o u r investigation d e s p i t e t h e fact t h a t h e has b e e n called t h e heir of the J e w i s h w i s d o m t r a d i t i o n since h e shares a c o m m o n c o n t e x t of m e a n i n g a n d o u t l o o k , also as regards w i s d o m , w i t h SapSal**^. Philo does link sophia a n d nomos (cf. P o s t 1 8 ; D e c a l 1; S p e c L e g 3 , 6 ; S o m 2, 2 5 2 ) . B u t h e d o e s n o t s e e m t o e q u a t e w i s d o m a n d T o r a h explicitly (cf. Virt 6 2 - 6 5 ) even t h o u g h t h e r e is a n impUcit r e l a t i o n s h i p , as w i s d o m is r e l a t e d w i t h , a n d in fact t o t a l l y s u b o r d i n a t e t o , t h e less p e r s o n a l logos (cf. F u g 9 7 . 1 0 8 - 1 0 9 ; S o m 2 , 2 4 2 . 2 4 5 ) w h i c h is identified w i t h t h e Mosaic law (cf. Migr 130)**''. I t h a s t o b e n o t e d t h a t in P h i l o t h e r e l a t i o n ship b e t w e e n w i s d o m a n d law is " m o d i f i e d in r e l a t i o n t o t h e larger c o n c e p t of t h e Xdyo? a n d r e d e f i n e d b y t h e m e t h o d o l o g y a n d p r e s u m p t i o n s of allegorical exegesis"***. Philo is m o r e con c e r n e d w i t h logos t h a n w i t h sophia or t h e cosmos^^. F o r this rea s o n we c a n leave Philo aside.
4 4 6 Cf. K.G. .Sandelin, Die Auseinandersetzung mit der Weisheit in 1. Korinther 15, 1976, p.8 referring to W.L. Knox, H.A. Wolfson, E. Brandenburger, and B.L. Mack. 4 4 7 Cf. J.D.G. Unrai, Christology, 1 9 8 0 , p.l 71 with further references. 4 4 8 J.A. Davis, Wisdom and Spirit, 1 9 8 2 , p.55. 4 4 9 On PhUo's concept of logos see H. Kleinknecht, in ThWNT 4 ( 1 9 4 2 ) 8 6 - 8 8 ; H.F. Weiss, Untersuchungen, 1966, p p . 2 4 8 - 2 8 2 ; G.D. Farandos, Kosmos und Logos nach Philon von Alexandria, Elementa 4 , 1976, p p . 2 3 1 - 2 7 5 ; J.D.G. Dunn, Chris tology, 1 9 8 0 , p p . 2 2 0 - 2 2 8 .
C.hapicr Two
W i s d o m and Law in the I n t e r t e s t a m e n t a l Literature
Ben Sira s t a n d s , c h r o n o l o g i c a l l y s p e a k i n g , at t h e b e g i n n i n g of t h e Hterary p r o d u c t i v i t y of t h e i n t e r t e s t a m e n t a l p e r i o d ' . T h e li t e r a t u r e ^ of t h e 2 5 0 years b e t w e e n 1 8 0 B.C. a n d A . D . 70 is charac t e r i z e d b y an a s t o n i s h i n g l y vast a r r a y of l i t e r a r y f o r m s ^ . C o n t e m p o r a r y research rightly t e n d s m o r e a n d m o r e in t h e d i r e c t i o n of
1 Only Epjer. Ps(syr), and J o b are to be dated earlier. On Epjer see L. Rost, Ein leitung, pp.53f. ; 0 . Eissfeldt, Einleitung, pp.805f.; G.W.E. Nickelsburg, Literature, pp.35-38. On Ps(syr) see J.H. Charlesworth, Pseudepigrapfui, 1976, p p . 2 0 2 - 2 0 9 ; A.S. van der Woude, "Die funf syrischen Psalmen", JSHRZ l V / 1 ( 1 9 7 4 ) 29-74. On T o b see L. Rost, o.c, pp.44-47 ; 0 . Eissfeldt, o.c, p p . 7 9 0 - 7 9 3 ; G . W . E . Nickel sburg, o.c, pp.30-35. 2 See generally the introductions of A.M. Denis ( 1 9 7 0 ) , L. Rost ( 1 9 7 1 ) , O. Eissfeldt ( 4 1 9 7 6 ) , J.H. Charlesworth ( 1 9 7 6 ) , and G.W.E. Nickelsburg ( 1 9 8 1 ) . Cf. also J.H. Charlesworth, "A History of Pseudepigrapha Research; The Re-emerging Impor tance of the Pseudepigrapha", ANRW 11/19,1 ( 1 9 7 9 ) 54-88. 3 Cf. P. Weimar, "Formen friihjiidischer Literatur: Eine Skizze", Literatur und Religion des Fruhjudentums, ed. J . Maier, 1 9 7 3 , p p . I 2 3 - I 6 2 . With regard to the tendency towards anonymity or pseudonymity see J . A . Sint, Pseudonymitdt im Altertum, I 9 6 0 ; K . Aland, "Das Problem der Anonymitat und Pseudonymitat in der christlichen Literatur der ersten beiden Jahrhundcrte", Studien zur Uberlie ferung des Neuen Testaments und seines Textes, 1967, pp.23-34; W. Speyer, Die literarische Fdlschung im heidnischen und christlichen Altertum: Ein Versuch ihrer Deutung, Handbuch der Altertumswisscnschaft 1/2, 1971 ;M. Smith, "Pseudepigraphy in the Israelite Literary Tradition", Pseudepigrapha, 1, ed. K. von Fritz, 1 9 7 2 , p p . 1 8 9 - 2 1 5 ; M. Hengel, "Anonymitat, Pseudepigraphie und 'Literarische Falschung' in der jiidisch-hellenistischen Litmtui", Pseudepigrapha, I, p p . 2 2 9 - 3 0 8 ; B.M. Metzger, "Literary Forgeries and Canonical Pseudepigrapha",/5Z. 91 ( 1 9 7 2 ) 3-24; F. Dexinger, Henochs Zehnwochenapokalypse und offene Probleme der Apokalyptikforschung, SPB 2 9 , 1977, p p . 6 0 - 6 4 ; 1. Gruenwald, "Jewish Apocalyp tic Literature", ANRW 11/19,1 (1979) 9 7 - 1 0 2 ; C. Uiinchow, Ethik und Eschatolagie: Ein Beitrag zum Verstandnis der fruhjudischen Apokalyptik, 1981, pp.l23f.; C. Rowland, The Open Heaven: A Study of Apocalyptic in Judaism and Early Christianity, 1 9 8 2 , pp.61-70.
94
Earlier Jewish
Writings from
Palestine
t r e a t i n g e a r l y J e w i s h l i t e r a t u r e as " e i g e n s t a n d i g e Zeugnisse einer w i c h t i g e n E p o c h e der j i i d i s c h e n G e s c h i c h t e " * . T h e a p o c a l y p t i c t r a d i t i o n s t a n d s o u t as of p r i m e significance^. We will deal w i t h 9 writings of this l i t e r a t u r e , e x c l u d i n g for t h e t i m e b e i n g t h e Q u m ran d o c u m e n t s , w h i c h refer t o Ben Sira's i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of law a n d w i s d o m . S i n c e n o a d e q u a t e , c o m p r e h e n s i v e s t u d i e s have b e e n writ ten o n e i t h e r t h e c o n c e p t of l a w or o n t h e c o n c e p t of w i s d o m in early J e w i s h l i t e r a t u r e ^ , m u c h g r o u n d w o r k has t o b e d o n e again. T h e q u e s t i o n of t h e u n i t y or t h e c o m p i l a t i o n of t h e different writings c a n be left o u t of c o n s i d e r a t i o n m o s t of t h e t i m e since t h e a u t h o r s a n d / o r c o m p i l e r s o b v i o u s l y did n o t discover conflict ing c o n c e p t s of law or of w i s d o m in t h e t r a d i t i o n s , f r a g m e n t s , or u n i t s w h i c h t h e y i n c o r p o r a t e d i n t o t h e i r b o o k s . In o r d e r t o a v o i d the levelhng of t h e t e x t s ^ , w e will describe t h e different p u r p o s e s a n d c o n t e x t s of t h e relevant t e x t s . This m a k e s a s u c c i n c t t r e a t m e n t of i n t r o d u c t o r y q u e s t i o n s n e c e s s a r y . I n t e n s i v e analysis of individual passages will p r o v e t o b e neces-
4 G. Mayer, "Zur judischhellenistischen Literatur", ThR 4 5 ( 1 9 8 0 ) 2 4 4 . 5 On apocalyptic see recently E. Janssen, Gottesvolk, 1 9 7 1 , p p . 4 9 - 1 0 0 ; J. Barr, "Jewish Apocalyptic in Recent Scholariy Study", BJRL 58 ( 1 9 7 5 ) 9-35; P.D. Hanson, The Daivn of Apocalyptic: The Historical and Sociological Roots of Jew ish Apocalyptic Eschatology, 1 9 7 5 ; U. Luck, "Das Weltverstandnis in der jiidi schen Apokalyptik", Ztftif 73 ( 1 9 7 6 ) 2 8 3 - 3 0 5 ; J. Carmignac, "Qu'est-ce que I'apocalyptique?", RQ 37 ( 1 9 7 9 ) 3 - 3 3 ; F. Dexinger, Offene Probleme, 1 9 7 7 , pp.S-94; L Gruenwald, "Jewish Apocalyptic Literature", ANRW 11/19,1 (1979) 8 9 - 1 1 8 ; G.W.E. Nickelsburg, Literature, passim; C. Munchow, Ethik, 1 9 8 1 , passim; O.H. Steck, "Uberlcgungcn zur Eigenart der spatisraelitischen Apokalyptik", Die Botschaft und die Boten, FS H.W. Wolff, 1 9 8 1 , pp.SOl-315; K. Koch, et al., eds., Apokalyptik, Wege der Forschung 3 6 5 , 1982; C. Rowland, Open Heaven, 1982, passim. It should be noted that we have still no unanimous definition of apocalyp tic (cf. C. Munchow, o.c, 1 9 8 1 , p.l I ) . 6 With regard to the concept of law see A. Nissen, "Tora und Geschichte im Spatjudcntum", NovTest 9 ( 1 9 6 7 ) 2 4 1 - 2 7 7 , here 2 6 0 - 2 6 9 ; M. Limbeck, Die Ordnung des Neils: Untersuchungen zum Gesetzesverstdndnis des Fruhjudentums, 1971 (not treating all d o c u m e n t s ) ; R.J. B a n k s , / e j u s and the Law, 1 9 7 5 , pp.29-32,50-55,677 0 . With regard to the concept of wisdom see M. Kiichler, Fnlhjiidische Weis heitstraditionen, 1979 (focusing o n the exegetes, historians, Phocylides, Achiqar, TestXnPatr). These studies are all selective with regard to the material discussed and do not go into great exegetical detail either. 7 As was done in the study of D. Rossler, Gesetz und Geschichte: Untersuchungen zur Theologie der jiidischen Apokalyptik und der pharisdischen Orthodoxie, WMANT 3, 1960. For a critique of Rossler's method and position see A. Nissen, "Tora", NovTest 9 ( 1 9 6 7 ) 2 4 1 - 2 7 7 ; W. Harnisch, Verhdngnis und Verhei&ung der Geschichte, FRLANT 2 9 , 1 9 6 9 , p p . l If., 152f. with n.2.
Baruch
95
sary in o r d e r t o s h o w t h e p a r t i c u l a r e m p h a s i s of t h e c o n c e p t s of wisdom and law within the particular material and conceptual contexts. We divide t h e J e w i s h l i t e r a t u r e of t h e i n t e r t e s t a m e n t a l p e r i o d i n t o earlier writings from Palestine ( § 5 ) , earlier writings from A l e x a n d r i a ( § 6 ) , a n d l a t e r writings w h i c h w e r e c o m p o s e d a r o u n d A . D . 70 ( § 7 ) .
§5
Earlier Jewish Writings from
Palestine
5 . 1 . Baruch T h e p s e u d e p i g r a p h a l b o o k of B a r u c h * , e x t a n t o n l y in Greek^ b u t a t least p a r t i a l l y b a s e d o n a H e b r e w original*'', d a t e s b a c k t o t h e s e c o n d c e n t u r y * * . T h e w i s d o m p o e m (3,9-4,4) is e m b e d d e d b e t w e e n a prose section with a prayer (1,15-3,8) and a Zion p o e m ( 4 , 5 - 5 , 9 ) . T h e s e s e c t i o n s are b o u n d t o g e t h e r b y t h e c o m m o n t h e m e of exile a n d r e t u r n , stressing t h e n o t i o n t h a t t h e law is t h e q u i n t e s s e n c e of all w i s d o m a n d G o d ' s gift t o Israel*^.
8 See generally J.J. Battistone, An Examination of the Literary and Theological Background of the Wisdom Passage in Baruch, Ph.D. Diss. Duke University, 1968, particijarly pp.2-100; L. Rost, Einleitung, p p . 5 1 - 5 3 ; A.H.J. Gunneweg, "Das Buch Baruch", JSHRZ ni/2 ( 1 9 7 5 ) 1 6 8 - 1 7 0 ; O. Eissfeldt, Einleitung, p p . 8 0 2 - 8 0 5 ; G.W. E. Nickelsburg, Literature, pp. 109-113. 9 Cf. J. Ziegler, "Baruch", Septuaginta Vetus Testamentum Graecum, vol.15, 1976, p p . 4 5 0 - 4 6 7 ; E. Tov, The Book of Baruch, SBLTT, 1 9 7 5 . We used the translation by O.C. Whitehouse, "The Book of Baruch", APOT I ( 1 9 1 3 ) 6 8 2 - 5 9 5 , and by A.H.J. Gunneweg, o.c, p p . 1 7 1 - 1 8 0 . 10 Cf. J.K. Zink, Use of the Old Testament, 1 9 6 3 , p . l 4 8 ; L. Rost, o.c, p . 5 1 ; A.H.J. Gunneweg, o.c, p . l 7 0 ; O . Eissfeldt, o.c, p . 8 0 3 ; G.T. Sheppard, Wisdom, 1980, p.84 with n . l . 11 G.W.E. Nickelsburg, Literature, p.l 13 points out that the attempts to date Bar by comparing Bar 1,15-3,8 with Dan 9 and PsSal 11 "fall short of certainty", and maintains that the style of Greek indicates 116 B.C. as terminus ante quem, with 164 B.C. being a probable date of composition or compilation. See also C.A. Moore, "Toward the Dating of the Book of Baruch", CBQ 3 6 ( 1 9 7 4 ) 3 1 2 - 3 2 0 w h o main tains that 1,15-2,19 and 4,5-6,4 were composed some time during the 4th till 2nd centuries B.C. 12 Cf. L. Rost, Einleitung, p . 5 3 ; G.W.E. Nickelsburg o.c, p . l 0 9 ; M . Kuchler, IVmheitstraditionen, pp.39f. Cf. also O.H. Steck, Israel und das gewaltsame Geschick
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5.1.1. The concept of wisdom. T h e w i s d o m t e r m i n o l o g y in Bar i n c l u d e s t h e t e r m s ao^'ia ( 3 , 1 2 . 2 3 ) , ippovrjaiq ( 3 , 9 . 1 4 . 2 9 ) , avveaiq ( 3 , 1 4 . 2 3 . 3 2 ) , a n d eTnaTrinri ( 3 , 2 0 . 2 7 . 3 6 ) w h i c h are essentially used as e q u i v a l e n t s . T h e w i s d o m p e r i c o p e ' ^ begins w i t h t h e call: " H e a r , O Israel, t h e c o m m a n d m e n t s of life; give ear to u n d e r s t a n d w i s d o m " ( 3 , 9 ) . T h e reality of t h e exile is r e l a t e d to Israel's leaving t h e " f o u n t a i n of w i s d o m " ( 3 , 1 2 ) . T h e following verses deal w i t h t h e q u e s t i o n of t h e l o c u s of w i s d o m . First, various classes of p e o p l e are d e s c r i b e d w h o have n o t f o u n d w i s d o m ( 3 , 1 6 - 2 8 ) . M a n is n o t c a p a b l e of discerning t h e w a y t o w i s d o m ( 3 , 2 9 - 3 1 ) . O n l y G o d f o u n d t h e w a y t o w i s d o m ( 3 , 3 2 - 3 6 ) , a n d h e has given it t o Israel, his p e o p l e ( 3 , 3 7 - 3 8 ) . This w i s d o m is e m b o d i e d in t h e T o r a h ( 4 , 1 - 4 ) . W i s d o m a n d c r e a t i o n are closely r e l a t e d ' * . In 3 , 2 4 - 2 5 t h e uni verse is p i c t u r e d as " h o u s e of G o d " a n d " p l a c e of his p o s s e s s i o n " . In 3 , 3 2 c - 3 4 G o d the C r e a t o r is d e s c r i b e d as having " f o u n d o u t " (e^eOpeu) the w a y t o w i s d o m w i t h his o w n " u n d e r s t a n d i n g " (avueoL^:)^^. G o d ' s w i s d o m a n d p o w e r are e m p h a s i z e d in c o n n e c t i o n w i t h his activity as C r e a t o r ( 3 , 3 2 - 3 4 ) a n d w i t h t h e i d e a of his i n c o m p a r a b i l i t y ( 3 , 3 5 ) . W i s d o m seems t o b e seen as being univer sal or c o s m i c : m a n is n o t able t o find h e r a n d G o d t h e C r e a t o r is d e s c r i b e d as possessing w i s d o m a n d as k n o w i n g t h e w a y t o wis d o m ' ^ . In c o n t r a s t t o Sir, w i s d o m is n o t r e l a t e d to t h e order of c r e a t i o n . In 3 , 3 8 t h e universal p r e s e n c e of w i s d o m is also stressed'^ T h e p e r s o n i f i c a t i o n of w i s d o m in 3,9-4,4 is n o t as clear as in Sir
der Propheten, WMANT 2 3 , 1 9 6 7 , p p . 1 2 8 - 1 3 3 w h o stresses the unity of 1,15-5,9. 13 For a recent detailed exegesis of this passage, with special regard for the OT evi dence and background, see G.T. Sheppard, Wisdom, 1980, pp.85-99. Cf. also P.E. Bonnard, Sagesse en personne, 1966, pp.81-88. 14 Cf. J.J. Battistone, Wisdom Passage, pp.148-177. 15 The same concept of God as the source of wisdom may be seen in 3,12 where Israel is said to have forsaken the "fountain of wisdom" {nrryri Tri<: ao^ia<^). Cf.J.J. Battistone, o.c, pp. 1 8 0 f . ; G . T . Sheppard, Wisdom, pp.94f. 16 Cf. J.J. Battistone, o.c, p p . 1 4 9 - 1 5 1 . The statement that in Bar wisdom is a "cos mic principle by which the universe is regulated" (ibid., p . l 7 7 ) is not warranted by the text, however. 17 Cf. M. Kiichler, Weisheitstraditionen, p.39. Some commentators regard 3,38 as a later Christian gloss, even though it is well attested in Greek MSS; cf. G.T. Sheppard, o.c, p.97 n . l 9 .
Baruch
24: "This poem p o r t r a y e d as t h e w h o searches the the only example
97
is about h e r r a t h e r t h a n by her"**. W i s d o m is o b j e c t of m a n ' s search r a t h e r t h a n as a ' p e r s o n ' universe herself. T h e t e r m avveoTpdip-q in 3,38 is of w i s d o m b e i n g t h e s u b j e c t of a verb of a c t i o n .
T h e relationship between wisdom and salvation-history becomes o b v i o u s in 3 , 3 7 - 4 , 4 w h e r e it is s t a t e d t h a t w i s d o m is G o d ' s gift t o Israel, b e i n g e m b o d i e d in t h e T o r a h . T h e fruit of w i s d o m w h i c h is " p e a c e " ( 3 , 1 3 . 1 4 ) , " l e n g t h of d a y s " ( 3 , 1 4 ) , " h f e " ( 3 , 1 4 ; cf. 3 , 2 8 ) , a n d " l i g h t of t h e e y e s " ( 3 , 1 4 ) also stresses t h e c o n n e c t i o n b e t w e e n w i s d o m a n d t h e r e a l m of Israel's f a i t h ' ^ . The correlation of wisdom and salvation history in Bar carmot be established, in contrast to Sir, on the basis of the origin of wisdom from Yahweh, the God of Israel's faith and history: the term Kiipux; is frequently used in 1,5-3,8 (41 times), but never in 3,9-5,9 where iSed
W i t h r e g a r d t o the b a c k g r o u n d of 3 , 2 9 - 3 1 it has b e e n p o i n t e d o u t t h a t " i n t h e b o d y of B a r u c h ' s p r o s e a b o u t w i s d o m D e u t e r o n o m y 3 0 is p a r a p h r a s e d " ^ ' . 5.1.2. The law and the commandments. T h e t e r m s for l a w u s e d in Bar M e u o n o q ( 2 , 2 . 2 8 ; 4 , 1 . 1 2 ) , e w o X a t ( 3 , 9 ; 4 , 1 3 ) , a n d T r p d a r a r a (1,18;2,10;4,1). T h e law is n e v e r d e p i c t e d as a universal or c o s m i c o r d e r b u t is closely r e l a t e d w i t h Israel's h i s t o r y . T h e basis of t h e l a w is inti m a t e l y l i n k e d w i t h G o d ' s c o n v e n a n t ^ ^ w i t h Israel ( 1 , 1 8 - 2 0 ; 2 , 1 0 1 2 . 2 7 - 3 5 ) . T h e law goes b a c k t o Moses w h o was c o m m a n d e d b y
18 G.W.E. Nickelsburg, Literature, p.l 12. ContraJ.J. Battistone, o.c, pp.168-177 who maintains that in Bar, wisdom exists as an independent entity being "something more than a poetic personification of an abstract quality" ( p . l 6 9 ) . But Battistone admits that in Bar, wisdom "does not assume the personal qualities of the figure in Proverbs or Sirach" ( p . l 7 7 ) . 19 G.T. Sheppard, Wisdom, p.97 states with regard to 3 , 3 7 4 , 1 that the author in a typological application of passages like Deut 3 3 , 1 0 ; P s 78,5; 147,19 "assesses Israel's election in terms of wisdom". 20 Contra M. Kiichler, Weisheitstraditionen, p.39 who says that Bar never mentions the fear of the Lord. 21 Cf. G.T. Sheppard, "Wisdom and Torah", 1978, p . l 7 1 (cf. ibid., p p . l 7 2 f . for a discussion of this relationship). See also his discussion of this pericope in idem. Wisdom, p p . 9 0 - 9 3 , 1 0 1 . 22 Cf. R.J. Banks, Jesus and the Law, pp.30f.
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G o d t o w r i t e t h e l a w ( 2 , 2 - 2 8 ) . T h e l a w is Y a h w e h ' s l a w ( n o t e t h e genitive c o n s t r u c t i o n s in 1,18; 2 , 1 0 ; 4 , 1 . 1 3 ) . Israel h a s t o suffer b e c a u s e she h a d f o r s a k e n G o d ' s c o m m a n d m e n t s ( 1 , 1 7 - 2 2 ; 2 , 1 - 7 . 2 0 - 2 6 . 2 8 - 3 0 ; 3 , 2 - 4 . 8 - 1 3 ; 4 , 1 2 - 1 3 ) . Bar also stresses t h e e t e r n a l validity of t h e l a w ( 4 , 1 ) . T h e f u n c t i o n of t h e l a w consists p r i m a r i l y in b e i n g t h e n o r m of m o r a l a n d social b e h a v i o u r . T h i s is a p p a r e n t in t h e verses w h i c h d e s c r i b e t h e reasons for Israel's suffering in t h e e x i l e : she has n o t o b e y e d G o d ' s c o m m a n d m e n t s b u t a b a n d o n e d t h e n o r m of h e r G o d . In this sense Bar m e n t i o n s t h e " w a y s of G o d ' s c o m m a n d m e n t s " ( d S o k ivToXCiv i?eoi3) w h i c h are paralleled b y t h e " p a t h s of discipline {rpifiovq naiSeiaq) in his (i.e. G o d ' s ) r i g h t e o u s n e s s " (4,13). As t o t h e m o t i v e s of o b e d i e n c e t o t h e law, i t is o b v i o u s t h a t t h e a v o i d a n c e of sin s t a n d s in t h e c e n t r e of i n t e r e s t . O b e d i e n c e t o t h e l a w results in a p i o u s life w h i c h e n s u r e s G o d ' s favour a n d salva t i o n . T h e m o t i v e of t h e will of G o d is n a t u r a l l y i m p l i e d . 5.1.3. The identification of law and it^wc^om. T h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of law w i t h w i s d o m is " o n e of t h e m a i n p o i n t s of e m p h a s i s of t h e w i s d o m passage in 3 , 9 - 4 , 4 " ^ ^ . It is carried t h r o u g h in t h e i n t r o d u c t i o n (3,9-14) a n d c o n c l u s i o n ( 4 , 1 - 4 ) , a n d is i m p l i e d in 3 , 2 9 - 3 1 w h i c h p a r a p h r a s e s D e u t 3 0 . With regard t o this i d e n t i f i c a t i o n Bar is p r o b a b l y d e p e n d e n t o n Sir 24^*. I n 3,9 t h e " c o m m a n d m e n t s of l i f e " (evroXai ^cjrjq) a r e parallel t o " u n d e r s t a n d i n g " (i/'pdi^Tjat?). T h e s e t e r m s a r e i d e n t i c a l : Israel is called u p o n t o Us t e n t o b o t h . 3 , 1 0 - 1 3 deals w i t h t h e p r o b l e m of t h e e x i l e : Israel has f o r s a k e n t h e " f o u n t a i n of w i s d o m " ( v . l 2 ) a n d refused t o w a l k in t h e " w a y of G o d " ( v . l 3 ) . I n o r d e r t o o b t a i n s a l v a t i o n , Israel is t o p u r s u e w i s d o m so t h a t she m a y receive life a n d dwell in p e a c e ( v . l 4 ) . T h e t e r m " f o u n t a i n of w i s d o m " in v . l 2 p r e s e n t s e i t h e r G o d o r t h e T o r a h as s o u r c e of w i s d o m ^ ^ . It is likely t h a t t h e l a t t e r m e a n i n g is i m p U e d since t h e t e r m " w a y s of G o d "
23 J.J. Battistone, Wisdom Passage, p . l 12. Cf. M. Kuchler, Weisheitstraditionen, pp.39f.; G.T. Sheppard, Wisdom, p . 8 4 . 24 Cf. M. Hengel, Judentum, p.S07; M. Kuchler, o.c., p.S9; see also J.J. Battistone, o.c, p . l 7 5 ; G.W.E. Nickelsburg, Literature, p . l l 2 ; J . L . Crenshaw, Old Testament Wisdom, p p . l 8 7 f . 25 Cf. J J . Battistone, Wisdom Passage, pp.lSOf.
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w h i c h follows i m m e d i a t e l y in v . l 3 seems to b e referring to t h e T o r a h (cf. 4 , 1 3 ) . I n 4,1-4 t h e p h r a s e aiirrj 77 j3i/3Xo? serves as f o r m u l a of identifi c a t i o n : t h e w i s d o m w h i c h G o d has given t o Israel is t h e " b o o k of t h e c o m m a n d m e n t s of G o d " {^i^Xoq TUU TtpoaTayiidnov TOV deov) a n d t h e " l a w " (W/KO?) w h i c h e n d u r e s forever ( v . l ) . I n t h e T o r a h Israel has access t o divine w i s d o m ^ ^ . T h e T o r a h secures Is rael's safety a n d salvation (v.2). It c o n t a i n s G o d ' s revealed will t o Israel. T h e T o r a h is a light i l l u m i n a t i n g her p a t h ( v . 3 ) : " D a s G e s e t z (die Weisheit) gibt die r e c h t e O r i e n t i e r u n g fiir das L e b e n " ^ ^ . T h e T o r a h is a s o u r c e w h i c h s h o w s t h e things w h i c h are pleasing t o G o d , a n d this k n o w l e d g e c o n s t i t u t e s t h e s o u r c e of Israel's h a p p i ness. T h u s , t h e T o r a h is t h e s o u r c e of t h e " g l o r y " (Sd^a) of Israel (4,4). T h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of w i s d o m a n d law in Bar lacks a n y univer salistic d i m e n s i o n since t h e law is n o t c o n c e i v e d of as a c o s m o l o gical e n t i t y . As in Sir t h e particularistic dimension of t h e identifi c a t i o n is o b v i o u s : it is o n l y in Israel a n d in t h e Mosaic r e v e l a t i o n t h a t law a n d w i s d o m a r e o n e ( 4 , 1 - 4 ) . T h e t h e o l o g i c a l d i m e n s i o n is m o r e i m p l i c i t . T h e ethical dimension is again m o s t p r o m i n e n t : b o t h w i s d o m ( 3 , 2 0 - 2 1 . 2 3 . 2 7 . 3 1 ) a n d t h e law ( 1 , 1 8 ; 2 , 1 0 ; 4 , 1 3 ) l e a d t o a n d i m p l y a n u p r i g h t " w a l k " in G o d ' s " w a y s " ( 3 , 1 3 ; 4 , 2 ) . B o t h w i s d o m a n d t h e law result in t h e r e w a r d of " l i f e " ( 3 , 9 . 1 4 ) . T h e c o n s e q u e n c e s of forsaking w i s d o m a n d law are t h e s a m e : G o d ' s j u d g m e n t a n d t h e exile (cf. 3,9-14 w i t h 1,17-22; 2 , 1 - 7 . 2 0 26.28-30; 3,2-4.8-13; 4,12-13). 5.1.4. Summary. T h e w i s d o m c o n c e p t in Bar is c h a r a c t e r i z e d b y t h e r e l a t i o n s h i p of w i s d o m w i t h G o d ' s c r e a t i o n a n d w i t h Is rael's faith. T h e law is a l w a y s t h e Mosaic law w h i c h is m a i n l y pre s e n t e d as n o r m for Israel's life a n d c o n d u c t . T h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of t h e M o s a i c law w i t h i n s c r u t a b l e w i s d o m is t h e pnrmiTy Interpretament of t h e w i s d o m p e r i c o p e . L a w a n d w i s d o m are o n e in t h e M o s a i c T o r a h w h i c h G o d gave t o Israel a n d w h i c h c o n t a i n s t h e in s t r u c t i o n n e c e s s a r y t o live a life w h i c h is pleasing t o G o d .
26 Cf.J.J. Battistone, o . c , p . l 8 2 . 27 S. Aalen, Begriffe, p. 185 ad loc.
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5 . 2 . T h e E t h i o p i c B o o k of E n o c h T h e p s e u d e p i g r a p h a l a p o c a l y p s e E n ( e t h ) ^ * is e n t i r e l y e x t a n t o n l y in Ethiopic^^ w i t h A r a m a i c ^ , S y r i a c ^ ' , a n d Greck^^ frag m e n t s e x i s t i n g as well. S c h o l a r s agree t h a t A r a m a i c (or H e b r e w ) was t h e original language of t h e greater p a r t of t h e work^^. E n ( e t h ) is a c o m p o s i t e writing^*. It can b e divided i n t o i n t r o d u c t i o n ( 1 - 5 ) , t h e B o o k of t h e W a t c h e r s ( 6 - 3 6 : 6-16 a n g e l o l o g y , 1 7 - 1 9 / 2 0 - 3 6 E n o c h ' s j o u r n e y s ) ^ ^ t h e S i m i h t u d e s or Parables ( 3 7 - 7 1 : 3 8 - 4 4 / 4 5 - 5 7 / 5 8 - 6 9 ) , t h e A s t r o n o m i c a l B o o k ( 7 2 - 8 2 ) , t h e D r e a m Visions or Tiersymbol-Apokalypse ( 8 3 - 9 0 ) , t h e A d m o n i t i o n s of E n o c h ( 9 1 - 1 0 5 , i n c o r p o r a t i n g t h e A p o c a l y p s e of Weeks in 9 3 , 1 - 1 4 ; 9 1 , 1 2 - 1 7 ) , a n d an A d d e n d u m ( 1 0 6 - 1 0 8 ) . T h e d a t i n g of E n ( e t h ) has b e e n a n o t o r i o u s p r o b l e m , especially as regards t h e S i m i l i t u d e s . M o s t specialists c o n c u r t h a t t h e earliest
28 See generally A.M. Denis, Introduction aux pseudepigraphes grecs, 1 9 7 0 , p p . l 5 3 0 ; O. Rost, Einleitung, p p . 1 0 1 - 1 0 6 ; O. Eissfeldt, Einleitung, p p . 8 3 6 - 8 4 3 ; J.H. Charlesworth, Pseudepigrapha, p p . 9 8 - 1 0 3 ; G.W.E. Nickelsburg, Literature, pp. 4 7 - 5 5 , 9 0 - 9 4 , 1 4 5 - 1 5 1 , 2 1 4 - 2 2 3 . See also R.A. Coughenour, Enoch and Wisdom, 1972, pp.1-9,188-212 ;D.W. Sutcr, Tradition and Composition in the Parables of Enoch, 1 9 7 9 , p p . 1 1 - 1 4 , 2 3 - 3 2 . 29 The most recent edition is the one by M.A. Knibb, The Ethiopic Book of Enoch: A New Edition in the Light of the Aramaic Dead Sea Fragments, 1, 1978, which is, however, not a critical edition but only the edition of one MS. 30 Edited by J . T . Milik, The Books of Enoch: Aramaic Fragments of Qumran Cave 4, 1976. 31 Published by S.P. Brock, "A Fragment of Enoch in Syriac", NTS 19 ( 1 9 6 8 ) 626631. 32 Re-edited by M. Black, Apocalypsis Henochi Graece, PVTG 3 , 1 9 7 0 . 33 We use the translation of R.H. Charles, "1 Enoch", .4^07" 2 ( 1 9 1 3 ) 188-281 (sub stituting 'you' for 'thou', etc.) which uses a much more reliable text than the translation of M.A. Knibb, £t/iioptc Book of Enoch, 2, 1978, p p . 5 5 - 2 5 1 . The edi tion of M. Black, The Book of Enoch or II Enoch: A New English Edition with Commentary and Textual Notes, to be published in 1984 (by Brill, Leiden), will contain an up-date of R.H. Charles' translation (private communication from Prof. M. Black). The translation of E. Rau 'in JSHRZ V has not appeared yet. - With regard to the assumption of an Aramaic original see M.A. Denis, Introduction, p.27, M.A. Kbibb, o.c, 2, pp.37-46; G.W.E. Nickelsburg, "Enoch 9 7 - 1 0 4 : A Study of the Greek and Ethiopic Texts", Armenian and Biblical Studies, ed. M.E. Stone, 1976, p.9 2. 3 4 With regard to the composite nature of En(tth) see \M. Denis, o . c , p p . 1 5 - 1 7 ; L. Rost, Einleitung, p p . 1 0 3 - 1 0 5 ; O. Eissfeldt, £m/eitun^, pp.837-839 ;R.A. Cough enour, f n o c A and Wisdom, p . 2 ; F. Dexinger, Offene Probleme, 1 9 7 7 , pp.l 7f. 35 See recently J J . CoUins, "The Apocalyptic Technique: Setting and Function in the Book of the Watchers", CBQ 4 4 ( 1 9 8 2 ) 9 1 - 1 1 1 .
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p o r t i o n s d a t e b a c k at least t o t h e first half of t h e s e c o n d c e n t u r y B.C. ( c h . 7 2 - 8 2 ; 6 - 3 6 ; 8 3 - 9 0 ) ^ . T h e B o o k of N o a h w h i c h has b e e n i n c o r p o r a t e d in different p a r t s ( 6 - 1 1 ; 3 9 , 1 - 2 ; 5 4 , 7 - 5 5 , 2 ; 6 0 ; 6 5 , 1 6 9 , 2 5 ; 1 0 6 - 1 0 7 ) a n d t h e A p o c a l y p s e of Weeks ( 9 3 , 1 - 1 4 ; 9 1 , 1 2 - 1 7 ) are ascribed t o r o u g h l y t h e same period^^. T h e A d m o n i t i o n s ( 9 1 1 0 5 ) are usually d a t e d t o t h e s e c o n d half of t h e s e c o n d c e n t u r y B . C . ' * . T h e r e d a c t i o n a l a d d i t i o n s in ch. 1-5; 1 0 8 are assigned t o t h e first c e n t u r y B.C.'^ T h e d a t e of t h e S i m i h t u d e s has b e e n m u c h d i s p u t e d . J . T . Milik w e n t so far as t o give A . D . 2 7 0 as d a t e of c o m p o s i t i o n of t h e Parables**. This is, h o w e v e r , e x t r e m e l y s p e c u l a t i v e . T h e m a j o r i t y of scholars d a t e ch. 3 7 - 7 1 t o t h e first c e n t u r y B.C.** o r t o t h e m i d d l e of t h e first c e n t u r y A . D . * ^ . T h u s , t h e B o o k of E n o c h was c o m p i l e d , essentially, d u r i n g t h e s e c o n d a n d first c e n t u r y B.C. a n d was p r o b a b l y w r i t t e n in Pales t i n e Q e r u s a l e m ) * ' . T h e r e are close similarities w i t h Q u m r a n t h e o logy, b u t also differences** w h i c h e x c l u d e t h e a s s u m p t i o n of
36 Cf. A.M. Denis, o.c, pp.26f.; M. Htngel, Judentum, p . 3 2 0 ; M . E . Stone, "The Books of Enoch and Judaism in the Third Century B.C.E.", CBQ 4 0 ( 1 9 7 8 ) 4 8 4 , 4 9 1 ; G.W.E. Nickelsburg, Literature, pp.47f.,93. J . T . Milik, o.c, pp.7-28,41-47 gives the following dates: ch. 7 2 - 7 8 : the oldest part (p.8) ;ch.6-36: middle of the 3rd century B.C. ( p . 2 7 ) ; c h . 83-90: 164 B.C. (p.44). Cf. also R.T. Beckwith, ' T h e Earliest Enoch Literature and its Calendar: Marks of their Origin, Date and Motiva tion", RQ 10 ( 1 9 8 1 ) 3 6 5 - 4 0 3 , here pp.365-372 ;idem, "The Pre-History and Rela tionships of the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Essenes", RQ 11 ( 1 9 8 2 ) 3 - 6 ; C . Row land, Open Heaven, p . 2 6 6 . 37 Cf. L. Rost, £in/e)7ur!^, p p . l 0 3 f . 38 Cf. G.W.E. Nickelsburg, Literature, p . 1 4 9 who states that a date early in the second century is also possible (ibid., p p . l 4 9 f . ) . J . T . Milik, Books of Enoch, pp.47-57 gives 100 B.C. as date. 39 Cf. L. Rost, o.c, p . 1 0 5 ; R.A. Coughenour, Enoch and Wisdom, p . 2 0 2 . 4 0 Cf. J . T . Milik, "Problemes de la litterature henochique 4 la lumiere des fragments arameens de Qumran", m"Wf 6 4 (1971) 3 3 3 - 3 7 8 ; idem, o . c , pp.89-98. 41 Cf. O. Eissfeldt, Einleitung, p.839 ; L. Rost, o . c , p . l 0 4 ; M. Htnge\, Judentum, p.321 n.444; M.E. Stone, "Books", CBQ 4 0 ( 1 9 7 8 ) 4 9 2 ; G.W.E. Nickelsburg, o . c , p p . 2 2 1 - 2 2 3 ("produced around the turn of the era", p . 2 2 3 ) . 4 2 Cf. M.A. Knibb, "The Date o f the Parables of Enoch: A Critical Review", JVrS 25 ( 1 9 7 9 ) 3 4 5 - 3 5 9 (probably written after A . D . 6 6 - 7 3 ) ; C L . Mearns, "Dating the Similitudes of Enoch", NTS 2 5 (1979) 360-369 (written in the late 40's A . D . ) ; D.W. Suter, Tradition, 1 9 7 9 , pp.23-32 (probably in the middle of the 1st century A . D . ) ; a l s o C. Rowland, o . c , p . 2 6 6 ; B. Lindars,yeJUJ Son of Man, 1 9 8 3 , p.5. 43 Cf. L. Rost, o . c , p . l 0 5 . Cf. R.A. Coughenour, o . c , pp.21 If. who opts for Galilee as place of redaction. 4 4 Especially with regard to the dualism of IQS and the Messianic expectations. Note also the fact that En(cth) was translated into different languages which was not the case with respect to the proper Qumran writings ;cf. C. Munchow, Ethik, p . l 6 .
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d i r e c t Q u m r a n i a n authorship'*^. A c o m m o n hasidic b a c k g r o u n d is m o r e p r o b a b l e . The vast v a r i e t y of t r a d i t i o n s w h i c h w e r e i n c o r p o r a t e d i n t o E n ( e t h ) form a " v e r i t a b l e encyclopedie'"*''. R e c e n t l y , h o w e v e r , it has b e e n s h o w n t h a t E n ( e t h ) is n o t a r a n d o m selection of t r a d i t i o n s a r b i t r a r i l y a r r a n g e d b u t r a t h e r a definite l i t e r a r y cor p u s in w h i c h t h e various p a r t s are a r r a n g e d in a c c o r d a n c e w i t h t h e b i o g r a p h i c a l i n f o r m a t i o n of E n o c h ' s hfe following t h e biblical c h r o n o l o g y as e l a b o r a t e d b y aggadic amplifications*''. 5.2.1. Wisdom traditions inEn(cth). T h e c o m p i l e r ( s ) of E n ( e t h ) i n c o r p o r a t e d significant e l e m e n t s of t h e J e w i s h w i s d o m tradi tion**. A list of t h e w i s d o m e l e m e n t s in E n ( e t h ) i n c l u d e s t h e fol l o w i n g facts: (1) E n o c h is d e p i c t e d as a sage*^; (2) E n o c h ' s inspi r a t i o n c o r r e s p o n d s w i t h t h e w i s d o m w r i t e r s ' i n s p i r a t i o n ^ " ; (.3) t h e r e c i p i e n t s of E n o c h ' s i n s t r u c t i o n ^ * ; (4) w i s d o m genres^^; (5) t h e n u m e r o u s ethical a d m o n i t i o n s ^ ' ; (6) c o s m o l o g i c a l material^*; (7)
45 Cf. L. Rost, Einleitung, p . l 0 5 ; R.A. Coughenour, Enoch and Wisdom, pp.2052 0 7 . R.T. Beckwith, "The Earliest Enoch Literature", HQ 10 ( 1 9 8 1 ) 3 6 5 - 3 7 2 re fers the earliest strata to the Essene tradition in its very early stage. See also J . T . Milik, "Problemes de la litterature Henochique a la lumiere des fragments arameens de Qumran", HThK 6 4 ( 1 9 7 1 ) 3 3 3 - 3 7 8 pointing out regarding the archaeological evidence that the scrolls of the Enoch texts were seemingly excluded from general use in Qumran (ibid., p p . 3 3 5 , 3 3 8 ) . 46 A. Sabatier, "L'apocalypse juive et la philosophie de I'histoire", HEJ 4 0 ( 1 9 0 0 ) LXX; cf. A. Nissen, "Tora", NovTest 9 ( 1 9 6 7 ) 2 4 8 . 47 Cf. U. Dimant, "The Biography of Enoch and the Books of Enoch", VT 33 ( 1 9 8 3 ) 14-29. 4 8 See R.A. Coughenour, Enoch and Wisdom: A Study of the Wisdom Elements in the Hook of Enoch, Ph.D. Diss. Case Western Reserve University, 1 9 7 2 , particularly p p . 3 4 - 1 8 8 ; also C. Munchow, Ethik, 1 9 8 1 , pp. 18,24f.,37,41; and D.W. Suter, Tra dition, 1 9 7 9 , p p . l 8 3 f . 49 Cf. 1,1 ; 1 2 , 3 . 4 ; 1 6 , 1 . 50 Visions: 1,1-2; 7 1 ; dreams: 13,8; 1 4 , 2 4 ; 8 3 ; 8 5 , 1 - 2 ; 86,1 ; 9 0 , 3 9 - 4 2 ; translation: 12,1-11; 7 0 , 1 - 3 ; 7 1 , 1 . 5 ; reception of instruction: 17-26; 2 5 , 1 3 . Cf. R.A. Coughen our, o.c, pp.72-94. 51 The elect and righteous equivalent to the wise: 1,1-9; 1 0 2 , 4 - 1 0 4 , 1 3 ; the wicked equivalent to the foolish: 1,1-9; 9 8 , 1 - 1 0 2 , 3 ; kings and mighty: 6 2 , 1 - 6 3 , 1 2 ; ;U1 mankind: 9 9 , 1 0 . Cf. R.A. Coughenour, £ n o c / i and Wisdom, pp.94-l00. 52 Parables: 1,2-3; 3 7 , 1 - 5 ; 3 8 - 4 4 ; 45-57 ; 5 8 - 6 9 ; the woe-formula ( 3 4 times): 9 4 , 1 - 1 0 0 , 9 ; 103,5.8; 'words of blessing': 1,1 ; 5 8 , 2 ; 8 1 , 4 ; 9 1 , 1 0 ;the Lehrerdffnungsformel: 3 7 , 2 ; 79,1 ; 8 3 , 1 ; 8 5 , 1 . 2 ; 9 1 , 1 . 3 ; 94,1 ; 1 0 8 , 1 . Cf. R.A. Coughenour, o . c , pp.56-72, 129-143. 53 Cf. 5 , 4 - 9 ; 1 0 , 1 5 ; 79,1 ;81,1 ;82,1 ;9 1-105. Cf. C. Munchow, Ethik, p.41 with n.42 w h o refers with regard to the Admonitions to 9 1 , 1 0 ; 9 8 , 1 . 3 ; 9 9 , 1 0 ; 100,6; 101,2-8; 104,12. 5 4 See especially the Astronomical Book in ch. 72-82. Cf. C. Miinchow, o . c , pp.24f.
The Ethiopic
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t h e uses of t h e w o r d 'wisdom'^^. T h e significance of t h e w i s d o m t r a d i t i o n for En is based n o t o n l y o n t h e sheer q u a n t i t y of incor p o r a t e d w i s d o m e l e m e n t s b u t also o n t h e fact t h a t w i s d o m m a t e r ial o c c u r s a t vital places in t h e w o r k . R . A . C o u g h e n o u r refers t o t h e t h e o l o g i c a l , scribal, a n d eschatological p e r s p e c t i v e of w i s d o m in E n : " T h e o l o g i c a l becau.se it deals w i t h c o s m o l o g i c a l q u e s t i o n s of n a t u r a l a n d w o r l d o r d e r , a n d of r e v e l a t i o n ; scribal b y virtue of its r e p u t e d a u t h o r , t h e 'scribe of r i g h t e o u s n e s s ' a n d b y virtue of his i n t e r p r e t i v e t a s k ; e s c h a t o l o g i c a l w i s d o m b e c a u s e of its striking n o t e of j u d g e m e n t a n d its e m p h a s i s o n t h e e s c h a t o n " ^ ^ . 5.2.2. The concept of wisdom. T h o s e p a r t s of En w h i c h d a t e t o t h e s e c o n d c e n t u r y B.C. c o n t a i n o n l y rare allusions t o w i s d o m , w h e r e a s t h e first c e n t u r y s e c t i o n s ( 9 1 - 1 0 5 ; 37-71) i n c l u d e n u m e r ous such references'^. W i s d o m clearly has a universalistic d i m e n s i o n . W i s d o m is per s o n i f i e d ' * a n d p o r t r a y e d as p a r t i c i p a t i n g in c r e a t i o n : " F o r y o u h a v e m a d e a n d y o u rule all t h i n g s , a n d n o t h i n g is t o o h a r d for y o u , w i s d o m d e p a r t s n o t from t h e p l a c e of y o u r t h r o n e , n o r t u r n s a w a y from y o u r p r e s e n c e . A n d y o u k n o w a n d see a n d h e a r e v e r y t h i n g , a n d t h e r e is n o t h i n g h i d d e n from y o u (for y o u see e v e r y t h i n g ) " ( 8 4 , 3 ) ' ^ . W i s d o m is an a t t r i b u t e of t h e " L o r d of S p i r i t s " ( 4 8 , 7 ; 6 3 , 2 - 3 ) . T h e h e a v e n l y angels are also c h a r a c t e r i z e d as b e i n g wise ( 6 1 , 7 . 1 1 ) . As w i s d o m f o u n d n o p l a c e t o dwell o n e a r t h a m o n g t h e w i c k e d , a dwelling p l a c e has b e e n assigned t o h e r in h e a v e n w h e r e she " t o o k h e r seat in t h e m i d s t of t h e a n g e l s " ( 4 2 , 1 - 2 ) .
On the astronomical chapters see now O. Neugebauer, The ''Astronomical' Chapters of the Ethiopic Book of Enoch (72-82), 1981. The study of E. Rau, Kosmologie, Eschatologie und die Lehrautoritdt Henochs: Traditions- und formgeschichtliche Untersuchungen zum dthiopischen Henochbuch und zu verwandten Schriften, Diss. Hamburg, 1970, was unobtainable. 55 Cf. the next section. 56 R.A. Coughenour, o . c , p . l 8 2 . 57 Cf. A. Theochares, "The Concept of Wisdom in the Ethiopic Book of Enoch" (Greek), B e W o n Biblikon Meleton 1 ( 1 9 7 2 ) , 2 8 7 - 3 1 1 , here 2 9 1 - 2 9 8 . 58 Cf. 42,1 ; 8 4 , 3 ; 9 1 , 1 0 ; 9 4 , 5 . U. WUckens, Torheit, p p . 1 6 0 - 1 6 2 and others describe the wisdom figure in ch. 4 2 in terms of a 'myth'. 59 Cf. M. Kiichler, Weisheitstraditionen, p.76. On creation as order of the world, especially with regard to the Book of the Watchers, see also M.T. Wacker, Weltordnung und Cericht: Studien zu 1 Henoch 22, Forschung zur Bibel 2 2 , 1 9 8 2 , pp.297301.
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Consequently, Enoch's observations concerning the heavenly b o d i e s a n d c a l e n d r i c i n f o r m a t i o n are called ' w i s d o m ' : " I h a v e re vealed t o y o u e v e r y t h i n g , a n d given y o u b o o k s c o n c e r n i n g all t h e s e . . . I h a v e given w i s d o m t o y o u a n d t o y o u r c h i l d r e n , ( a n d y o u r c h i l d r e n t h a t shall b e t o y o u ) t h a t t h e y m a y give it t o their c h i l d r e n for g e n e r a t i o n s , this w i s d o m ( n a m e l y ) t h a t passes t h e i r t h o u g h t . A n d t h o s e w h o u n d e r s t a n d it shall n o t sleep, b u t shall listen w i t h t h e ear t h a t t h e y m a y learn this w i s d o m , a n d it shall please t h o s e w h o eat t h e r e o f b e t t e r t h a n g o o d f o o d " ( 8 2 , 1 - 3 ) ^ . This universalistic p e r s p e c t i v e is also e v i d e n t in t h e n u m e r o u s pas sages t h a t focus o n e m p i r i c a l o b s e r v a t i o n s w h i c h are often h n k e d w i t h c o s m i c p h e n o m e n a (cf. 2 , 1 - 5 , 3 ; 4 1 , 3 - 9 ; 4 3 , 4 ; 5 2 , 1 - 9 ; 5 9 , 1 - 3 ; 60,11-23; 72-82). We can also discover a p a r t i c u l a r i s t i c d i m e n s i o n in t h e w i s d o m c o n c e p t of E n . W i s d o m originates w i t h Y a h w e h ( 8 4 , 3 ) a n d is his gift t o his p e o p l e ( 5 , 8 w i t h passivum theologicum; cf. also 4 8 , 1 - 2 ; 9 1 , 1 0 ; 1 0 4 , 1 2 ) . W i s d o m is very specifically r e l a t e d to t h e righ t e o u s (of Israel — e v e n if the t e r m s 'Israel' o r ' J a c o b ' d o n o t o c c u r explicitly^*). In 14,3 the "word of w i s d o m " is parallel with the "words of righteousness" ( v . l ) . In 3 2 , 3 the "garden of righteousness" contains the "tree of wisdom". In 82,2-4 the righteous are identified with those w h o learn wisdom, and the "way of righteous ness" (v.4) is linked with practised wisdom. In 9 1 , 1 0 the relationship between wis dom and righteousness is most explicit: "And the righteous shall arise from sleep, and wisdom shall arise and be given unto them". 92,1 states that those w h o accept Enoch's "complete doctrine of w i s d o m " will practise uprightness and peace. In 9 9 , 10 the "words of wisdom" correspond with the "path of righteousness". In the later Similitudes we find this d o s e relationship between righteousness and wisdom as well (cf. 4 8 , 1 : 4 9 , 1 - 3 ; 6 1 , 1 - 1 3 6 2 ; 6 3 , 3 ; cf. 5 8 , 5 ; 7 1 , 3 ) 6 3 .
T h e p a r t i c u l a r i s t i c p e r s p e c t i v e is also e v i d e n t in t h e fruit of wis d o m : t h o s e w h o a c c e p t a n d receive a n d p r a c t i s e w i s d o m will have life ( 5 , 8 . 9 ; 8 2 , 3 ; cf. 6 1 , 7 ) ; t h e y d o n o t sin ( 5 , 8 . 9 ; 8 2 , 3 . 4 ; 9 9 , 1 0 ) b u t h a v e r i g h t e o u s n e s s ( 3 2 , 3 ; 8 2 , 3 . 4 ; 9 9 , 1 0 ) ; t h e y will have h u m i l -
60 O. Neugebauer, 'Astronomical' Chapters, p.31 designates 80,1 as "concluding speech of Uriel" and points out that 80,2-82,3 represents "an intrusion of nonastronomical material: apocalyptic and again concluding words to Methuselah". 61 Israel and her history are described, under pseudonyms, in the Dream Visions in 89,16-71 (from the Exodus to the destruction of Jerusalem). 62 On 6 1 , 1 - 1 3 see R.A. Coughenour, £nocft and Wisdom, pp.l 19-124. 63 On the term 'secret* in En(eth) see R.A. Coughenour, o.c, p p . 1 5 7 - 1 5 9 .
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1 05
i t y ( 5 , 8 ) , p e a c e ( 5 , 9 ) , j o y a n d gladness (5,9) a n d e t e r n a l life ( 3 7 , 4 ; 58,3). T h e e t h i c a l d i m e n s i o n , or r a t h e r f o u n d a t i o n , of w i s d o m in E n b e c o m e s o b v i o u s w h e n we c o n s i d e r t h e n u m e r o u s e t h i c a l a d m o n i t i o n s ( 5 , 4 - 9 ; 1 0 , 1 5 ; 7 9 , 1 ; 8 1 , 1 ; 8 2 , 1 ; 9 1 - 1 0 5 ) . In m a n y cases o n o m a s t i c a a n d astral or c a l e n d a r o b s e r v a t i o n s are c o n n e c t e d w i t h e t h i c a l a d m o n i t i o n s (cf. 2 - 5 ; 4 1 , 3 - 9 ; 4 3 - 4 4 ; 5 2 ; 5 9 ; 6 0 , 1 1 - 2 3 ; 8 0 , 2 8; 81,4; 82,2-4)^. In En w i s d o m h a s , for t h e first t i m e , a n e w d i m e n s i o n : a n escha tological o n e ^ ' . W i s d o m c h a r a c t e r i z e s t h e c h o s e n a n d t h e r i g h t e o u s o n e s w h o will i n h e r i t t h e e a r t h ( 5 , 7 - 9 ; 9 1 , 1 0 ; cf. 9 2 , 1 ) . E s c h a t o l ogical w i s d o m is also p r o m i n e n t in t h e A p o c a l y p s e of Weeks^^. W i t h regard t o t h e 6 t h w e e k we have a r e f e r e n c e t o t h o s e w h o " g o d l e s s l y forsake w i s d o m " ( 9 3 , 8 ) . In 9 3 , 1 0 ^ ^ t h e " e l e c t r i g h t e o u s " f r o m t h e " e t e r n a l p l a n t of r i g h t e o u s n e s s " (i.e. Israel, cf. 9 3 , 5 ) ^ receive, b y r e v e l a t i o n , p e r f e c t ( " s e v e n f o l d " ) " w i s d o m " w h i c h con sists of p h y s i c a l , a p o c a l y p t i c , a n d m y s t i c a l s p e c u l a t i o n s . In t h e S i m i h t u d e s w i s d o m is also of e s c h a t o l o g i c a l i m p o r t a n c e . 4 8 , 1 de scribes h o w t h e i n e x h a u s t i b l e " f o u n t a i n of r i g h t e o u s n e s s " in paradise^^ is s u r r o u n d e d w i t h m a n y " f o u n t a i n s of w i s d o m " f r o m w h i c h "all t h e t h i r s t y " d r i n k w h o t h e n , after h a v i n g b e e n filled w i t h w i s d o m , dwell w i t h t h e r i g h t e o u s . T h e Elect O n e or t h e S o n of M a n is closely a s s o c i a t e d w i t h w i s d o m as well^": h e is " n a m e d "
6 4 See particularly C. Miinchow, Ethik, p p . l 6 - 4 2 passim w h o emphasizes that the apocalypse of En(eth) with its correlation of eschatology and ethics incorporated sapiential traditions and material alongside prophetic traditions. He concludes that "das apokalyptische Weltbild ... gibt mit seiner theozentrischen Ausrichtung den theologischen Rahmen fiir die Tradierung ethischer Aussagen ab, in den sich nun aus der prophetischen Tradition stammendc Gattungcn ... sowie weisheitliches Traditionsgut einordnen lassen" (p.41). 6 5 This is stressed by A. Theochares, "Concept of Wisdom", 1 9 7 2 , pp.302-311 ;R.A. Coughenour, Enoch and Wisdom, p . 1 8 2 ; M. Kiichler, Weisheitstraditionen, pp.7679 ;C. Munchow, o.c, p p . 2 4 f . , 4 1 . 66 Cf. F. Dexinger, Offene Probleme, 1 9 7 7 , p p . l 8 3 f . 67 On 9 3 , 1 0 see F. Dexinger, o . c , p p . 1 3 3 - 1 3 5 . 68 This is a reference to the specific group within Israel whose spiritual, intellectual, and religious viewpoints are responsible for the Apocalypse of Weeks. 69 C f . J . Theisohn,Derauserwdhlte Richter, 1 9 7 5 , p.226 n.l 1. 70 Cf. generally J. Theisohn, o.c, p p . 1 2 6 - 1 3 9 . See also W.D. Davies, Torah in the Messianic Age, p.41 ; R.J. Banks, Jesus and the Law, p . 6 9 . As regards the Son of Man in Enoch see now J J . Collins, "The Heavenly Representative: The 'Son of Man' in the Similitudes of Enoch", Ideal Figures in Ancient Judaism, ed. J.J. Collins et
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in t h e c o n t e x t of t h e " f o u n t a i n of r i g h t e o u s n e s s " a n d t h e " f o u n tains of w i s d o m " ( 4 8 , 1 - 2 ) , w i s d o m is p o u r e d o u t o n h i m ( 4 9 , 1 ) , he is p o w e r f u l in all t h e " s e c r e t s (!) of r i g h t e o u s n e s s " ( 4 9 , 2 ) , a n d in h i m dwells " t h e spirit of w i s d o m , a n d t h e spirit w h i c h gives insight, a n d t h e spirit of u n d e r s t a n d i n g " ( 4 9 , 3 ) , a n d h e u t t e r s "all t h e secrets of w i s d o m " ( 5 1 , 3 ) . 5.2.3. The concept of law. In E n ( e t h ) t h e law is p r i m a r i l y , b u t n o t exclusively, u n d e r s t o o d as t h e universal a n d c o m p r e h e n s i v e o r d e r of t h e e n t i r e c r e a t i o n ^ ' . C r e a t i o n is " O f f e n b a r u n g des G e h o r sam h e i s c h e n d e n u n d G e h o r s a m f i n d e n d e n , h e r r s c h e r h c h e n u n d s c h o p f e r i s c h e n Willens G o t t e s " ' ^ . T h e c o m m u n i c a t i o n of t h e cos mic c o n f o r m i t y t o t h e n a t u r a l laws can be r e g a r d e d as c o m m u n i c a t i o n of T o r a h as w e l l ' " . In t h e B o o k of N o a h n a t u r e is d e s c r i b e d as b e i n g m o v e d b y G o d ' s angel o n t h e basis of t h e divine c o m m a n d ( 6 0 , 1 1 - 2 2 ; 6 6 , 1 - 2 ; 6 9 , 2 1 - 2 5 ) . T h e i m p o r t a n c e of this divine c o m m a n d is stressed ( 6 9 , 15-21.25). T h e c o s m o l o g i c a l p a r t s of E n ( e t h ) e m p h a s i z e t h a t t h e w o r l d is m o v e d b y h e a v e n l y beings ( 1 8 , 1 - 5 ; cf. 7 5 , 1 ) . All d a y s a n d seasons are u n d e r t h e d o m i n i o n of m i g h t y angels ( 7 2 , 3 ; 7 5 , 1 ; 8 0 , 1 ; 8 2 , 4 . 7 1 0 ) . T h e s e h e a v e n l y spirits t h e r e b y fulfill a " l a w " w h i c h h a d b e e n given t o t h e m : t h e " l a w s " a n d " f u n c t i o n s " of t h e stars ( 3 3 , 3 - 4 ) , t h e " l a w " of t h e sun a n d m o o n ( 7 3 , 1 ) , t h e " l a w " of t h e w i n d s ( 7 6 , 1 4 ) , " t h e w h o l e law of t h e stars of h e a v e n " ( 7 9 , 1 - 2 ) , t h e " e n tire l a w of t h e s t a r s " ( 8 0 , 7 ) . T h i s law is b i n d i n g : t h e stars (= angels)
al., 1 9 8 0 , pp.l 11-133 who points out that the righteousness of the Son of Man entails wisdom and knowledge ( p . l 18). 71 See M. Limbeck, Ordnung, 1 9 7 1 , pp.6S-71 and C . Miinchow, Ethik, 1 9 8 1 , p p . 2 5 , 39f. for the following analysis. Cf. also S. Aalen, Begriffe, p . 1 7 7 . - We are aware of the lexical difficulties regarding the establishing of the concept of law in En(eth). In the Ethiopic version the terms cheg (= hebr. p i n ) and "^erit (= Mosaic law) are missing; the terms j/iere<^at (= ra£i
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w h i c h rose t o o late (i.e. w h i c h did n o t c o m p l y w i t h t h e i r law) are b e i n g p u n i s h e d ( 1 8 , 1 1 - 1 6 ; 2 1 , 1 - 6 ; 8 0 , 1 - 6 ; cf. 4 1 , 5 - 6 ) . But it is n o t o n l y t h e stars, t i m e , or t h e e l e m e n t s of n a t u r e w h i c h s t a n d u n d e r G o d ' s c o m m a n d a n d rule: t h e divine p r e d e s t i n a t i o n of m a n is also referred to ( 3 9 , 8 ; cf. 8 1 , 1 - 2 ; 9 0 , 4 1 ) . This p r e d e s t i n a t i o n , h o w e v e r , d o e s n o t lead t o i n d e c i s i o n or i n a c t i v i t y o n t h e p a r t of m a n . O n t h e c o n t r a r y , e a c h individual c r e a t e d being a t t a i n s p e r f e c t i o n b y c o m p l y i n g with its/his law ( 3 9 , 9 ; cf. as c o n t r a s t 80,4-6)^*. T h u s , in E n ( e t h ) e v e r y t h i n g a n d e v e r y b o d y is u n d e r G o d ' s o n e law. T h e fulfilment of this law b y n a t u r e can b e c o m e a m o d e l a n d e x a m p l e for m a n . Thus we read in 2,1-2: "Observe everything that takes place in the heaven, how they do not change their orbits (and the luminaries which are in the heaven), how they all rise and set in order each in its season, and transgress not against their ap pointed order. Behold the earth, and give heed to the things which take place upon it from first to last, how steadfast they are, how none of the things upon earth change, but all the works of God appear to y o u " .
T h e n o n - o b s e r v a n c e of t h e c o s m i c o r d e r , o n t h e p a r t of m a n , is sin ( 7 5 , 2 ; 8 0 , 7 ; 8 2 , 1 - 5 ) . T h e stars (angels) preserve a m o n g t h e m selves faithfulness ( 4 1 , 5 - 6 ; 4 3 , 1 - 2 ) . F o r m a n , t h e a b s o l u t e integra t i o n i n t o t h e c o u r s e of t h e w o r l d is of salvational s i g n i f i c a n c e ^ ' . S i n c e t h e different p a r t s of E n ( e t h ) , insofar as t h e y c o n t a i n al lusions t o c o n t e m p o r a r y e v e n t s , always s e e m to side w i t h t h e has idim a n d t h e n w i t h t h e Pharisees''^, it is s t r i k i n g t h a t t e r m s like c o v e n a n t , Israel, or T o r a h are nearly t o t a l l y a b s e n t " . T h e p a r t i c u laristic d i m e n s i o n of the law is t h e r e f o r e m o r e implicit t h a n e x p l i c i t . In 8 9 , 2 1 - 3 8 the Exodus event, described in pseudonyms, is closely bound up with the giving of the law on Sinai^*. References to the Torah are to be seen in 5,4; 9 4 , 6 ;
74 Cf. M. Limbeck, Ordnung, p.68; contra D. Rossler, Gesetz, pp.58f. 75 M. Limbeck, Ordnung, pp.70f. stresses, however, that the main purpose of En(eth) is not (!) to bring man into harmony with the cosmos as the law and the fulfilment of the law have "nicht schon einen Eigenwert". The aim of En(eth) is the glorifica tion and the praise of God (cf. 3 6 , 4 ; 4 1 , 7 ) . 76 Cf. A. Nissen, "Tora", NovTest 9 ( 1 9 6 7 ) 247; K. Schubert, Religionsparteien, p.28 (with regard to the Similitudes). 77 Cf. A. Jaubert, La notion d'Alliance dans le judaisme aux abords de I'ere chretienne, 1 9 6 3 , pp.261f. ;A. Nissen, a . c , p.248 with n . 2 ; M . Limbeck, o.c, p . 7 2 . 78 As in J u b 1,48-50; AssMos 3 , l l f f . ; 4Ezra 5 , 2 7 ; 9,29ff.; l4,Sff. Cf. R.J. Banks, Jesus and the Law, p.30. It is unwarranted, however, to conclude from this one pericope in En(eth) that election is subordinated to the law (contra R.J. Banks, o . c , p.30).
1 08
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9 9 , 2 . 1 4 ; 108,1^9 In 5,4 the wicked are described as having transgressed the law of the Lord. 9 3 , 6 emphasizes the eternal character of the law, clearly referring to the law given o n Sinai which was binding for all time. In 9 9 , 2 the wicked are condemned be cause they "pervert the words of uprightness" and "transgress the eternal law". 9 9 , 1 4 refers to the law as "the measure and eternal heritage of their fathers". 108,1 men tions that "in the last days" some will keep the law.
This e v i d e n c e s h o w s t h a t " i m BewuBtsein j e n e r K r e i s e , d e r e n D e n k e n sich in 1 H e n zu W o r t m e l d e t , spieUe die T h o r a offens i c h t h c h k e i n e d e r a r t (!) d o m i n i e r e n d e RoUe, dafi sich der e i n z e l n e ausschlieidich d u r c h sie v o n G o t t in A n s p r u c h g e n o m m e n verstanden hatte"*«. T h e law has an e s c h a t o l o g i c a l p e r s p e c t i v e as well. T h e T o r a h is t h e m e a n s a n d m e a s u r e of t h e j u d g m e n t . T h i s role of t h e law is im pUed in 5 , 4 ; 9 9 , 2 . 1 4 * * . T h e law is e t e r n a l l y valid ( 9 3 , 6 ; 9 9 , 2 . 1 4 ) * ^ . W i t h regard t o t h e S o n of M a n it has t o be p o i n t e d o u t t h a t even t h o u g h h e is o n l y a s s o c i a t e d w i t h w i s d o m ( 4 8 , 1 - 2 ; 4 9 , 1 - 3 ; 5 1 , 3 ) and with righteousness (39,6; 48,1-2; 4 9 , 2 ; 5 3 , 7 ; 71,14.16)^', " w e c a n n o t d o u b t t h a t for t h e a u t h o r of t h e S i m i l i t u d e s t h e r i g h t e o u s are t h o s e w h o h a v e b e e n faithful t o t h e T o r a h a n d it is in accor d a n c e w i t h t h e T o r a h , we can be s u r e , t h a t t h e Elect O n e shall j u d g e (see 3 8 , 2 ; 3 9 , 6 ; 4 6 , 2 ; 5 3 , 6 ) " * * . T h e f u n c t i o n of t h e law is, a p a r t from t h e c o s m o l o g i c a l signi ficance, p r i m a r i l y an ethical o n e : t h e law is t h e n o r m a n d m o t i v e of m o r a l a n d social c o n d u c t . T h e law is l i n k e d w i t h Hsts of c o m p i l a t i o n s of b o t h p o s i t i v e ( 9 1 , 3 - 1 9 ) a n d negative ( 9 4 , 6 - 1 1 ; 9 5 , 1 - 7 ; 9 6 , 4 - 8 ; 9 9 , 1 - 1 6 ; 1 0 0 , 7 - 1 0 ) e t h i c a l m a x i m s w h i c h o f t e n recall t h e basic m o r a l i n j u n c t i o n s of t h e D e c a l o g u e a n d of t h e p r o p h e t s , a n d w h o s e form has m u c h in c o m m o n w i t h similar lists in t h e w i s d o m
79 Cf. R.H. Charles, APOT 2 (1913) 1 9 0 , 2 6 3 , 2 7 0 ; A. Nissen, a . c , p.248 n.2 ;M. Lim beck, o . c , p . 7 2 ; R J . Banks, o . c , p . 3 0 . 8 0 M. Limbeck, o . c , p . 7 2 . 81 The judgment o n the basis of one's works is referred to, or implied, in 1,9 ; 13,6; 3 8 , 2 - 6 ; 4 1 , 1 ; 8 1 , 2 - 4 ; 9 8 . 6 ; 9 9 , 2 ; 100,7 ; 1 0 3 , 3 ; 104,7. But even those w h o arc faith ful to the Torah are dependent upon grace and forgiveness (cf. 9 2 , 4 ) . Cf. A. Nissen, "ToT3.'\ NovTest 9 ( 1 9 6 7 ) 2 6 5 . 8 2 This does not necessarily imply an unhistorical conception of the nature of the law. Cf. R.J. Banks, Jesus and the Law, p.30 w h o , however, misunderstood A. Nissen who did not (!) maintain that En(eth) or the other apocalypses did promote an unhistorical concept of law. 8 3 Cf. R.J. Banks, o . c , p . 6 9 . 84 W.D. Davies, Torah in the Messianic Age, p . 4 2 ; cf. also J.J. Collins, "Heavenly Representative", 1 9 8 0 , p.l 19.
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l i t e r a t u r e * ' . Tiie T o r a h is clearly t h e s t a n d a r d a n d m e a s u r e of t h e i n j u n c t i o n s . C o n d e m n e d are theft a n d e n r i c h m e n t ( 9 7 , 8 ; 1 0 2 , 9 ) , o p p r e s s i o n a n d e x p l o i t a t i o n of t h e p o o r ( 9 6 , 5 ; 9 9 , 1 2 - 1 3 ) , unjust j u d g m e n t ( 9 5 , 6 ) , d e c e p t i o n a n d fraud (94,6: 96,7), hate (95,2), m u r d e r ( 9 9 , 1 5 ) , hes ( 9 5 , 6 ; 1 0 4 , 9 ) , false m e a s u r e s ( 9 9 , 1 2 ) , w r o n g c a l c u l a t i o n of t h e c a l e n d a r ( 8 7 , 5 ) , a l t e r a t i o n a n d w r o n g i n t e r p r e t a t i o n of t h e T o r a h ( 1 0 4 , 1 0 ; 1 0 8 , 6 ) , magic a n d a s t r o l o g y ( 7 - 8 ; 9 , 8 ) , b l a s p h e m y a n d h y b r i s ( 1 , 9 ; 6 8 , 4 ; 1 0 1 , 3 ) * ^ . H o w e v e r , t h e r e is a " m a r k e d f r e e d o m f r o m casuistry in a n y highly d e v e l o p e d f o r m " * ^ . 5 .2.4. Wisdom and law. It has b e e n m a i n t a i n e d t h a t in E n ( e t h ) , as a n e x c e p t i o n w i t h regard t o t h e o t h e r a p o c a l y p s e s , t h e l a w is n o t i d e n t i f i e d w i t h wisdom**. Even t h o u g h t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n is n o t as e x p l i c i t as in Sir or Bar it is nevertheless i m p h c i t in a n u m b e r of passages. I n 5 , 3 4 t h e p h r a s e " c o m m a n d m e n t s of t h e L o r d " , h e r e t o be u n d e r s t o o d as " t h e creative w o r d w h i c h has e s t a b h s h e d t h e ge neral o r d e r of t h e c r e a t e d w o r l d a n d b y w h i c h it o p e r a t e s , t h e s u b s t a n t i a l w o r d t h a t o r d e r s t h e societal life of m a n k i n d s h a p e d b y T o r a h " * ^ , o c c u r s in a p a r a b l e s e t t i n g f o r t h t h e results of t h e ' t w o w a y s ' w h i c h also e m p l o y s e m p i r i c a l o b s e r v a t i o n s for ethical pur p o s e s : t h e c o m m a n d m e n t s of t h e L o r d are seen as w i s d o m ^ " .
85 Cf. R.J. Banks, o.c, p . 5 2 , and C. Munchow, Ethik, p.40 who states that even though the Torah is not quoted in En(eth) it is obvious that the admonitions in En(eth) can be phrased as general' as they are only because they refer to the pre supposed and known Torah of Moses, without quoting it expressis verbis. It is in consistent, however, when Miinchow asserts that "die ethische Belehrung der Apokalyptik ist also nicht Tradition des Mosegesetzes, sondern verschiedenartige Traditionen (i.e. cosmological and sapiential ones) entfalten das fiir die Apokalyp tik typische Gottesverstandnis ... und Geschichtsverstandnis, das die Grundlage abgibt, um das Handcin zu motivieren und zum Tun entsprenchend der Tora aufzurufen" (ibid.). 86 Cf. A. Nissen, "Tora", NovTest9 (1967) 262f. G.W.E. Nickelsburg, "The Apocalyp tic Message of 1 Enoch 9 2 , 1 0 6 " , CBQ 39 (1977) 311 points out that misdeeds of the wicked are often social in nature (95,5-6; 9 6 , 5 ; 9 7 , 8 ; 9 8 , 1 3 ; 9 9 , 1 1 - 1 2 . 1 6 ; 100,7-8), but that the sins of the wicked also have theological dimensions ( 9 6 , 7 ; 9 8 5 - 1 1 . 1 4 - 1 5 ; 9 9 , 1 4 ) . Contra R.J. Banks, Jesus and the Law, p.53 w h o states that the single virtues and vices which are listed in En(eth) are all of a social nature only. 87 R.J. Banks, o . c , p.53. 88 Cf. R.J. Banks, o . c , p.69; U. Luck, "Weltverstandnis", ZThK 73 ( 1 9 7 6 ) 2 9 2 ; M. Kiichler, Weisheitstraditionen, p.80. 89 R.A. Coughenour, Enoch and Wisdom, p.l 1 7. 9 0 Cf. R.A. Coughenour, o . c , p p . l 1 6 f . , l 7 8 .
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In 5,8-9 w i s d o m is closely c o r r e l a t e d w i t h t h e a b s t a i n i n g from sin w h i c h will b e c h a r a c t e r i s t i c of t h e elect a n d w h i c h is c o n n e c t ed w i t h t h e k e e p i n g of t h e c o m m a n d m e n t s of 5 , 4 . I n 4 2 , 1 - 3 w i s d o m is p i c t u r e d as t h e o p p o s i t e of u n r i g h t e o u s n e s s w h i c h implies t h a t w i s d o m a n d r i g h t e o u s n e s s are closely r e l a t e d . A n d r i g h t e o u s n e s s surely i m p h e s a n d p r e s u p p o s e s a n d results in t h e k e e p i n g of t h e law. This c o r r e l a t i o n of w i s d o m a n d r i g h t e o u s ness is c o n f i r m e d b y 4 8 , 1 . T h e S o n of M a n is c h a r a c t e r i z e d b o t h b y w i s d o m a n d b y righ teousness (49,1-3). I n 6 1 , 1 - 1 3 t h e c o m m a n d m e n t s are also seen as w i s d o m ^ * : t h e " m e a s u r e s " , " c o r d s " , a n d " r o p e s " are G o d ' s i n s t r u m e n t of j u d g m e n t ( w h i c h is l i n k e d w i t h t h e " r i g h t e o u s l a w " a n d t h e " c o v e n a n t " of 6 0 , 6 ) , a n d (!) of w i s d o m . I n 8 1 , 1 - 4 the c o m m a n d m e n t s of t h e L o r d are identified w i t h ' s p e c i a l ' w i s d o m ( w h i c h is q u i t e different from t h e D e c a l o g u e ! ) ^ ^ . In 9 1 , 1 0 ; 9 2 , 1 ; 9 3 , 1 0 (cf. t h e c o n t r a s t in 9 3 , 8 ) w i s d o m is again c o r r e l a t e d w i t h r i g h t e o u s n e s s . I n 9 4 , 1 - 5 t h e " p a t h s of r i g h t e o u s n e s s " are l i n k e d w i t h w i s d o m . 9 9 , 1 0 also i m p h e s the i d e n d f i c a t i o n of T o r a h a n d w i s d o m ^ ' : t h o s e w h o " a c c e p t t h e w o r d s of w i s d o m a n d u n d e r s t a n d t h e m " also " o b s e r v e t h e p a t h s of t h e M o s t High, a n d walk in t h e p a t h of his r i g h t e o u s n e s s " . 1 0 4 , 1 2 again links r i g h t e o u s n e s s w i t h w i s d o m . T h u s , it c a n be s t a t e d t h a t in E n ( e t h ) " w i t h W i s d o m . . . goes t h e T o r a h in its fulness"^*. W i s d o m is "given in a n d f o u n d b y doing Torah"95. T h e universalistic d i m e n s i o n of t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of l a w a n d w i s d o m is e v i d e n t : b o t h realms are o n e in t h e divine creative w o r d w h i c h e s t a b h s h e d a n d w h i c h rules t h e c o s m o s , o r d e r i n g e v e r y t h i n g from the stars d o w n t o man^^. T h e c o r r e l a t i o n of wis d o m a n d l a w in this c o n t e x t can b e f o u n d in 5 , 3 - 4 ; 8 1 , 1 - 4 . 91 92 93 94 95
Cf. R.A. Coughenour, o . c , pp.l 1 9 - 1 2 4 , 1 7 8 . Cf. R.A. Coughenour, o . c , p p . l 2 5 f . , 1 7 8 . Cf. A. Nissen, "Tora", NovTest 9 ( 1 9 6 7 ) 2 5 9 . W.D. Davies, Torah in the Messianic Age, p.43. R.A. Coughenour, Enoch and Wisdom, p . l 8 2 . His statement that "Enoch has taken over Sirah's identification of Torah and wisdom, understainding by it both the Decalogue and the more inclusive Mosaic law" (p. 128) is difficult to defend, formu lated as it is, since the evidence with regard to the concept of law/Torah is rather scanty.
9 6 Cf. C. Miinchow, Ethik,
p.25 w h o understands the conception of Torah, as both
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T h e p a r t i c u l a r i s t i c d i m e n s i o n is t o b e s e e n in t h e fact t h a t b o t h w i s d o m a n d law are characteristics n o t of all t h e " w i s e of m a n k i n d " b u t r a t h e r of t h e c h o s e n r i g h t e o u s o n e s ( i m p h e d : from Is r a e l ) . T o b e filled w i t h w i s d o m is e q u i v a l e n t t o b e i n g righteous ( 4 8 , 1 ) . W i s d o m a n d r i g h t e o u s n e s s , i m p l y i n g t h e a b s t i n e n c e from sin w h i c h is faithfulness t o t h e law (cf. 5 , 8 - 9 ) , are c o r r e l a t e d in all p a r t s of E n ( e t h ) : in t h e early p o r t i o n s ( 1 4 , 1 - 3 ; 8 2 , 2 - 4 ; 9 1 , 1 0 ; 9 2 , 1 ; 9 3 , 1 0 ; 9 4 , 1 - 5 ; 9 9 , 1 0 ; 1 0 4 , 1 2 ; c f . 5,8-9) as well as in t h e later Similitudes (42,1-3; 48,1 ; 4 9 , l - 3 ; 6 1 , 1 - 1 3 ; 63,3). T h e theological d i m e n s i o n consists in t h e c o m m o n origin a n d basis of law a n d w i s d o m : Y a h w e h , t h e C r e a t o r , t h e L o r d of his p e o p l e . T h e r i g h t e o u s a n d t h e wise share t h e s a m e fruit a n d bless i n g : hfe ( 5 , 8 - 9 ) , e t e r n a l life ( 3 7 , 4 ; 5 8 , 3 ) , a n d p e a c e a n d j o y ( 5 , 9 ) . T h e e t h i c a l d i m e n s i o n of this c o r r e l a t i o n is e x p r e s s e d in t h e close r e l a t i o n s h i p b e t w e e n w i s d o m a n d righteousness w h i c h im p h e d o b e d i e n c e t o t h e law. W i s d o m is i d e n t i c a l w i t h t h e a v o i d a n c e of sin ( 5 , 8 - 9 ) . W i s d o m e x c l u d e s i n i q u i t y ( 4 2 , 1 - 3 ) . Where r i g h t e o u s ness is, w i s d o m is, a n d t h e wise a r e , w h e r e t h e r i g h t e o u s are ( 4 8 , 1 ) . T h e c h o s e n r i g h t e o u s possess perfect w i s d o m ( 9 3 , 1 0 ) . T h e wise w a l k o n t h e p a t h s of righteousness a n d are closely l i n k e d w i t h " h g h t " w h i c h signifies a m o r a l o r ethical rehgious quality^''. F o r t h e c h o s e n a n d t h e r i g h t e o u s w h o are wise t h e r e will be h g h t ( 5 , 6 - 9 ) ; t h e g o o d , i.e. t h e r i g h t e o u s , are t h e " g e n e r a t i o n of light"^* a n d will s h i n e w h e r e a s t h e sinners will b e t h r o w n i n t o d a r k n e s s ( 1 0 8 , 1 1 - 1 4 ) ; t h e righteous will be " i n t h e light of t h e s u n " a n d are c h a r a c t e r i z e d b y the " l i g h t of e t e r n a l h f e " a n d t h e " h g h t of u p rightness" (58,3-6). I n E n ( e t h ) t h e c o r r e l a t i o n of w i s d o m a n d l a w (righteousness) is also c h a r a c t e r i z e d b y a n e s c h a t o l o g i c a l d i m e n s i o n w h i c h is d u e t o t h e fact t h a t E n ( e t h ) is a n a p o c a l y p s e . T h e lot of t h e wise a n d of t h e righteous is t h e s a m e : t h e y will have j o y a n d p e a c e a n d e t e r n a l life a n d wiU i n h e r i t t h e e a r t h ( 5 , 7 - 9 ; 9 1 , 1 0 ) , w h e r e a s t h e sinners a n d t h e foolish are c o n d e m n e d ( 9 8 , 6 - 1 0 ) . In t h e S i m i h t u d e s , t h e
ethical and cosmological law in En(eth), as further development of sapiential no tions assimilating thoughts of the stoic-platonic popular philosophy. 97 C f . S . A a l e n , B e ^ / / e , p p . l 7 7 - 1 7 9 . 98 Cf. the phrase "children of uprightness" ( 1 0 5 , 2 ) , "children of righteousness" ( 9 3 , 2 ) , "children of heaven" ( 1 0 1 , 1 ) .
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Elect O n e is very closely associated w i t h b o t h w i s d o m a n d right eousness^. 5.2.5. Summary. In E n ( e t h ) t h e w i s d o m t r a d i t i o n has h a d m a n y influences on t h e c o n t e n t a n d o n t h e form of different p o r t i o n s of this c o m p o s i t e a p o c a l y p s e . T h e w i s d o m c o n c e p t is c h a r a c t e r ized p r i m a r i l y b y a c o s m i c o r i e n t a t i o n b u t is also closely r e l a t e d w i t h t h e r i g h t e o u s o n e s of G o d ' s p e o p l e . N e w is the eschatological a s p e c t of w i s d o m in E n ( e t h ) : t h e elect r i g h t e o u s o n e s w h o wiU b e r e d e e m e d a n d a w a r d e d e t e r n a l life are filled w i t h w i s d o m , a n d t h e S o n of M a n is also closely associated w i t h w i s d o m . T h e l a w p e r se o c c u r s r a t h e r s e l d o m a n d signifies first of ^dl t h e c o m p r e h e n s i v e o r d e r of c r e a t i o n . T h e law as Mosaic T o r a h is m o r e i m p l i e d t h a n clearly referred t o . H o w e v e r , it is o b v i o u s l y p r e s u p p o s e d as t h e decisive n o r m of all social b e h a v i o u r as well as t h e m e a s u r e of t h e future j u d g m e n t . T h e last f u n c t i o n of t h e l a w s h o w s t h a t it has also a n e s c h a t o l o g i c a l d i m e n s i o n . T h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of the law (righteousness) w i t h w i s d o m is p r i m a r i l y tied u p w i t h t h e e t h i c a l s t a n d a r d ( s ) w h i c h t h e L o r d has i m p o s e d u p o n his p e o p l e . B u t it also has a universal a n d even a n eschatological dimension.
5 . 3 . T h e Psalms of S o l o m o n T h e c o l l e c t i o n of PsSal*°*' was originally w r i t t e n in Hebrew**'*
99 W.D. Davies, Torah in the Messianic Age, p.42 states that "the association of the Elect One with wisdom may also be significant because from eau-ly times wisdom had been associated with Torah". Pace J J . Collins, "Heavenly Representative", 1980, p . l 8 8 w h o asserts that the identification of wisdom and law is "not apparent" in the Similitudes: granted that the identification is not stated explicitly, it can still be argued that it is imphed, since the Son of Man is related to both wisdom and righteousness, with the latter presupposing fidelity to the law. 100 See generally G.B. Gray, "The Psalms of Solomon", APOT 2 ( 1 9 1 3 ) 6 2 5 - 6 3 0 ; J. Viteau, Les Psaumes de Salomon, DEB 1 / 4 , 1 9 1 1 , p p . l - 2 5 2 ; A.M. Denis, Introduc tion, pp.60-69; L. Rost, Einleitung, p p . 8 9 - 9 1 ; O. Eissfeldt, £mfcrtttn?, p p . 8 2 6 - 8 3 1 ; J.H. Charlesworth, Pseudepigrapha, p p . 1 9 5 - 1 9 7 ; S. Holm-Nielsen, "Die Psalmen Salomos", JSHRZ IV/2 ( 1 9 7 7 ) 5 1 - 5 9 ; idem, "Religiose Poesie des Spatjudentums",/4A'RI^TI/19,l ( 1 9 7 9 ) 172-180;G.W.E. Nickelsburg.LiYeraiure, p p . 2 0 3 - 2 1 2 . 101 Cf. G.B. Gray, o.c, p.627; J. Viteau, o.c, p p . 1 0 5 - 1 2 5 ; A..M. Denis, o.c, p.63; S. Holm-Nielsen,/S///?Z IV/2 (1977) 5 1 , 5 3 f . ; J . H . C h a r l e s w o r t h , o . c , p . l 9 5 .
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b u t is e x t a n t t o d a y o n l y in Greek*"^ a n d in S y r i a c * ° ' . T h e 18 p s a l m s w e r e p r o b a b l y w r i t t e n b y several authors**** w h o w e r e re l a t e d t o Pharisaic circles**''. T h e i r life-setting was t h e s y n a g o g u e services'*'^. T h e y o r i g i n a t e d in Palestine, p r o b a b l y in Jerusalem'*'^, a n d w e r e c o m p o s e d in t h e m i d d l e d e c a d e s of t h e first c e n t u r y B.C.**'*. T h e theological e m p h a s i s is o n t h e r i g h t e o u s n e s s of God*''^ a n d o n t h e r e l a t i o n s h i p b e t w e e n t h e p i o u s a n d t h e god less***'. 5.3.1. The law. In PsSal 7,9 t h e t e r m ^vyov " y o k e " c o u l d be a r e f e r e n c e t o t h e law***. I n 8,32 w e have an a m b i g u o u s r e f e r e n c e t o t h e law in r d /cpt/Lzara**^. 1 0 , 4 refers to t h e witness t o G o d ' s m e r c y w h i c h is to be f o u n d " i n t h e law of t h e e t e r n a l c o v e n a n t " (ev v6^lc^J Stai^TjKTjc alojvlov) i.e. in t h e T o r a h * * ' . 14,2 refers t o
102 Cf. the edition by A. Rahlfs, Septuaginta, 2, p p . 4 7 1 - 4 8 9 . 103 We use the translations of G.B. Gray, APOT 2 (1913) 6 3 1 - 6 5 2 ; J. Viteau, o . c , p p . 2 5 3 - 3 7 5 ; S. Holm-Nielsen,/S///JZ I V / 2 (1977) 6 2 - 1 1 2 . 104 Cf. G.B. Gray, o . c , p.628; O. Eissfeldt, o . c , p.830; S. Holm-Nielsen, o . c , p p . 5 1 , 58f.; J. Schiipphaus, Die Psalmen Salomos: Ein Zeugnis Jerusalemer Theologie und Frdmmigkeit in der Mitte des vorchristlichen Jahrhunderts, ALGHJ 7, 1977, p . l 4 2 n.28. The assumption of a single author is defended by J . Viteau, o . c , pp.869 2 ; G. Maier, Mensch, p.281;cf. A.M. Denis, o . c , p . 6 4 . 105 Cf. G.B. Gray, o . c , p . 6 3 0 ; J . Viteau, o . c , p . l 0 6 ; A.M. Denis, o . c , p.64 (with lit. in n.21); L. Rost, o . c , p.90; G. Maier, o . c , p.295; J. Schupphaus, o . c , p p . l 2 7 1 3 7 , 1 4 2 n . 2 8 , 1 5 1 , 1 5 8 ; S. Holm-Nielsen, o . c , p.59; G.W.E. Nickelsburg, o . c , pp. 203,212. 106 Cf. S. Holm-Nielsen, o . c , p . 5 9 ; J . Schiipphaus, o . c , p p . l 5 0 f . 107 Cf. J . Viteau, o . c , p p . 9 2 - 9 4 , 1 0 5 ; G. Maier, o . c , p . 2 8 1 ; A.M. Denis, o . c , p.64; O. Eissfeldt, o . c , p . 8 3 I ; J . Schupphaus, o . c , p . l 4 2 n.28. 108 Cf. G.B. Gray, o . c , pp.628-630; A.M. Denis, o . c , p.64; L. Rost, o . c , p . 9 0 ; O . E i s s feldt, o . c , pp.829f.; J.H. Charlesworth, o . c , p . l 9 5 ; J . Schupphaus, o . c , p p . l 0 5 1 0 7 , 1 1 5 f . , 1 2 7 - 1 3 7 ; G.W.E. Nickelsburg, o . c , p . 2 0 3 . 109 Cf. especially H. Braun, "Vom Erbarmen Gottes iiber den Gerechten; Zur Theolo gie der Psalmen Salomos", ZAfW 4 3 ( 1 9 5 0 / 5 1 ) 1-54. 110 Cf. generally J . Schiipphaus, Psalmen, . After a history of research (pp.l-20) followed by a detailed analysis of each psalm (pp.21-82), Schupphaus discusses the two main topics of the righteousness of God and God's help in hostilities (pp. 83-116). 111 Cf. mAb 3,5 m i n also Acts 15,10; Gal 5 , 1 ; c f . J . MiXeau, Psaumes, pp. 290f.; S. Holm-Nielsen, JSHRZ IV/2 ( 1 9 7 7 ) 7 7 . J. Schupphaus, o . c , p.43 n . l 4 5 interprets firco? as " d a s j o c h strafender Ziichtigung in der Geschichte". 112 Translating "decrees" or "Satzungen"; cf. H. Braun, "Erbarmen", ZA'W43 ( 1 9 5 0 / 51) 4 , 3 3 ; M. Limbeck, Ordnung, p.89 n.63. J . Viteau, o.c, p . 3 0 1 ; G.B. Gray, APOT 2 ( 1 9 1 3 ) 6 4 2 ; and J . Schiipphaus, o . c , p.50 translate with "judgments". 113 10,4b is generally regarded as a reference to the Torah; cf. recently J . Schupphaus,
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t h e p i o u s w h o " w a l k " (vop€void€V0L<;) in t h e r i g h t e o u s n e s s of G o d ' s " c o m m a n d m e n t s " {-npoaTayixa) a n d " i n t h e l a w " {ev t^dfico) w h i c h G o d i m p o s e d u p o n t h e m in o r d e r t h a t t h e y m i g h t live. In 14,6 t h e " s i n n e r s " are c o n t r a s t e d w i t h t h o s e w h o b r e a k t h e law {napafonoi). T h i s t e r m is r e p e a t e d in 1 7 , 2 4 (e^fri napdvofia). In 1 8 , 1 2 w h i c h is t h e last verse of t h e c o n c l u d i n g doxology*** t h e o r d e r of t h e "lights of h e a v e n " (v. 10) is described ( v v . l 0 - 1 2 b ) w i t h o u t using a legal t e r m . T h u s , t h e m a t e r i a l evidence is r a t h e r small a n d d o e s n o t allow us t o d r a w far-reaching c o n c l u s i o n s w i t h regard t o t h e c o n c e p t of law in P s S a l ' * ' . Several o b s e r v a t i o n s m a y be m a d e , h o w e v e r . T h e law has a l w a y s a p a r t i c u l a r i s t i c dimension**^: it is t h e law of Israel a n d has t o be u n d e r s t o o d in t h e c o n t e x t of t h e c o v e n a n t (10,4)**^ T h e m a i n f u n c t i o n of t h e l a w is its r o l e as n o r m o f m o r a l a n d social b e h a v i o u r . I n 1 4 , 2 t h e c o m m a n d m e n t s are l i n k e d w i t h t h o s e " w h o walk in r i g h t e o u s n e s s " ( T O K iropevofxepoK; iv diKaioavvf}). T h e a t t i t u d e t o w a r d s t h e law is t h e basis of t h e d i s t i n c t i o n be t w e e n " s i n n e r s " a n d " r i g h t e o u s " w h i c h c h a r a c t e r i z e s t h e PsSal***. In the words of J. Viteau, "au point de vue moral, I'homme est juste ou pechcur. Son libre arbitre et sa conscience ont besoin d'une regie venant du dehors, avec laquelle il puisse diriger sa vie. Dieu la lui a donnee, c'est la 'loi'. Celui qui observe la loi est le 'juste'; celui qui la neglige est le 'pecheur' " 1 1 9 .
O.C.,
p.54. •
114 The doxology in 18,10-14 is probably secondary; c f . J . Viteau, o.c., pp.44f.,3733 7 5 ; G.B. Gray, o . c , p p . 6 5 1 f . ; G . Maier, Mensch, p.298; J. Schiipphaus, o . c , p.74. 115 J. Viteau, o . c , p.223 n.l stresses the significance of the law for the theology of the PsSal by pointing out that 14,2 states that the law gives "hfe". 116 The concept of the divine cosmic order is referred to in the concluding doxology in 18,10-12 which has, however, no relationship with the preceding statements on the law. Cf. M. Limbeck, Ordnung, p . 8 9 . 117 As regards the concept of the covenant in PsSal cf. A. Jaubert, Notion, 1963, pp.253-257. 118 On the godly and the ungodly cf. J. Viteau, Psaumes, pp.51-56; J . Schiipphaus, Psalmen, p p . 9 4 - 1 0 5 . Schupphaus fails to appreciate the role of the TO/JO? (cf. pp.100 n . 2 2 9 , 1 2 2 ) . He states that the focus is o n man's basic relationship with God £ind not (!) o n the "Orientierung an einer gesetzlichen Norm" ( p . I 2 2 ) . However, even though "die ErfuUung bestimmter Gebote und Satzungen, der Gehorsam gcgeniiber einem festumrissenen Gesetz" (ibid.) may not have a decisive role to play, it has to be pointed out that if they were composed in Pharisaic circles (as Schiipphaus rightly stresses, cf. p p . 1 2 7 - 1 3 7 , 1 5 1 , 1 5 8 ) , the decisive significance of the law is at least implied. Cf. also G. Maier, Mensch, p . 3 1 9 . 119 J. Viteau, o . c , pp.5 If.
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T h i s is c o n f i r m e d b y t h e fact t h a t t h e " s i n n e r s " (djua/OTcoXd?)*^" a r e d e s c r i b e d as " l a w l e s s " (duoidO';/napduoijoq) in 4 , 9 . 1 1 . 1 9 . 2 3 ; 1 2 , 1 . 3 . 4 ; 1 4 , 6 ; 1 7 , 1 1 . 1 8 . 2 4 . T h e i r b e h a v i o u r is c h a r a c t e r i z e d b y dvonia ( 1 , 8 ; 2 , 3 . 1 2 ; 9 , 2 ; 1 5 , 8 . 1 0 ) , napavo^ia (4,1.12; 8,9; 17,20), dSi/cia'^* a n d d^iapT'ta^^^. T h e y are t h e " u n r i g h t e o u s " (dSixoc)*^'. T h u s , it can b e c o n c l u d e d e negativo t h a t o b e d i e n c e t o t h e law is t h e p r e r e q u i s i t e for a g o d l y h f e . T h e " r i g h t e o u s " (6t/
120
1,1; 2 , 1 . 1 6 . 3 4 . 3 5 ; 3 , 9 . 1 1 . 1 2 ; 4 , 2 . 8 ; 12,6; 1 3 , 2 . 5 . 6 . 7 . 8 . 1 1 ; 14,6; 1 5 , 5 . 8 . 1 0 . 1 1 . 1 2 . 13; 1 6 , 2 . 5 ; 1 7 , 5 . 2 3 . 2 5 . 3 6 . 121 2 , 1 2 ; 4 , 2 4 ; 9 . 3 . 5 . 122 1,7; 2 , 7 . 1 6 . 1 7 ; 3 , 1 0 ; 4 , 3 ; 8 , 8 . 1 3 ; 14,6; 1 5 , 1 1 ; 17,20; cf. 17,8. Other terms are vnef>r)ipavui ( 1 7 , 1 3 ) and aKcLufiaXop ( 4 , 2 3 ) . 123 4 , 1 0 ; 12,5; 1 5 , 4 ; 1 7 , 2 2 . Other descriptive terms for the sinners are <3^|3r)\o<; ( 2 , 1 3 ; 4 , 1 ; 17,45), uireprivJai'Oi; ( 2 , 3 1 ) , and iv^pi^apeaKOC (4,7.8.19). 124 SiVaio.;: 2 , 3 4 . 3 5 ; 3 , 3 . 4 . 5 . 6 . 7 . 1 1 ; 4 , 8 ; 9 , 7 ; 10,3; 1 3 , 6 . 7 . 8 . 9 . 1 1 ; 14,9; 15,6.7; 16,15. 125 »aioc: 2 , 3 6 ; 3,8; 4 , 1 . 6 . 8 ; 8 , 2 3 . 3 4 ; 9 , 3 ; 10,5.6; 12,4.6; 1 3 , 1 0 . 1 2 ; 14,3.10; 15,7; 17,16. 126 2 , 3 3 ; 3 , 1 2 ; 4 , 2 3 ; 5 , 1 8 ; 6 , 5 ; 12,4; 13,12; 1 5 , 1 3 . 127 4 , 2 5 ; 6,6; 10,3; 14,1. 128 C f . J . Viteau, ftaumei, p . 8 0 ; W.D. Davies. ToraA, 1 9 5 2 , p . 4 3 . 129 According to J. Schiipphaus, Psalmen, pp.124-126 we have to distinguish a two fold "Mcssiasbild": the Davidic King w h o comes primarily as a political and military leader and king, and the Messiah w h o is God's messenger and the perfect example for the righteous being dedicated primarily to the inner purification, protection, and guidance of the holy people. 130 In the OT the Messiah is also connected with righteousness (cf. Is 9,7; 11,3-5; 16,5; 32,1 ;Jer 2 3 , 5 ; 3 3 , 1 5 ; Ps 72,1-2) and with the fear of the Lord (cf. Is 11,2-3). 131 R.J. B a n k s , / e i u s and the Law, p.69 n.l agrees that in PsSal the term 'law' is not emphasized in passages dealing with the messianic period; he says that 'wasdom' and 'righteousness' are used which are elsewhere equated with the law.
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o b e d i e n c e to t h e c o m m a n d m e n t s is said t o lead t o e t e r n a l life ( 1 4 ,
5.3.2. Wisdom. Wisdom t e r m i n o l o g y is u s e d in several passages: 2 , 3 3 e n c o u r a g e s t h o s e w h o fear t h e L o r d " w i t h i n s i g h t " (iv i-niOT-niiri) t o praise t h e L o r d b e c a u s e h e will s h o w m e r c y t o t h e m in t h e j u d g m e n t . 4,9 refers t o ao^ia. 1 0 , 2 . 3 m e n t i o n s t h e divine " c h a s t e n i n g " (rratSeta) w i t h w h i c h G o d w a n t s t o " c l e a n s e " ((caiJapia&f\vai) his p e o p l e a n d " m a k e s t r a i g h t t h e w a y s {dboi) of t h e r i g h t e o u s " , as G o d ' s m e r c y is u p o n t h o s e w h o love h i m in t r u t h . 1 4 , 1 deals w i t h G o d ' s -naibeia as well. 1 6 , 7 . 8 r e s u m e s t h e sapien tial t o p i c of t h e godless, beguiling w o m a n * ' ' . In 16.7 we have a plea for preservation from any wicked sin and from every wicked woman w h o causes the fool (difipova) to stumble. V.8 implores the repulse of any del usion by a beautiful, lawless (napavotio6ari(:) woman or by sinners in general.
T h e p l e a in 1 6 , 9 focuses o n t h e i n s t r u c t i o n w i t h regard t o p r o per b e h a v i o u r a n d t o t h e m a i n t e n a n c e of a p i o u s c o n d u c t . 1 6 , 1 0 asks for t r u t h f u l s p e e c h a n d t h e r e n u n c i a t i o n of m e a n i n g l e s s a n g e r . 1 6 , 1 3 p o i n t s o u t t h a t " c h a s t i s e m e n t " (TratSeta) can b e e n d u r e d o n l y w i t h G o d ' s h e l p . In 1 7 , 2 3 oo
132 In 3 , 1 2 ; 13,10-12; 14,2-3 those who fear the Lord will inherit eternaUife. 133 C f . J . Schupphaus, P W m e n , p.63 with n . 2 8 1 . 134 Cf. J. Viteau, Psaumes, p . 2 2 3 with n . l ; G.L. Davenport, "The 'Anointed of the Lord' in Psalms of S o l o m o n 17", Ideal Figures in Ancient Judaism, ed. J.J. Collins et al., 1980, pp.72f. 135 Cf. H.L. Jansen, Die Spdtjddische Psalmendichtung: Ihr Entstehungskreis und ihr 'Sitz im Leben', 1937, pp.l2f.; J. Schiipphaus, o . c , pp.94f. Schiipphaus asserts that we observe in PsSal, besides the reception of other traditions, "eine umfangreiche Aufnahme weisheitlicher Tradition" ( p . U 7 n.383).
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Messiah, is l i n k e d w i t h w i s d o m * ' ^ : t h e Davidic K i n g d e s t r o y s t h e u n r i g h t e o u s r u l e r s , p u r g e s J e r u s a l e m from t h e n a t i o n s , a n d e x p e l s t h e sinners from t h e i n h e r i t a n c e " w i t h w i s d o m a n d righteousness" {ev 00ifii(L (ev) &iKat.oavvr)((;), 17,23), destroying their pride ( 1 7 , 2 2 - 2 5 ) . 1 7 , 2 9 r e p e a t s t h a t he will rule t h e n a t i o n s " i n t h e wis d o m of his r i g h t e o u s n e s s " {ev aoipig. 6iKaioai;t'?7c)*'^. T h e Messiah will " b l e s s " t h e p e o p l e of t h e L o r d w i t h w i s d o m {ao'pia) a n d gladness ( 1 7 , 3 5 ) . He is sinless ( 1 7 , 3 6 ) a n d p o w e r f u l a n d " w i s e b y p r u d e n t c o u n s e l " (aov^cic ev fiovXri avviaeux;) with strength and r i g h t e o u s n e s s ( 1 7 , 3 7 ) * ' * . 18,7 m e n t i o n s again t h e w i s d o m {ao^pia) of t h e Messiah*'^. 5.3.3. Law and wisdom. T h e r e is n o e x p h c i t i d e n t i f i c a t i o n for m u l a in t h e PsSal w h i c h c o r r e l a t e s w i s d o m a n d l a w . H o w e v e r , t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n is i m p l i e d in several passages. 4 , 8 c - 1 3 describes t h e w i c k e d activities of t h e p i o u s h y p o c r i t e s : t h e i r eyes are fixed o n t h e h o u s e of t h e steadfast " t h a t t h e y m a y , like t h e serpent***', d e s t r o y t h e w i s d o m {ao^ia) of t h e n e i g h b o u r l"*! w i t h w o r d s of lawlessness {ev XoyoLq Tiapavdni^vY' (v.9). T h e y are m o t i v a t e d b y their "lawless d e s i r e " {eiridvuia Ttapavoiiov, v . l l ) , b y t h e i r sheer " l a w l e s s n e s s " {napavoula, v . l 2 ) . T h u s , law lessness is o b v i o u s l y r e g a r d e d as t h e o p p o s i t e of w i s d o m w h i c h i m p h e s t h a t o b e d i e n c e t o t h e law is seen as e q u a l t o being wise. 14,1-2 c h a r a c t e r i z e s t h e r e q u i r e d c o n d u c t of t h e r i g h t e o u s : h e loves t h e L o r d in t r u t h a n d e n d u r e s his naibeia ( v . l ) ; h e walks {•nopevoiiai) in t h e r i g h t e o u s n e s s of his c o m m a n d m e n t s (6i/
136 Cf. J . Schiipphaus, Psalmen, p . 9 3 ; G.L. Davenport, "The Anointed", 1 9 8 0 , pp.7274 (who seems to reckon with only one single anointed figure or Messiah in PsSal 17, see his remark on p.83);P.G.R.deViUiers,"Messiah",A^fo(ej(flmenrtca 12 ( 1 9 8 1 ) 78. 137 17,22-31 deals with the Davidic King; c f . J . Schupphaus, o . c , pp.70f. 138 1 7 , 3 2 4 1 focuses on the Messiah; c f . J . Schiipphaus, o . c , pp.71f. 139 For the links between the Messiah and wisdom see Is 9,6; 1 l , 2 ; J e r 23,5. 140 Probably referring to Gen 3. 141 G has AXXriXwv, but the reciprocal meaning does not make any sense. We follow the solution of J . Viteau, Psaumej, p . 2 7 4 , followed b y S. lIolra-Nielsen,y5/f«Z IV/2 ( 1 9 7 7 ) 71 which assumes an original non-reciprocal i n y T which was misunder stood as being reciprocal. The proper translation would have been TOV nXrjaiov. S has "of each one".
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ments*'*^ m a k e s p r o p a g a n d a " i n l e h r h a f t - u n t e r w e i s e n d e r F o r m fiir d e n Weg des sich d e r g o t t l i c h e n Z u c h t u n t e r w e r f e n d e n , d e m Gesetz gehorsamen Gerechten"**'. Imphcitly, obedience to t h e law a n d t h e k e e p i n g of t h e c o m m a n d m e n t s is e q u i v a l e n t w i t h a d o p t i n g t h e divine TratSet'a.
In 16,7-8 " f o o l " {&ppova) is c o r r e l a t e d w i t h lawlessness {irapapotiia) w h i c h implies again e contrario t h e i d e n t i t y of t h e ' w i s e ' and those w h o keep t h e law. In t h e s e t h r e e p e r i c o p e s t h e i m p l i e d i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of l a w a n d w i s d o m o b v i o u s l y has an ethical b a c k g r o u n d . T h e p a r t i c u l a r i s t i c l i m i t a t i o n t o p i o u s J e w s is self-evident. I n 1 7 , 2 1 - 4 6 t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of w i s d o m a n d l a w assumes a n e s c h a t o l o g i c a l d i m e n s i o n . I t is t r u e t h a t n e i t h e r t h e Davidic K i n g n o r t h e Messiah is e x p h c i t l y l i n k e d w i t h t h e l a w b u t r a t h e r w i t h righ teousness ( 1 7 , 2 3 . 2 6 . 2 9 . 3 2 . 3 7 . 4 0 ; 1 8 , 7 . 8 ; cf. 1 7 , 2 2 . 2 7 ) a n d t h e fear of t h e L o r d ( 1 7 , 4 0 ; 1 8 , 7 . 8 ; cf. 1 7 , 3 4 . 3 9 ) . H o w e v e r , b o t h a r e d e s c r i b e d as t h e enemies of lawlessness ( 1 7 , 2 4 ) . T h e s t a t e m e n t t h a t t h e Messiah is t a u g h t of G o d ( 1 7 , 3 4 ) a n d t h a t his " w o r d " will be p o w e r f u l in j u d g m e n t ( 1 7 , 4 1 ) does n o t suggest t h a t he wiU bring a n e w law. This p e r i c o p e suggests t h a t " h e will establish a c o n d i t i o n w h e n t h e life of r i g h t e o u s n e s s in a c c o r d a n c e w i t h t h e T o r a h will p r e v a i l " ' * * . A n d b o t h t h e Davidic K i n g a n d t h e Messiah are c h a r a c t e r i z e d b y w i s d o m ( 1 7 , 2 3 . 2 9 . 3 5 . 3 7 ; 1 8 , 7 ) . I n 1 7 . 2 3 . 2 9 . 3 7 ; 18,7 ao
142 J. Schupphaus, Psalmen, p.59 n.252 refers to the life-motif, the motif of retribu tion, the contrast righteous/sinner, and the pattern of the t w o ways. 14,S J. Schupphaus, o . c , p.59, 144 W.D. Davies, Torah, p.43. 145 See generally M. Hadas, Aristeas to Philocrates, 1 9 5 1 , p p . I - 9 0 ; A.M. Denis, Intro duction. pp.105-110; L. Rost, Einleitung, pp.74-77; N. Meisner, "ArLsteasbrief", JSHRZ 11/1 (1973 ) 37 4 4 ; O. Eissfeldt, p p . 8 1 7 - 8 2 1 ; J.H. Charlesworth, Pseudepigrapha, pp.78-80; G.W.E. Nickelsburg, Literature, p p . 1 6 5 - 1 6 9 .
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5.3.4. Summary. T h e c o n c e p t s of w i s d o m a n d of l a w are n o t d e v e l o p e d in PsSal t o a n y great e x t e n t . In b o t h cases, t h e ethical a n d also t h e eschatological perspectives are p r o m i n e n t . T h e l a w is t h e n o r m of m o r a l a n d social b e h a v i o u r , a n d , i m p l i c i t l y , o b e d i e n c e t o t h e law is t h e p r e r e q u i s i t e a n d t h e basis of r i g h t e o u s n e s s , w h i c h is a n i m p o r t a n t c o n c e p t in PsSal. O b e d i e n c e t o t h e c o m m a n d m e n t s is t h e f o u n d a t i o n of t h e d i s t i n c t i o n b e t w e e n t h e sin ners a n d t h e p i o u s — t h e sinners are " l a w l e s s " ( d i ' O M O c / T r a p d t ' O A i o ? ) , a n d t h e p i o u s are " r i g h t e o u s " (StKatoq). ' W i s d o m ' a n d ' d i s c i p h n e ' h a v e , o n t h e h u m a n level, t o d o w i t h t h e goal of living a m o r a l l y p u r e life. T h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of law a n d w i s d o m h a s , as we h a v e p o i n t e d o u t , p r i m a r i l y a n ethical o r i e n t a t i o n b u t implies a p a r t i c u l a r i s t i c a n d a t h e o l o g i c a l f o u n d a t i o n as weU. F i n a l l y , t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n has also an eschatological p e r s p e c t i v e : b o t h t h e Davidic K i n g a n d t h e Messiah are d e s c r i b e d as e n e m i e s of lawlessness, as a i m i n g at e s t a b l i s h i n g r i g h t e o u s n e s s , a n d as possessing w i s d o m .
§6
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6 . 1 . T h e L e t t e r of Aristeas T h e L e t t e r of A r i s t e a s ' * ' is a fictional a c c o u n t (5iT)7T}at<:) b y a n a n o n y m o u s J e w in E g y p t in t h e form of a l e t t e r allegedly writ t e n t o his b r o t h e r P h i l o c r a t e s b y Aristeas, a G r e e k in t h e c o u r t of P t o l e m a i o s I I . I t is o b v i o u s , h o w e v e r , t h a t E p A r i s t was w r i t t e n b y a J e w i s h - A l e x a n d r i a n a u t h o r b e t w e e n 130 a n d 100 B.C.'*^. E p A r ist is w r i t t e n in an e x c e l l e n t Hellenistic G r e e k ' * ^ . It r e p r e s e n t s a n
146 Cf M. Hadas, o . c , p . 5 4 ; W. Michaelis, in RGG 1 ( 1 9 5 7 ) 5 6 9 ; K. Stendahl, in BHH 1 ( 1 9 6 2 ) 127; A.M. Denis, o . c , p p . l 0 9 f . ; L. Rost, o . c , p.75; N. Meisner, o . c , pp.42f.; O. Eissfeldt, o . c , p . 8 1 8 ; G.W.E. Nickelsburg, o . c , p . 3 9 . M. Heiigel, Juden tum, pp.55f. n . l 9 8 assumes a date between 150 and 130 B.C. S.Jellicoe, "Septua gint Origins; The Letter of Aristeas", The Septuagint and Modem Study, 1968, pp.47-50 suggests a date before 1 70 B.C. 147 Cf. A.M. Denis, o . c , p . 1 0 8 ; N, Meisner, o . c , p.39. For an edition of the Greek text see P, Wendland. Aristeae ad Philocratem Epistula, 1900; M. Hadas, Aristeas to
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a p o l o g y for J u d a i s m d e f e n d i n g t h e L X X a n d t h e t e m p l e in J e r u s a l e m ' * * . I t s h o w s a m o n g o t h e r things " d i e V e r b i n d u n g v o n Kult u r o f f e n h e i t m i t allegorischer I n t e r p r e t a t i o n des G e s e t z e s u n d f r o h l i c h e m G e h o r s a m d e m G e s e t z des Mose g e g e n i i b e r " ' * ^ . 6.1.1. The law. E p A r i s t is n o t d i r e c t l y i n t e r e s t e d in t h e o l o g i c a l p r o b l e m s " * ' . H o w e v e r , t h e d o c t r i n e of G o d a n d t h e c o n c e p t i o n of t h e significance of t h e J e w i s h law are t h e t w o p r o m i n e n t t h e o l o gical features of t h e ' l e t t e r ' " ' . E p A r i s t uses m a i n l y v6^lo<; a n d vono^eaia as d e s i g n a t i o n s of t h e Mosaic law a n d its c o m m a n d ments (3,5,10,15,30,127,131,144,168,171,309,313)"2. O n se veral o c c a s i o n s t h e law is also called Ypai^Tj ( 1 5 5 , 1 6 8 ) " ' a n d r d Xoyia (158,177)"*. T h e a u t h o r e m p h a s i s e s t h e divine origin of t h e law r e p e a t e d l y : t h e law is " d i v i n e " {deioq vofioc;, 3) a n d " o f divine o r i g i n " (5td &eov yeyovevai, 3 1 3 ; cf. 3 1 ) , a n d it was " G o d w h o has p u t (d i?edc 5 e 6 w K e ) t h e t h o u g h t s i n t o t h e h e a r t s of t h e l a w g i v e r s " ( 2 4 0 , cf. 139). T h e law is " f r e e f r o m all b l e m i s h " (dKepacov, 31) a n d is charac t e r i z e d b y " s a n c t i t y " {aeixvoTTj^, 3 1 , 1 7 1 ) . T h e law is t h e u n i q u e
148
149
150 151 152
Philocrates, 1 9 5 1 , pp.91-227. We use the translations of H.T. Andrews, APOT 2 ( 1 9 1 3 ) 9 4 - 1 2 2 ; N. Mtisner, JSHRZ II/l (1973) 45-87. S. Jellicoe, a.c, p.50 suggests that EpArist is directed against a rival Greek transla tion of the OT which had been developed at Leontopolis. Cf. also J.H. Charles worth, o.c, p.78. See generally D.W. Gooding, "Aristeas and Septuagint Origins: A Review of Recent Studies", VT 1 3 ( 1 9 6 3 ) 357-379 (= Studies in the Septuagint, ed. S.Jellicoe, 1 9 7 4 , pp. 158-180). K. Stendahl, BHH 1 ( 1 9 6 2 ) 128. With regard to the HeUenistic influences in EpArist see V. Tcherikover, "The Ideology of the Letter of Aristeas", HThR 51 ( 1 9 5 8 ) 63-66 {= Studies,ed.S.Jellicoe, 1974, pp.l 85-188). Cf. H.T. Andrews, .4/>Or 2 ( 1 9 1 8 ) 8 8 . With regard to the doctrine of God see H.T. Andrews, o.c, p.88 and particularly P. Dalbert, Theologie, pp.94-98. For a full list see the "index verborum" in P. Wendland, Epistula,p.202 s.v. voiiodeoia
and
IMMOI;.
153 H.T. Andrews, o.c, p.l 10 observes that this is probably the first instance where the law is spoken of as Scripture; cf. also M. Hadas, Aristeas, p.l 61 (ad 155). In TZeb 3,4 we find the phrase ev ypaipfi voixov Mu)vako<;. But the absolute use of T) ypaifii^ is (except in EpArist 155,168) never used elsewhere in the pre-Christian period. 154 This is probably the earliest instance of the application of the term rd koyla to the law as a whole. In the NT cf. Acts 7,38; Rom 3,2; Hebr 5 , 1 2 . Cf. H.T. Andrews, o.c. p.l 11.
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possession of Israel ( 1 5 ) p r o v i d i n g spiritual a n d m o r a l p r o t e c t i o n . The author asserts that "it has fenced us round with impregnable ramparts and walls of iron, that we might not mingle at all with any of the other nations, but remain pure (dyvoi) in body and soul" ( 1 3 9 ) .
In 1 2 8 - 1 7 1 , 3 0 6 various c o m m a n d m e n t s of t h e J e w i s h law re g a r d i n g f o o d a n d p u r i t y are i n t e r p r e t e d (allegorically). While t h e law is b i n d i n g for t h e J e w s it is e m p h a s i z e d t h a t t h e law's i n t e n t is " c o m p a t i b l e w i t h t h e finest in G e n t i l e ethics a n d w i s d o m " " ' (cf. t h e s p e e c h of Eleazar in 1 3 0 - 1 7 1 ) . T h e p u r p o s e a n d t h e b e n e f i t s of t h e law are s t a t e d in Hellenistic t e r m s : o b e d i e n c e t o t h e law leads to t h e " g o o d h f e " , t h e " r i g h t w a y of l i v i n g " (xaXwc ^fjp, 1 2 7 ) , t o " v i r t u e a n d t h e p e r f e c t i n g of t h e c h a r a c t e r " (npbq ayvriv iTciaK€\pLU KUI rpovov i^apTiap.6v, 1 4 4 ) , to " r i g h t e o u s n e s s " a n d " j u s t i c e " (rrpo? btKaioabvrii', 168), a n d t o " r i g h t e o u s r e l a t i o n s h i p s b e t w e e n m a n a n d m a n " (Trpo? riiv Tcjv
dvdp(jbTrcjv
avvavaoTpofiiv
biKaiav,
169).
The
law
is
the
e m b o d i m e n t of t r u t h a n d p o i n t s t o t h e " r i g h t a t t i t u d e " o r t h e " r i g h t o u t l o o k " (rrpo? orjueicjaLU dp^ov \6yov, 161). T h e law finally p r o v i d e s t h e p e r s o n w h o o b e y s its c o m m a n d m e n t s w i t h a " p e r p e t u a l m e m o r i a l " ( 2 7 9 ) . F o r m a n t h e m o s t i m p o r t a n t v i r t u e is t h e k e e p i n g of t h e c o m m a n d m e n t s ( 1 2 7 ) . F o r t h e J e w t h e t e m p l e a n d t h e cult are of great significance ( 3 3 - 3 4 , 8 3 - 1 0 6 ) " ^ T h e significance of t h e T o r a h is f u r t h e r u n d e r l i n e d b y t h e fact t h a t t h e a u t h o r of E p A r i s t calls for an e x a c t t e x t u a l t r a n s m i s s i o n of t h e Torah (30-32,176-177)"^ T h u s , t h e Mosaic l a w is of p a r t i c u l a r i s t i c a n d of universal im p o r t a n c e a n d has a t h e o l o g i c a l , religious, a n d a n e t h i c a l d i m e n s i o n , w i t h t h e l a t t e r b e i n g specifically e m p h a s i z e d " * . 6.1.2.
Wisdom.
Several scholars suggested t h a t t h e table-talk
155 G.W.E. Nickelsburg, Literature, p.l 6 8 . Cf. also V. Tcherikover, "Ideology",//77(/i 51 ( 1 9 5 8 ) 73 w h o points out that the Torah in EpArist is devoid of any specific Jewish features, and that the allegorical interpretation "turns the Torah into a universal doctrine which may be accepted by every enlightened mind, especially by those w h o had Greek education". 156 Thus it can be said that "die Trias Gesetz-Kult-Tempel als Offenbarungsform Gottes spielt im Aristeasbrief eine bedeutende RoUe" (P. Dalbert, Theologie, p.96). On 'covenant' in EpArist cf. A. Jaubert, Notion, p p . 3 2 2 - 3 2 9 . 157 Cf. M. Hengeljudentum, p.313 n.420. 158 Cf. P. Dalbert, o . c , p p . 9 8 - 1 0 2 ; R J . B a n k s , / e j u s and the Law, pp.bif.
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s e c t i o n ( 1 7 2 — 3 0 0 ) " ^ is d e p e n d e n t u p o n Israelite w i s d o m m a t e r i a l ' ^ . H o w e v e r , a closer review of this claim proves t h a t this is n o t t h e c a s e ' ^ ' . T h e i n f l u e n c e of t h e w i s d o m t r a d i t i o n c a n be t r a c e d in t h o s e p a r t s w h i c h w e r e w r i t t e n b y t h e a u t h o r of E p A r i s t himself, " n a m l i c h bei d e r E r w a h n u n g G o t t e s a m SchluB j e d e r A n t w o r t " * ^ ^ . T h e a u t h o r p r e s e n t s these r e f e r e n c e s t o G o d as p r o o f of t h e fact t h a t J e w i s h t h e o l o g y surpasses G r e e k p h i l o s o p h y : t h e J e w i s h t r a n s l a t o r s from J e r u s a l e m are far s u p e r i o r t o t h e G r e e k p h i l o s o p h e r s , " s i n c e t h e y a l w a y s m a d e G o d t h e i r s t a r t i n g - p o i n t " ( 2 3 5 , cf. 200). W i s d o m m o t i f s are i m p l i e d in t e r m s like " r i g h t w a y of living" ( 1 2 7 ) , " q u e s t for v i r t u e " a n d " p e r f e c t i n g of t h e c h a r a c t e r " ( 1 4 4 ) , " r i g h t r e a s o n " a n d " p o w e r of r e a s o n " ( 1 6 1 , 1 6 2 ) , " d u e r e a s o n " (168), "right relationships between man and m a n " (169). T h e t e r m s oov^m a n d aoyJ^c o c c u r in 1 0 7 , 1 3 0 , 1 3 7 , 1 3 9 , 2 0 7 , 2 6 0 , 2 7 1 . A c c o r d i n g t o 1 2 1 t h e s e v e n t y - t w o scholars from J e r u s a l e m w h o w e r e to t r a n s l a t e t h e T o r a h w e r e c h o s e n , a m o n g o t h e r r e a s o n s , b e c a u s e of their naiSeia. T h e a n s w e r t o P t o l e m a i o s ' q u e s t i o n , " W h a t is t h e t e a c h i n g of w i s d o m {ao^ia<; StSaxi?)", given b y o n e of t h e J e w i s h t r a n s l a t o r s , is a s t a t e m e n t of t h e ' g o l d e n r u l e ' in its n e g a t i v e form ( 2 0 7 ) ' ^ ' . T h e a n s w e r t o t h e q u e s t i o n " W h a t is t h e fruit of w i s d o m {aotpiaq Kapnoq)" is, " t h a t a m a n s h o u l d be c o n s c i o u s in himself t h a t he has w r o u g h t n o evil a n d t h a t h e s h o u l d live his life in t r u t h . S i n c e it is from t h e s e , O m i g h t y King, t h a t t h e g r e a t e s t j o y a n d stead fastness of s o u l a n d , if y o u rule in p i e t y , g o o d h o p e s w i t h G o d come" (260)'^.
159 Cf. J.J. Lewis, "The TableTalli Section in the Letter of Aristeas", MTS 13 ( 1 9 6 6 ) 53-56 w h o compares EpArist with Ps-Phocylides. 160 C f . J . Fichtner, Weisheit, 1 9 3 3 , p.lO; O.S. Rankin, Wisdom Literature, pp.2-4,10. 161 Cf. N. Meisner, Untersuchungen zum Aristeasbrief, Diss. Berlin, 1 9 7 3 , 2, pp.4076 (not available); i d e m , / S / / « Z l l / l ( 1 9 7 1 ) 4 1 . See already H.T. A n d r e w s , / 4 P O r 2 ( 1 9 1 3 ) 87 who pointed out that the table-talk section may be dependent u p o n a collection of 'moral sayings' but that it is not possible to determine whether they were Jewish or Greek. 162 N. M e i s n e r , / S / / / e Z I I / l ( 1 9 7 3 ) 4 1 . 163 Cf. Tob 4 , 1 5 ; hebr TNaph 1,6; Ps-Menander 39f.; bShab 31a bar (Hillel). See also Mt 7,12; Lk 6 , 3 1 ; Acts 15,29; Did 1,2. With regard to the 'golden rule' see generally A. Nissen, Gott und der Ndchste. WUNT 15, 1 9 7 4 , p p . 3 9 0 - 3 9 9 . 164 FoUowing the translation of N. Meisner,/S//fiZ II/l ( 1 9 7 3 ) 78.
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of Aristeas
123
T h u s , w i s d o m is, like t h e l a w , of u n i v e r s a l ' ^ ' a n d of p a r d c u l a r i s tic i m p o r t a n c e having b o t h a theological a n d , especially, a n ethical dimension. 6.1.3. Law and wisdom. Several passages in E p A r i s t p r o v e t h a t t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of l a w a n d w i s d o m w h i c h w a s t a u g h t a n d pre s u p p o s e d in t h e Palestinian w i s d o m a n d scribal s c h o o l s h a d s t a r t e d t o e x e r t a significant i n f l u e n c e i n A l e x a n d r i a t o o ' ^ ^ . In 31 it is e m p h a s i z e d t h a t t h e l a w is " o f divine origin, is full of w i s d o m , a n d free from all b l e m i s h " . In 1 2 7 it is s t a t e d t h a t t h e " r i g h t w a y of h v i n g " w h i c h is t h e aim a n d t h e c o n t e n t of w i s d o m " c o n s i s t s in t h e k e e p i n g of t h e c o m m a n d m e n t s " [iv
T W r d vofnna
avvrripeiv
elvai).
In 1 3 9 Moses t h e " l a w g i v e r " ( d votxodeTtit:) is called " a wise m a n " ( a o i ^ o ? d>i>), while t h e c o n t e x t deals w i t h laws of food a n d purity. In 1 4 4 t h e a u t h o r p o i n t s o u t t h a t t h e law(s) of Moses w e r e m a d e for r i g h t e o u s n e s s ' s a k e " t o aid t h e q u e s t for v i r t u e a n d t h e p e r f e c t i n g of t h e c h a r a c t e r " . Since t h e last p h r a s e is a n e x a c t d e s c r i p t i o n of t h e goals of w i s d o m we have h e r e a n o t h e r clear e x a m p l e of t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of t h e Mosaic l a w a n d w i s d o m . We have a similar t h o u g h t in 1 6 1 w h e r e t h e objective of t h e (ritual a n d cultic!) l a w is d e s c r i b e d as " t r u t h " a n d " r i g h t a t t i t u d e " ' ^ ' ' . T h i s t h o u g h t o c c u r s again in 1 6 8 - 1 6 9 : "All our regulations have been drawn up with a view to righteousness, and nothing has been enacted in the Scripture (ypaifi^) accidentally (elKij) or just for the story's sake (/ii^duiStOc), but its purpose is to enable us throughout oiu: whole life (fTJw) and in all our actions (npa^eaiv), to practise (doKoJuev) righteousness before all m e n , being mmdful of G o d , the Ruler. Also with regard t o meats and the unclean creeping things and wild beasts, every word (Xcryo?) aims at righteousness and righteous re lationships b e t w e e n man and man (Ti\v rojv
dv^pconuiv
avvavaarpo^-hv
dinaiav)".
T h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of l a w a n d w i s d o m h a s p r i m a r i l y a n e t h i c a l d i m e n s i o n : t h e J e w i s h l a w w h i c h is t r u e w i s d o m c o n t a i n s every-
165 166
167
Cf. .M. Hengel,/urfentum, p . 3 0 7 . Cf. O. Eissfeldt, Einleitung, p . 8 1 8 w h o states that the author of EpArist aims at providing "die himmelhohe Uberlegenheit der mit dem Gesetz idcntischen judischenWeisheit iiber alle griechische Bildung". See also W. Gutbrod, in ThWNT i (1942) 1042. H.T. Andrews, ^ T O T 2 ( 1 9 1 3 ) 109 translates "indication of right reason"; similarly M. lla.Aa.s, Aristeas, p. 163 w h o has "a token of right reason".
124
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t h i n g w h i c h is n e e d e d for a m o r a l l y p e r f e c t c h a r a c t e r a n d a perfect life. T h e m o t i v a t i o n of t h e a u t h o r of E p A r i s t implies also b o t h t h e universalistic a n d t h e p a r t i c u l a r i s t i c d i m e n s i o n : t h e law (as well as w i s d o m , e m b o d i e d in t h e law) is t h e Mosaic law of t h e J e w s w h i c h is t o be c o m m e n d e d t o t h e G e n t i l e s . A n d t h e Mosaic law w i t h its w i s d o m has a universal significance a n d s h o u l d b e o b s e r v e d b y all, w h e t h e r t h e y are J e w s or G e n t i l e s ( n o t e h e r e t h e significance of t h e allegorical i n t e r p r e t a t i o n * ^ ) . T h e m o t i v e s of t h e a u t h o r also i m p l y t h e d i d a c t i c d i m e n s i o n : t h e J e w i s h law s h o u l d be m a d e t h e basis of all, even G e n t i l e , i n s t r u c t i o n w h i c h has as its goal t h e p e r f e c t i n g of o n e ' s c h a r a c t e r . A n d t h e t h e o l o g i c a l d i m e n s i o n of t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n is also i m p l i e d : it was G o d w h o gave t h e law t o Israel via t h e m e d i a t i o n of M o s e s . 6.1.4. Summary. Even t h o u g h t h e evidence w i t h regard t o t h e c o n c e p t s of law a n d w i s d o m of t h e a u t h o r of E p A r i s t is n o t all t o o e x t e n s i v e , t h e n a t u r e of t h e law a n d t h e c h a r a c t e r of t h e iden tification of w i s d o m a n d law in E p A r i s t can be d e s c r i b e d in a satis factory manner. T h e law is always t h e Mosaic law w h i c h was given b y G o d for t h e m o r a l r e f i n e m e n t a n d p e r f e c t i o n of t h e J e w s a n d also of m a n in general. Even t h e food laws a n d o t h e r ritual a n d c u l t i c decrees have an ethical significance, w h i c h is d e d u c e d via t h e allegorical i n t e r p r e t a t i o n . T r u e w i s d o m consists in t h e right w a y of living a n d in r i g h t e o u s r e l a t i o n s h i p s b e t w e e n p e o p l e . T h e law is clearly identified w i t h w i s d o m : Moses w h o gave t h e law was a " w i s e m a n " , a sage. T h e law c o n t a i n s w i s d o m . A n d t h e law has t h e very s a m e goal as w i s d o m : " t o aid t h e q u e s t for virtue a n d t h e p e r f e c t i n g of c h a r a c t e r " ( 1 4 4 ) . T h u s , t h e e t h i c a l d i m e n sion of t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of law a n d w i s d o m is m o s t e x p h c i t a n d m o s t p r o m i n e n t . T h e universalistic, p a r t i c u l a r i s t i c , t h e o l o g i c a l , a n d d i d a c t i c p e r s p e c t i v e is i m p l i c i t l y p r e s e n t as well.
6 . 2 . T h e T h i r d S i b y l h n e Oracle T h e J e w i s h S i b y l h n e Oracle*'^ of the E g y p t i a n d i a s p o r a was t o
168 See supra, p.121 11.155. 169 See generally J. Geffcken, Komposition
und Entstehungszeit
der Oracula
Sibyllina,
The Third Sibylline
Oracle
125
s u p p o r t t h e J e w i s h mission b y i m i t a t i n g a n d s o m e t i m e s even a d o p t i n g the p o p u l a r p r o p h e t i c oracle h t e r a t u r e of the Hellenistic period*^". T h e significance of this fact is t w o - f o l d : "Wie m a n die G r i e c h e n . . . zu A u s w e r t e r n jiidischer G e s e t z e u n d L e h r e n m a c h t e , so v e r s u c h t e m a n a n d e r e r s e i t s , h e i d n i s c h e Weissagungen u n d Weis heit als V e r k i i n d i g u n g eigentlich jiidischer G e d a n k e n h i n z u s t e l l e n " * " . T h e Sibylline oracles in general are m a r k e d b y a " s y n c r e tistic use of p a g a n m y t h o l o g i e s a n d conversely b y p o w e r f u l p o lemics against i d o l a t r y a n d i m m o r a l i t y " * ^ ^ . As a result we find fre q u e n t references t o t h e u n i q u e n e s s , e t e r n i t y , a n d o m n i p o t e n c e of t h e G o d of t h e j e w s * ^ ' . Sib 3 is t h e o l d e s t J e w i s h Sibylline*^*: t h e c o r p u s of this oracle was w r i t t e n ca. 1 4 0 B.C. in E g y p t * ' ' ' . It is clearly a c o m p o s i t e of h e t e r o g e n e o u s sources*^^. Christian inter p o l a t i o n s are n o r m a l l y seen in Sib 3 , 6 2 - 9 6 . 3 7 2 ( ! ) . 7 7 6 * " . Sib 3 , 1 9 2 w a s originally t h e e n d of Sib 2 a n d was c o m p o s e d in t h e first c e n t u r y A.D.*^* Sib 3 is w r i t t e n in G r e e k h e x a m e t e r s ' ^ ^ .
TU 2 3 , 1 9 0 3 ; A.M. Denis, Introduction, pp.l 11-122; V. Nikiprowetzky, La Troisieme Sibylle, Etudes Juives 9, 1970; L. Rost, Einleitung, p p . 8 4 - 8 6 ; J J . Collins, The Sibylline Oracles of Egyptian Judaism, SBLDS 13, 1974; O. Eissfeldt, Einlei tung, p p . 8 3 4 - 8 3 6 ; J.H. Chaxlesworth, Pseudepigrapha, pp.184-188;(;.E.W. Nickels burg, Literature, p p . 1 6 2 - 1 6 5 . 170 Cf. M. liengeX, Judentum, p.380. He also emphasizes the influence of the apocalyptic tradition ( p . 4 6 1 ) . The propagandistic goal is also acknowledged by A.M. Denis, Introduction, p.l 1 3 ; O. ^issieldx, Einleitung, p.835;J.J. Collins, Oracles, p p . 5 3 - 5 5 . 171 L. Rost, Einleitung, p.86. 172 G.W.E. Nickelsburg, Literature, p . l 6 2 . On the syncretism in the Oracles see V. Nikiprowetzky, Sibylle, pp.l 12-194; J J . CoUins, o.c, p p . 9 7 - 1 1 5 . 173 With regard to the theology of Sib 3 see P. Dalbert, Theologie, pp.l 10-123; V. Nikiprowetzky, o.c, p p . 7 1 - 1 9 4 . J.J. CoUins, o.c, pp.35-56 focuses on the pattern of eschatology in Sib 3 . 174 Only Sib 3-5 appear to be Jewish. Sib 4 should be dated to ca. A . D . 8 0 , whereas Sib 5 was presumably wTitten in the first third of the second century A . D . Cf. J.H. Charlesworth, Pseudepigrapha, p.l85. 175 Cf. J. Geffcken, Komposition, pp.1-7; A.M. Denis, o.c, pp.l 18-120; J J . CoUins, o.c, p p . 2 8 - 3 3 ; O. Eissfeldt, o.c, p . 8 3 5 ; J.H. Charlesworth, o.c, p p . l 8 4 f . ; M . Hen gel, o.c, pp. 1 3 9 f . , 3 4 1 , 4 6 1 ; G.W.E. Nickelsburg, o.c, p p . 1 6 2 , 1 6 4 . V. Nikiprowet zky, o.c, pp.195-204 attempted to show that Sib 3 was written in the first century B.C. But see J J . Collins, o.c, pp.32ff. Collins suggests that Sib 3 , 4 6 - 6 2 . 7 5 - 9 2 . 3 5 0 3 8 0 are first century B.C. additions (ibid., pp.67-71). 176 Cf. J.H. Charlesworth, o.c, p p . l 8 4 f . and others. Contra V. Nikiprowetzky, pp.206-225 who attempts to show the unity of Sib 3 . 177 Cf. A.M. Denis, o . c , p.l 1 8 ; J . H . Charlesworth, o . c , p . 1 8 5 . 178 Cf. A.M. Denis, o . c , p.l 19; M. Hengel, o.c, p.351 n.527. 179 We use the edition of J. Geffcken, Die Oracula Sibyllina,
o.c,
GCS 8 , 1 9 0 2 (= 1970)
1 26
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6.2.1. Concepts of revelation. G o d is o n e . H e is t h e C r e a t o r a n d sovereign ruler of t h e universe. He is t h e first cause of all t h a t exists. H e is e t e r n a l a n d o m n i s c i e n t . A n d he c a n n o t b e k n o w n or c o n c e i v e d b y m a n : "II e c h a p p e e n son e s s e n c e k t o u t e prise sen sible ou i n t e l l e c t u e l l e d e I ' h o m m e qui n e s a u r a i t ni T a p p e r c e v o i r , ni e n t e n d r e s o n n o m " ' * " . G o d reveals himself*** t o m a n p r i m a r i l y in nature**^ a n d in j u d g m e n t * * ' . G o d ' s r e v e l a t i o n in t h e events of t h e E x o d u s a n d in t h e t h e o p h a n y a t Sinai is referred t o o n l y in 3 , 2 4 8 - 2 6 0 . In 3 , 2 9 3 t h e n i g h t l y d r e a m s o r visions are d e s c r i b e d as m e d i a of t h e divine r e v e l a t i o n . P r o p h e t i c u t t e r a n c e s are f u r t h e r m e a n s of revelation***. T h e e c s t a t i c i n s p i r a t i o n of t h e Sibylline has t o b e m e n t i o n e d in this c o n t e x t as well**'. 6.2.2. The Jewish law. N u m e r o u s passages stress t h e fact t h a t t h e J e w i s h law is of divine origin: " G o d gave t h e law {v6ixo(;) f o r t h from h e a v e n " ( 3 , 2 5 6 ; cf. 3 , 7 6 8 ) . T h e l a w is specifically t h e " l a w of t h e i m m o r t a l G o d " ( 3 , 2 7 5 . 6 0 0 ) , t h e " l a w of the m i g h t y G o d " ( 3 , 2 8 4 . 6 8 6 ; cf. 3 , 2 4 6 ) , t h e " l a w of t h e M o s t H i g h " ( 3 , 5 8 0 . 719). A t t i m e s v6iio<; is c o n n e c t e d w i t h lists of c o m p i l a t i o n s of (positive) ethical maxims**^ ( 3 , 2 3 7 - 2 6 2 w i t h i^o/io? in 2 5 6 . 259). • T h e G e n t i l e s are r e g a r d e d as avo^ioi w h o have n e v e r listened t o t h e w o r d of G o d ( 3 , 6 9 - 7 0 ) a n d w h o t h e r e f o r e h v e a lawless life
and the translations of H.C.O. Lanchester, ' T h e SibyUine Oracles", XPOr 2 ( 1 9 1 3 ) 3 7 8 - 4 0 6 and V. Nikiprowetzky, Sibylline, 1 9 7 0 , pp.291-353 (text with French translation). 180 V. Nikiprowetzky, o.c., p . 7 1 . 181 On the knowledge of God in Sib 3 see V. Nikiprowetzky, o.c, pp.74-76. 182 In earthquakes (oeio/iid?): 3 , 4 4 9 . 4 5 7 ; cf. 4 , 1 2 8 ; 5 , 2 9 1 ; floods (tfSojp): 3 , 4 4 0 . 4 6 1 . 8 2 4 ; cf. 4 , 1 2 9 . 1 4 3 ; thunder (fipovrri): 5 , 2 9 8 - 3 0 5 ; pestilence (Xoi^dc): 3 , 2 6 6 . 3 3 2 . 5 3 8 . 6 0 3 ; famine (XtMw): 3 , 2 3 6 . 3 1 7 . 4 7 6 . 6 0 2 . 7 5 4 . 183 Cf. 3 , 1 5 4 - 1 7 4 . 3 1 9 . 3 3 3 . 6 6 9 - 6 9 7 . In many instances natural catastrophes are also understood to be divine judgment. On the whole see H.C.O. Lanchester, APOT 2 ( 1 9 1 3 ) 3 7 5 ; P. Dalbert, Theologie, p p . l I3f. 184 Cf. the terms npapvTeifw: 3 , 1 6 3 . 2 9 8 . 4 9 1 . 6 9 9 . 8 1 1 . 8 2 2 ; )rpo.^rot: 5 8 2 . 7 8 1 . 185 Cf. the terms oiaTpoiiavfi<:: 3 , 8 1 0 ; mwopivriv: 3 , 8 1 6 . 8 1 8 ; dvcnKr\: 3 , 2 9 6 . See the oracles in 3 , 2 9 6 - 3 0 2 . 4 9 0 - 4 9 1 . 1 6 2 - 1 6 3 . Cf. V. Nikiprowetzky, o.c, pp.74f.; M. Hen gel, Judentum, p.391. 186 Cf. R.J. B a n k s , / e i u j and the Law, p . 5 2 .
The Third Sibylline
Oracle
127
{duo^io<; (3to?) w h i c h e q u a l s a n u n c l e a n \Ue (dvayuoq j5io<;, 3 , 4 9 6 ) . Lawlessness a n d u n c l e a n n e s s a r e l i n k e d w i t h u n r i g h t e o u s n e s s ( 3 , 4 9 6 ) . T h o s e w h o d o n o t o b e y t h e law will fall u n d e r G o d ' s judgment (3,569-603.686). I n c o n t r a s t t o t h e lawless G e n t i l e s , t h e p i o u s J e w s possess t h e law of G o d " i n r i g h t e o u s n e s s " ( 3 , 5 8 0 ; cf. 3 , 7 6 8 ) . T h e law will b e universally v a h d ( a n d k e p t ! ) in t h e e s c h a t o l o g i c a l k i n g d o m ( 3 , 5 7 3 - 5 8 3 . 7 1 9 - 7 2 0 . 7 5 7 ) ' * ^ T h e n a t i o n of t h e m i g h t y G o d " s h a l l b e t o all m o r t a l s t h e g u i d e of hfe (jSiou Kadodriyoi" (3,195)***. G o d ' s l a w w h i c h is t h e m o s t r i g h t e o u s of all o n e a r t h ( 3 , 7 1 9 - 7 2 0 ) is "l'hymnedesjusteslois(ei^i^oMo<; CMfocr)" (3,246)**^. S a l v a t i o n a n d p e a c e will o n l y rule w h e n m e n r e t u r n t o t h e righ t e o u s n e s s of t h e law ( 3 , 5 8 0 - 5 8 1 ) * ^ ° . In 3 , 2 7 5 - 2 7 8 o b e d i e n c e t o t h e l a w is l i n k e d w i t h t h e fear of t h e L o r d . T h u s , it s e e m s t h a t in Sib 3 t h e J e w i s h l a w a p p e a r s t o b e of p a r t i c u l a r i s d c a n d universal, of t h e o l o g i c a l a n d e t h i c a l a n d even of e s c h a t o l o g i c a l significance. 6.2.3. Law and wisdom. S c h o l a r s a c k n o w l e d g e t h e fact t h a t Sib 3 has a d o p t e d t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of w i s d o m a n d law*^* even t h o u g h t h e y d o n o t s t a t e t h e t e x t u a l or t h e o l o g i c a l e v i d e n c e . I n 3 , 2 1 9 2 2 0 t h e J e w i s h n a t i o n is called " a race of m o s t r i g h t e o u s (StxatoTdTU}v) m e n w h o ever give themselves u p t o s o u n d c o u n s e l a n d v i r t u o u s d e e d s {olaiv del povXr] rayadri KuXd r'^pya iieii-nXep)". S i n c e r i g h t e o u s n e s s is l i n k e d w i t h o b e d i e n c e t o t h e l a w ( 3 , 5 5 8 . 7 2 0 . 7 6 8 ) a n d u n r i g h t e o u s n e s s w i t h u n c l e a n n e s s a n d lawlessness ( 3 , 6 9 7 0 . 4 9 6 ) , it can be a s s u m e d t h a t 3 , 2 1 9 - 2 2 0 implies t h e close cor r e l a t i o n of w i s d o m ( " s o u n d c o u n s e l " , " v i r t u o u s d e e d s " ) w i t h t h e law ("righteousness"). I n 3 , 5 7 3 - 6 0 0 t h e " h o l y r a c e of G o d - f e a r i n g m e n " {evaefiicov dvhpd>v iepbv 7ej'o
187 188 189 190 191
C f . W . Gutbrod, in r/iWArr 4 ( 1 9 4 2 ) 1 0 4 2 ; P. Dalbert, r/ieotogtV, p.l 15. Cf. also En(eth) 1 0 5 , 1 . Following the translation of V. Nikiprowetzky, Sibylle, p . 3 0 3 . Cf. M. Limbeck, Ordnung, p.89 n . 6 3 . Cf. W. Gutbrod, a . c . , p . l 0 4 2 ; V. Nikiprowetzky, o . c , p.74.
1 28
Earlier Jewish
Writings from
Alexandria
n e s s " ( 5 8 0 ) . T o this r a c e a l o n e G o d has given " d i s c r e e t c o u n s e l " (ev^pova ^ovXijV, 5 8 4 ) a n d faith {-niaTiv) a n d a n " e x c e l l e n t u n d e r s t a n d i n g " {dptarov voriiia) in their h e a r t s ( 5 8 5 ) . T h e y k e e p all t h e c o m m a n d m e n t s of t h e law ( 5 8 6 - 5 9 6 ) a n d d o n o t transgress t h e " h o l y l a w " {d'yvb<; voiioi;) of t h e i m m o r t a l G o d ( 6 0 0 ) . T h u s , t h e p e r i c o p e 3 , 5 7 3 - 6 0 0 clearly implies t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of t h e (cultic, ritual, a n d moral) Jewish law with wisdom ("counsel", " m i n d " , etc.). 3 , 6 6 9 - 6 9 7 p r e s u p p o s e s e contrario this i d e n t i f i c a t i o n : G o d will bring j u d g m e n t u p o n the "undisciphned, e m p t y - m i n d e d p e o p l e " {Xadv diraiSevTOP Kcveoippova, 6 7 0 ) b e c a u s e t h e y d i d n o t k n o w t h e l a w ( 6 8 6 ) b u t h a d a "witless m i n d " {d>ppovL ^v^ldJ, 6 8 7 ) . Similarly 3 , 7 0 2 - 7 3 1 c o n t r a s t s t h e p o n d e r i n g of t h e law of t h e Most High G o d ( 7 1 9 ) w i t h going " a s t r a y from t h e p a t h of t h e E t e r n a l " ( 7 2 1 ) a n d having " f o o h s h h e a r t s " {d^povt t J u / u v , 7 2 2 ) . 3 , 7 6 2 - 7 6 3 s u m m o n s t o " c o n s e c r a t e y o u r m i n d s {
192 The identification of the Jewish law with wisdom can also be observed in the later Sib 5. Sib 5,264-265 states that to be clean means to have within one's heart a mind (voOii) which conforms to God's laws. 5,360 refers to "God the Father, the wise (aotp6<;), the everlasting". 5 , 3 8 4 mentions the "wise" (ooipol) w h o will be left and not be destroyed by God's judgment. And 5,509 states that God will destroy all the evil and all the "lawless" (droMouc).
The Wisdom of Solomon
w i s d o m , a n d in the f u t u r e t h e y will themselves a r r a n g e t h o u g h t a n d deeds in a c c o r d a n c e w i t h this law.
1 29
their
6 . 3 . T h e W i s d o m of S o l o m o n T h e originally a n o n y m o u s w r i t i n g S a p S a l w a s c o m p o s e d in G r e e k a n d w r i t t e n b y a n E g y p t i a n J e w , p r e s u m a b l y in A l e x a n d r i a ' 9 ' d u r i n g t h e first c e n t u r y B.C.'^^ It has p r o v e n t o b e i m p o s sible t o d e m o n s t r a t e a h t e r a r y d e p e n d e n c e of SapSal o n E n ( e t h ) , o n w r i t i n g s from Q u m r a n , or o n a p o l o g e t i c Hellenistic J u d a ism'9^. H o w e v e r , t h e e v i d e n c e t h a t SapSal h a d c o n t a c t w i t h t h e w o r l d of J e w i s h a p o c a l y p t i c a n d a p o l o g e t i c r e p r e s e n t e d b y a n d in t h e s e writings is b e y o n d a n y d o u b t ' ^ * . T h e p o i n t s of c o n t a c t be-
193 See generally L. Rost, Einleitung, pp.41-44; O. Eissfeldt, Einleitung, p p . 8 1 2 - 8 1 6 ; D. Winston, The Wisdom of Solomon, 1 9 7 9 , pp.1-69 (with lit. o n pp.70-96); D." Georgi, "Weisheit Salomos", JSHRZ 111/4 (1980) 391-401 (with Ut.); G.W.E. Nickelsburg, Literature, p p . 1 7 5 - 1 8 5 . 194 Some scholars assume a Hebrew Vorlage for SapSal 1-6, but this cannot be proved despite the parallelismus membrorum or the reminiscences of Hebrew diction; cf. L. Rost, o.c, p . 4 2 ; D. Georgi, o.c, p.392 n.4. We use the edition of J . Ziegler, Sapientia Salomonis, Septuaginta Vetus Testamentum Graecum, XII/1 ^iggo, and the translations of S. Holmes, "The Wisdom of S o l o m o n " , APOT 1 ( 1 9 1 3 ) 5 1 8 - 5 6 8 ; D. Winston, The Wisdom of Solomon: A New Translation with Introduc tion and Commentary, AB vol. 4 3 , 1 9 7 9 ; D. Georgi, JSHRZ III/4 ( 1 9 8 0 ) 4 0 2 - 4 7 8 . 195 This is generally acknowledged; cf. D . Winston, o.c, p . 2 5 . But see F. Zimmermann, "The Book of Wisdom: Its Language and Character",/Qi? 57 (1966) 1-27, 101-135 w h o argues for an Aramaic original and for Syria as place of origin, and D. Georgi, o.c, p.396 w h o maintains that "die Annahme der Entstehung der Sap in Agypten ist ... weder ndtig noch mdglich", arguing for Syria as place of origin. However, his arguments are rather apologetic and defensive and speculative, and d o not convince. - The unity of SapSal is disputed. Some scholars deny the integrity of the book; cf. S. Holmes, o . c , p p . 5 2 1 - 5 2 4 . Others emphasize its unity; cf. L. Rost, o . c , p . 4 3 ; O. Eissfeldt, o.c, p . 8 1 6 ; D. Winston, o . c , p p . I 2 - 1 4 ; D. Georgi, o . c , p . 3 9 2 . Cf. also G. Ziener, Die theologische Begriffssprache im Buche der Weisheit, BBB 11, 1956, p.l 1. 196 Thus L. Rost, o . c , p . 4 3 ; O. Eissfeldt, o . c , p.815. However, several dates between 2 2 0 B.C. and A.D. 5 0 have been suggested. Recently G.W.E. Nickelsburg, o . c , p . I 8 4 ; D. Winston, o . c , p p . 2 I - 2 4 argued for a date between 37-41 A.D. (the reign of Caligula), whereas D. Georgi, o . c , pp.396f. argued for a date in the last decades of the 2nd century B.C. 197 Cf. the extensive discussion in C. Larcher, Etudes sur le Livre de la Sagesse, EB, 1969,pp.l03-151. 198 Cf. D . Georgi, o.c, pp.394f.
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t w e e n S a p S a l a n d Philo are even closer'^^. T h e i n f l u e n c e of G r e e k Hellenistic styles a n d c o n c e p t s is e v i d e n t t h r o u g h o u t t h e b o o k ^ . It seems to be impossible to harmonize SapSal with the purpose of e s t a b l i s h i n g a theological c o n c e p t u a l s y s t e m . In the words of D. Georgi, "Sap will . . . trotz ihrer Vertrautheit mit dem philosophischen Wissen der Zeit, keinelogisch 'gcgliedertephilosophische oder theologische Information geben. In ihrer begrifflichen Bunthcit geht sie noch weit iiber das in der popularphilosophischen Diatribe Ubliche hinaus"201.
S a p S a l has b e e n d e s c r i b e d as " w e i s h e i t l i c h e G l a u b e n s l e h r e " for t h e J e w s in A l e x a n d r i a in t h e first c e n t u r y B.C.^*'^ It is an " e x h o r t a t i o n t o p u r s u e w i s d o m a n d t h e r e b y t o live t h e r i g h t e o u s life t h a t issues in i m m o r t a l i t y " ^ * " . I n o r d e r t o achieve this p u r p o s e t h e a u t h o r uses t h e p o p u l a r Hellenistic g e n r e of the protrepttc, a t r e a t i s e t h a t m a d e a n a p p e a l t o follow a m e a n i n g f u l p h i l o s o p h y as a w a y of hfe^°*. 6.3.1. Wisdom concepts. If o n e a p p r o a c h e s t h e m a i n d o c t r i n e s of SapSal o n e s o o n b e c o m e s a w a r e of t h e fact t h a t " i t s s u b t l e b l e n d i n g of h e t e r o g e n e o u s c o n c e p t i o n s has i n e v i t a b l y entailed a d e g r e e of a m b i g u i t y n their f o r m u l a t i o n w h i c h m a k e s it difficult t o d e t e r m i n e w h i c h e l e m e n t s are p r i m a r y a n d w h i c h are secon dary"^*". T h i s is also t h e case w i t h regard t o t h e c o n c e p t s of wis d o m in SapSal^*'^. W i s d o m is p r e s e n t e d as a p e r s o n ( 1 ; 6 - 1 0 ) ^ ^ , as m e d i a t o r in
199 Especially with regard to Philo's Quaestiones and the allegorical commentaries. Cf. C. Larcher, Etudes, p p . I 5 I - I 7 8 . 2 0 0 Cf. F. Ricken, "Gab es eine heUenistische Vorlage fur Welsh 13-16?", Bib 49 ( 1 9 6 8 ) 5 4 - 6 8 ; E. des Places, "Le Livre de la Sagesse et les influences grecques". Bib 5 0 ( 1 9 6 9 ) 5 3 6 - 5 4 2 ; C. Larcher, o.c, p p . l 8 1 - 2 3 6 ; J . M . Reese, Hellenistic Influ ence on the Book of Wisdom, AnBibl 4 1 , 1 9 7 0 . 201 D . G e o r g i , / S H / e Z 111/4(1980) 3 9 3 . 2 0 2 M. Kiichler, Weisheitstraditionen, p.20. Cf. D. Winston, Wisdom, pp.63f. w h o also defends the view that the author is "primarily addressing his fellow Jews in an ef fort to encourage them to take pride in their traditional faith" ( p . 6 3 ) . 2 0 3 G.W.E. Nickelsburg, Literature, p . l 7 5 . 2 0 4 Cf.J.M. Reese, o.c, pp.l 1 7 - 1 2 1 ; G.W.E. Nickelsburg, o.c, p.l 75. 205 D. Winston, Wisdom, p . 3 3 ; c f . D. Georgi, JSHRZ III/4 ( 1 9 8 0 ) 3 9 3 . 206 Cf. generaUy P. Dalbert, Theologie, pp.78-85; G. Ziener, Begriffssprache, pp.l09113; H. Hegermann, Schdpfungsmittler, pp.77f.; U. WUckens, ThWNT 1 ( 1 9 6 4 ) 499f.; P.E. Bonnard, Sagesse, p p . 8 9 - I I 2 ; C. Larcher, Etudes, p p . 3 6 2 - 4 I 4 ; D. Win ston, o.c, p p . 3 3 - 4 3 . 207 Cf. G. Ziener, o.c, p.l 12; H.F. Weiss, Untersuchungen, p p . 1 9 9 - 2 0 2 ; C. Larcher, o.c, p p . 3 9 8 - 4 1 4 ; JJW. Reese, Influence, pp.36-50; B.L. Mack, Logos und Sophia,
The Wisdom of Solomon
131
c r e a t i o n ( 8 , 3 - 4 ; 9 , 1 - 2 . 9 ) , as dwelling w i t h G o d ( 8 , 3 ; 9 , 4 . 9 - 1 0 ) , as a gift of G o d ( 7 , 7 ; 8 , 2 1 ; 9 , 4 . 1 0 . 1 7 ) , as p e r v a d i n g t h e e n t i r e c o s m o s and a t t h e same time enjoying intimacy with G o d ( 7 , 2 4 ; 8,1-3)^*. W i s d o m is also closely r e l a t e d w i t h -nvevna ( 1 , 6 ; 7 , 2 2 ; 9 , 1 7 ) 2 ° ^ a n d is also h n k e d w i t h \6yo<; (9,1.2)^'**. Wisdom r e p r e s e n t s t h e w h o l e s p e c t r u m of n a t u r a l science ( 7 , 1 7 - 2 1 ) a n d t e a c h e s all h u m a n a r t s a n d crafts ( 7 , 1 6 ; 1 4 , 2 ) . W i s d o m is t h e s o u r c e of a h m o r a l k n o w ledge ( 8 , 7 ) ^ ' ' a n d of i m m o r t a h t y . ( 8 , 1 3 ) . W i s d o m is s o m e t i m e s l i n k e d w i t h r i g h t e o u s n e s s ( 1 , 5 . 1 5 ; 3 , 1 ; cf. 5 , 1 . 1 5 ) . W i s d o m is syn o n y m o u s w i t h divine p r o v i d e n c e ( 7 , 2 7 ; 1 4 , 3 ) . W i s d o m is also t h e s o u r c e of p r o p h e c y ( 7 , 2 7 ) . T h e a t t a i n m e n t of w i s d o m i m p h e s m o r a l p r e r e q u i s i t e s : m a n h a s t o long for w i s d o m ( 6 , 1 2 - 1 3 ; 8 , 2 . 1 8 ) , a n d w i s d o m e n t e r s o n l y i n t o p i o u s souls ( 7 , 2 7 ) a n d i n t o t h o s e w h o are w o r t h y (6,16). S a p S a l m a k e s n o m e n t i o n of t h e fear o f t h e L o r d o r o f t h e J e w ish sacrificial c u l t . 6.3.2. The law. A l t h o u g h t h e terms voixoc; a n d ivToXfi^^^ o c c u r several t i m e s it is o b v i o u s t h a t t h e a u t h o r of SapSal seems t o avoid references t o t h e J e w i s h (!) l a w ^ ' ' . Possible r e f e r e n c e s t o t h e J e w ish l a w a r e 2 , 1 2 ; 6 , 4 ; 9 , 9 ; 1 8 , 4 .
208
209 210
211
pp.63-107; D. Winston, o.c, pp.34-38. H.F. Wdss, o.c, p.200 says with regard to passages like SapSal 8,3-4; 9 , 4 . 9 that "mit solcher Terminologie scheint nun allerdings die Grenze dessen erreicht zu sein, was mit d e m jiidischen Monothcismus noch vereinbar ist"; but he points out as well (regarding 7,25-26) that "die Weisheit eben nicht eine selbstandige oder etwa gleichwertige GrbBe neben Gott ist" (ibid.). Similarly J.D.G. Dunn, Christology, 1 9 8 0 , pp.l 72f. Note J.D.G. Dunn, o.c, p . 1 7 3 w h o points out on the basis of 7,15-16; 8,21-9,6 that the author of SapSal "has not the slightest t h o u ^ t of equating wisdom with some pantheistic ultimate reason ... of wisdom as an independent divine being. From start t o finish the wisdom of which he speaks is the wisdom of God and signifies God's wise ordering of creation and of those w h o fear him" (ibid.). Cf. C. Larcher, o.c, p p . 3 6 2 - 3 7 6 . Cf. H. Hegermann, o.c, pp.77f. w h o detects in SapSal the beginning of the "Ubergang der Sophiaspekulation auf die Logosgestalt" (p.78) which is more fully deve loped by Philo. He points out that both \dyoir and ao0ta are called nainodvvano(; ( 1 8 , 1 5 and 7 , 2 3 ) , and that both reside o n heavenly thrones ( 1 8 , 1 5 and 9 , 1 0 ) . Cf. G. Ziener, o.c, p p . l 0 9 f . w h o states that the main emphasis o f SapSal is the moral significance of 'wisdom'. Similarly S. Aalen, Begriffe, pp.l 75f. point out that according to 7,22-30 wisdom is "die moralische Lichtmacht, die im Menschen wirksam ist" ( p . l 7 6 ) .
2 1 2 fdMOc: 2 , 1 1 . 1 2 ; 6 , 4 . 1 8 ; 9 , 5 ; 1 4 , 1 6 ; 1 6 , 6 ; 18,4.9; ^ptoXt}: 9 , 9 ; 16,6. 2 1 3 Cf. K. Berger, Gesetzesauslegung, 1, p.45 w h o finds a "faktische inhaltiche Redu-
132
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Alexandria
In 2,12 the wicked are said to plan to entrap the just man since he reproaches them for their "sins against the law"(aMapTr)/iaTa vojiov)^^^. In 6,4 the author reproach es the kings that their judgment was not straight and that they "did not keep the law (i^vKdiieTe V6IMV) nor live (4-nofiev-&rtTe) according to God's will {^uXti)"215. in 9,9 S o l o m o n says that wisdom knows what is "right" {e'v^^i;) according to liis "com mandments" (ivT0\ai:<;), i.e. the commandments of G o d ^ l ^ . 18,4 belongs in the context of the Exodus and refers to the Israelites as people "through w h o m the im perishable light of the law (rd a^p^aprov voiiov ^w<;) was to be given to the world".
It is e v i d e n t t h a t this k i n d of e v i d e n c e m a k e s it i m p o s s i b l e t o establish t h e c o n c e p t of law of t h e a u t h o r of S a p S a l . It is safe t o a s s u m e , h o w e v e r , t h a t t h e law is c o n c e i v e d of as a universal e n t i t y . T h e significance of t h e p a r t i c u l a r i s t i c J e w i s h laws is p l a y e d d o w n . T h e e t h i c a l p e r s p e c t i v e of t h e law is e m p h a s i z e d . 6.3.3. Wisdom and law. R e c e n t l y it has b e e n d e n i e d t h a t SapSal identifies w i s d o m a n d l a w ^ ' * . O t h e r scholars d e f e n d t h e view t h a t
zierung des atl Gesetzes" and a "weitgehende Identifizierung mit Sozialgeboten Uberhaupt" in SapSal. However, there is insufficient evidence in SapSal with regard to the concept of law to substantiate this opinion. The i)rief discussion of the concept of law in SapSal by R.J. Banks, Jesus and the Law, pp.31f.,54f. is not satisfactory cither. It is true that SapSal refers to the Exodus and God's covenant, but these events arc nowhere related to the Jewish law. When Banks states (p.55) that ydpoc in SapSal embraces knowledge of the elements of the universe ( 7 , 1 7 - 2 1 ) , virtues not drawn directly from the law ( 8 , 7 ) , and divination of present riddles and future happenings ( 8 , 8 ) , it has to be pointed out that in all these instances no relation to the law in general or to the Jewish law in particu lar can be detected. As regards the concept of covenant in SapSal cf. A. Jaubert, A'o(>on,pp.350-373. 2 1 4 G. Ziener, Begriffssprache, p.93 thinks that 2,12 expresses the normative character of the Jewish law, and that udiio<; designates here "die Summe aller Vorschriften, welchc das Leben des Israeliten rcgeln". D. Winston, Wisdom, p.l 19 docs not comment on this phrase. 215 C. I.archer, Etudes, p.203 thinks that here v6id0<; "renvoic aux grandes obligations dc la loi naturelle entcrinees par les legislations de divers peuples". D. Winston, o.c, p.153 agrees that vo/ioq here means "natura! principles of justice", but empha sizes at the same time that "a number of Jewish Hellenistic writers viewed the Torah itself as an expression of natural law". Cf. EpArist 1 6 1 ; 4 M a c c l,16f.; 5,25; PhUo Op 3 , 1 4 3 ; VitMos 2 , 5 2 ; Abr 1 6 , 6 0 . 216 S. Holmes, APOT 1 ( 1 9 1 3 ) 5 5 0 comments that "his devotion to Scripture in this place overcomes the writer's philosophical theories". 217 D. Georgi, JSHKZ 111/4 ( 1 9 8 0 ) 464f. acknowledges that vonoq is here a reference to the Jewish law. Cf. also D. Winston, Wisdom, p . 3 1 1 . With regard to the concept of the obUgation to spread the teachings of the Torah to the Gentiles see Is 2; 4 2 , 1 - 6 ; TLev 14,4; ApcBar 4 8 , 4 0 ; 5 9 , 2 ; 4Ezr 7,20-24; 14,20. 2 1 8 Cf. D. Winston, o.c, p.42 w h o points out, at least, that this identification is no where stated explicitly (1). D. Georgi, o.c, p.395 states that "Sap kennt auch nicht
The Wisdom of Solomon
1 33
t h e a u t h o r k n e w a n d u s e d this i d e n t i f i c a t i o n ^ ' ^ . T h e c o r r e l a t i o n of w i s d o m a n d law can be seen as b e i n g i m p l i e d in 2 , 1 2 : t h e "sins against t h e l a w " are l i n k e d in s y n o n y m o u s parallelism w i t h "sins against o u r d i s c i p l i n e " (d/uaprrljUaTa rratSeta?). T h u s , i-djuo? a n d •naLbeia are closely r e l a t e d . F u r t h e r e v i d e n c e of t h e i m p h c i t i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of law a n d wis d o m is to be f o u n d in t h e passages w h i c h c o m p a r e b o t h w i s d o m a n d t h e law w i t h hght^^": 7,26 states t h a t w i s d o m is a n "efful g e n c e of everlasting l i g h t " {a-nai/yaaixa i^cord? dibiov) w h i c h c a m e i n t o t h e w o r l d w i t h c r e a t i o n a n d w h i c h organizes t h e w o r l d a n d c h e c k s d a r k n e s s a n d evil. 7,27 says t h a t w i s d o m dwells in t h e " f r i e n d s of G o d " of all g e n e r a t i o n s . A n d a c c o r d i n g t o 1 8 , 4 Israel possesses t h e " i m p e r i s h a b l e light of t h e l a w " (TO a^daprov vofxov F u r t h e r , it has b e e n p o i n t e d o u t in a general w a y t h a t in ch. 610 w i s d o m b e c o m e s a n e n t i t y " d i e alle B e z i e h u n g e n z w i s c h e n G o t t u n d d e m F r o m m e n umfaBt"^^^, a n d t h a t t h e a u t h o r of SapSal seems t o avoid t h e t e r m ' l a w ' for a p o l o g e t i c r e a s o n s p r e f e r r i n g t o s p e a k of w i s d o m " i n w e l c h e r sich der O f f e n b a r u n g s c h a r a k t e r ( 7 , 2 5 b ) u n d das N o r m a t i v e ( 6 , 1 8 ) des G e s e t z e s f i n d e n " ^ ^ ' . In other words, "Wisdom is conceived by him (i.e. the author) as a direct bearer of revelation, functioning through the workings of the human mind, and supreme arbiter of all values. She is clearly the Archetypal Torah, of which the Mosaic Law is but an image"224.
F u r t h e r , c h . 9-18 s e e m t o p r e s e n t i m p l i c i t l y t h e J e w i s h law as a m e a n s of o v e r c o m i n g t h e h i d d e n n e s s of w i s d o m : t h e 'men of t h e T o r a h ' of t h e O T are filled w i t h t h e divine spirit of w i s d o m ( 9 , 1 0 die Gleichsetzung von Weisheit und Gesetz"; cf. also idem, o.c, 464f. (ad 18,4).
pp.435 (ad 9 , 9 ) ,
219 Cf. W. Gutbrod, ThWNT 4 ( 1 9 4 2 ) 1042; S. Aalen, Begriffe, p . l 7 6 n.2; G. Ziener, Begriffssprache, p p . 9 3 , 1 1 3 ; P.S. Fiddes, Hiddenness, p p . 3 4 3 - 3 5 0 ; B.T. Viviano, Study, 1 9 7 8 , p . 1 4 0 . Implicitly acknowledged by D. Winston, o.c, p.43 when he says that the author of SapSal "very likely" believed "that the teachings of the Torah were tokens of Divine Wisdom, and that they were in harmony with the laws of the universe and as such implant all the virtues in man". 2 2 0 Contra D. Georgi, o.c, pp.464f. (ad 18,4). 221 S. Aalen, Begriffe, p.l 76 n.2 states in this context with regard to 7,27: "Die Weis heit als moralische Macht fallt zusammen mit dcm Gesetz alsmoralischem 'Licht' ". On 18,4 see ibid., p p . 1 8 7 , 1 9 4 . 222 G. Ziener, Begriffssprache, p.l 13. 2 2 3 G. Ziener, o . c , p . 9 3 . 224 D. Winston, Wisdom, p . 4 3 .
1 34
Later Jewish Writings from the First Century
A.D.
1 8 ; 1 0 , 1 - 2 1 ; 1 1 , 1 - 1 0 ) a n d also p r o v i d e object-lessons (= w i s d o m ) for a d m i r a t i o n a n d c o p y i n g of t h e p r e s e n t g e n e r a t i o n . A n d t h e miracles of t h e T o r a h a r e w i s d o m object-lessons as well (cf. 1 U l S lG; 12,24-27; 15,18-19; 16,6). 6.3.4. Summary. I n c o n t r a s t t o t h e c o n c e p t of w i s d o m w h i c h is p r o m i n e n t in S a p S a l — even if it is n o t h a r m o n i z e d i n t o a t h e o logical c o n c e p t u a l s y s t e m d u e t o its eclectic c h a r a c t e r - t h e c o n c e p t of t h e Q e w i s h ) law is n o t d e v e l o p e d at aU, This m a k e s a n y a t t e m p t at e s t a b l i s h i n g a n implicit or e x p l i c i t i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of w i s d o m a n d law i m p o s s i b l e , n o t t o s p e a k of t h e n a t u r e of s u c h a n identifica tion. N e v e r t h e l e s s w e have f o u n d several passages in w h i c h w i s d o m a n d l a w a r e closely r e l a t e d if n o t i m p l i c i t l y i d e n t i f i e d ( 2 , 1 2 a n d 7, 2 6 - 2 7 c o m p a r e d w i t h 1 8 , 4 ) . F u r t h e r , t h e miracles of t h e T o r a h s e e m to have b e e n u s e d as w i s d o m object-lessons. A n d finally, w i s d o m a p p e a r s t o be r e f e r r e d t o i n s t e a d of t h e T o r a h as e n t i t y w h i c h ' c o n t a i n s ' t h e will of G o d .
§7
Later Jewish Writings from the First Century
A.D.
7 . 1 . T h e F o u r t h B o o k of M a c c a b e e s T h e t r e a t i s e 4 M a c c ^ ' was c o m p o s e d in G r e e k ^ ^ b e t w e e n A . D . 4 0 a n d 1 1 8 ^ 2 7 i n A l e x a n d r i a o r in A n t i o c h in Syria^^*. 4 M a c c is a
225 See generally L. Rost, Einleitung, p p . 8 0 - 8 2 ; O. Eissfeldt, Einleitung, pp.8S 1-834; J.H. Charlesworth, Pseudepigrapha, p p . 1 5 1 - 1 5 3 ; U. Breitenstein, Beobachtungen zu Sprache. Stil und Gedankengut des Vierten Makkahderbuches, 1 9 7 8 ; G.W.E. Nickelsburg, Literature, p p . 2 2 3 - 2 2 7 . 2 2 6 We use the edition of A. Rahlfs, "Machabaeorum IV", Septuaginta, 1, pp.l 1571 1 8 4 ; and the translation of R.B. Townshend, "The Fourth Book of Maccabees", 4 ^ 0 7 2 (1913) 666-685. 2 2 7 Cf. O. Eissfeldt, o.c, p . 8 3 2 ; J.H. Chariesworth, o.c, p . l 5 1 . M. Hadas, The Third and Fourth Book of Maccabees, 1 9 5 3 , pp.95f. (foUowed by G.W.E. Nickelsburg, o . c , p.226) suggests A.D. 4 0 . Others suggest A.D. 1 1 7 / 1 1 8 . L. Rost, o.c, p.82 takes A.D. 7 0 as terminus ante quem. Recently U. Breitenstein, o . c , p p . 1 7 3 - 1 7 5 defended the first third of the second century A . D . as date of composition. 228 Cf. J.H. Charlesworth, o . c , p . l 5 1 . For Alexandria, cf. L. Rost, o . c , p . 8 2 ; 0 . Eiss-
The Fourth Book of Maccabees
I 35
r e p r e s e n t a t i v e of t h e earlier form of t h e diatribe^^^ a n d is s t r o n g l y d e p e n d e n t u p o n G r e e k a n d Hellenistic p h i l o s o p h y ^ ' * ' . T h e a u t h o r o b v i o u s l y h a d m a s t e r e d G r e e k t h o u g h t a n d l a n g u a g e ^ " . T h e sub j e c t of 4 M a c c is t h e p r o o f of t h e p r o p o s i t i o n t h a t " i n s p i r e d r e a s o n is s u p r e m e ruler over t h e p a s s i o n s " ( 1 , 1 ) ^ ' ^ . B u t t h e a u t h o r re m a i n e d a J e w as " J u d a i s m is t h e t r u e p h i l o s o p h y " ^ " for h i m . 7,1.1. The law. T h e t e r m vdftot; o c c u r s 3 8 t i m e s in 4 M a c c , al w a y s in t h e singular^'*. A c c o r d i n g t o 4 M a c c t h e O T legislation is t h e ipiX6ao(^o? Xoyoc; p u r e a n d s i m p l e ( 5 , 3 5 ; cf. 7 , 7 ) ^ " . I t is t h e " d i v i n e p h i l o s o p h y " {^eia ^ikoao^ia, 7,9), " d i v i n e l e g i s l a t i o n " (iJetoc WjUO<;, 6 , 2 1 ; 5 , 1 8 ; 1 1 , 2 7 ) , " i n s p i r e d r e a s o n " (ei)ae/3i7<; XoytaiJLOc;, 1 7 , 1 6 ) , t h e " r u l e of p h i l o s o p h y " (6 rfiq ipiXoaoipiaq Kauojp, 7 , 2 1 ) . T h e law of G o d w h i c h s h o w s w h e t h e r o n e faithfully follows this r u l e is, specifically, a d i e t a r y law ( 5 , 2 . 6 ; 6 , 1 5 ) . T o b r e a k this
feldt, o.c, p . 8 3 2 . For Antiochia, cf. M. Hadas, o.c, p p . 1 0 9 - 1 1 3 ; G.W.E. Nickels burg o.c, p . 2 2 6 . 229 Cf. L. Rost, Einleitung, p . 8 1 ; O. Eissfeldt, Einleitung, p . 8 3 2 ; J.C.H. Lebram, "Die literarische Form des vierten Makkabaerbuches", Vigiliae Christianae 28 ( 1 9 7 4 ) 8 1 - 9 6 ; U. Breitenstein, Beobachtungen, pp.l78f. 2 3 0 Often scholars emphasize the Stoic character of 4Macc. See 1. Heinemaim, PIV 14/1 ( 1 9 2 8 ) 8 0 0 - 8 0 5 ; L. Rost, o . c , p.81; O. Eissfeldt, o . c , p . 8 3 2 ; G. DeUing, "Perspektiven der Erforschung des heUenistischen J u d e n t u m s " , / / { / C 4 4 5 ( 1 9 7 4 ) 152-154. However, U. Breitenstein, o . c , pp.159-175 proved that 4Macc contains not only Stoic, but also Cynic, Peripatetic, Epicurean, and Pythagorean concepts, and con cludes that the author, Pseudo-losephos, was an "unselbstandiger, ... recht verstandnisloser Kopf" ( p . l 7 9 ; cf. p p . l 3 2 f . ) . He compares Ps-Iosephos with the author of SapSal whose writing he knew: both authors are Diaspora J e w s , influ enced by HeUenism but faithful to the law; both give to their rhetorical treatise a phUosophical imprint; both link their Jewish faith with the HeUenistic spirit; both teach the unmortality of the soul; and both affirm eternal retribution ( p . l 9 ) . 231 With regard to the vocabulary, language, style, and rhetoric of 4Macc see U. Brei tenstein, o . c , pp.13-130. He concludes that the author is a "Vertreter des sogenannten Asianismus, im ganzcn der pomposen Unterart dieser StUrichtung" (p.l 79). 232 "avToS4arroTo<; ioTiv rCJv nU'SCiv 6 evoefirn Koyiafidi;". 2 3 3 G.W.E. Nickelsburg, Literture, p . 2 2 6 . Cf. L. Rost, o . c , p . 8 2 ; G. DeUing, a.c, p. 153; P. Dalbert, Theologie, p.9; H. Hegermann, "Griechisch-jUdisches Schrifttum", Literatur und Religion des Fruhjudentums, ed. J . Maier, 1973 states that "inhaltlich vertritt er ein sich dem HeUenismus gcgeniiber abschUeBendes, gcsetzesstrenges Judentum". U. Breitenstein, o . c , p . l 3 3 asserts that "das jiidische Element iiberdeckt das echt griechische". 2 3 4 Cf. U. Breitenstein, o . c , p . 1 7 1 . See generally A. Jaubert, Notion, 235 Cf.G. DeUing, a . c , p . 1 5 3 .
pp.333-338.
1 36
Later Jewish
Writings from the First Century
A.D.
d i e t a r y law is " t o b r e a k t h e l a w of t h e f a t h e r s " {rov KaraXvaai vofiov, 5 , 3 3 ) .
ndrpiov
I n 4 M a c c vofioq clearly refers t o t h e Mosaic l a w , especially t o its r i t u a l s e c t i o n s (cf. 1 , 3 4 ; 2 , 5 ; 4 , 2 3 ; 5 , 1 6 - 3 8 ; 9,15)236. T h e o b e d i e n c e t o t h e T o r a h is t h e m o t i v a t i o n t o go i n t o m a r t y r d o m ( 5 , 1 6 ; 9 , 1 - 8 ; 1 6 , 1 7 - 2 2 ) . A n d t h e o b e d i e n c e t o t h e T o r a h is n o t d e p i c t e d as a S t o i c v i r t u e b u t as s h e e r o b e d i e n c e t o G o d (cf. 5 , 1 6 ; 9 , 2 ; 1 6 , 17.19)237. .\s " d i v i n e p h i l o s o p h y " ( 7 , 9 ; cf. 7 , 2 1 ; 1 7 , 1 6 ) , t h e J e w i s h law h a s a universal d i m e n s i o n . B u t it is also very closely l i n k e d w i t h Israel in general a n d w i t h Moses in p a r t i c u l a r (cf. 5 , 1 6 . 3 3 ; 9 , 2 ; 1 7 , 1 9 ) . T h e p u r p o s e of 4 M a c c e x p l a i n s w h y t h e e t h i c a l d i m e n s i o n of t h e l a w is stressed (cf. also 2 , 8 ; 1 3 , 2 4 . 2 6 ; 1 5 , 9 ; 1 9 , 1 ) . F o r t h e a u t h o r of 4 M a c c t h e c o n t e n t of evaefieia is " d a s u n b e d i n g t e Aush a r r e n im G e h o r s a m gegen das G e s e t z Gottes"2^*. 7.1.2. The concept of wisdom. T h e d e f i n i t i o n of ao^pia as " t h e k n o w l e d g e of t h i n g s , divine a n d h u m a n , a n d of t h e i r c a u s e s " {yvcbai<; deioov Kai dv^pcoirivojv irpayndrcov Kai rcbv TOVTOJV 1,16) is clearly S t o i c 2 3 ^ G o d himself is "all - w i s e " if)6q
{rtavao-
i^edc, 1,12). W i s d o m is " m a n i f e s t e d " u n d e r t h e (Stoic) forms
{ideal)
of
self-control
and
justice
{ippovQatq
as well as c o u r a g e a n d t e m p e r a n c e {dvSpeia
Kai
btKaLoavvri)
Kai aojippoavvr))
ac
c o r d i n g to 1 , 1 8 2 ^ . 7.1.3. Law and wisdom. T h e Palestinian a n d A l e x a n d r i a n i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of l a w a n d w i s d o m c a n be o b s e r v e d in 4 M a c c 2 * ' . I n
236 Cf. R.J. Banks,/e^uj and the Law, p . 5 4 . 237 O. Eissfeldt, Einleitung, p . 8 3 2 . 2 3 8 G. Delling, " P e r s p e k t i v e n " , 5 4 ( 1 9 7 4 ) 153 quoting 5,9.16; 9 , 2 . 239 Cf. Cicero Tusc 4 , 5 7 ; Seneca Ep 8 9 , 4 . Cf. U. Breitenstein, Beobachtungen, p.ib9. He emphasizes, however, that the martyrs of 4Macc are nevertheless not (!) Stoic 'wise men' (ibid.). 2 4 0 Representing the four cardinal virtues of Stoicism. Cf. O. Eissfeldt, Einleitung, p . 8 3 2 . U. Breitenstein, Beobachtungen, p . l 6 0 points out that both the Stoic main maxim of ethical behaviour, the 6tioKoriovtiivr\<; (rfi
The Fourth Book of Maccabees
137
1,1 7 we r e a d : " T h i s (i.e. w i s d o m ) 1 t a k e t o b e t h e c u l t u r e a c q u i r e d u n d e r t h e l a w (j) TOV VOUOV naideia), t h r o u g h w h i c h w e learn w i t h d u e r e v e r e n c e t h e things of G o d " . I n o t h e r w o r d s , t h e J e w i s h law is t h e s o u r c e of, a n d c o n t a i n s , vatbeia w h i c h is i d e n t i c a l (auTTj br) Toivvv eCTrtt", v . l 7 a ) w i t h aoi/;ia. In 5 , 3 5 " w i s d o m - l o v i n g r e a s o n " (ftXdaoifioq Xdyoq) is closely l i n k e d w i t h t h e v e n e r a t e d p r i e s t h o o d a n d w i t h t h e " k n o w l e d g e of t h e Idw"{vo(j.odeaia<; enLOTrjiiri)- T h e last p h r a s e i m p l i e s t h a t t h e M o s a i c legislation is said t o c o n t a i n einaTT}iJ.r) a n d is at t h e s a m e t i m e c o m p a r e d w i t h t h e ipiXooo^oq Xdyoq. T h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of l a w a n d w i s d o m , i.e. of t h e ' r e h g i o u s ' a n d of t h e ' p h i l o s o p h i c a l ' r e a l m s , is t h e basis of t h e e q u a t i o n of r e a s o n a n d piety2*2. T h e a u t h o r of 4 M a c c uses t h e t e r m ^iXoao^ia^'^^ as d e s i g n a t i o n for t h e J e w i s h view of w o r l d , h f e , a n d religion (cf. 5 , 1 1 . 2 2 ; 7 , 9 deia ipiXoaoipia of Eleazar; 7 , 2 1 ) . F o r t h e t y r a n t t h e priest Eleazar d o e s n o t s e e m t o b e a p h i l o s o p h e r since t h e old m a n still a d h e r e s t o t h e J e w i s h reUgion ( 5 , 7 ) . E l e a z a r a n s w e r s ( 5 , 2 2 ) : " Y o u scoff at o u r p h i l o s o p h y {•piXooo'fiia), as if u n d e r it w e w e r e hving in a m a n n e r c o n t r a r y t o r e a s o n (oO / / e r a eOXoytoTiaq^'^)". A n d t h e a u t h o r of 4 M a c c himself a d d r e s s e s Eleazar as " p h i l o s o p h e r of t h e divine l i f e " (iptXdaoipe '&eiov piov) a n d " y o u w h o live in h a r m o n y w i t h t h e l a w " {cb av^^(jOve vdytov) at t h e s a m e t i m e (7,7).
F o r t h e a u t h o r t h e ' p r o p e r ' p h i l o s o p h y (= w i s d o m ) c o n s i s t e d u n d o u b t e d l y in a p i o u s hfe a c c o r d i n g t o t h e J e w i s h law. T h e t e r m evaePeta o c c u r s 4 6 t i m e s a n d is t h u s o n e of t h e m o s t i m p o r t a n t c o n c e p t s of 4Macc2'*'. T h e J e w i s h evaejieia is c o n n e c t e d w i t h t h e G r e e k c o n c e p t of d p e r r j (cf. 5 , 2 4 ; 9 , 2 9 ) . It is bid Tr]v evoe^eiav'^*^ t h a t t h e m a r t y r s go i n t o d e a t h . Even r e a s o n is subject t o
242
248 244 245 246
sophia lasst Ps-Ios gar keinen Zweifei aufkommen: Sie ist aJlein durch das Gesetz bestimmt". G.W.E. Nickelsburg, Literature, p.226 emphasizes that "right reason takes its stand on wisdom, which is the Torah". Cf. S. Lauer, "Eusebes Logismos in IV Mace", JJS 6 ( 1 9 5 5 ) 1 7 0 - 1 7 1 , and especial ly U. Breitenstein, o . c , p p . 1 6 8 - 1 7 3 . We rely o n Breitenstein for the foUowing observations. Except in 1,1-2 where he uses the term, rather presumptuously, for his o w n activity. He calls his treatise a ipiXoootfiuiTaToi' \6yov. In 4Macc evKorfioria is equivalent with ; cf. 1 3 , 5 . 1 6 . Cf. U. Breitenstein, Beobachtungen, p.l69. Cf. 5 , 3 1 ; 7,16; 9 , 6 . 7 . 2 9 . 3 0 ; 11,20; 1 3 . 1 2 . 2 7 ; 15,14; 1 6 , 1 4 . 1 7 ; 17,7; I 8 , 3 ; c f . 6.22 with the expression vnep Tri<: eiiaepeia<;.
1 38
Later Jewish
p i e t y ; evae^rjq
Writings from
the first
Century
A.D.
is used as a n a t t r i b u t e vvdth Xoyiatioq
eiTiaTrln-q'^*^ : "6 evae^-qq
Xoyianoq
and
with
b e d e u t c t die V e m u n f t , die auf
F r o m m i g k e i t b e r u h t , V e m u n f t , w e l c h e ein ' f r o m m e s ' L e b e n g e w a h r l e i s t e t u n d u m d e r F r o m m i g k e i t willen sogar d e n M a r t y r e r t o d n i c h t v e r a c h t e t . Die V e r n u n f t folgt d e m G e b o t d e r F r o m migkeit"^**. A n d i t is o b v i o u s t h a t this evaeiSeia consists solely in o b e d i e n c e t o t h e l a w : Eleazar e m p h a s i z e s t h a t " w e , having a c c e p t ed t h e divine l a w {deioq vonoq) as t h e l a w of o u r c o u n t r y , d o n o t believe ( t h a t ) a n y s t r o n g e r n e c e s s i t y (AvdyKT)) is laid u p o n us t h a n that
of o u r
obedience
to
t h e l a w (rn<; trpdc;
rov
vonov
i)ijidjv
evtreir^eiaq, 5 , 1 6 ) " . T h e p h i l o - s o p h i a of 4 M a c e is solely deter m i n e d b y t h e J e w i s h law^*^. 7.1.4. Summary. F o r t h e a u t h o r of 4 M a c c t h e J e w i s h l a w is p r i m a r i l y t h e basis a n d s o u r c e o f t r u e p i e t y (evae^eia) a n d "divine p h i l o s o p h y " (deia ipiXoooipia). It is also t h e s o u r c e o f ooipia a n d naiSeia. As t r u e r e a s o n a n d (Jewish) p i e t y a r e o n e , so a r e w i s d o m a n d t h e ( J e w i s h ) l a w . I t is o b v i o u s t h a t t h e a u t h o r of 4 M a c c k n e w t h e Palestinian, a n d also A l e x a n d r i a n , i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of l a w a n d w i s d o m a n d c o u l d i n d e e d t a k e it so m u c h for g r a n t e d t h a t h e was able t o b a s e his e n t i r e t r e a t i s e o n t h e " i n s p i r e d r e a s o n (as) s u p r e m e ruler over t h e p a s s i o n s " ( 1 , 1 ) o n this c o r r e l a t i o n . F o r h i m t h e l a w is t h e basis, t h e s o u r c e , a n d t h e c o n t e n t of w i s d o m , a n d t h e o b j e c t of t r u e p h i l o - s o p h i a . T h e l a w d e t e r m i n e s evae^eia, i.e. all ethical a n d religious b e h a v i o u r , a n d i t d e t e r m i n e s a n d a m o u n t s t o t r u e r e a s o n . A n d o b e d i e n c e t o t h e T o r a h , as o b e d i e n c e t o G o d , is t h e highest value in h f e , even if i t leads i n t o m a r t y r d o m .
7.2. T h e F o u r t h B o o k of E z r a T h e a p o c a l y p s e of 4Ezra2'*' was originally v m t t e n i n H e b r e w ^ ' '
247 Cf. U. Breitenstein, o.c., p p . l 4 5 f . for references. 248 U. Breitenstein, o.c, p . l 7 0 . He quotes 7,1.4; 8 , 1 ; 1 3 , 1 6 ; 16,4 as further examples for the 'piety' of reason. S. Lauer, "Eusebes", 7 / 5 6 ( 1 9 5 5 ) 171 defines ei)a€0ri<; \oytoix6<: as "reasoning which follows the rules of piety (these rules being known to us from the divine law)" and, at the same time, as "reasoning for the sake of piety" (ibid.). 249 As a result, v6ti0'; can be exchanged for \(ry«r/jd<;; cf. 2,9-10. 250 See generally B. Violet, Die Esra-Apokalypse (IV Esra), GCS 18, 1 9 1 0 , pp.XII-
The Fourth Hook of Ezra
1 39
or A r a m a i c ^ ' ^ w h i c h was t h e n t r a n s l a t e d i n t o G r e e k . N u m e r o u s versions w h i c h are b a s e d o n t h e G r e e k t r a n s l a t i o n are e x t a n t w i t h t h e L a t i n version b e i n g t h e m o s t r e h a b l e ^ ' ' . T o d a y 4 E z r is general ly r e g a r d e d as a u n i t y , w i t h t h e e x c e p t i o n of t h e later C h r i s t i a n a d d i t i o n s in G r e e k ( c h . 1-2; 1 5 - 1 6 ) ^ ^ . This d o e s n o t e x c l u d e t h e possibility t h a t t h e a u t h o r used different a p o c a l y p t i c c o n c e p t s , traditions, and material^^'. T h e J e w i s h a u t h o r of 4 E z r 3-14 places his w r i t i n g i n t o a fic-
LXIV; G.H. Box, The Ezra-Apocalypse (2Esdras 3-14), 1 9 1 2 , pp.I-LXXVII; idem, 'TV Ezra", APOT 2 ( 1 9 1 3 ) 5 4 2 - 5 6 1 ; B. Violet, Die Apokalypsen des Esra und des Baruch in deutscher Gestalt, GCS 3 2 , 1 9 2 4 , pp.XII-LV; W.O.E. O e s t e r l e y , / / £ j dras: With Introduction and Notes, 1 9 3 3 , pp.XI-XLCII; L. Rost, Einleitung, pp.919 4 ; J.M. Myers, / and II Esdras: Introduction, Translation and Commentary, AB vol. 4 2 , 1 9 7 4 , p p . 1 0 5 - 1 3 4 (with up-to-date bibliography p p . 1 3 5 - 1 3 9 ) ; O. Eissfeldt, Einleitung, p p . 8 4 6 - 8 4 9 ; J.H. Charlesworth, Pseudepigrapha, pp.l 11-116; G.W.E. Nickelsburg, Literature, p p . 2 8 7 - 2 9 4 ; J . Schreiner, "Das 4 . Buch Esra", JSHRZ V / 4 ( 1 9 8 1 ) 291-309 (with Ut.); E. Brandenburger, D j V Verborgenheit Gottes im Weltgeschehen: Das literarische und theologische Problem des 4. Esrabuches, AThANT 6 8 , 1 9 8 1 , pp.9-57 (with a good introduction on pp.9-21 and a critical analysis of the history of research on pp.22-57). 251 Cf. L. Rost, o.c, p . 9 l ; O. Eissfeldt, o.c, p . 8 4 9 ; J . Schreiner, o.c, p . 2 9 5 ; A . F J . Klijn, "Textual Criticism of IV Ezra: State of Affairs and Possibilities", SBL 1981 Seminar Papers, 1 9 8 1 , p . 2 2 3 . 2 5 2 Cf. recently J.M. Myers o.c, pp.l 15-119; A.F.J. Klijn, a.c, p . 2 2 3 . 2 5 3 Cf. J.M. Myers, o.c, p.l 1 3 ; J . Schreiner, o.c, p . 2 9 6 . Regarding the present state of, and the possibilities for, textual ctiticism of 4Ezr see now A . F J . Klijn, a.c, pp.2172 2 7 . With regard to the history of transmission of the different versions see B. Violet, Esra-Apokalypse, pp.XII-XLVI; idem, Apokalypsen, pp.XIII-XXXIX; W. Harnisch, Verhdngnis, pp.15-17; J.M. Myers, o.c, p p . l 13-115; J. Schreiner, o.c, p p . 2 9 2 - 2 9 7 . With regard to the Latin version we rely o n R. Wever, 'TV Ezra", Biblia Sacra luxta Vulgatam Versionem, 2, p p . 1 9 3 1 - 1 9 7 4 . We use mainly the trans lations of G.H. Box, APOT 2 ( 1 9 1 3 ) 5 6 1 - 6 2 4 ; J M . Myers, / / Esdras, p p . 1 4 0 - 3 5 4 (with commentary) ;J. Schreiner, JSHRZ V / 4 (1981) 3 1 0 - 4 1 2 . 2 5 4 Cf. L. Rost, Einleitung, p.93;J.H. Charlesworth,Pseudepigrapha, p.l 12;J.M. Myers, o.c, p p . l 1 9 - 1 2 1 ; G. Mayer, "Zur judisch-heUenistischen Literatur", ThR 4 5 ( 1 9 8 0 ) 2 3 3 ; J . Schreiner, o.c, p . 2 3 3 ; C . Miinchow, £(AiA, pp.76f.;and especiaUy E. Bran denburger, Verborgenheit, p p . 2 7 - 3 7 , 9 I - 1 4 9 who established the "spannungsvolle Einheit eines Uterarischen und theologischen Ganzen" ( p . l 4 9 ) on the basis of the deciphering of a shift in the entire process of the apocalypse in visio 4 ( 9 , 2 6 - 1 0 , 59) which included a turning point in the attitude of Ezra (ibid., pp.58-90). 2 5 5 With regard to the aUeged dependency of 4Ezr o n AntBibl see M . R . J a m e s , Biblical Antiquities, pp.54-58; B. Violet, Apokalypsen, pp.XLII-XLIX; also W. Harnisch, Verhdngnis, p . l l n . l ; JM. Myers, o.c, p . l 3 2 ; O. Eissfeldt, Einleitung, p.853. But note J. Schreiner, o.c, p.3O0 who points out that "Beriihrungspunkte in Inhalt und Aussage (sind), auch ohne dafi eine Abhangigkeit vorliegen m u B , zu erwarten, werm die beiden Schriften aus der gleichen Zeit und dem namUchen MiUeu stammen. Dies aber diirfe der FaU sein".
140
Later Jewish
Writings from
the First Century
A.D.
t i o n a l s e t t i n g i d e n t i f y i n g himself, a n a c h r o n i s t i c a l l y , w i t h Salathiel, i.e. E z r a t h e scribe ( 3 , 1 ) . It is o b v i o u s t h a t t h e a u t h o r lived in Palestine^'^ a n d w r o t e after A . D . 70 d u r i n g t h e last d e c a d e ( s ) of t h e first c e n t u r y ^ ' ^ . 4 E z r is a d o c u m e n t of t h e late phase of a p o c a l y p t i c t h o u g h t a n d c a n b e r e g a r d e d as " o n e of t h e m o s t brilliant a n d original of t h e a p o c r y p h a l c o m p o s i t i o n s " 2 ' * , It can b e a s s u m e d t h a t t h e a u t h o r is a r e p r e s e n t a t i v e of Pharisaic a p o c a l y p t i c ^ ' ^ . He p r e s e n t s his case in a generally clearly a r r a n g e d m a n n e r w i t h t h r e e basic c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s : (1) seven so-called visions c o n t a i n i n g courses of events^^**, (2) t h e frame n a r r a t i v e ^ ^ ' , a n d (3) t h e d i a l o g u e b e t w e e n E z r a a n d t h e angel Uriel^^^
2 5 6 Cf. W. Mundle, "Das religiose Problem des 4 . Esrabuches", ZAW (, (1929) 2 2 3 ; A. Nissen, "Tora", NovTest 9 ( 1 9 6 7 ) 2 4 8 ; cf. W. Harnisch, o . c , p . l 5 ; L. Rost, o . c , p.94 (under the rule of Domitian 81-96 A.D.); J.H. Charlesworth, o . c , p.l 12; J . Schreiner, o . c , p . 3 0 2 . Others suggest R o m e : cf. B. Violet, o . c , p.L; O. EUsfeldt, o . c , p.849. 257 Cf. L. Rost, o . c , pp.93f.; J.M. Myers, o . c , p p . l 2 9 f . ; J.H. Charlesworth, o . c , p.l 12; O. Eissfeldt, o . c , pp.848f.; W. Harnisch, o . c , p . l l ; G.W. E. Nickelsburg, Literature, p . 2 8 7 ; J . Schreiner, o . c , pp.301f.; E. Brandenburger, o . c , p.l 11 ("knapp vor 100 nach Christus"); C. Rowland, Open Heaven, 1 9 8 2 , pp.254f. 258 J.H. Charlesworth, o . c , p . l l l ; cf. W. Harnisch, "Die Ironie der Offenbarung: Exegetische Erwagungen zur Zionsvision im 4. Buch Esra", SBL 1981 SeminarPapers, ed. K.H. Richards, 1 9 8 1 , p.80 commenting on visio 4 . 2 5 9 Cf. W. Harnisch, Verhdngnis, p.327 with n.4 (lit.); also L.L. Grabbe, "Chronography in 4 Ezra and 2 Baruch", SBL 1981 Seminar Papers, ed. K.H. Richards, 1 9 8 1 , p p . 5 8 - 6 2 ; A. Lacocque, "The Vision of the Eagle in 4 Esdras", in o . c , 1 9 8 1 , pp. 2 3 7 - 2 5 8 , here p p . 2 3 7 , 2 4 4 - 2 4 9 . A different viewpoint is defended by E. Branden burger, Verborgenheit, pp.154-161 w h o agues that the author of 4Ezr belonged to the cirlce of the (apocalyptic-prophetic) wise who exclusively and esoterically received not only the law but also apocalyptic secrets referring to 12,36-38; 14,6-8. 13.38-47. It should be noted that Brandenburger does not argue specifically against the assumption of a Pharisaic-apocalyptic author. 2 6 0 Visio I: 3,1-5,19; visio 2: 5 , 2 0 - 6 , 3 4 ; visio 3 : 6,35-9,25; visio 4 : 9 , 2 6 - 1 0 , 5 9 ; visio 5: 11,1-38; visio 6: 1 3 , l - 5 6 a ; visio 7: 14,1-50. Only visio 5 (eagle vision) and visio 6 (Son of Man vision), and with certain reservations visio 4 (Zion vision), are visions with interpretations in the strict sense of the word. Cf. E. Brandenburger, o . c , pp.l4f. 261 As introduction (3,1-3) and end ( 1 4 , 4 8 ) , and as link between the visions and the dialogue parts. Cf. E. Brandenburger, o . c , p p . l 5 , 9 1 - 1 0 7 . 262 This dialogue takes up at least two thirds of the entire material (visio 1-3). It is still discernible in visio 4 where, however, important changes regarding the subjectmatter and the persons are introduced. In 10,29-59 the angel is only angelus interpres, not engaging in a critical dialogue with Ezra. On visio 4 see now E. Branden burger, o . c , pp.58-90 and W. Harnisch, "Ironie", SBL 1981 Seminar Papers, pp. 7 9-104.
The Fourth
Hook of Ezra
141
Regarding this dialogue between Ezra and Uriel it has been shown that the author of the apocalypse expresses questions and laments through Ezra which are answered authoritatively by the angel as God's representative^^S. xhe laments of Ezra set forth a particular current of thought or Seinsverstdndnis and launch a dialogue as defined by the dispute. The author takes issue with that pressing current of thought proclaim ing a specific faith and theology which has its centre in the concept of the "life-giving law" ( 1 4 , 3 0 ) . He does not vacillate in his judgment "sondern vertritt eine mit seinen Mitteln mogliche Losung hinsichtlich der vorwurfsvoU, ja teilweise anklagend angefochtenen Gerechtigkeit Gottes (Theodizeeproblem). Diese Losung erscheint in der Regel durch die Engelreden, die belehren und enthiillen, also offenbaren. Dabei ist in der Sache wichtig, daB das zwar nicht immer, aber doch nicht selten als Ablehnung, Zurechtweisung, als deutliche Korrektur geschieht. Der Verfasser iiuBert sich also antithetisch"264. x h u s , as regards the dialogic part (visio 1-3), the opinion of the author is nearly exclusively expressed in the revelatory addresses of Uriel. As regards the visions part proper (visio 4-6), the author's opinion is again set forth in theheavenly revelations of Uriel as angelus interpres, but also in the speeches of Ezra in the Zion episode (9,38-10,24) and in the people's episode (12,40b-50) where Ezra takes over the role of Uriel265. Finally, as regards the testament part (visio 7), the opinion of the author represents the material position of the revelatory angel vis-a-vis the people. The farewell address expresses what the author intended to submit as sol ution for the problematic state of affairs, legitimized by Ezra as recipient of ancient revelatory heavenly wisdom266_
T h e c e n t r a l problem^^^ of 4 E z r is t h e fall of J e r u s a l e m w h i c h h a d t o be r e g a r d e d as r e s u h of Israel's sins a n d of h e r d i s o b e d i e n c e t o t h e law (cf. .3,25.34; 4 , 2 4 ; 8 , 1 6 - 1 7 ) 2 6 8 . Israel possesses t h e cov-
2 6 3 Cf. E. Brandenburger, Adam und Christus, 1 9 6 2 , p p . 2 7 - 3 9 , 5 4 - 5 8 , followed by W. Harnisch, Verhdngnis, 1 9 6 9 , pp.60-67 and J . Schreiner,/SH/?Z V / 4 ( 1 9 8 1 ) 302f. See now E. Brandenburger, Verborgenheit, 1 9 8 1 , pp.l 5 - 2 1 , 3 9 - 5 0 , 1 4 4 - 1 4 7 ; 150f., 156f. (correcting a few minor misunderstandings on the part of W. Harnisch, o.c, p p . 4 5 - 5 0 ) . Contra H. Gunkel, "Das 4 Buch Esra", Apokryphen und Pseudepigra phen des Alten Testaments, ed. E. Kautzsch, 2, 1 9 0 0 , p . 3 4 0 who argued that the dialogue expresses the inner struggle of the author w h o therefore talks wdth 'two voices'. Contra A.L. Thompson, Responsibility for Evil in the Theodicy of IV Ezra, SBLDS 2 9 , 1977, w h o suggests that the author argues on two levels. Also contra A.P. Hayman, "The Problem of Pseudonymity in the Ezra Apocalypse", JS] 6 ( 1 9 7 5 ) 4 7 - 5 6 who maintains that both Ezra and Uriel reveal the author's thoughts. The assertion of G. Mayer that the problem of the dialogue structure has not yet been solved (in ThR 4 5 / 1 9 8 0 , p.233) has been taken care of by E. Brandenburger, Verborgenheit, 1 9 8 1 , passim. 2 6 4 E. Brandenburger, Ker6or^enA«7, p . 4 4 ; cf. ibid., p p . 1 4 8 - 1 5 2 . 265 Cf. E. Brandenburger, o.c, p p . l 5 0 f . ; o n the Zion episode see ibid., p p . 7 4 - 8 4 ; and o n the people's episode see ibid., p p . 1 1 8 - 1 2 0 . 2 6 6 Cf. E. Brandenburger, o . c , p . l 5 1 ; on visio 7.see ibid., p p . 1 0 , 2 0 , 1 3 2 - 1 4 7 . 267 Cf. generally E. Brandcngurger, .Adam und Christus, p p . 2 7 - 3 9 , 5 4 - 5 8 ; W. Harnisch, Verhdngnis, p p . l 9 - 6 0 ; G.W.E. Nickelsburg, Literature, pp.293f.; J . Schreiner, JSHRZ V / 4 ( 1 9 8 1 ) 3 0 2 L ; C. Munchow, £«Wfe, p.78; E. Brandenburger, Verborgen heit, p p . l 1-14,17-19,42-50,154-161. 268 With regard to the historical review in 3,4-27 see now P.G.R. de Villiers, "Under-
142
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Writings from
the First Century
A.D.
e n a n t a n d t h e gift of t h e Torah b u t seems t o b e u n a b l e t o over c o m e t h e evil w h i c h c h a r a c t e r i z e s t h e h u m a n r a c e since A d a m . M o r e o v e r , Israel was p u n i s h e d b y sinful G e n t i l e s w h o t h e m s e l v e s live in p e a c e ( 3 , 2 9 - 3 6 ) . T h e s e different s t r a n d s of t h o u g h t w e r e o b v i o u s l y i n c o m p r e h e n s i b l e . W h y d i d G o d n o t m a k e his p r o m i s e s t r u e w h i c h w e r e c o n n e c t e d w i t h Israel's e l e c t i o n ( 3 , 2 8 - 3 6 ; 5,283 0 ; 6 , 5 3 - 5 9 ) ? W h y did G o d m a k e s u c h a difference b e t w e e n Israel a n d t h e G e n t i l e s ? As m a n k i n d as a w h o l e is subject t o sin since A d a m ( 3 , 5 - 2 6 ) , d i d this n o t d o o m t o failure G o d ' s p u r p o s e s in c r e a t i o n a n d salvation right from t h e s t a r t ? Since Israel c o u l d n o t avoid sin, as n o b o d y c a n , is it n o t G o d himself w h o has t o b e b l a m e d ( 3 , 8 ) ? ! T h e " S c h o p f e r t r e u e u n d G e r e c h t i g k e i t des G o t t e s I s r a e l s " were put m t o question""". T h e status quaestionis of t h e a u t h o r of 4 E z r i n c l u d e s t h u s t w o r e a l m s : t h e i n a b i l i t y t o c o m p r e h e n d t h e w a y s of G o d , a n d a cer tain a g i t a t e d i n d i g n a t i o n regarding t h e p r e d o m i n a n c e of the evil h e a r t in this w o r l d . T h e s e t w o c o m p o n e n t s " t h e m a t i s i e r e n b e i d e die U n s i c h t b a r k e i t heilvollen E r g e h e n s , die A b w e s e n h e i t g o t t l i c h e r H e i l s m a c h t , also die V e r b o r g e n h e i t G o t t e s i m Weltgeschehen''^^". In his c o n s c i o u s l y theological s o l u t i o n of t h e p r o b l e m ^ ^ ' the a u t h o r builds o n t h e p r o p h e t i c - a p o c a l y p t i c p r e s u p p o s i t i o n t h a t he has insight i n t o t h e h e a v e n l y secrets a n d t h a t h e is t h e r e f o r e able to disclose eschatological r e v e l a t o r y w i s d o m w h i c h can avert t h e crisis. T h e s k e p t i c i s m a n d t h e a r g u m e n t s w i t h G o d w h i c h are e x p r e s s e d in t h e t h o u g h t s a n d s p e e c h e s of Ezra in t h e d i a l o g u e p a r t are char a c t e r i z e d as folly a n d w r o n g a t t i t u d e in the t e s t a m e n t of Ezra ( 1 4 , 2 7 - 3 5 ) . Wise b e h a v i o u r is, as regards its c o n t e n t , u n d e r s t o o d as r e p e n t a n c e a n d e x e c u t i o n of t h e j u d g m e n t d o x o l o g y . Z i o n is c o n f r o n t e d w i t h its guilt, is called t o r e p e n t a n c e , a n d is p r o m i s e d — o n t h e basis of her a g r e e m e n t w i t h a n d e n d o r s e m e n t of G o d ' s w i s d o m w h i c h governs t h e w o r l d — t h e r e n e w e d gift of salvation in t h e e s c h a t o l o g i c a l p r o c e s s . T h e a u t h o r t h u s a d v a n c e s a d e u t e r o n o m i s t i c a l l y i n t e r p r e t e d d o c t r i n e of aeons^^^.
standing the Way of God; Form, Function, and Message of the Historical Review in 4 Ezra 3,4-27", SBL 1981 Seminar Papers, p p . 3 5 7 - 3 7 8 . 2 6 9 W. Harnisch, Verhdngnis, p . 5 8 . 2 7 0 E. Brandenburger, Verborgenheit, p. 165. For an analysis and evaluation of these t w o realms of the central problem see ibid., p p . 1 6 1 - 1 8 6 . 271 Cf. particularly E. Brandenburger, o.c., p p . 1 8 6 - 2 0 1 . 272 Cf. E. Brandenburger, o.c, p. 188. On t h e doctrine of aeons in 4Ezr see ibid..
The Fourth Book of Ezra
1 43
In the words of E. Brandenburger, "das Hauptanlicgen des 4Esr ist, d a 6 die in den anfanglichen vorwurfsvollen Klagen zu Wort kommende skeptische Infragestellung Gottes in der Wende visio 4 revidiert wird und von da aus erkeruiender Glaube die Skepsis im Lobpreis des Waltens Gottes (13,53b-58) iiberholt. Thema des 4Esr ist i n s o f e m die Erkenntnis der Herrschaft Gottes ( 1 3 , 5 8 ) . In der Zeit der Verborgenheit Gottes im Weltgeschehen hat solche Erkermtnis ein konkretes, geschichtliches Ziel: einerseits die Wiedergewirmung oder die Festigung des Vertrauens in das Walten ... Gottes, andererseits damit zugleich das Durchhalten des Gehorsams gegeniiber d e m weltordnenden Recht Gottes"273_
7.2.1. The Jewish law. T h e Mosaic T o r a h plays an i m p o r t a n t role in 4Ezr2^*. Even t h o u g h t h e a u t h o r refers t o secret revelations w i t h regard t o t h e e n d of t h e p r e s e n t a e o n ( 3 , 1 4 ; 1 4 , 5 . 2 3 - 2 6 ) , it is a b u n d a n t l y clear t h a t for h i m G o d has revealed himself in t h e law. In t h e T o r a h G o d revealed himself a n d his will t o Israel in an unambiguous way^'''. In 4 E z r t h e law has p r i m a r i l y a n eschatological-salvational significance^'^. T h e angel p r o c l a i m s t h a t e t e r n a l life a n d t h e g l o r y of t h e f u t u r e a e o n is o p e n t o all w h o are o b e d i e n t t o t h e law^^^. T h e p o s s i b i h t y of t h e fulfilment of t h e law is asserted^^^. T h e signifi c a n c e of t h e law in 4 E z r is especially a p p a r e n t in 7 , 1 7 - 2 5 , t h e first
p p . I 2 8 - l 3 2 , I 3 9 . , 1 5 2 f . , 1 7 4 - 1 7 6 , 1 9 0 - 1 9 6 ; cf. also W. Harnisch, Verhdngnis, pp.893 2 1 . As to the concept of the Messi.ih in 4Ezr see P.G.R. de Villiers, "Messiah", Neotestamentica 12 ( 1 9 8 1 ) 9 0 - 9 6 ; E. Brandenburger, o.c. p p . 1 2 7 , 1 3 0 , 1 4 0 . 2 7 3 E. Brandenburger, o.c, p . I 8 8 . On the chronography in 4Ezr see L.L. Grabbe, "Chronography", I 9 8 I , pp.49-63 w h o emphasizes that the end of the Roman Em pire and the restoration of Israel, through God's intervention, were expected in the near future. 2 7 4 Cf. generaUy W. Mundle, "Problem", ZAW 6 ( 1 9 2 9 ) 2 2 7 - 2 3 1 ; W. Harnisch, o . c , p p . 1 4 2 - 1 7 8 passim; M. Limbeck, Ordnung, p p . 9 7 - I 0 2 ; R J . B a n k s , a n d the Law, p p . 3 0 f . , 5 I - 5 3 ; J . R . MueUer, "A Prolegomenon to the Study of the Social Function of 4 Ezra", SBL 1981 Seminar Papers, I 9 8 I , p p . 2 5 9 - 2 6 8 ; C. Miinchow, Ethik, p p . 8 9 - 9 I , 9 4 ; E. Brandenburger, o . c , p.44. Brandenburger states that the theology of the author "hat ihr Zentrum im Gedanken des 'lebensspendenden Gesetzes' ( 1 4 , 3 0 ) " ( p . 4 4 ; cf. ibid., p . 2 0 4 s.v. "Gesetz"). The focus o n the concept of law U particularly apparent in 3 , I 9 ; 5 , 2 7 ; 7 , 7 9 . 8 9 . 9 4 ; 8 , 5 6 ; 9 , 3 I . S 7 ; 1 4 , 2 1 - 2 2 . 275 Cf. W. Mundle, "Problem", ZAW S ( 1 9 2 9 ) 2 2 7 . 2 7 6 Cf. W. Harnisch, Verhdngnis, p p . l 4 5 - I 4 9 ; M. Limbeck,Ordnung, p.97; C. Miinchow, Ethik, pp.89f.; also W. Mundle, a . c , p.228 and J.R. MueUer, "Prolegomenon", 1 9 8 1 , p p . 2 6 3 - 2 6 5 . Cf. E. Brandenburger, Verborgenheit, p.45 w h o asserts that for the author the law is "Garant und Trager des Lebens" and "Basis und VerheiBungsttager des HeUs" ( p . 6 2 ) . 277 Cf. 7 , 1 0 - 1 6 . 2 1 - 2 5 . 8 8 - 9 0 . 1 2 7 - 1 3 0 ; 8 , 3 9 ; 9,7-13. Cf. E. Brandenburger, o.c, with n . 2 1 . 278 Cf. W. Harnisch, o . c , p . I 5 2 ; C. Miinchow, o . c , p.89.
p.l7
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A.D.
pericope in w h i c h the angel deals with the topic of the law per se279. The central question which is dealt with here is the lot of the righteous and the wicked. T h e angel says: "Let the many w h o exist perish rather than that the law of God which has been commum'cated ( t o them) be slighted (v.20). For God (deus) has surely commanded (mandans mandavit) those coming (into the world) when they came what to do to live (vivere) and what course to take to avoid being punished (puniri, v.21)". The "lex" of v.l 7 is, without doubt, the Mosaic Torah^SO; this verse is probably formulated with relation to Deut 8 , 1 . However, "nicht das geschichtliche Geschick Israels, sondern die eschatologische Zukunft der Gerechten und der Siinder ist nach der Auffassung des Apokalyptikers in den Bestimmungen des gottlichen Gesetzes festgelegt"28I. This is also true for v . 2 1 : the attitude towards the law in the present aeon is decisive with regard to the fate o f the individual in the future aeon. The verbs "haereditare" and "puniri" in v.l 7 correspond with the verbs "viv ere" and "puniri" in v . 2 1 2 8 2 . h is important to note that the recipients of the law in w . l 7.20-21 are not mankind in general but Israel283 The author stresses his con viction that it is not the status electionis which guarantees life but the obedience to God's demands in the law. Thus the contrast just-ungodly, referring to groups within (!) Israel, moves into the centre of the theological conception (cf. 7,17-18). This con trast supersedes the traditional distinction between Israel and the Gentiles, without displacing or aimihilating this distinction totally.
H e n c e , the law fulfills a mediating role b e t w e e n the present and the future aeons since the eschatological salvation and c o n d e m n a -
279 On this passage see W. Harnisch, o.c, p p . 1 4 7 - 1 5 5 ; M. Limbeck, o.c, p.97;JJkl. Myers, / / Esdras, p p . 2 0 7 , 2 3 2 , 2 5 2 f . W. Harnisch, o.c, p p . l 4 7 f . points out that here the author is not satisfied with demonstrating the "Verhangnischarakterder Geschich te" and with proclaiming the concept of the eschatological abolition of the pre sent aeon, but that he supplements the fundamental consideration of 7,2-16 with an equally fundamental discussion of the law in 7,17-25 thus dealing with mis understandings which could arise from 7,2-16. 2 8 0 Cf. G.H. Box, Ezra-Apocalypse, p . l 0 5 ; D. Rossler, Gesetz, p . 5 0 ; W. Harnisch, o . c , p.148. 281 W. Harnisch, o.c, p . l 4 8 ; cf. A. Nissen, "Tora". NovTest 9 ( 1 9 6 7 ) 2 6 4 referring to 3 , 3 3 ; 5,29; cf. also E. Brandenburger, o . c , p p . l 7 5 f . w h o refers to the inner cormec tion between the law and the eschatological condition which is defended in 7,20-44. 282 Here "life" (vivere) signifies the eschatological existence in the future aeon which is not subject to mortality any more. This term, mostly in verbal form, occurs in 7,48. 6 0 . 6 6 - 6 7 . 8 2 . 9 2 . 1 2 9 . 1 3 1 . 1 3 7 - 1 3 8 ; 8 , 3 . 6 . 3 9 . 4 1 . 5 4 ; 9 , 1 3 . 1 5 ; 1 4 , 2 2 . 3 0 . Cf. W. Har nisch, Verhdngnis, p . 1 4 9 . 283 Contra G.H. Box, Ezra-Apocalypse, p . I 0 5 ; idem, APOT 2 ( 1 9 1 3 ) 5 8 1 ; W. Mundle, "Problem", ZAW S ( 1 9 2 9 ) 2 2 9 . FoUowing W. Harnisch, o . c , p . I 5 0 w h o defends Israel as recipient of the law even with regard to 3,32-36; 7,37.45-46 where the author probably thinks of a "zwar faktische, aber unbewufite Gebotsiibertretung (bzw. -bewahrung) der Heiden" rather than presupposing a knowledge of the Jewish law among the GentUes. Cf. also J A l . Myers, / / Esdras, p . 2 5 3 . In 7 , 1 2 9 - 1 3 1 ; 9,293 7 ; 14,28-32 Israel is clearly presented as recipient of the Torah.
The Fourth Book of Ezra
1 45
t i o n are d e c i d e d b y the p r e s e n t a t t i t u d e t o w a r d s t h e law^**. It is i m p h e d a n d even expressly s t a t e d t h a t t h e divine law can b e ful filled. T h e a u t h o r rejects t h e idea t h a t t h e n o r m s of b e h a v i o u r w h i c h are laid d o w n in t h e law (cf. 7 , 2 1 : " q u i d facientes . . . q u i d o b s e r v a n t e s ) are b e y o n d t h e ability of t h o s e w h o live in t h e pre s e n t a e o n ^ * ' . T h e p e r i c o p e s in 7 , 7 0 - 7 4 a n d 7 , 1 2 7 - 1 3 1 c a n b e c o m p a r e d w i t h 7,17-25286. T h e law in 4 E z r a p p e a r s as a n a b s o l u t e e n t i t y . This is t h e case even in t h o s e passages w h e r e r e f e r e n c e is m a d e t o t h e " c o m m a n d m e n t s " (pl.)287. T h e c o m m a n d m e n t s are o f t e n l i n k e d wath G o d ' s c o v e n a n t w i t h Israel ( 4 , 2 3 ; 5 , 2 9 ; 7 , 2 4 . 8 3 ; 8 , 2 7 ) , as is t h e law ( 3 , 1 5 - 2 0 ; 5 , 2 7 ; 9 , 2 9 - 3 2 ; 14,3-6)288. T h e gift of t h e l a w is " d i e ausschheBliche Weise d e r E r w a h l u n g Israels"28^. T h u s , t h e a u t h o r of 4 E z r d e f e n d s t h e salvational-eschatological significance a n d effectiveness of t h e law for Israel, i m p l y i n g its e t h i c a l dimension2^*'. T h e e t h i c a l o r i e n t a t i o n of t h e law b e c o m e s a p p a r e n t in t h e c o m p a r i s o n of t h e T o r a h w i t h light (lux, l u m e n ) in 1 4 , 2 0 - 2 1 (cf. 10, 22)291. T h e law is c o r r e l a t e d w i t h hfe ( 7 , 1 2 9 ; 9 , 3 1 ; 1 4 , 2 2 . 3 0 ) . It
284 W. Harnisch, o.c, p.145 points out in this context that thus is "die These von der radikalen Diskontinuitat der beiden Aonen durch die Behauptung der Kontinuitat des Gesetzes zumindest eingeschtankt"; cf. also C. Miinchow, Ethik, p p . 8 9 , 9 4 . The view that man is judged because he despised the law is also apparent in 7 , 2 4 . 3 7 . 7 2 . 7 9 . 8 1 ;8,56;cf. 7 81 ;cf. W. Mundle,a.c., p.229. A. Nissen, "Tora", Nov Test 9 ( 1 9 6 7 ) 2 6 4 also stresses that in 4Ezr the Torah is the "Mittel und Mafistab des Gerichts", referring to 7,21-25; 14,35; 9,7; 1 3 , 2 3 ; 8,31-36; 3 , 3 4 . Cf. E. Bran denburger, Verborgenheit, p. 167 n.66 w h o points out that the constitutive correla tion of law and concepts of judgment is evidenced by the phrases commandments/ precept ( 3 , 3 2 - 3 3 . 3 5 - 3 6 ) , sin/sacrifice (3,29-30.34-35), reward/fruit ( 3 , 3 3 ) , the scales of the judge ( 3 , 3 4 ) . The judgment according to works is mentioned in 6,5; 7,35; 1 4 , 3 5 . E. Brandenburger, o.c, p p . 1 5 4 , 1 6 3 , 1 7 0 showed that the author of 4Ezr did not propagate universal salvation. 285 This does not mean that the author of 4Ezr denies the fact that most people (like Adam!) were defeated by the attack of the enemy: cf. 7,22-44. On the j n n IS' in 4Ezr see W. Harnisch, Verhdngnis, p p . 1 6 5 - 1 7 5 ; C. Munchow, Ethik, pp.879 0 ; E. Brandenburger, Verborgenheit, pp. 2 8 6 See the detailed discussion of these passages in W. Harnisch, o . c , pp. 155-164. 287 Mandata: 3 , 3 3 . 3 5 . 3 6 ; 7 , 7 2 ; legitima: 7 , 2 4 ; 9 , 3 2 ; 1 3 , 4 2 ; dispositiones: 4 , 2 3 ; c o n s t i tutiones: 7 , l l ; c f . 7,45; sponsiones: 5,29; 7,24; diligentiae: 7,37. 2 8 8 Cf. R.J. B a n k s , / e s u j and the Law, pp.30f. 289 K. Midler, "Geschichte", 1 9 7 3 , p . l 0 3 referring to 5,27. 2 9 0 Cf. E. Brandenburger, o.c, p p . l 9 0 f . and C. Munchow, o.c, pp.91-95 who empha size the relatedness of the obedience to the law, i.e. ethics, and eschatology. 291 Cf. S. Aalen, Begriffe, p p . 1 8 2 , 1 8 5 ; W. Mundle, "Problem", ZAW 6 ( 1 9 2 9 ) 2 2 8 ;
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is a l w a y s clear t h a t it is Israel w h o possesses t h e law a n d w h o is d i s t i n g u i s h e d b y it (cf. 5 , 2 7 ; 8,12-29)292. T h e r i g h t e o u s will k e e p G o d ' s w a y s , i.e. o b s e r v e t h e law (cf. 7 , 8 8 - 9 9 ; 1 4 , 3 1 . 3 4 ) . I n 7,79 t h e fear of t h e L o r d is c o n n e c t e d w i t h t h e k e e p i n g of t h e l a w . T h e significance of t h e law is also stressed b y t h e s t a t e m e n t of its eter nal d u r a t i o n : t h e T o r a h was p r e s e n t in t h e p a r a d i s e w i t h A d a m in nuce (7,11)293 j^. . . ^ j j c e a s e " (lex n o n p e r i t ) b u t it " e n d u r e s ( p e r m a n e t ) in its m a j e s t y " (9,37)29*, T h e law is also u n d e r s t o o d t o b e " d a s d e r W e l t o r d n u n g z u g r u n d e liegende R e c h t G o t t e s " 2 9 ' , ^ c o n c e p t w h i c h is d e v e l o p e d in 3,42 7 . In t h e c o n t e x t of t h e first c o m p o n e n t of t h e t h e o l o g i c a l p r o b lem of 4 E z r , t h e i n a b i l i t y t o c o m p r e h e n d t h e w a y s of G o d , E z r a e x a m i n e s " o b die m i t d e m R e c h t v e r b u n d e n e G r u n d o r d n u n g d e r E n t s p r e c h u n g v o n T u n u n d E r g e h e n sich i m W e l t g e s c h e h e n reahsiert, o b also G o t t seiner F u n k t i o n als W a h r e r d e r W e l t o r d n u n g g e r e c h t vnrd"^, w h i c h is n e g a t e d in visio 1. W i t h regard t o t h e p r o b l e m of t h e evil h e a r t of m a n , Ezra levels severe o b j e c t i o n s against t h e law as " d i e Welt f o r d e r h c h o r d n e n d e s R e c h t G o t t e s " as t h e p r e d o m i n a n c e of t h e evil h e a r t p r e v e n t e d t h e e n f o r c e m e n t of G o d ' s c r e a t i o n a l p o w e r in t h e m a i n t e n a n c e a n d p r o t e c t i o n of t h e law297. T h e c o n t i n u o u s i n t e r e s t of t h e a u t h o r lies in t h e vigor o u s d e f e n s e of t h e law as c r e a t i o n a l reality as w e l l : " R e c h t u n d Gericht Gottes gehoren zur G r u n d o r d n u n g der Schopfung, u n d z w a r so s e h r , dafe sie im R a n g vor der S c h o p f u n g s w i r k l i c h k e i t selbst e i n g e o r d n e t sind"298. T o s u m u p , in 4 E z r t h e law has a salvational eschatological significance b a s e d o n t h e ethical c h a r a c t e r of its c o m m a n d m e n t s . T h e law is a l w a y s Israel's T o r a h . T h e p i o u s are called u p o n t o k e e p
W. Harnisch, o.c., pp.203f.; JM. Myers, / / Esdras, p . 3 2 3 . For the Torah, or the word, as Ught cf. Ps 19,8; 1 1 9 , 1 0 5 ; Prov 6,23; SapSal 18,4; Sir 4 5 1 7 G ; TLev 14 4; 19,1. 2 9 2 Cf. W. Harnisch, o.c,
pp.28f.; M. Limbeck, Ordnung,
pp.97f.
2 9 3 Cf. W. Harnisch, Verhdngnis, p . l 0 7 with n.6. 2 9 4 Cf. ApcBar 7 7 , 1 5 . The term "majesty" or "dignity" (honor) designates "the last ing, effective, directive, proven, moral quality of the law" {JM. Myers, II Esdras, p.271 ad loc.). 295 E. Brandenburger, Verborgenheit, pp.l66,16S n.67. 2 9 6 E. Brandenburger, o.c, p . l 6 7 . 297 E. Brandenburger, o . c , p p . 1 7 1 - 1 7 3 . 2 9 8 E. Brandenburger, o . c , p . l 9 0 .
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t h e law a n d t o walk in its w a y s in o r d e r t o secure e s c h a t o l o g i c a l s a l v a t i o n w h i c h is d e c i d e d b y o n e ' s a t t i t u d e t o G o d ' s will as e m b o d i e d in t h e T o r a h . T h e c r e a t i o n a l significance of t h e l a w for Israel is a n i m p o r t a n t c o n c e r n for t h e a u t h o r of 4 E z r as well. 7.2.2. The concept of wisdom. First it has t o b e n o t e d t h a t t h e form of t h e dialogue in 4 E z r w i t h its succession of q u e s t i o n s a n d a n s w e r s is " i n f o r m a l e r H i n s i c h t . . . w o h l e i n e S t i l f o r m d e r Weisheitsbelehrung"299. M o r e o v e r , t h e historical review in 3 , 4 - 2 7 a n d o t h e r p e r i c o p e s re flect t h e a u t h o r ' s p r o x i m i t y t o w i s d o m t h o u g h t as well: this is indi c a t e d (1) b y t h e i m p o r t a n c e of c o s m o l o g y , (2) b y t h e c o n c e p t i o n of h i s t o r y as c o n s i s t i n g of a p r e d e s t i n e d c o u r s e of e v e n ts w h i c h is laid d o w n in t h e s t r u c t u r e of t h e w o r l d , a n d (3) b y t h e stress o n u n d e r s t a n d i n g G o d ' s w a y w i t h this world'*'*'. F u r t h e r , it has b e e n o b s e r v e d t h a t 4 E z r aims a t e x t e n d i n g t h e s e q u e n c e M o s e s - p r o p h e t s - E z r a b y o n e t e r m : t h e wise m e n (cf. 1 2 , 3 8 ; 1 4 , 1 3 . 2 6 . 4 6 ) ' * * ' . T h e s e wise m e n are n o t s i m p l y p i o u s p e o p l e w h o s e t a s k it is t o c o m m u n i c a t e t h e secret k n o w l e d g e w h i c h ' E z r a ' possesses ( 1 2 , 3 8 ; 1 4 , 2 6 . 4 6 ) ' * ' 2 , b u t t h e y are t e a c h e r s like E z r a w h o c o n t i n u e his activities in t h e t e a c h i n g of t h e l a w a n d a d m o n i s h i n g the people'*".
299 G. von Rad, Theologie, 2 , pp.325f.; cf. also W. Harnisch, Verhdngnis, p.65 n.2. K. Miiller, "Geschichte", 1 9 7 3 , p . l 0 2 points out that 4Ezr is strongly influenced by the concepts of theological wisdom. He criticizes M. Limbeck, Ordnung, pp. 9 7 - 1 0 2 for not taking into account this evidence (ibid., p . l 0 2 n.47). See recently E. Brandenburger, Verborgenheit, p.63 acknowledging the sapientia] origin of the pattern of argumentation in visio 1-3. 3 0 0 Cf. P.G.R. de Villiers, "Understanding the Way of God: Form, Function, and Mes sage of the Historical Review in 4 Ezra 3,4-27", SBL 1981 Seminar Papers, 1 9 8 1 , p p . 3 6 4 - 3 6 6 , relying on G. Reese, Die Geschichte Israels in der Auffassung des fruhen Judentums, Diss.theoL Heidelberg, 1967, p p . 1 3 6 - 1 4 4 w h o described the affinities of the author of 4Ezr with wisdom thought. It seem to be exaggerated, however, when de Villiers states that 4Ezr has to be understood (exclusively?) in the wisdom c o n t e x t ( o - c , p . 3 6 6 ) . In view of the decisive eschatological and salva tional significance of the law it is inadequate to refer to the intellectual understand ing of God's ways with the world as conditio sine qua non for salvation (contra de ViUiers, a . c . p p . 3 6 1 - 3 6 5 ) . 301 O.H. Steck, Israel, 1 9 6 7 , p . I 7 9 ; cf. also B. Violet, Apokalypsen, pp.I70,I92. 1 9 6 , 2 0 1 . See E. Brandenburger, Verborgenheit, p p . 1 5 4 - 1 6 1 , 1 9 7 w h o argues that the author of 4Ezr belonged to the circles of (apocalyptic-prophetic) wisdom. 3 0 2 Cf. 14,45-46 where they are differentiated from the "worthy (I) and unworthy". 3 0 3 Cf. O.H. Steck, o . c , pp.l 79f. He admits that there is no clear textual proof for this
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T h e m o t i f of u n d e r s t a n d i n g a n d c o m p r e h e n s i o n is i m p o r t a n t in 4 E z r ' ° * : in t h e evil t i m e s before t h e e n d , a n d in t h e t i m e of t h e m e s s i a n i c w o e s , u n d e r s t a n d i n g of G o d a n d his ways wiU be lacking ( 3 , 1 3 ; 5 , 1 . 1 0 ; 1 4 , 2 0 - 2 1 ) ; a n d t h e 70 b o o k s of Ezra w h i c h w e r e revealed t o h i m b y G o d ( 1 4 , 2 2 ) m e d i a t e t h e k n o w l e d g e of G o d (12,36.47). In 4 E z r ' w i s d o m ' is o f t e n secret k n o w l e d g e ( 1 4 , 2 5 - 2 6 ' ° ' ) . In 1 4 , 4 0 t h e t e r m s " i n t e l l e c t u s " a n d " s a p i e n t i a " b e l o n g to t h e por t r a i t u r e of divine i n s p i r a t i o n ( 1 4 , 3 7 - 4 4 ) t h a t led t o t h e w r i t i n g of the 9 4 books which included the canonical a n d the apocryphal t r e a t i s e s ' " ^ , x h e " l i g h t of u n d e r s t a n d i n g " ( l u c e r n a i n t e l l e c t u s ) in 1 4 , 2 5 refers t o t h e d i c t a t i o n of these b o o k s . In t w o passages w i s d o m a p p e a r s as p e r s o n . In 5 , 9 b - 1 0 " r e a s o n " (sensus) is said t o b e c o m e o b s c u r e a n d " i n s i g h t " (intellectus) is " c o n f i n e d t o its c h a m b e r a n d s o u g h t in vain b y m a n y " ' " ^ T h i s p e r i c o p e belongs t o t h e long list of " s i g n s " w h i c h will h a p p e n b e f o r e t h e last days ( 5 , 1 - 1 2 ) . In 1 3 , 5 5 " w i s d o m " (sapientia) is called " m o t h e r " ( m a t e r ) ' " 8 . In 8,52 w i s d o m is d e s c r i b e d as a gift t o t h e r e d e e m e d in t h e f u t u r e a e o n ' " 9 . W h e t h e r w i s d o m has a c r e a t i o n a l d i m e n s i o n as well 310 m u s t r e m a i n an a s s u m p t i o n . T h u s it is o b v i o u s t h a t t h e w i s d o m c o n c e p t is n o t d e v e l o p e d b u t o n l y r e f e r r e d to in passing, especially since it is c o n d i t i o n e d b y t h e
304 305
306
307
308 309 310
interpretation but points out that "da aber Umkehr und Gehorsam des Volkes das dgentiiche Ziel des 4Ezr ist ... und Esra selbst dahingehend wirkt, ist Entsprechendes auch von den Weisen zu erwarten" ( p . l 8 0 n . l ) . Cf. P.G.R. de Villiers, "Understanding", 1 9 8 1 , p p . 3 6 1 - 3 6 4 . For the expression "fountain of wisdom" (sapientiae fons) in 14,47 see Prov 18,4; Sir 2 4 , 3 0 ; En(sl) 4 8 , 1 ; 4 9 , 1 ; OdSal 6,8ff. C f . J . M . Myeis, II Esdras, p . 3 2 6 . Regard ing the significance of the term "secret(s)" in 4Ezr 1 0 , 3 8 ; 1 2 , 3 6 . 3 8 ; 14,5 see E. Brandenburger, o.c, p p . 1 9 7 - 2 0 1 . Cf. G.H. Box, Ezra-Apocalypse, pp.318f.; idem, APOT 2 (1913) 6 2 3 ; J.M. Myers, o.c, p . 3 2 9 . B.Violet, Apokalypsen, p.200 gives oiiKeai?, H i ' D , n a i 3 n , n y T and CTOi^ia/naan as equivalents for "intellectus" and "sapientia"; cf. also E. Branden burger, o.c, p.l 1 with n.8. Cf. En(cth) 4 2 ; 9 1 , 1 0 ; 9 4 , 5 ; ApcBar 4 8 , 3 6 ; 7 0 , 5 . The Greek equivalents for "sen sus" and "intellectus" here are oo^la (avveoK) and ^(tictttj^tj; cf. B. Violet, Apo kalypsen, p.27. Cf. also M. Kiichler, Weisheitstraditionen, p.ll. Cf.J.M. Myers,IIEsdras, p.313 w h o compares 1 IQPs^lS.Sff. Cf. W. Harnisch, Verhdngnis, pp.94 n . l , 1 1 2 n . l , 1 2 6 n.4; E. Brandenburger, Verborgenheit, p . 8 3 . Assumed by E. Brandenburger, o.c, p . 6 3 .
The Fourth Book of Ezra
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c o n t e n t a n d p u r p o s e of 4 E z r . T h e fact t h a t t h e a u t h o r c h o s e t h e s a p i e n t i a l form of t h e dialogue does n o t m e a n , of c o u r s e , t h a t 4 E z r is a ' w i s d o m b o o k ' . This choice c a n easily b e e x p l a i n e d b y m a t e r i a l reasons as this f o r m allows t h e a u t h o r t o a c c e n t u a t e a p a r t i c u l a r t h e o l o g i c a l c o n c e p t i o n of scepticism o n t h e b a c k g r o u n d of a t o t a l l y d i f f e r e n t w a y of t h i n k i n g . B u t it is e q u a l l y o b v i o u s t h a t t h e w i s d o m t r a d i t i o n has left its m a r k s in 4 E z r : w i s d o m char acterizes c e r t a i n p e o p l e w h o a r e " w i s e m e n " ; w i s d o m a p p e a r s as a p e r s o n ; w i s d o m plays a n i m p o r t a n t role in t h e e n d t i m e s ; w i s d o m is a n e s c h a t o l o g i c a l gift in t h e f u t u r e a e o n ; a n d w i s d o m - this is t h e a p o c a l y p t i c e l e m e n t — is e s o t e r i c k n o w l e d g e i m p a r t e d b y ecsta tic i n s p i r a t i o n . T h e n e x t s e c t i o n shows t h a t w i s d o m is also h n k e d w i t h t h e law. 7.2.3. The law and wisdom. T h e r e are several passages w h i c h c o r r e l a t e law a n d w i s d o m in a very i n t i m a t e w a y ' ' ' . In 5,9-11 w i s d o m is i d e n t i f i e d w i t h r i g h t e o u s n e s s (iustitia) - b o t h are h i d i n g t h e m s e l v e s in t h e last d a y s - w h e r e a s in 7 , 8 8 - 9 9 r i g h t e o u s n e s s is i d e n t i c a l w i t h t h e k e e p i n g of t h e law. T h u s , 5 , 9 - 1 1 implies t h e i d e n t i t y of law a n d w i s d o m . In 7 , 7 0 - 7 4 " 2 t h e angelus interpres e m p h a s i z e s again t h a t m a n has n o e x c u s e in j u d g m e n t : he has received " r e a s o n " ( s e n s u s ) ' " .
311 Contra U. Luck, "Weltverstandnis", ZThK 73 ( 1 9 7 6 ) 2 9 2 - 2 9 4 who maintains that in 4E2r "die Einheit von Gesetz und Weisheit so nicht besteht" as in Sir and in SapSal but that, instead, it is the apocalyptic teacher w h o now appears as wisdom teacher: "Jetzt vermittcit der Apokalyptiker das, was der Weisheit z u k o m m t : die Frage nach der Gerechtigkeit zu beantworten angesichts der Welterfahrung" (pp. 2 9 3 f.). The identity of law and wisdom in 4Ezr is recognized by O.H. Steck, Israel, p . l 8 0 ; K . Miiller, "Geschichte", 1 9 7 3 , p p . l 0 2 f . ; R J . BAX)k%,Jesusandthe Law, p . 6 9 ; M. Kuchler, Weisheitstraditionen, p.80; cf. A. Nissen, "Tora", NovTest 9 ( 1 9 6 7 ) 2 4 8 with n.9;J.M. M y e r s , / / £ j d r o s , p . 2 4 3 . E. Brandenburger, Verborgenheit, p.197 comes close to an acknowledgement of the identity of law and wisdom in 4Ezr when he states regarding apocalyptic theology as expressed in 4Ezr that "der Gesetzesgehorsam soU durch den Einblick in das die Zeiten iibergreifende Sinngefiige als weises Verhalten einsichtig gemacht werden". C. Miinchow, Ethik, does not refer to the correlation of wisdom and law as regards 4Ezr. 3 1 2 On this passage see W. Harnisch, Verhdngnis, pp.l55-lS$. 3 1 3 With regard to the term "sensus" ( 7 , 6 2 . 6 4 . 7 2 ) B. Violet, Apokalypsen, p . 8 4 sug gested the Hebrew term ' as original; cf. the discussion in W. Harnisch, o.c, pp. 1 5 5 - 1 6 1 . Harnisch identifies "sensus" in 7,72 (in contrast to 7,64) vvrith the I S ' ( p . l 6 1 ) . CL A.L. Thompson, Responsibility, pp.333f. who demonstrated the weakness of Violet's suggestion. J. Schreiner, JSHRZ V / 4 ( 1 9 8 1 ) ad loc. solves the
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" c o m m a n d m e n t s " ( m a n d a t a ) , a n d t h e law ( l e x ) , b u t m e n have c o m m i t t e d i n i q u i t y d e s p i t e their r e a s o n , t h e y h a v e n o t o b s e r v e d t h e c o m m a n d m e n t s , a n d t h e y have b r o k e n t h e l a w ( v . 7 2 ) . As t h e t e r m s " s e n s u s " , " m a n d a t a " , a n d " l e x " a r e parallel a n d c o n t r a s t e d w i t h " c o m m i t t i n g i n i q u i t y " w h i c h consists in b r e a k i n g t h e l a w , it is o b v i o u s t h a t h e r e l a w a n d w i s d o m a r e also i d e n t i f i e d . 8 , 7 - 1 3 c o m p a r e s t h e individual w h o is first s h e l t e r e d in t h e m o t h e r ' s w o m b , t e n d e r l y n u r t u r e d after b i r t h , a n d t h e n i n s t r u c t e d for life b y t h e p a r e n t s , w i t h Israel w h o was " c o n c e i v e d in t h e c h o i c e of t h e L o r d , s h e l t e r e d a n d n u r t u r e d b y h i m i n t o m a t u r i t y , a n d t h e n i n s t r u c t e d in his l a w " ' ' * . In 8,12 " l a w " (lex) a n d " w i s d o m " (intellectus) s t a n d in s y n o n y m o u s p a r a l l e l i s m : l a w a n d w i s d o m a r e seen as o n e a n d t h e s a m e ' " . T r u e w i s d o m is o b e d i e n c e t o t h e law, a n d t h e k e e p i n g of t h e c o m m a n d m e n t s m a k e s o n e t r u l y wise. T h e i d e n t i t y of law a n d w i s d o m is f u r t h e r i m p l i e d in 8 , 5 2 - 5 8 w h e r e t h e f u t u r e e s c h a t o l o g i c a l salvation ( w . 5 2 - 5 4 ) " 6 a n d c o n d e m n a t i o n (vv.55-58) are d e s c r i b e d . T h e s t a t e of t h e r i g h t e o u s is p o r t r a y e d w i t h t h e l a n g u a g e of t h e p a r a d i s e : t h e r e is t h e " t r e e of h f e " (arbor vitae), " a b u n d a n c e " (abundantia), " r e p o s e " and " r e s t " ( r e q u i e s ) — a n d t h e r i g h t e o u s will h a v e " a c h i e v e d g o o d n e s s " (perfecta est b o n i t a s ) a n d " w i s d o m " ( p e r f e c t a s a p i e n t i a , v . 5 2 ) . This is c o n t r a s t e d w i t h t h o s e w h o p e r i s h : t h e y have h e l d G o d ' s l a w in c o n t e m p t a n d a b a n d o n e d his w a y (via, v . 5 6 ) . H e n c e , o b e d i e n c e t o t h e l a w secures g o o d n e s s a n d w i s d o m in t h e f u t u r e a e o n . I n 1 3 , 5 4 - 5 5 t h e angel c o r r e l a t e s in s y n o n y m o u s parallelism t h e e x p l o r a t i o n of G o d ' s l a w (lex) a n d t h e d e d i c a t i o n t o w i s d o m (sap i e n t i a ) . T h i s is a n e x p l i c i t i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of l a w w i t h w i s d o m " ' ' . In 1 4 , 2 5 t h e " l a m p of u n d e r s t a n d i n g " ( l u c e r n a i n t e l l e c t u s ) re fers t o t h e d i c t a t i o n n o t o n l y (!) of t h e 70 b o o k s c o n t a i n i n g a p o -
problem which is created by the attempt to correlate "sensus" with T S ' ' by trans lating "Verstand". 3 1 4 J.M. Myers, / / Esdras, p . 2 5 8 . He compares 8,12 with Sir 17,11 and ApcBar 3 8 , 2 "where the law and wisdom arc associated but where the former appears as basis for the latter" ( p . 2 4 3 ) . 3 1 5 Cf. O.H. Steck, y^raW, p . l 8 0 ; M . Kuchler, Weisheitstraditionen, p.80. 3 1 6 Cf. W. Harnisch, Verhdngnis, fp.2i8f. 317 Cf. also O.H. Steck, o.c., p . l 8 0 ; K. Muller, "Geschichte", 1 9 7 3 , p p . l 0 2 f . E. Bran denburger, Verborgenheit, p.85 simply refers t o the fact that Ezra's wisdom is men tioned alongside his obedience to the law.
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c a l y p t i c - e s o t e r i c i n f o r m a t i o n , b u t also of the 2 4 b o o k s of t h e J e w ish law w h i c h is c o m p a r e d w i t h light (lux) in 1 4 , 2 0 - 2 1 . Again t h e i d e n t i t y of law a n d w i s d o m is i m p l i e d . F i n a l l y , t h e d e s c r i p t i o n of ' E z r a ' as r a b b i or scribe (cf. 8 , 2 8 - 2 9 ; 1 3 , 5 4 - 5 5 ; 1 4 , 1 3 . 1 9 - 2 2 . 5 0 ) , as a t e a c h e r of t h e p e o p l e (cf. 8 , 2 9 ; 1 2 , 4 0 - 5 0 ; e t c . ) , a n d as a wise m a n (cf. 1 4 , 1 3 . 4 0 . 5 0 ) " * also i m p h e s t h e i d e n t i t y of law a n d w i s d o m w h i c h h a d b e c o m e ' e m b o d i e d ' in t h e p e r s o n of t h e sopher/hakham. T h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of law a n d w i s d o m in 4 E z r has t h r e e d i m e n sions: an ethical, an eschatological, and a didactic perspective. This i n d i c a t e s t h e m a i n o r i e n t a t i o n of t h e c o n c e p t of l a w w h i c h is m u c h f u r t h e r d e v e l o p e d t h a n t h e c o n c e p t of w i s d o m . B o t h t h e law w i t h its c o m m a n d m e n t s a n d w i s d o m c o n t a i n t h e n o r m s a n d guidelines for t h e ' w a y s ' in w h i c h m a n is t o please G o d (cf. 5,91 1 / 7 , 8 8 - 9 9 ; 7 , 7 2 ; 8 , 1 2 . 5 2 - 5 6 ) . L a w a n d w i s d o m are f u r t h e r signi ficant w i t h regard t o the e s c h a t o l o g i c a l e x i s t e n c e in t h e f u t u r e a e o n of salvation (cf. 8 , 5 2 - 5 6 ) . A n d finally, law a n d w i s d o m are o n e in t h e p e r s o n of t h e scribe (cf. 1 3 , 5 4 - 5 5 ; 1 4 , 1 3 . 2 5 . 3 7 - 4 8 ) . 7.2.4. Summary. T h e significance of t h e law is o n e of t h e m o s t i m p o r t a n t c o n c e p t s in 4 E z r . T h e Mosaic T o r a h is u n d e r s t o o d as ins talionis, as i m p a r t i a l n o r m of t h e j u d g m e n t w h i c h m e a s u r e s t h e c o n d u c t of m a n in t h e p r e s e n t a e o n a n d decides his e s c h a t o l o g i c a l fate in t h e f u t u r e a e o n . T h e k n o w l e d g e of t h e law e n a b l e s e a c h individual to o b t a i n t h e qualification w h i c h is n e e d e d for t h e re c e p t i o n of s a l v a t i o n " ^ . ' W i s d o m ' is t h e label for e s o t e r i c - a p o c a l y p t i c k n o w l e d g e . Wis d o m a p p e a r s as a p e r s o n a n d is a n e s c h a t o l o g i c a l gift in the f u t u r e aeon. L a w a n d w i s d o m are clearly identified in a n u m b e r of passages, b o t h e x p h c i t l y a n d i m p h c i t l y . In a c c o r d a n c e v\dth t h e p u r p o s e of 4 E z r as well as w i t h t h e c o n c e p t of law, this i d e n t i f i c a t i o n has pri m a r i l y an e t h i c a l a n d a n eschatological d i m e n s i o n : o b e d i e n c e t o G o d ' s c o m m a n d m e n t s leads t o r i g h t e o u s n e s s , w h i c h is w i s d o m , a n d finally decides t h e individual's e t e r n a l , e s c h a t o l o g i c a l s t a t e in
3 1 8 Cf. A. Nissen.'Tora", NovTest 9 ( 1 9 6 7 ) 248 n.9; E. Janssen, Gottesvolk, pp.96-100. 3 1 9 C f . W . Harnisch, F e r / M n ^ t f , p.325.
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t h e f u t u r e a e o n . I n a d d i t i o n , as in Sirach ( a n d t h e r a b b i n i c circles t o w h o m 4 E z r m i g h t b e a s c r i b e d ! ) , t h e p e r s o n of t h e scribe/sage i n c o r p o r a t e s this i d e n t i f i c a t i o n as well.
7 . 3 . T h e A p o c a l y p s e of B a r u c h T h e A p o c a l y p s e of B a r u c h ' ^ " is e n t i r e l y e x t a n t o n l y in a S y r i a c t r a n s l a t i o n ' 2 1 w h i c h is a version of t h e G r e e k t r a n s l a t i o n ' 2 2 of t h e H e b r e w original'^^. A p c B a r is generally r e g a r d e d as a u n i t y ' ^ * . S t r i k i n g parallels b e t w e e n A p c B a r a n d b o d i A n t B i b l ' ^ s ^j^^ 4 E z r ' 2 6 have b e e n o b s e r v e d ' ^ ^ . A p c B a r was c e r t a i n l y w r i t t e n be-
3 2 0 See generally R.H. Charles, "2 Baruch", APOT 2 ( 1 9 1 3 ) 4 7 0 4 8 1 ; B. Violet, Die Apokalypsen des Esra und des Baruch, GCS 3 2 , 1 9 2 4 , pp.LVI-XCVI; P.M. Bogaert, Apocalypse de Baruch: Introduction, SC 144 1, 1 9 6 9 , p p . 2 1 - 4 5 9 ; L. Rost, Einlei tung, pp.94-97; O. Eissfeldt, Einleitung, p p . 8 5 0 - 8 5 3 ; J.H. Charlesworth, Pseudepi grapha, p p . 8 3 - 8 6 ; A.F.J. Klijn, "Die syrische Baruchapokalypse", JSHRZ V/2 ( 1 9 7 6 ) 1 0 3 - 1 2 3 ; G.W.E. Nickelsburg, Literature, p p . 2 8 1 - 2 8 7 . 321 Cf. the edition by A.M. Ceriani, Apocalypsis Baruch Syriace, Monumenta Sacra et Profana, Bibliotheca Ambrosiana, Mediolani, 1 8 7 1 , V, pp.l 13-180; S.Dednering, "Apocalypse of Baruch", The Old Testament in Syriac, I V / 3 , 1 9 7 3 , p p . l - 5 0 . With regard to the textual evidence see espeically P.M. Bogaert, o.c, pp.33-56. 3 2 2 With regard to the Greek Oxyrhynchos fragments of ApcBar see A.M. Denis, In troduction, pp.182-186. 3 2 3 Cf. R.H. Charles, o . c , p p . 4 7 2 - 4 7 4 ; B. Violet, o . c , pp.LXVII-LXXIH; L. Rost, o . c , p . 9 5 ; O. Eissfeldt, o . c , p . 8 5 3 ; A.F.J. Klijn, o . c , p.l 10; cf. G.W.E. Nickels burg, o . c , p . 2 8 7 . The attempt by P.M. Bogaert, o.c, p p . 3 5 3 - 3 8 0 to demonstrate that ApcBar war originally written in Greek (Koine) is, in the light of the arguments adduced for an Hebrew original, and with regard to the close relationship with the (originally Hebrew) 4Ezr not really convincing. We relied o n the translations of R.H. Charles, APOT 2 ( 1 9 1 3 ) 4 8 1 - 5 2 6 ; P.M. Bogaert, o . c , 1, p p . 4 6 1 - 5 2 8 ; A . F J . Klijn. JSHRZ V / 2 ( 1 9 7 6 ) 1 2 3 - 1 9 1 . 3 2 4 Contra RJH. Charles, APOT 2 ( 1 9 1 3 ) 4 7 4 - 4 7 6 . Cf. B. Violet, Apokalypsen, pp. LXXIIIf.; P.M. Bogaert, Apocalypse, 1, pp.80-88; L. Rost, Einleitung, p.97; W. Harnisch, Verhdngnis, pp.l3f.; cf. also A . F J . Klijn, JSHRZ V / 2 (1976) 111-113; C. Miinchow, Ethik, p.96. 325 Cf. B. Violet, o . c , pp.LXXVII-LXXXI; P.M. Bogaert, o . c , 1, p p . 2 4 2 - 2 5 8 ; A . F J . Klijn, o . c , p. 113. 3 2 6 Cf. B. Violet, o.c, pp.LXXXl-XC; O. Eissfeldt, Einleitung, p . 8 5 3 ; L. Rost, o . c , p.97; A . F J . Klijn, o . c , p . l l 3 ; J . S c h r e i n e r , V / 4 ( 1 9 8 1 ) 3 0 1 ; cf. also A. Nissen, "Tora", NovTest 9 (1967) 2 4 9 ; C. Muncow, o . c , pp.96f. 327 The exact nature of the relationship especially between ApcBar and 4Ezr is still being disputed since the arguments for the priority of 4Ezr d o not seem to be com pelling. Cf. W. Harnisch, o . c , p . l l n . l ; G.W.E. Nickelsburg, tiferafure, p . 2 8 7 . A.F J. Klijn, o . c , p.133 suggests that the t w o writings belong to the same apocalyptic tradition, thus avoiding the question of dependency.
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t w e e n A . D . 9 0 a n d 1 3 0 ' 2 8 in PalesUne'^^, d i s p l a y i n g "viele als rabbinisch b e k a n n t e V o r s t e l l u n g e n " ' ' " . I n A p c B a r t h e " s p a n n u n g s r e i c h e G e d a n k e n g a n g " w h i c h we o b served in 4 E z r is m i s s i n g ' " . In t h e s t a t e m e n t s of ' B a r u c h ' t h e view of t h e a u t h o r is m u c h m o r e reflected t h a n in t h e s t a t e m e n t s of ' E z r a ' in 4 E z r . T h e visionary in A p c B a r a d o p t s a n d takes over God's instructions and directions much m o r e than 'Ezra'. For this r e a s o n his s t a t e m e n t s are o n l y s e l d o m c o r r e c t e d b y t h e m o u t h of t h e L o r d (cf. 1 5 , I f f . ; 1 7 , l f f . ; 1 9 , l f f . ; 23,2ff.; 4 8 , 2 6 f f . ) . T h e m a i n q u e s t i o n in A p c B a r is n o t t h e ' w h y ' w i t h regard t o Z i o n ' s d o w n f a l l b u t t h e ' w h e n ' w i t h regard t o t h e t i m e of t h e final fulfil m e n t of t h e divine p r o m i s e " ^ . J e r u s a l e m ' s fall is a t t r i b u t e d t o t h e sins of t h e " t w o tribes w h i c h r e m a i n e d " (1,2-4) a n d is r e g a r d e d as t h e j u s t j u d g m e n t of G o d ( 4 4 , 5 - 6 ; 6 7 , 2 - 4 ) ' " . G o d himself was t h e i n i t i a t o r of t h e d e s t r u c t i o n of J e r u s a l e m (cf. 5 , 3 ; 6,4ff.; 7 , 1 - 2 ; 8, 1-2). B u t this j u d g m e n t is o n l y t e m p o r a l ( 1 , 4 ; 5 , 3 ) . T h e G e n t i l e s will b e p u n i s h e d t o o . T h e q u e s t i o n is o n l y , w h e n ' " , a n d w h a t has t o b e d o n e in t h e t i m e w h i c h is left.
3 2 8 Cf. B. Violet, o.c, pp.XCl-XCIII; P.M. Bogaert, o . c , 1, p p . 2 7 0 - 2 9 5 ; W. Harnisch, o . c , p.l 1; L. Rost, o . c , p . 9 7 ; O. Eissfeldt, o . c , p . 8 5 3 ; J J t . Charlesworth, Pjeudepigrapha, p . 8 4 ; A.F.J. Klijn, o . c , p p . U S f . ; G.W.E. Nickelsburg, o . c , p.287; C. Munchow, o . c , p . 9 7 ; C . Rowland, Open Heaven, p . 2 6 4 . 329 Cf. B. Violet, o . c , p.XCI w h o follows F. Rosenthal in ascribing the book to the rabbinic circle in Yabneh under R. Aqiba. Cf. also P.M. Bogaert, o . c , p p . 3 3 1 - 3 3 4 ; L. Rost, o . c , p.97; J.H. Charlesworth, o . c , p.84. 3 3 0 A. Nissen, "Tora", NovTest 9 ( 1 9 6 7 ) 249 (cf. n.2 for references and topics). Cf. also R.H. Charles, o . c , p . 4 7 8 ; B. Violet, o . c , p.XCI; P.M. Bogaert, o . c , p . 3 8 6 ; W. Harnisch, o . c , p p . 1 7 9 , 3 2 7 ; and A.F.J. Klijn, o . c , p . l l 8 with n.40 w h o states that if it were true that the rabbis addressed the people as a whole in contrast to the Apokalyptiker w h o spoke to a limited circle of initiated, then ApcBar should not ( I ) be regarded as belonging to the apocalyptic literature! Cf. with caution L.L. Grabbe, "Chronography", 1 9 8 1 , pp.58-62. 331 CL E. Brandenburger, Adam, p . 3 6 ; W. Harnisch, o . c , p . 7 3 ; C. Miinchow, o . c , p.99. 3 3 2 Cf. C. .Munchow, Ethik, pp.98-101 w h o points out that this shift places the em phasis on the realm of the ethos, i.e. on the question of what has to be done after the catastrophe, and on the significance of time, i.e. o n the question whether there is enough time left to attain salvation by the fulfilment of the law. 3 3 3 Cf. O.H. Steck, Israel, p p . l 8 1 f . ; W. Harnisch, Verhdngnis, p . 7 3 ; C. Miinchow, o . c , p.98. 3 3 4 On the imminence of the endtime for the author of ApcBar see L.L. Grabbe, "Chro nography", 1 9 8 1 , p p . 5 4 - 5 8 , 6 2 f .
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7.3.1. Ihe Jewish law. T h e Mosaic T o r a h o c c u p i e s a central place in t h e t h o u g h t of A p c B a r ' ' ' . T h e c o n t r o l of t h e e n t i r e a p o calypse c a n i n d e e d b e s u m m a r i z e d w i t h t h e s t a t e m e n t in 8 5 , 3 : " W e have n o t h i n g n o w save t h e M i g h t y O n e a n d his l a w " . T h e l a w " 6 is a light given b y Moses ( 1 7 , 4 ) a t t h e t i m e w h e n t h e c o v e n a n t was e s t a b l i s h e d ( 1 7 , 4 - 1 9 , 1 ) . It e n h g h t e n s m a n ( 3 8 , 1 - 2 ; 5 4 , 5 ) a n d s e p a r a t e s b e t w e e n life a n d d e a t h ( 4 6 , 3 ) . D a r k n e s s , i.e. d e a t h , is t h e result of A d a m ' s sin ( 1 8 , 2 ) . M a n has t h e f r e e d o m t o c h o o s e b e t w e e n h g h t a n d d a r k n e s s , i.e. b e t w e e n life a n d d e a t h ( 5 4 , 1 5 . 1 9 ; 8 5 , 7 ) . H e w h o c h o o s e s t h e l a w receives h f e ( 3 2 , 1 ; 3 8 , 1-2; 4 8 , 2 2 ; 5 1 , 3 - 7 ; 5 4 , 1 5 ) , t h e g o o d ( 4 4 , 7 ) , m e r c y a n d t r u t h ( 4 4 , 1 4 ) , a n d w i s d o m a n d u n d e r s t a n d i n g ( 6 6 , 1 4 ) . T h e l a w has t o b e s t u d i e d a n d i n t e r p r e t e d ( 3 , 6 ; 4 6 , 3 ) a n d will r e m a i n forever ( 4 6 , 4 ; 5 9 , 2 ; 7 7 , 1 5 - 1 6 ) . T h e law has t o b e l e a r n t ( 3 2 , 1 ; 8 4 , 1 . 9 ) so t h a t Israel will live in a c c o r d a n c e w i t h G o d ' s will also in t h e f u t u r e ( 4 4 , 3; 46,5; 82,6). As regards t h e n u m e r o u s s t a t e m e n t s o n t h e s u b j e c t of t h e l a w w e s h o u l d n o t e t h a t " d e r Verfasser v o n sBar das in 4 E s r s i c h t b a r w e r d e n d e t h e o l o g i s c h e I n t e r e s s e voll u n d g a n z t e i l t " " ^ . T h e dif f e r e n c e b e t w e e n A p c B a r a n d 4 E z r consists in t h e fact t h a t t h e a p o c a l y p t i c ius talionis is a c c e n t u a t e d in A p c B a r in a m u c h m o r e decisive a n d u n c o m p r o m i s i n g w a y t h a n in 4 E z r . T h e r e a s o n for this d i f f e r e n c e is t h a t t h e a u t h o r of A p c B a r p r o c l a i m s his o w n c o n c e p t i o n t h r o u g h t h e w o r d s of ' B a r u c h ' in a m u c h s t r o n g e r a n d clearer w a y t h a n ' E z r a ' in his a p o c a l y p s e " * . In 15,1-8 w e have t h e first p r o g r a m m a t i c s t a t e m e n t s o n t h e l a w
3 3 5 Cf. R.H. Charies, APOT 2 ( 1 9 1 3 ) 4 7 8 ; A. Nissen, "Tora", NovTest 9 ( 1 9 6 7 ) 249; P.M. Bogaert, Apocalypse, 1, p p . 3 8 6 , 3 9 1 ; W. Harnisch, o . c , p.l 79; R.J. Banks, Jesus and the Law, p . 5 1 . Contra M. Limbeck, Ordnung, p. 1 0 2 . With regard t o a dis cussion of the significance and function of the Torah in ApcBar see A. Nissen, a.c, p p . 2 4 9 , 2 6 4 L ; W. Harnisch, o . c , p p . 1 7 8 - 2 2 2 ; P.M. Bogaert, o . c , p p . 3 9 0 - 3 9 2 ; M. Limbeck, o . c , p p . 1 0 2 - 1 0 7 ; R.J. Banks, o . c , p p . 3 0 f . , 5 1 - 5 3 , 6 9 ; A.F.J. Vil\in,JSHRZ V / 2 ( 1 9 7 6 ) 1 1 5 f . ; C . Munchow, o . c , p p . 1 0 0 , 1 0 4 - 1 0 6 , 1 0 8 - 1 1 1 . 3 3 6 For this introductory summary of the significance of the law in ApcBar see A.F.J. Klijn, o . c , p p . l 15f. 337 W. Harnisch, Verhdngnis, p . l 79. We follow him in his presentation of the relation ship between the concepts of law and of the t w o aeons in ApcBar. 3 3 8 Contra B. Violet, Apokalypsen, p.LXXXIV; R.H. Charles, APOT 2 ( 1 9 1 3 ) 4 7 8 ; O. Eissfeldt, Einleitung, p . 8 5 3 and others w h o maintain that ApcBar was written in marked contrast or even opposition t o 4E2r. Following E. Brandenburger, Adam, p.39 with n . l ; W . Harnisch, o . c , p.l 79.
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w h i c h reflect t h e i n t e n t i o n of t h e a u t h o r . H e discusses a n d rejects t h e o b j e c t i o n s w h i c h the seer h a d b r o u g h t f o r w a r d (cf. 14,1-19) against t h e t r a d i t i o n a l f o r m of t h e d o c t r i n e of r e t r i b u t i o n (cf. 1 3 , 2-12). In 15,5-6 we read the decisive words, spoken by God: "Man could indeed not have understood my judgment if he had not received the law and if I had not instructed him in understanding . But now, because he transgressed knowingly, therefore he will be tormented knowingly"339_ rijis statement refers back to v.3 where 'Baruch' objected that God's judgment was incomprehensible (cf. 14,8). God points out that 'man', i.e. Israel^^O^ possessed the law (the Torah) and as a result knew the criteria which will be applied in the final judgment (cf. 8 4 , 1 ) . As Israel had received the Torah and had been instructed with regard to its intention, the sinner has no excuse in judgment. In the law God put before each one life and death (cf. 19,1). Man him self can and indeed has to decide his salvation or condemnation in the future aeon. If and when the sinner is tormented he knows (15,6) w h y since he was always con scious of the dreadful consequences of sinful behaviour (cf. 4 8 , 4 0 ; 5 5 , 2 ; 8 5 , 8 - 9 ) . With regard t o the attaiimient of the eschatological salvation ( 1 5 , 7 - 8 ) , resolute de votion to God's law is decisive — the keeping of God's commandments and the willing ness to fight evil as long as the present aeon exists^^I. _ Thus, it can be said that 15,1-8 is dominated by the conviction "dafi zwischen T u n (in diesem A o n ) und Er gehen (im kiinftigen Aon) ein fester Zusammenhang besteht, der auf der einen wie auf der anderen Seite (vgl. 15,5f. mit 15,7f.) durch das Gesetz garantiert wird. D e n n dafi die Siinder auf Grund ihrer Ubertretungen dem ewigen Verderben verfallen und dali die Gerechten als Lohn fiir ihren Gehorsam ewige Herrlichkeit erwerben, ist im Gesetz offcnbar"3't2.
3 3 9 We followed the translation of B. Violet and A.F.J. Klijn. With regard to 15,6 see 19,3; 4 8 , 4 0 ; 5 5 , 2 ; 4Ezr 7,72; Barn 5.4. 3 4 0 It can be assumed that 15,5 understands "man" as referring to the members of God's famUy which is clearly the case in 3 2 , 1 ; 4 4 , 3 . 7 ; 4 6 , 4 - 5 ; 77,3.15-16 where Israel is clearly presented as recipient of the Torah. DiffictUt is 4 8 , 1 0 where it seems that the "inhabitants of the earth" know the law. However, since the dominating thought in ApcBar presupposes and describes Israel (!) as the recipient of the law, and since the general intention of the author aims at demonstrating the liability of the J e w s (not of Gentiles) with regard to their knowledge of the law, it seems to be justified to interpret this phrase as being primarily the members of God's people (cf. 15,5-6; 5 5 , 2 ) . It is only in 8 2 , 6 (EpBar) that the heathen are said to have k n o w n , and transgressed, the law. Cf. W. Harnisch, Verhdngnis, p. 182 n.2. Cf. also S. Aalen, Begriffe, pp.207-209 w h o points out that in rabbinic thought mankind is represented by Israel, i.e. that "die Juden als die .Menschen Kar'^ioxriv aufgefafit sind" (p.207 n.S). C f . J . JerveU,/maj?o Dei, FRLANT 7 6 , 1 9 6 0 , p p . 3 2 f . ; W. Harnisch, o.c, pp.SIf. 3 4 1 The attainment of righteousness on the ground of works is mentioned or implied in 2,2; 1 4 , 7 . 1 2 ; 2 4 , 1 ; 3 2 , 1 ; 5 1 , 3 . 7 ; 5 7 , 2 ; 6 3 , 3 ; 6 7 , 6 . Cf. A. Nissen, "Tora", NovTest "Tora", NovTest 9 ( 1 9 6 7 ) 2 4 9 ; P.M. Bogaert, Apocalypse. 1, pp.400f.; 9 ( 1 9 6 7 ) 2 4 9 ; P.M. Bogaert, Apocalypse, 1, pp.400f.; C. Munchow,£«/n'ft, p p . 1 0 4 , 3 4 2 W. Harnisch, o.c, p . I 8 7 . Cf. M. Limbeck, Ordnung, p p . l 0 4 f . ; C . Miinchow, o.c, pp. 104-106,111.
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T h e l e g i t i m a c y of divine r e t r i b u t i o n w h i c h w i h be e x e c u t e d o n t h e sinners a t t h e e n d of t h e p r e s e n t a e o n o n t h e basis of t h e i r a t t i t u d e a n d p o s i t i o n w i t h regard t o t h e law is d e m o n s t r a t e d in 4 8 , 3 8 - 4 1 . 4 5 - 4 7 ; 54,16-183*3. T h e c e n t r a l i n t e n t i o n of t h e a u t h o r is s u m m a r i z e d in 5 4 , 2 1 - 2 2 w h e r e h e s t a t e s t h a t t h e r e exists a n i n d i s s o l u b l e n e x u s b e t w e e n his torical a c t i o n a n d e s c h a t o l o g i c a l f a t e . T h e ius talionis is a p p h e d t o t h e t e a c h i n g of t h e t w o a e o n s , a n d t h e e x e c u t i o n of t h e divine r e t r i b u t i o n is t r a n s f e r r e d t o t h e o t h e r w o r d U n e s s of t h e f u t u r e a e o n . 5 4 , 2 2 has been paraphrased in the following manner: "Diejenigen, die sich in die sem A o n bestandig an das halten, was das gottliche Gesetz gebietet, werden im kiinf tigen A o n von der Nahe Gottes begleitet werden. Die Sunder dagegen (die sich jetzt dem GottenswUlen widersetzen) werden am Ende fiir immer von der Zukunft (der Nahe Gottes) geschieden, die das gottliche Gesetz verhei&t"^^^.
Faithfulness t o t h e law e s t a b h s h e s t h e q u a l i f i c a t i o n for t h e es chatological glory. T h e salvational f u n c t i o n of t h e l a w in A p c B a r is f u r t h e r devel o p e d b y t h e c o m p a r i s o n of t h e law w i t h light3*5. 17,4 mentions Moses w h o brought the law to Israel and thus "lighted a lamp for the nation of Israel". The parallelism of "law" and "lamp" is carried over to 18,1-2 describing Moses as "he who lighted (the lamp of the law)". Moses "took from the light", i.e. he oriented himself by the light which transmitted (eschatological) life and salvation346. The "light of Moses" is contrasted with the "darkness of Adam", i.e. the sphere of death which is represented by A d a m 3 4 7 . The law is further compared with "light" and a "lamp" in 4 6 , 2 - 3 ; 5 9 , 2 , and the law is connected with "light" and "life" in 38,1-2; 4 5 , 1 - 2 ; 4 6 , 2 - 3 ; 7 6 , 5 .
In t h e s e passages " h g h t " is n o t o n l y a s y m b o l for t h e s p h e r e of life o r i g i n a t i n g in the law b u t r a t h e r a Chiffre for t h e r e v e l a t o r y c h a r a c t e r of t h e law. T h e law is " h g h t " insofar as it u n c o v e r s t h e c o n n e c t i o n b e t w e e n faithfulness a n d r e w a r d a n d b e t w e e n sin a n d p u n i s h m e n t , t h u s m a k i n g the p e r c e p t i o n of salvation a n d j u d g -
3 4 3 For a discussion of these passages see W. Harnisch, Verhdngnis, p p . l 8 8 - 1 9 4 . The personal responsibility of the individual becomes further obvious in the way ApcBar treats Adam's faU in 5 4 , 1 4 - 1 5 . 1 9 . Cf. W. Harnisch, o.c, pp.194-197; P.M. Bogaert, Apocalypse, 1, p p . 4 0 1 f . ; C . Miinchow, miA, p p . 1 0 8 - 1 1 0 . 3 4 4 W. Harnisch, o.c, p . 2 0 0 . Cf. also A. Nissen, ''lora".NovTest 9 ( 1 9 6 7 ) 264f. 345 Cf. S. Aalen, Begriffe, p p . 1 8 6 - 1 9 3 ; W. Harnisch, o.c, p p . 2 0 2 - 2 0 6 ; M. Limbeck, Ordnung, p. 105 with n.2. 3 4 6 In 18,1-2 "light" designates the sphere of life which has its origin in the law. Cf. S. Aalen, o.c, p p . l 8 6 f . ; W. Harnisch, o.c, p . 2 0 5 . 347 Cf. E. Brandenburger, ^ d a m , p.37; W. Harnisch, o . c , p . 2 0 5 .
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m e n t possible. In t h e w o r d s of W. H a r n i s c h , " d i e W i r k s a m k e i t des G e s e t z e s (als) L i c h t b e s t e h t also d a r i n , daB es die E r k e n n t n i s u b e r den Lebens- u n d Todesweg s c h e n k t " " * . T h e p a r e n e t i c s e c t i o n s in c h . 3 1 - 3 4 ; 4 3 - 4 6 ; 76-77 u n d e r l i n e t h e a p o c a l y p t i c i n t e r e s t in t h e l a w " ^ x h e seer ' B a r u c h ' a d m o n i s h e d his p e o p l e r e p e a t e d l y t o o b e y t h e law in t h e p r e s e n t a e o n since o n l y t h o s e w h o k e e p t h e law will escape t h e e s c h a t o l o g i c a l afflic t i o n (cf. 3 1 , 5 - 3 2 , 1 ; 4 4 , 3 - 7 ; 4 6 , 5 - 6 ; 7 7 , 5 - 7 . 1 3 - 1 5 ) . W i t h regard t o t h e law in A p c B a r t h e scribes m u s t b e m e n t i o n e d t o o . T h e y occupy a "Mittlerposition zwischen der Tora und d e m n a c h d e n ' V e r h a l t e n s m a B r e g e l n der T o r a ' ( 5 9 , 4 ) f r a g e n d e n V o l k ( 4 4 , 7 ; 4 6 , 3 ) " ' ' " . T h e y t r a n s m i t t h e c o n t e n t of t h e T o r a h (cf. 8 4 , 9) a n d i n t e r p r e t its c o n t e n t s (cf. 3 , 6 ) . The pericope 77,13-15 is very significant here. The people lament: " 'For the shepherds of Israel have perished, the lamps which gave (us) light are extinguished, and the fountains have withheld their stream from which we used to drink (v.l 3). N o w we are left in darkness and in the thicket of the w o o d and in the barrennesses 1 of the wilderness' ( v . I 4 ) , A n d I (i.e. 'Baruch') answered and said to them: 'Shepherds and lamps and fountains c o m e from the law, and though we depart, yet the law abides' (v.l 5 ) " . The "shepherds and lamps and fountains" are presumably a reference to the prophets, the scribes, and the wise men. When the author says that these m e n "come from the law" he claims that Israel's relationship with God is exclusively founded o n , and rooted in, the l a w 3 5 2 . xhe pious are to submit to them (46,5) as to God and t o the Torah (54,3). In fact, 'Baruch' presents himself as a teacher (of the l a w ) 3 5 3 .
T h u s we see t h a t in A p c B a r t h e law possesses, as in 4 E z r , p r i m a r i l y a salvational e s c h a t o l o g i c a l significance b a s e d o n its e t h i cal d i m e n s i o n . T h o s e w h o direct their ' w a y s ' aright (cf. 7 7 , 6 ) a n d
3 4 8 W. Harnisch, Verhdngnis, p.205; cf. .M. Limbeck, Ordnung, p.105 n.2; both follow S. Aalen, Begriffe, p p . l 8 6 - 1 8 8 . 3 4 9 CL W. Harnisch, o . c , p p . 2 0 8 - 2 1 6 ; M. Limbeck, o . c , p p . I 0 4 L ; C. Munchow, Ethik, P P . I 0 7 L O.H. Steck, Israel, pp.lSOL showed that the parenetic sections in ApcBar are rooted in the deuteronomistic theology of history. 3 5 0 A. Nissen, "loTa", NovTest 9 ( 1 9 6 7 ) 2 4 9 . 351 FoUowing the translation of A.F.J. Klijn, JSHRZ V / 2 ( 1 9 7 6 ) 174. 352 Contra D . Rossler, Gesetz, p . 1 0 4 . CL W. Harnisch, Verhdngnis, p . 2 1 3 . R.J. Banks, Jesus and the Law, p.30 observed rightly that the author of ApcBar subordinated the election to the law; simUarly A. Jaubert, Notion, p.289 w h o points out that "il parait pourtant exact d'affirmer que, dans I'ensemble, la doctrine de 1'Alliance s'est muee en une doctrine de Loi". Cf. also C. Miinchow, Ethik, p.105. 3 5 3 After A . D . 7 0 only the rabbis were the teachersl CL also A. Nissen, "Tora", JVoi>Test 9 ( 1 9 6 7 ) 249 with n.S. On the Apokalyptiker as scribe see E.J. Janssen, Got tesvolk, pp.96-100.
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k e e p G o d ' s c o m m a n d m e n t s will i n h e r i t t h e f u t u r e a e o n (cf. 4 4 , 15). 7.3.2. The concept of wisdom. . \ s in 4 E z r , t h e w i s d o m c o n c e p t is n o t d e v e l o p e d in A p c B a r . In 14,9 G o d ' s i n c o m p r e h e n s i b l e c o u n sel a n d w i s d o m are m e n t i o n e d (cf. also 2 1 , 9 - 1 0 ; 4 4 , 6 ; 5 4 , 1 3 ; 7 5 , 2). I n 2 8 , 1 w i s d o m is r e l a t e d t o t h e u n d e r s t a n d i n g of esoterica p o c a l y p t i c k n o w l e d g e . 3 8 , 2 refers t o G o d ' s w i s d o m w h i c h is " r i g h t g u i d a n c e " . T h e p i o u s w h o o b e y G o d ' s law have a c q u i r e d for t h e m s e l v e s " t r e a s u r e s of w i s d o m " a n d " s t o r e s of u n d e r s t a n d i n g " ( 4 4 , 1 4 ; cf. 3 8 , 1 ; 4 6 , 5 ; 4 8 , 2 4 . 3 6 ; 5 1 , 3 ; 5 4 , 5 ; 5 9 , 7 ) . 4 6 , 5 links w i s d o m a n d u n d e r s t a n d i n g w i t h t h e fear of t h e Ixtrd^^. 4 8 , 9 is a r e f e r e n c e t o w i s d o m as c o s m i c o r d e r w h e n it t a l k s of t h e " s p h e r e s " w h i c h G o d m a d e w i s e ' ' ' . In 5 1 , 3 . 7 w i s d o m a n d u n d e r s t a n d i n g a r e again d e s c r i b e d , alongside t h e o b e d i e n c e t o t h e law, as p r e r e q u i sites for t h e a t t a i n m e n t of e s c h a t o l o g i c a l salvation in t h e f u t u r e a e o n . 5 4 , 1 3 refers t o G o d ' s " c o u n s e l " w i t h w h i c h h e governs all c r e a t u r e s a n d links t h e h e a v e n l y " t r e a s u r e s of w i s d o m " w i t h " f o u n t a i n s of h g h t " . H e r e , " l i g h t " can m e a n t h r e e t h i n g s : t h e ex ternal light w h i c h organizes t h e w o r l d a n d w h i c h c o m e s from a h e a v e n l y s o u r c e ; t h e r a t i o n a l w o r l d o r d e r w h i c h is t h e object of k n o w l e d g e a n d w h i c h is t h e c o n t e n t of m a n ' s w i s d o m ; a n d t h e w i s d o m in w h i c h t h e p i o u s will p a r t i c i p a t e in t h e f u t u r e a e o n " ^ . A c c o r d i n g to 5 9 , 7 G o d s h o w e d t o Moses t h e " r o o t of w i s d o m " , t h e " r i c h e s of u n d e r s t a n d i n g " , a n d t h e " f o u n t a i n of k n o w l e d g e " . Finally, 4 6 , 4 m a k e s r e f e r e n c e t o t h e 'wise m a n ' o r sage in Israel. T h u s , w i s d o m in A p c B a r has a c o s m i c ( 2 1 , 9 - 1 0 ; 4 4 , 6 ; 5 4 , 1 3 ) a n d a p a r t i c u l a r i s t i c ( 4 6 , 5 ; 5 9 , 7 ) p e r s p e c t i v e . Wisdom c a n signify a p o c a l y p t i c k n o w l e d g e ( 2 8 , 1 ) b u t is n o t l i n k e d w i t h t h e messiah or his k i n g d o m . 7.3.3. The law and wisdom. In A p c B a r t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of law a n d w i s d o m can be o b s e r v e d in m a n y p a s s a g e s " ^ . 1 5 , 5 parallels
354 355 356 357
Cf. the translation of A.F.J. Kiiin, JSHRZ V/2 (1976) 150. Cf. S. Aalen, o.c., p p . l 7 6 f . Cf. S. Aalen, o . c , p p . i 7 5 f . Neither W. Harnisch, nor M. Limbeck, nor C. Miinchow mention or discuss the identification of law with wisdom. R.J. Banks, Jestis and the Law, p.109 refers to it (quoting 7 7 , 1 6 ) , also M. Kiichler, Weisheitstraditionen, pp.67,80.
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t h e a c c e p t a n c e of t h e l a w w i t h i n s t r u c t i o n " i n u n d e r s t a n d i n g " ; t o h a v e t h e l a w is e q u i v a l e n t w i t h " k n o w i n g " ( v . 6 ) . 3 8 , 1 - 2 . 4 is a n i m p o r t a n t p e r i c o p e . G o d is said always t o " e n lighten" those w h o are "led b y u n d e r s t a n d i n g " ( v . l ) . T h e term " h g h t " is u s u a l l y c o n n e c t e d w i t h t h e " l a m p of t h e l a w " (cf. 1 7 , 4 ; 1 8 , 1 - 2 ; 4 6 , 2 - 3 ; 5 9 , 2 ) . I n v.2 t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n is e x p h c i t : " Y o u r law is life a n d y o u r w i s d o m is t h e right w a y " ' ' * . I ^ w is c o r r e l a t e d w i t h w i s d o m b y s y n o n y m o u s parallelism. L a w a n d w i s d o m h a v e o n e a n d t h e s a m e g o a l : t r u e h f e , w h i c h consists in w a l k i n g in t h e r i g h t w a y . A n d law a n d w i s d o m have t h e s a m e origin: in t h e L o r d . In v.4 l a w a n d w i s d o m a r e again syTionymously parallel: " M y soul has a l w a y s w a l k e d in your l a w , a n d f r o m m y earliest d a y s I did n o t d e p a r t f r o m your w i s d o m " . T o k e e p t h e l a w is t o h e e d G o d ' s wis d o m . T h e c o n n e c t i o n b e t w e e n v.2 a n d v.4 is r a t h e r i n t e r e s t i n g : t h e " r i g h t w a y of w i s d o m " (v.4) c o r r e s p o n d s w i t h " w a l k i n g in G o d ' s l a w " (v.4). T h u s 3 8 , 1 - 2 . 4 identifies l a w a n d w i s d o m in a very in t r i c a t e b u t clear m a n n e r o n t h e basis of t h e ethical p e r s p e c t i v e of the t w o realms. 4 4 , 1 4 describes t h e p i o u s w h o wih i n h e r i t t h e f u t u r e a e o n ( w . 1 2 - 1 3 ) : t h e y have a c q u i r e d " t r e a s u r e s of w i s d o m " a n d " s t o r e s of u n d e r s t a n d i n g " , t h e y p r a c t i s e d m e r c y a n d p r e s e r v e d t h e " t r u t h of the l a w " . T h e l a t t e r e x p r e s s i o n p r o b a b l y refers t o t h e k e e p i n g of t h e c o m m a n d m e n t s w h i c h confirms t h e ' v a l i d i t y ' of t h e l a w . As o b e d i e n c e t o t h e law secures o n e ' s p a r t i c i p a t i o n in t h e e s c h a t o logical salvation of t h e future a e o n , t h e " t r e a s u r e s of w i s d o m " might very well refer t o t h e g o o d w o r k s ' ' ^ w h i c h a r e t h e result of this o b e d i e n c e . T h u s , t o k e e p t h e c o m m a n d m e n t s equals t h e storing-up of " t r e a s u r e s of w i s d o m " w h i c h gu;>.antee salvation. S u c h a s t a t e m e n t c a n be m a d e o n l y w h e n o b e d i e n c e t o t h e law is regard ed as t r u e w i s d o m . 4 6 , 4 personalizes the identification: the "wise m a n " a n d t h e " s o n of t h e l a w " ' ^ " a r e o n e in t h e r a b b i n i c scribe. 4 6 , 5 also im-
3 6 8 The view that the law is life can be found also in 3 2 , 1 ; 4 5 , 2 . 3 5 9 P.M. Bogaert, Apocalypse, 2 , p.81 compares 4 4 , 1 4 with 4Ezr 6,5 ("treasures of faith"); 7,77 ("treasure of good works"). 3 6 0 We have no corresponding expression in Greek nor in Hebrew for Syriac ijio ciai a 3 . R.H. Charles,.4>Or 2 ( 1 9 1 3 ) 5 0 4 suggests m x a T 2 = "one bound t o observe the law", which is rejected by P.M. Bogaert, Apocalypse, 2 , p.83 since niJfn T 3 is a rabbinic technical term which does not suit the context. Bogaert suggests that the Syriac might be the translation of the Greek terms vonoSiMoKoKot; or votii.K6
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Writings from the First Century
A.D.
plies t h e close c o r r e l a t i o n of l a w a n d w i s d o m : ' B a r u c h ' a d m o n i s h es the p e o p l e t o " o b e y t h e l a w " a n d to o b e y t h o s e w h o are " w i s e and understanding". I n 4 8 , 2 4 t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n is again v e r y e x p l i c i t : " T h e l a w w h i c h is a m o n g us will aid u s , t h e surpassing w i s d o m w h i c h is in us will h e l p u s " . As t h e h e l p w h i c h is m e n t i o n e d in this verse re fers t o s t a y i n g a w a y from sin a n d k e e p i n g G o d ' s c o m m a n d m e n t s (v.22) as p r e r e q u i s i t e for e n t e r i n g i n t o t h e p r o m i s e d e s c h a t o l o g i c a l salvation ( v . 2 3 ) , it is e v i d e n t t h a t t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of l a w a n d w i s d o m is b a s e d again o n t h e e t h i c a l d i m e n s i o n of t h e t w o e n t i t i e s . In the same chapter the connection between 48,33.36.38.40.47 i m p h e s t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n t o o : in t h e last d a y s , w h i c h is t h e t i m e of affliction ( v . 3 1 ) , n o t m a n y wise or intelligent will b e f o u n d (v.33) since t h e " m u l t i t u d e of i n t e l l i g e n c e " a n d the " m u l t i t u d e of wis d o m " h a v e h i d d e n t h e m s e l v e s ( v . 3 6 ) ; p e o p l e p o l l u t e themselves a n d d o n o t r e m e m b e r G o d ' s law ( w . 3 8 . 4 0 ) b u t transgress it (v.47). I n 5 1 , 3 . 4 w e h a v e a d e s c r i p t i o n of t h e r i g h t e o u s a n d t h e w i c k e d : t h e r i g h t e o u s are "justified b y G o d ' s l a w " , h a v e " u n d e r s t a n d i n g in t h e i r h f e " , a n d p l a n t in their h e a r t t h e " r o o t of w i s d o m " ' ^ ^ (v.3). T h e w i c k e d reject G o d ' s law a n d refuse t o a c c e p t his w i s d o m a n d u n d e r s t a n d i n g ( v . 4 ) . T h e e t h i c a l d i m e n s i o n of t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n is here joined by an eschatological dimension. 5 2 , 7 deals again w i t h t h e r i g h t e o u s : t h e y are saved b y their w o r k s . T h i s n o t i o n is e x p l a i n e d b y t h e s t a t e m e n t t h a t t h e law has b e e n t h e i r h o p e , u n d e r s t c m d i n g their e x p e c t a t i o n , a n d w i s d o m t h e i r c o n f i d e n c e . L a w , u n d e r s t a n d i n g , a n d w i s d o m are clearly o n e , referring t o t h e right e t h i c a l c o n d u c t w h i c h g u a r a n t e e s e s c h a t o l o gical salvation. C o n s i d e r i n g t h e fact t h a t t h e " r o o t of w i s d o m " , t h e " t r e a s u r e s / riches of u n d e r s t a n d i n g " , a n d t h e " f o u n t a i n of k n o w l e d g e " are e l s e w h e r e closely l i n k e d w i t h t h e law (cL 4 4 , 1 4 ; 4 8 , 3 3 - 4 7 ; 5 1 , 3 4 ) , it is possible t o see t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n also i m p l i e d in 5 9 , 4 . 7 w h e r e Moses is s h o w n t h e " p r i n c i p l e s of t h e l a w " (v.4) as well as " t h e r o o t of w i s d o m , a n d t h e riches of u n d e r s t a n d i n g , a n d t h e f o u n t a i n of k n o w l e d g e " (v.5). T h e s a m e is t r u e for 6 1 , 4 - 6 w h e r e t h e r i g h t e o u s u n d e r D a v i d a n d S o l o m o n are d e s c r i b e d : in t h e i r t i m e " w i s d o m " a n d t h e " r i c h e s
361 On the "root of wisdom" see 4 9 , 7 ; 4Ezr 3 , 2 2 ; 8 , 5 2 - 5 3 ; Sir 1,6.20; SapSal 3 , 1 5 .
The Apocalypse
of Baruch
161
of u n d e r s t a n d i n g " w e r e h e a r d a n d m a g n i f i e d in t h e a s s e m b l y ( t h e T o r a h ? ! ) , a n d " t h e r i g h t e o u s n e s s of t h e p r e c e p t s of t h e M i g h t y O n e was a c c o m p l i s h e d in t r u t h " (v.6), i.e. p e o p l e o b e y e d t h e law faithfully a n d t h u s a c h i e v e d r i g h t e o u s n e s s . S i m i l a r l y , H e z e k i a h is s y n o n y m o u s l y called " w i s e " a n d "righ t e o u s " in 6 3 , 5 , a n d King J o s i a h " e x a l t e d t h e r i g h t e o u s a n d h o n o u r ed all t h o s e w h o w e r e wise in u n d e r s t a n d i n g " , b e i n g himself " f i r m in t h e l a w " , a c c o r d i n g t o 6 6 , 2 . 5 . F i n a l l y , w i s d o m a n d law are identified in 77,163^2. " T h e r e f o r e , if y o u c o n s i d e r t h e law a n d k e e p y o u r e y e o n w i s d o m , a l a m p will n o t b e w a n t i n g , t h e s h e p h e r d will n o t give w a y , a n d t h e f o u n t a i n will n e v e r d r y u p " ' ^ ^ . It is o b v i o u s t h a t t h e a u t h o r of A p c B a r k n e w a n d p r e s u p p o s e d t h e i d e n t i t y of law a n d w i s d o m . Since t h e c o n c e p t of w i s d o m is h a r d l y d e v e l o p e d , a n d since t h e c o n c e p t of law is m a i n l y f o c u s e d o n t h e e t h i c a l a n d e s c h a t o l o g i c a l ( a n d also d i d a c t i c ) f u n c t i o n of t h e T o r a h , t h e n a t u r e of this i d e n t i f i c a t i o n c a n n o t b e e x p l a i n e d in as m a n y facets as w e f o u n d in S i r a c h . T h e p a r t i c u l a r i s t i c d i m e n sion of t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of law a n d w i s d o m is t a k e n for g r a n t e d a n d o f t e n clearly i m p h e d . T h e theological d i m e n s i o n is e q u a l l y o b v i o u s : it is G o d t h e A l m i g h t y w h o possesses w i s d o m a n d w h o gave t h e law t o Israel. T h e e t h i c a l d i m e n s i o n is t h e decisive o n e : o b e d i e n c e t o t h e law, w a l k i n g in G o d ' s w a y s , is t r u e w i s d o m a n d leads t o " t r e a s u r e s of w i s d o m " w h i c h is r i g h t e o u s n e s s . T h i s a c h i e v e d r i g h t e o u s n e s s is t h e basis of t h e e s c h a t o l o g i c a l d i m e n s i o n : o b e d i e n c e t o t h e law, i.e. t h e s t o r i n g u p of t h e " t r e a s u r e s of w i s d o m " , leads t o t h e righ t e o u s n e s s w h i c h g u a r a n t e e s eschatological salvation in t h e f u t u r e a e o n . T h e d i d a c t i c d i m e n s i o n is t o be seen in t h e p e r s o n of t h e r a b b i w h o , after A . D . 7 0 , c o m b i n e s t h e sage a n d t h e t e a c h e r of t h e law. 7.3.4. Summary. T h e law p l a y s a c e n t r a l role in A p c B a r . Prac tical o b e d i e n c e t o t h e law in t h e p r e s e n t a e o n m e a n s t o w a l k in G o d ' s w a y s w h i c h leads t o r i g h t e o u s n e s s w h i c h in t u r n secures e s c h a t o l o g i c a l salvation in t h e f u t u r e a e o n . T h e i d e n t i t y of l a w a n d
3 6 2 Seen b y R.J. B a n k s . / s J u i and the Law, p . l 0 9 . 3 6 3 The translation foUows A.F.J. K l i j n , y / / « Z V / 2 (1976) 1 74.
162
Conclusion
w i s d o m is p r e s u p p o s e d from t h e b e g i n n i n g , a n d is o f t e n m a d e e x p h c i t . It has n o special f u n c t i o n b u t is t a k e n for g r a n t e d . T o k e e p t h e l a w is t o b e wise, a n d t o o b e y t h e c o m m a n d m e n t s is t o s t o r e u p " t r e a s u r e s of w i s d o m " . Wise lawfulness, o r lawful wis d o m , g u a r a n t e e s e s c h a t o l o g i c a l salvation in t h e f u t u r e a e o n .
§8
Conclusion
O u r analysis of n i n e extra-biblical writings has s h o w n t h a t t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of law a n d w i s d o m w h i c h h a d b e e n carried t h r o u g h m o s t e x p l i c i t l y b y B e n Sira w a s k n o w n , p r e s u p p o s e d , i m p l i e d , a n d s t a t e d e x p l i c i t l y b y t h e r e s p e c t i v e a u t h o r s , c o m p i l o r s , a n d circles in w h i c h t h e s e writings o r i g i n a t e d . L a w is clearly i d e n t i f i e d w i t h w i s d o m in Baruch^^*, Enoch^^^^ t h e L e t t e r of A r i s t e a s ' ^ ^ , t h e J e w ish T h i r d Sibylline Oracle^^^, t h e F o u r t h B o o k of M a c c a b e e s ' ^ * , t h e F o u r t h B o o k of Ezra'^S, a n d t h e A p o c a l y p s e of B a r u c h ' ^ " . T h e s a m e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n is very p r o b a b l y i m p h e d in t h e Psalms of S o l o m o n ' ' ^ ' , a n d in t h e W i s d o m of S o l o m o n ' ^ 2 _ T h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of l a w a n d w i s d o m is to b e f o u n d in all cir cles: a m o n g hasidic g r o u p s ( E n o c h ) , in t h e Pharisaic fellowships ( B a r ( ? ) , PsSal, 4 E z r , A p c B a r ) , a n d in t h e A l e x a n d r i a n d i a s p o r a ( E p A r i s t , Sib 3 , S a p S a l , 4 M a c c ) . T h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n is u p h e l d in t h e w i s d o m t r a d i t i o n ( S a p S a l ) , in a p o l o g e t i c - p h i l o s o p h i c a l treatises ( E p A r i s t , 4 M a c c ) , in h y m n i c c o m p o s i t i o n s (PsSal), in p a r e n e t i c
3 6 4 Bar 3 , 9 - 1 4 ; 4,1-4. 3 6 5 En(eth) 5,8-9; 4 2 , 1 - 3 ; 4 8 , 1 ; 4 9 , 1 - 3 ; 6 1 , 1 - 1 3 ; 9 1 , 1 0 ; 9 2 , 1 ; 9 3 , 1 0 ; 9 4 , 1 - 5 ; 9 8 , 6 - 1 0 ; 99,10; 104,12. 3 6 6 EpArist 3 1 , 1 2 7 , 1 3 9 , 1 4 4 , 1 6 1 , 1 6 8 - 1 6 9 . 367 Sib 3 , 2 1 9 - 2 2 0 . 5 7 3 - 6 0 0 . 6 6 9 - 6 9 7 . 3 6 8 4Macc 1,17; 5 , 3 5 ; cf. also the concept of euor^Peia. 3 6 9 4Ezr 5 , 9 - 1 1 / 7 , 8 8 - 9 9 ; 7,70-74; 8 , 7 - 1 3 . 1 2 . 5 2 - 5 8 ; 1 4 , 2 5 . 3 7 0 ApcBar 1 5 , 5 ; 3 8 , 1 - 2 . 4 ; 4 4 , 1 4 ; 4 6 , 4 - 5 ; 4 8 , 2 4 . 3 3 4 7 ; 5 1 , 3 4 . 7 ; 5 9 , 4 . 7 ; 6 1 , 4 - 6 ; 6 3 , 5 ; 66,2.5; 77,16. 371 PsSal 4 , 8 - 1 3 ; 14,1-2; 16,7-8. 3 7 2 SapSal 2 , 1 2 ; 7,26-27; 1 8 , 4 . See also TLev 1 3 ; TNaph 2,9; 8,7-10; arTLev 88-90; AntBibl 2 0 , 2 - 3 ; 2 1 , 2 ; 2 3 , 7 ; 3 2 , 7 ; Jub 2,2; 4 , 1 7 ; Aristob (PrEv 1 3 , 1 2 , 8 - 1 3 ; 8 , 1 0 , 4 ; 13,12,1-24).
Conclusion
163
b o o k s ( E n o c h ) , as well as in t h e a p o c a l y p t i c t r a d i t i o n ' ^ ' ( E n o c h , Sib 3 , 4 E z r , A p c B a r ) . T h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n is e x p r e s s e d b o t h in He b r e w / A r a m a i c (Bar, E n o c h , PsSal, 4 E z r , A p c B a r ) a n d in G r e e k ( E p A r i s t , Sib 3 , S a p S a l , 4 M a c c ) . It is n o t possible t o establish t h e e x a c t historical d e v e l o p m e n t of B e n Sira's i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of law a n d w i s d o m in t h e h t e r a t u r e w h i c h was p r o d u c e d in t h e l a t e r c e n t u r i e s . A t t i m e s , t h e life-setting of t h e p a r t i c u l a r w r i t i n g is n o t t o t a U y clear. In m o s t cases n e i t h e r t h e c o n c e p t of t h e T o r a h n o r t h e c o n c e p t of w i s d o m are m u c h d e v e l o p e d . O f t e n t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of law a n d w i s d o m is s i m p l y s t a t e d a n d referred t o while t h e relevant p e r i c o p e s d o n o t allow a m o r e careful analysis of t h e c h a r a c t e r of t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n . H o w ever, t r e n d s c a n be i n d i c a t e d . T h e m a i n e m p h a s i s w i t h regard t o t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of l a w a n d w i s d o m is definitely t h e e t h i c a l d i m e n s i o n of t h e c o r r e l a t i o n . T h i s is t h e case in all t h e writings s t u d i e d , w i t h t h e e x c e p t i o n of SapSal. L a w a n d w i s d o m c o n t a i n a n d i n d i c a t e t h e n o r m s of m o r a l c o n d u c t . Bar stresses t h a t t h e law a n d w i s d o m lead t o a n u p r i g h t ' w a l k ' . E n o c h e m p h a s i z e s t h e close r e l a t i o n s h i p b e t w e e n righ t e o u s n e s s , i m p l y i n g o b e d i e n c e t o t h e law, a n d w i s d o m . In PsSal o b e d i e n c e t o t h e law is r e g a r d e d as b e i n g e q u i v a l e n t w i t h t h e a d o p t i o n of, a n d s u b m i s s i o n u n d e r , t h e divine naideia. T h e a u t h o r of E p A r i s t w a n t s t o d e m o n s t r a t e t h a t t h e J e w i s h law is t r u e w i s d o m , m a k i n g a m o r a l l y perfect life a n d c h a r a c t e r possible. In Sib 3 t h e ability t o give s o u n d c o u n s e l a n d t o p e r f o r m v i r t u o u s d e e d s equals t h e k e e p i n g of t h e law. T h e a u t h o r of 4 M a c c is c o n v i n c e d t h a t t r u e p h i l o s o p h y ( w i s d o m ) consists in a p i o u s hfe a c c o r d i n g t o t h e j e w ish l a w : t h e T o r a h is t h e basis a n d s o u r c e of t r u e p i e t y a n d of di vine p h i l o s o p h y . F o r the a u t h o r of 4 E z r a t h e l a w a n d w i s d o m con t a i n t h e n o r m s w h i c h are decisive if m a n w a n t s t o walk in G o d ' s ' w a y s ' in o r d e r t o please h i m a n d t o o b t a i n salvation. Similarly t h e a u t h o r of A p c B a r is c o n v i n c e d t h a t o b e d i e n c e t o t h e T o r a h is, a n d leads t o , t r u e w i s d o m w h i c h a m o u n t s t o r i g h t e o u s n e s s a n d secures S2dvation. T h e e t h i c a l o r i e n t a t i o n is evident in t h e fact t h a t b o t h law'^*
3 7 3 Stressed as a "fundaraentaJer Glaubenssatz" of apocalypticism by M. Kiichler, Weisheitstraditionen, p.66. 3 7 4 SapSal 1 8 , 4 ; 4Ezr 14,20-21; 1 0 , 2 2 ; ApcBar 1 7 , 1 ; 3 8 , 1 - 2 ; 5 4 , 5 ; 18,1-2; 4 6 , 2 - 3 ;
164
Conclusion
a n d w i s d o m ' ^ ' are d e s c r i b e d as " l i g h t " . S o m e t i m e s t h e law'^^ ^ n d w i s d o m ' ^ ^ are c o m p a r e d w i t h a ' w a y ' a n d a ' p a t h ' . T h e p a r t i c u l a r i s t i c d i m e n s i o n of t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of law a n d w i s d o m , i.e. t h e e m p h a s i s o n t h e J e w i s h law a n d t h e J e w i s h r e a l m w i t h regard t o w i s d o m , is t a k e n for g r a n t e d in m o s t writings r a t h e r t h a n e l u c i d a t e d specifically. T h e E x o d u s e v e n t , t h e cove n a n t , t h e t h e o p h a n y at M t . Sinai, a n d t h e p e r s o n of Moses are m e n tioned occasionally. T h e theological d i m e n s i o n is t a k e n for g r a n t e d as well. T h e c o n c e p t of t h e fear of t h e L o r d is n o t p r o m i n e n t in m o s t of t h e writings discussed'^*. B u t it is always o b v i o u s t h a t t h e law origi n a t e d w i t h G o d a n d t h a t G o d possesses w i s d o m a n d gives w i s d o m . T h e universalistic d i m e n s i o n of t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n is m o r e in t h e b a c k g r o u n d . B o t h w i s d o m ' ^ ^ ^ n d t h e law'*" are r e l a t e d t o crea t i o n a n d d e s c r i b e d as b e i n g universal. O f t e n t h e e t e r n a l validity of t h e law is s t r e s s e d ' * ' . A p o l o g e t i c - p h i l o s o p h i c a l treatises like Ep Arist a n d 4 M a c c are n a t u r a l l y m o r e inclined t o stress t h e universal p e r s p e c t i v e of J e w i s h law a n d w i s d o m . T h e d i d a c t i c d i m e n s i o n t e n d s t o b e e q u a h y in t h e b a c k g r o u n d . It is p r e s e n t in 4 E z r a n d A p c B a r w h i c h k n o w t h e p e r s o n of t h e s c r i b e , t h e wise t e a c h e r of t h e law. T h e e s c h a t o l o g i c a l d i m e n s i o n of t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of law a n d w i s d o m goes b e y o n d B e n Sira's c o n c e p t i o n . It has b e e n d i s c o v e r e d in E n o c h , 4 E z r , a n d A p c B a r . T h e C o m i n g O n e is l i n k e d w i t h t h e
375 376 377 378
379
5 9 , 2 . Cf. also TLev 4 , 3 ; 1 8 , 3 ; 14,3-4; 1 9 , 1 ; TReu 3,8; AntBibl 9,8; 1 1 , 1 ; 12,2; 15,6; 19,6; 2 3 , 1 0 ; 3 3 , 3 . Bar 3 , 1 4 ; SapSal 7 , 2 6 ; cL En(eth) 5,6-9; 5 8 , 3 - 6 ; 108,11-14; AntBibl 23,7; 5 1 , 4 ; TLev 18,3. CL Bar 3 , 1 3 ; 4 , 1 3 ; En(eth) 9 9 , 1 0 ; PsSal 1 4 , 2 ; ApcBar 3 8 , 4 . CL also AntBibl 12,4; 2 1 , 9 ; 30,1-2. CL Bar 4,13 ;En(eth) 9 4 , 1 - 5 ; 9 9 , 1 0 ; ApcBar 3 8 , 2 . Cf. also TLev 13,1. Cf. ApcBar 4 6 , 5 . PsSal is an exception: the righteous are linked with the fear of the Lord in 2 , 3 3 ; 3 , 1 2 ; 4 , 2 3 ; 5,18; 6,5; 1 2 , 4 ; 1 3 , 1 2 ; 1 5 , 1 3 . CL also TLev 13,1.7; TJud 16,2; TGad 3 , 2 ; TJos 11,1. CL Bar 3 , 2 4 - 2 5 . 3 2 - 3 4 ; En(eth) 4 2 , 1 ; 8 4 , 3 ; 9 1 , 1 0 ; 9 4 , 5 ; SapSal 8,1-4; 7 , 1 7 - 2 1 . 2 4 ; 9,1-2.9. CL also TNaph 2,8-9; 3,2-5.
3 8 0 En(eth) 2,1-2; 3 3 , 3 4 ; 6 0 , 1 1 - 2 2 ; 6 6 , 1 - 2 ; 7 3 , 1 ; 7 5 , 1 ; 7 6 , 1 4 ; 79,1-2; 8 0 , 7 . CL also TLev 1 3 ; TNaph 2,1-3,3; 8,7-10; Jub 1,4.10.26.29; 2,2; 5 , 1 3 ; 7,20; 16,3; 2 1 , 5 ; 23,16; 24,11; 30,21. 381 CL Bar 4 , 1 ; En(eth) 9 3 , 6 ; 9 9 , 2 . 1 4 ; PsSai 7,9; 4Ezr 7 , 1 1 ; 9 , 3 7 ; ApcBar 7 7 , 1 5 . CL also J u b 2 3 3 ; 6 , 1 4 ; 1 3 , 2 6 ; 1 5 , 2 5 ; 1 6 , 3 0 ; AntBibl 11,1-2.5; 9,8.
Conclusion
165
law'*^ a n d w i t h w i s d o m ' " . B o t h o b e d i e n c e to t h e law a n d wis d o m wiU c h a r a c t e r i z e t h e n e w a e o n . Wise, faithful o b e d i e n c e t o t h e law is decisive for o b t a i n i n g r i g h t e o u s n e s s a n d for i n h e r i t i n g t h e e s c h a t o l o g i c a l salvation'**.
3 8 2 The Son of Man: En(eth) 3 9 , 6 ; 4 8 , 1 - 2 ; 4 9 , 2 ; 5 3 , 7 ; 7 1 , 1 4 . 1 6 ; the Davidic King: PsSal 17,24. Cf. also TJud 24,1.3.6 (the Messiah) and TLev 18,2.3-5.9.11 (the 'saviour priest'). 3 8 3 The Son of Man: En(eth) 4 8 , 1 - 2 ; 4 9 , 1 - 3 ; 5 1 , 3 ; the Messiah and the Davidic King: PsSal 1 7 , 2 3 . 2 9 . 3 5 . 3 7 ; 18,7. Cf. also TLev 18,3.5.7.9 (the 'saviour priest'). 3 8 4 Especially stressed in 4Ezr and ApcBar.
( l h a p t c r 'riircc
Law and W i s d o m in the Dead Sea Scrolls
§9
Introduction
T h e n o n - b i b h c a l m a n u s c r i p t s from Q u m r a n w h i c h w e r e discover ed in 11 caves at t h e n o r t h w e s t e r n edge of t h e D e a d Sea, s i t u a t e d in t h e i m m e d i a t e p r o x i m i t y of t h e c o m m u n a l s e t t l e m e n t of Hirb e t Q u m r a n , form t h e t e x t u a l basis of this s e c t i o n . A c a d e m i c re s e a r c h ' seems t o have s e t t l e d t h e m o s t i m p o r t a n t f u n d a m e n t a l q u e s t i o n s of t h e origin of t h e s e t e x t s t o s u c h a degree t h a t t h e y d o n o t h a v e t o be discussed h e r e a g a i n ^ . T h e r e exists a w i d e agree m e n t t h a t t h e m a n u s c r i p t s of t h e s e caves s t e m from t h e library of t h e Essenes, k n o w n from a n c i e n t s o u r c e s ' , w h o h a d s e t t l e d in
1 For useful surveys see J.A. Sanders, "The Dead Sea Scrolls - A Quarter Century of Study", BA 36 (1973) 110-148; J. Licht, "The Qumran Sect and its Scr6Us", WlfJP 1/8 ( 1 9 7 7 ) 1 2 5 - 1 5 2 ; G. Vermes, The Dead Sea Scrolls: Qumran in Perspec tive, 1 9 7 7 ; A . Dupont-Sommcr, "Trente annees de recherches sur les manuscrits de la Mer Morte ( 1 9 4 7 - 1 9 7 7 ) " , Cfl.4/ 1 9 7 8 , p p . 6 5 9 - 6 7 7 ; E. Schiirer,//istory, 2, 1 9 7 9 , p p . 5 5 5 - 6 0 6 ; H. Bietenhard, "Die Handschriftenfunde vom Toten Meer (Hirbet Qumran) und die Essenerfrage. Die Funde in der Wustejuda", ^A'filV 11/19,1 ( 1 9 7 9 ) 7 0 4 - 7 7 8 ; G.W.E. Nickelsburg, Literature,ppA22-l60. Cf. also the bibliographies of C. Burchard, Bibliographie zu den Handschriften vom Toten Meer, 1, BZAW 76, 1957; 2, BZAW 8 9 , 1 9 6 5 ; B. Jongeling, A Classified Bibliography of the Finds in the Desert of Judah 1958-1969, STDJ 7, 1 9 7 1 , and the regular up-date in RQ by J . Carmignac et al. The lament of O. Betz, Offenbarung und Schriftforschung in der Qumransekte, WUNT 6, 1 9 6 0 , p . l , of 13 years ago, that it is hardly possible any more to keep track of all monographs and articles which have appeared on Qumran, is even more appropriate today. 2 See the statement to the same effect of H. Lichtenberger, Studien zum Menschenbild in den Texten der Qumrangemeinde, S U N T 15, 1 9 8 0 , p. 13. 3 Josephus Ant 1 3 , 1 7 1 ; 18,13-21; Vit 10-11; BeU 2 , 1 2 1 - 1 2 3 . 1 2 8 - 1 4 2 . 1 4 7 - 1 4 9 . 1 6 3 ; PhUo Quod omnis 7 5 - 7 6 ; Pliny NatHist 5 , 7 3 . CL A. Adam, C. Burchard, Antike Berichte uber die Essener, 2 1 9 7 2 .
Introduction
167
Q u m r a n * . M o r e specifically, t h e m a n u s c r i p t s are the p r o d u c t of t h e literary p r o d u c t i o n a n d , as regards p r o b a b l y t h e m a j o r i t y of t h e m , of t h e c o p y i n g activity of t h e g r o u p w h i c h lived in t h e set t l e m e n t . As m e a s u r e for g e n u i n e Q u m r a n i a n c o n c e p t s figure m a i n l y I Q M , I Q H , I Q S , C D , a n d t h e p e s h a r i m ' . W i t h regard t o o t h e r t e x t s w h i c h d o n o t fit e x a c U y i n t o t h e s p e c t r u m of t h e s e m a i n w r i d n g s , it is o f t e n difficult, in t h e individual case, t o p r o v e or t o d e n y Q u m r a n i a n origin. It is j u s t i f i e d ^ , h o w e v e r , t o d r a w u p o n s u c h t e x t s w h i c h are usually relatively s h o r t - s u c h as 4 Q 1 7 5 , 179, 184, 185, 186; 4QDibHam, 4QShir, llQPs^ 19,1-18; 22,11 5 ; 2 7 , 2 - 1 1 — in o r d e r t o p r e s e n t in a clearer o u t l i n e t h e e v i d e n c e of t h e t y p i c a l l y Q u m r a n i a n w r i t i n g s ^ . R e c e n t research a s s u m e s t h a t t h e chief Q u m r a n t e x t s have o b t a i n e d t h e i r p r e s e n t f o r m t h r o u g h an e v o l u t i o n a r y process w h i c h
4 Cf. O. Betz, Offenbarung, p . 2 ; K. Schubert, ReUgionsparteien, p.50; E.F. R o o p , A Form-CriHcal Study of the Society Rule, 1 9 7 2 , p p . 3 3 6 - 3 6 1 ; M. H e n g e l , / u t i e n tum, p.395 n . 6 2 6 ; G. Vermes, Qumran, p p . 1 2 5 - 1 3 0 ; J . Licht, "Qumran Sect", WHJP 1/8 ( 1 9 7 7 ) 1 4 6 ; J.H. Charlesworth, "The Origin and Subsequent History of the Authors of the Dead Sea Scrolls: Four Transitional Phases Among the Qumran Essenes", RQ 10 ( 1 9 8 0 ) 2 1 6 ; K.E. Grozinger, Qumran, 1 9 8 1 , pp.3L; G. Vermes, "The Essenes and H i s t o r y " , / / S 3 2 ( 1 9 8 1 ) 19-21; G.W.E. Nickelsburg, Literature, p. 1 2 2 . 5 CL M. Hengel, o.c, p . 3 9 4 ; H. Lichtenberger, o.c, p.14. It has been shown re cently, on linguistic and literary grounds, that the Temple Scroll ( I I Q T ) which dates into the Hasmonean period was not composed by a Qumranian author. Cf. B.A. Levine, "Preliminary Reflections o n the Temple Scroll", in J . Neusner, ^4 His tory of the Mishnaic Law of Holy Things, SJLA 3 0 , voL 6, 1 9 8 0 , pp.XVHI-XX; L.H. Schiffman, "The Temple Scroll in Literary and Philological Perspective", Approaches to Ancient Judaism, 2 , BJS 9, ed. W.S. Green, 1 9 8 0 , p p . 1 4 3 - 1 5 9 . Schiff man assumes that 1 IQT was "composed by a group that was ideologically aligned between Qumran sectarianism and the Pharisaic tradition, tending toward Pharisa ism" ( p . l 5 4 ) . Pace H. Lichtenberger, o.c, p . l 4 w h o includes 1 IQT in the genuine Qumran corpus. 6 Cf. H. Lichtenberger, o.c, p.45. 7 With respect to the major Qumran texts we use the edition of E. Lohse, Die Texte aus Qumran: Hebraisch und Deutsch, ^ 1 9 7 1 , and the translation of G. Vermes, The Dead Sea Scrolls in English, 2 l 9 7 5 (= 1 9 8 2 ) , being the most accessible. With regard to the other Qumran texts we used the editions and translations in the re spective volumes of the Discoveries in the Judaean Desert (of Jordan): D. Barthel e m y , J . T . MiUk, Qumran Cave 1, DJD 1, 1955; M. Baillet, J . T . MiUk, R. de Vaux, Les Petites Grottes' de Qumran. Exploration de la falaise. Les grottes 2Q, 3Q, 5Q, 6 Q , 7Q a lOQ. Le rouleau de c u i v r c f l / O 3 , 1962; J . A . Sanders, The Psalms ScroU ofQumrdnCave 11 (f i Q P s ^ J , / ) / / ) 4 , 1 9 6 5 ; J JW. AUegro, Qiimran Cave 4:I(4Q1584Q186), DJD 5, 1 9 6 8 ; M. Baillet, Qumran Grotte 4: HI (4Q482^Q520). DJD 7, 1982.
168
Introduction
seems t o m i r r o r s o m e h o w t h e historical d e v e l o p m e n t of t h e Q u m r a n E s s e n e s * . R e f e r e n c e s from c o n t e m p o r a r y h i s t o r y , arch aeological e v i d e n c e , a n d p a l a e o g r a p h i c a l d a t a reveal t h a t t h e Q u m ran C o m m u n i t y p r o p e r has a h i s t o r y of over 2 0 0 y e a r s , b e g i n n i n g in t h e ' s e c o n d half of t h e s e c o n d c e n t u r y B.C. a n d e n d i n g w i t h t h e First J e w i s h War. R.T. Beckwith assumes o n the basis of the date of the Book of Dreams in En(eth) 89-90 that the proto-Essene movement which preceded the emergence of the Essene party proper must have commenced in or around 251 B.C. He maintains that these 'proto-Essenes' seem to have been originally "associates" (haberim) in the existing (proto-) Pharisaic societies. He characterizes the Essenes as a reforming (not 'conserv ative') movement exhibiting several major similarities with the Sadducees^.
J . H . C h a r l e s w o r t h c o n c l u d e s from the e v i d e n c e of t h e h i s t o r y of t h e g r o u p in H i r b e t Q u m r a n t h a t " E s s e n e t h e o l o g y was n o t a m o n o l i t h i c closed s y s t e m b u t d e v e l o p e d d u r i n g t h e 2 0 0 years of t h e e x i s t e n c e of t h e Q u m r a n E s s e n e s " i o . H o w e v e r , M. Hengel p o i n t s o u t t h a t d e s p i t e t h e t r a d i t i o n his t o r y of s o m e of the t e x t s t h e y can still be r e g a r d e d as being c h a r a c t e r i s t i c of t h e basic Essene t e a c h i n g since t h e strict discipline a n d c o n s i s t e n c y of t h e C o m m u n i t y r e n d e r t h e c o - e x i s t e n c e of dif f e r e n t , c o n s c i o u s l y c o n t r a d i c t i n g ' t h e o l o g i e s ' very i m p r o b a b l e ' ' . Even t h o u g h , e.g., I Q S a n d C D m i g h t have g o n e t h r o u g h a literary e v o l u t i o n a n d c o n s i s t of different u n i t s , h y m n s , c a t e c h e t i c i n s t r u c t i o n s , liturgic f o r m u l a e , a n d j u d i c i a l s t i p u l a t i o n s , this d o e s n o t p r o v e t h a t different Lehrtopoi w e r e a d o p t e d a t different historical stages. H e c o n c l u d e s t h a t " d i e a n g e b h c h e n t h e o l o g i s c h e n Differ-
8 See the studies of J . Becker, Das Heil Gottes: Heils- und Siindenbegriffe in den Qumrantexten und im Neuen Testament, SUNT 3 , 1 9 6 4 ; A.M. Denis, Les themes de connaissance dans le Document de Damas, Studia Hellenistica 15, 1 9 6 7 ; P. von der Osten-Sacken, Gott und Belial: Traditionsgeschichtliche Untersuchungen zum Dualismus in den Texten aus Qumran, S U N T 6, 1 9 6 9 , P. Garnet, Salvation and Atonement in the Qumran Scrolls, WUNT 11/13, 1 9 7 7 ; H. Lichtenberger, Studien, SUNT 15, 1980. 9 Cf. R.T. Beckwith, "The Significance of the Calendar for Interpreting Essene Chro nology and Eschatology", RQ 9 ( 1 9 8 0 ) 1 6 7 - 2 0 2 ; idem, "The Pre-History and Rel ationships of the Pharisees, Sadducees and Essenes: A Tentative Reconstruction", RQ 11 ( 1 9 8 2 ) 3 - 4 6 , here 3-6, 3 2 - 3 8 . 10 J.H. Charlesworth, "The Origin and Subsequent History of the Authors of the Dead Sea Scrolls", RQ 10 ( 1 9 8 0 ) 2 3 3 . 11 M. Hengel, Judentum, p.406 n.674 arguing contra J . Becker, Heil Gottes, 1 9 6 4 , pp. 39-59.
The Significance
and Role of the Law
1 69
e n z e n sind i i b e r w i e g e n d d u r c h die verschiedene F o r m der einzelnen literarischen Einheiten b e d i n g t " ' ^ .
§10
Law and Commandments:
The Rule of Life
N o c o m p r e h e n s i v e s t u d y on t h e c o n c e p t of law in Q u m r a n has y e t b e e n w r i t t e n . T h e major c o n t r i b u t i o n s for o u r brief a n d syn t h e t i c p r e s e n t a t i o n of t h e Q u m r a n i a n c o n c e p t of law c o m e from F . N o t s c h e r , H. B r a u n , O . Betz, M. L i m b e c k , J . A . H u n t j e n s , a n d H. L i c h t e n b e r g e r " . T h e c o n c e p t a n d c o n t e n t of Essene h a l a k h a h has b e e n discussed b y J . M . B a u m g a r t e n a n d L.H. S c h i f f m a n ' * .
1 0 . 1 . T h e Significance a n d R o l e of t h e L a w T h e s u p r e m e goal of t h e C o m m u n i t y is e x p r e s s e d in t h e o p e n ing h u e s of I Q S w h e r e t h e m e m b e r s of t h e C o m m u n i t y are ex h o r t e d t o " s e e k G o d ( t i ? - n ) w i t h a w h o l e h e a r t a n d soul, a n d d o w h a t is g o o d a n d right b e f o r e h i m as h e c o m m a n d e d ( m s ) b y t h e h a n d of Moses a n d all his servants t h e P r o p h e t s " ( 1 , 1 - 3 ) . T h e C o m m u n i t y is referred to as " h o u s e of t h e l a w " ( n m n n i r a , CD 2 0 , 1 0 . 1 3 ) a n d " c o m m u n i t y of the l a w " ( m i n a i n ' , I Q S 5 , 2 ) . Its m e m b e r s are p e o p l e w h o " o b s e r v e t h e T o r a h " ( m i n n •'!z;iy I Q p H a b 8 , 1 ; 12,5). P e o p l e w h o j o i n t h e C o m m u n i t y " r e t u r n t o the law of M o s e s " (n!z;n m i n bn mtz;, C D 1 5 , 9 . 1 2 ; 16,1-2.4^5; cf. I Q S 5 , 9 ) . In t h e
12 M. Hengel, ibid.; cf. also E.P. Sanders, Paul and Palestinian Judaism, 1 9 7 7 , p.238 n.l. 13 F. Notscher, Zur theologischen Terminologie der Qumrantexte, BBB 10, 1 9 5 6 , pp. 4 3 f . , 6 3 - 7 1 ; H. Braun, Spdtjudisch-hdretischer und fruhchristlicher Radikalismus, 1, BHTh 2 4 , 1 9 5 7 , passim; O. Betz, Offenbarung und Schriftforschung in der Qum ransekte, 1 9 6 0 , passim; M. Limbeck, Ordnung, 1 9 7 1 , pp.l 19-189; J.A. Huntjens, "Contrasting Notions of Covenant and Law in the Texts from Qumran", RQ 8 ( 1 9 7 4 ) 3 6 1 - 3 8 0 passim; H. Lichtenberger, Studien, 1 9 8 0 , p p . 2 0 0 - 2 1 2 . 14 JM. Baumgarten, Studies in Qumran Law, SJLA 2 4 , 1 9 7 7 ; L.H. Schiffman, The Halakhah at Qumran, SJLA 16, 1 9 7 5 .
1 70
Law and Commandments:
The Rule of Life
o a t h of e n t r a n c e ( I Q S 5 , 7 - 1 1 ; C D 1 5 , 5 - 1 5 ; I Q H 1 4 , 1 7 - 1 8 ; cf. J o s e p h u s BeU 2 , 1 3 9 - 1 4 2 ) t h e n o v i c e pledges himself t o p r a c t i s e t h e w h o l e law w i t h all its i m p l i c a t i o n s , even u n t o d e a t h (cf. C D 1 6 , 8 - 9 ) . T h u s , ' c o n v e r s i o n ' was i d e n t i c a l v\dth t h e s t u d y of, a n d p e r f e c t o b e d i e n c e t o , t h e l a w of Moses as revealed t o a n d inter p r e t e d b y t h e " s o n s of Z a d o k " (cf. I Q S 5 , 8 - 9 ) " . T h e e n t r a n c e i n t o t h e C o m m u n i t y is d e p e n d e n t u p o n t h e t o t a l a n d u n l i m i t e d fulfilment of t h e T o r a h . T h e k e e p i n g of t h e law g u a r a n t e e s G o d ' s blessing, a n d d i s o b e d i e n c e results in c u r s e . T h i s is a p p a r e n t in t h e f o r m u l a e of blessing a n d c u r s e ' 6 . T h u s , 4 Q B e r ^ ( 2 8 6 ) 10 2 , 1 2 ' ^ s t a t e s t h a t t h e w i c k e d are c u r s e d b e c a u s e t h e y a r e eager t o " a l t e r ( TJan*?) t h e c o m m a n d m e n t s of t h e T o r a h " . T h e law is t h e decisive f a c t o r in o n e ' s rela tionship to God. T h e l e a d e r s of t h e C o m m u n i t y are t o be c h a r a c t e r i z e d b y per f e c t i o n in all w h i c h is revealed in t h e l a w ( I Q S 8,1-2). T h e T e a c h e r of R i g h t e o u s n e s s is t h e " i n t e r p r e t e r of t h e l a w " ( m i n n iz^nn, C D 6 , 7 ; 7,18) par excellence (cf. also I Q S 14 f 9 , 6 - 8 ; I Q p H a b 5 , 1 0 - 1 2 ; 7,4-5; 4QpPs^ 2 b , 2 ) . T h e basic i m p o r t a n c e of t h e law for t h e C o m m u n i t y is f u r t h e r e v i d e n t in passages like C D 7 , 1 6 - 1 9 ; I Q H 4 , 1 0 ; 5 , 1 1 ; 6 , 1 0 ; I Q p H a b 7 , 1 0 - 1 2 ; 8 , 1 ; 1 2 , 4 - 5 ; 4QpPs^ 1,2-3; 4 Q D i b H a m * f l 2 , 1 3 . T h u s , t h e basis of t h e C o m m u n i t y has b e e n d e s c r i b e d as dis p l a y i n g a " d e v o t i o n e x t r e m e a la T o r a h , n o r m e de vie a b s o l u t e e t ideal d e p e r f e c t i o n " ' * . T h e law is c e r t a i n l y a f u n d a m e n t a l
15 Cf. H. Gabrion, "L'interpretation de I'Ecriture dans la litterature de Qumran", ANRW 11/19,1 ( 1 9 7 9 ) 8 1 9 ; similarly P. Garnet, "Qumran Light on PauUne Soteriology", Pauline Studies. FS F.F. Bruce, ed. D.A. Hagner et al., 1 9 8 0 , p p . 2 0 - 2 2 . 16 CL H. Lichtenberger, Studien, p p 5 9 - l 16, 2 0 1 . 17 Preliminary edition by J.T. Milik i n / / S 23 (1972) 130-137. 18 H. Gabrion, "Interpretation", ANRW 11/19,1 ( 1 9 7 9 ) 8 1 8 . Scholars were never cautious with regard to their evaluation of the role and observance of the law in Qumran (in marked contrast to other aspects of Qumranian theology!) which was labelled 'strict', 'legalistic', etc.; cf. M. Delcor, "Contributions a 1 'etude de la legis lation des sectaires de Damas et dc Qumran", RBf>\( 1954) 5 3 3 - 5 5 3 ; f t * 6 2 ( 1 9 5 5 ) 6 0 - 7 5 ; H. Braun Qumran und das Neue Testament, 2, 1 9 6 6 , p p . 2 2 9 - 2 3 5 ; cL also the quotations in M. Limbeck, Ordnung, p.22 with nn.37-39. The study of H. Braun, Radikalismus, 1, 1957 was very influential; he concluded that the different Qumran writings have one point in c o m m o n ; the "Radikalisierung" or "Verscharfimg" of the Torah. For a criticism of H. Braun see O. Betz, Offenbarung, p.l 8 n.4; M. Limbeck, o.c., pp.24-28.
Terminology
171
f a c t o r for a n d in t h e C o m m u n i t y , d e t e r m i n i n g m a n in t h e t o t a l i t y of his life's references a n d r e l a t i o n s h i p s ' ^ .
10.2.
Terminology^"
T h e t e r m m i n o c c u r s f r e q u e n d y in t h e Q u m r a n t e x t s ^ ' a n d o b v i o u s l y refers t o t h e Mosaic law ( P e n t a t e u c h ) if n o t t o t h e O T as a whole^^. A n o t h e r f r e q u e n t t e r m for l a w is p i n referring b o t h t o t h e T o r a h ^ * a n d t o t h e o r d e r of c r e a t i o n s e t u p b y G o d ^ ' . T h e t e r m m x ? 3 is u s u a l l y terminus technicus for t h e c o m m a n d m e n t s o f t h e Torah^^. T h e t e r m DSU^n^'' is n o t u s e d t o describe t h e l a w
19 Cf. H. Lichtenberger, Studien, p . 2 0 1 . He points out that the totality of this claim corresponds with the deuteronomistic concept of law. The question whether we have to speak of 'legalism' with regard to the Qumranian concept of law will be discussed in Excursus II. 20 CL K.G. Kuhn et al., Konkordanz zu den Qumrantexten, I 9 6 0 ; idem, "Nachtrage zur 'Konkordanz zu d e n Qumrantexten' ", RQ 4 ( 1 9 6 3 ) 163-234; and the indices of Hebrew words i n D / Z ) 3 , 1 9 6 2 ; 0 7 / ) 4 , I 9 6 5 , £ ) / i > 5 , 1968;D7Z) 7, 1 9 8 2 . 21 n i n occurs 30X in CD, 13x in IQS, 5 x in IQpHab, and in IQH 4 , 1 0 ; 5 , 1 1 ; 6 , 1 0 ; IQSa 1 , 1 1 ; 1Q22 1,4; 2 , 9 ; 1Q27 5 , 2 ; 4QpIsa D 2 ; 4 Q p I s C 12.14; 4QpPsa 1,3; 2 , 3 . 1 5 . 2 3 ; 4 , 8 ; 4QFlor 1,7.11; 4QDibHama f l - 2 2 , 1 3 ; f4,8; 4 Q 4 8 7 f2,5; 4 Q 5 1 3 f4,5; llQPsa 18,12; 24,8. 22 Notice the role of the Psalms (I IQPs^) and of the Prophets (pesharim) for the com munity. M. Limbeck, Ordnung, pp.I77f. wdth n.233 maintains that n i i n in the 'Teacher psalms' (IQH 4,10; 5 , 1 1 ; 6,10) does not signify the Mosaic law but "(von Gott kommende) Weisung". This is, however, n o t t h e case, cf. S. Holm-Nielsen, liodayot: Psalms from Qumran, AThD 2 , 1 9 6 0 , pp.286L with n.23: since I Q H makes a far greater use of the Prophets and the Psalms than of the Pentateuch, m m probably refers there to the OT as a whole. 23
p i n o c c u r s 1 9 x in I Q S , I 3 x in CD, 9 x in IQH, and in IQSa 1,5.7; 2 , 2 1 ; IQSb 3 , 2 4 ; IQpHab 2,15; 8 , 1 0 . 1 7 ; IQM 1 0 , 1 0 . 1 2 ; 13,12; 1Q16 12,1; 1 Q 3 4 fS 2,2; IQ38 12,1; I Q 5 1 2 ; 4 Q T e s t i m 2 9 ; 4QpIs': f4-7 2,5; 4QpHos f 7 - 9 , 2 ; 4 Q 4 8 7 f 2 I , 3 ; 4 Q M a fI-3,3; 4 Q 5 0 2 f l - 2 ; 4QDibHama f 6 , 3 ; f3 2 , I 4 ; 4 Q P r Fetesb 2,3;4QShir'' f48-51 2, 4; f63-64 2 , 3 ; 4 Q 5 1 2 f 8 2 , 2 ; 4 Q 5 1 5 f 2 , 1 . 24 Especially in I Q S , CD, and IQH. This is extremely important for the Qimiranian concept of law since pin , in the OT, is not used as term for the law as a whole. In thiscontext hereD''p'n/|7in is a substitute for n i 2 f a / n i X a . CL M. Limbeck, o.c, pp.47f., 1 7 9 , 1 8 1 . 25 On p i n as law of time see I Q S 9 , 1 4 . 2 3 ; 10,26; as order of all created things see IQH 7 , 3 4 ; as cosmk: order see IQS 10,1.6.8.11; IQH 1,10; IQM 1 0 , 1 2 - 1 3 ; cL IQpHab 7,13. C L M . Limbeck, o . c , p . 4 8 . 26 m s n o c c u r s 1 4 x in CD, and in IQS 8 , 1 7 ; IQSb 1,1; IQpHab 5.5; IQH 1 6 , 1 3 . 1 7 ; 17,7; f2,8; 1Q22 2 , 1 . 1 1 ; 1Q25 1,4; 4QpHosa 2 , 4 ; 4QpHosb f 2 3 , l ; 4 Q 1 8 4 1,15;
172
Law and Commandments:
The Rule of Life
as a whole^*. O n several o c c a s i o n s t h e t e r m refers p a r t i c u l a r l y t o t h e l a w of t h e C o m m u n i t y derived t h r o u g h t h e m e d i u m of exegeSis29.
With regard t o t h e c o n t e n t of t h e law, t w o t e r m s are t o be n o t e d . r^b).i|T\^'7>i^ d e s i g n a t e t h e " r e v e a l e d t h i n g s " , i.e. G o d ' s clear, revealed p r e c e p t s in t h e T o r a h w h i c h are k n o v m t o e v e r y o n e a n d w h i c h n e e d n o i n t e r p r e t a t i o n " . T h e r o o t n'?A s t a n d s for t h e process of r e v e l a t i o n ' ^ . O n t h e o t h e r h a n d , t h e t e r m s n n o j / n n n o a " refer to t h e " h i d d e n t h i n g s " , i.e. t h o s e p r e c e p t s of t h e law (especially w i t h regard t o t h e c a l e n d a r , t h e s a b b a t h , t h e festi vals) for w h i c h o n l y t h e C o m m u n i t y has t h e c o r r e c t i n t e r p r e t a t i o n ' * . T h e s e " h i d d e n t h i n g s " a r e k n o w n t o t h e C o m m u n i t y as t h e result of (progressive) r e v e l a t i o n [rhi.) o r i n t e r p r e t a t i o n (li'nTa,
1 0 . 3 . T h e C o n c e p t of R e v e l a t i o n 10.3.1. Terms and concepts. T h e c o n c e p t of r e v e l a t i o n in t h e Q u m r a n C o m m u n i t y has b e e n s t u d i e d b y O . B e t z ' ^ . T h e p r o c e s s
27 28 29 30 31 32
33
4Q601 f l , 7 ; 4QDibHam'> f l 2 1 , 2 ; 6 Q 1 6 3,2 Cf. generaUy M. Limbeck, o.c. pp.40, 181. USIZ/aoccurs 5 3 x in I Q S , 4 8 x in IQH, 3 8 x in CD, lOx in IQpHab, 8 x in IQSa. The occurrence in other texts cannot be listed here. CL M. Limbeck, o.c, p.41 n.42a w h o states that 0 3 lya in CD means "Norm fiir das personliche Verhalten wie fur die Rechtsprechung" (cL CD 5,9). CL CD 7,1-3; 12,19-20; 14,17-19; 1 5 , 1 0 - 1 3 ; 2 0 , 2 7 - 3 2 ; IQS 8,1 7 - 1 8 . 2 4 - 2 5 ; 9 , 1 4 1 5 . CL L.H. Schiffman, Halakhah, pp.42-49. CL IQS 1,9; 5,9.12; 8 , 1 . 1 5 ; 9 , 1 3 . 1 9 ; IQH 14,16; CD 5,5; 1 5 , 1 3 ; 4QPrFetesl> f2,4. CL O. Betz, Offenbarung, p.7; L.H. Schiffman, Halakhah, p p . 2 2 - 3 2 ; H. Gabrion, "Interpretation",^AfT?IV 11/19,1 ( 1 9 7 9 ) 8 2 0 . r\b:, occurs 17x in IQH, 8x in CD, 8x in I Q S , and in IQM 1 0 , 1 1 ; 1Q26 1,4; 1Q27 fl 1,5.6; 2 , 1 ; 4QpIse f l - 2 , 3 ; 4QpNah f3 2 , 5 ; 3 , 4 ; 4 Q 1 7 7 f 5 - 6 , 9 ; 4 Q 4 8 5 f3,2;4QPrFetesb f2,4. CL IQS 5 , 1 1 ; 8 , 1 1 ; 9 , 1 7 ; 11,6; IQH 11,19; f 5 5 , l ; CD 3 , 1 4 ; 4 Q 5 1 2 5,15; 4QPrFetesb f2,4; 4QPrFetesC f 2 1 2 , l ; 5 Q 1 3 1,2.
34 CL L.H. Schiffman, o.c, pp.22-32; H. Gabrion, a.c, p p . 8 2 0 L ; J.M. Baumgartner, "The Unwritten Law in the Pre-Rabbinic P e r i o d " , / 5 / 3 ( 1 9 7 2 ) 24 (= Studies in Qumran Law, 1977, p.30). 35 CL § 1 0 . 3 . , 10.6., and 10.7. 36 Cf. O. Betz, o.c, especiaUy pp.3-154. See also F. Notscher, Terminologie, 1956, pp.68-71.
The Concept
of Revelation
173
of r e v e l a t i o n is d e s c r i b e d writh t h e t e r m n V j ' ^ . It is i n t e r e s t i n g t o n o t e t h a t t h e law is n e v e r called ' r e v e l a t i o n ' in t h e sense t h a t G o d has ' r e v e a l e d ' t h e l a w . R a t h e r , it is said t h a t G o d has " c o m m a n d e d " ( m s ) t h e l a w (cf. I Q S 1,2-3; 5 , 8 ; 8 , 1 5 ; 1 Q 2 2 1,4). In m a n y passages t h e law is l i n k e d w i t h G o d as its s o u r c e a n d origin w i t h o u t necessarily using t h e t e r m s n'?A or m s ' * . T h e law r e q u i r e s f u r t h e r revelation in o r d e r t o b e u n d e r s t o o d : as Moses was m e d i a t o r of t h e divine will ( I Q S , 1,2), s o t h e p r o p h ets also revealed t h e law. O n Sinai G o d s p o k e t o Moses face t o face p r o c l a i m i n g t o h i m t h e " w o r d s of t h e T o r a h " ( m i n n i m , 1 Q 2 2 1,1-4). A n d t h e p r o p h e t s " h a v e revealed {tb},) b y his H o l y Spirit" ( I Q S 8,16). T h e C o m m u n i t y c o n t i n u e s this r e v e l a t i o n of t h a t w h i c h is m e a n t b y t h e Mosaic T o r a h a n d b y t h e p r o p h e t s (cf. I Q S 1,9; 5 , 9 ; 8 , 1 ; 9 , 1 3 ) ' 9 . T h e o a t h of e n t r a n c e c o n t a i n s t h e basic s t i p u l a t i o n for t h e n o v i c e t o " r e t u r n " ( a n y ' ? ) t o t h e e n t i r e Mosaic law " i n a c c o r d a n c e w i t h all t h a t has b e e n revealed of it ( r u n a n'?Aan) t o sons of Z a d o k , t h e k e e p e r s of t h e c o v e n a n t a n d seekers of his w i l l " ( I Q S 5 , 8 - 9 ) . This progressive r e v e l a t i o n of t h e law is n e c e s s a r y in o r d e r t h a t t h e " h i d d e n t h i n g s " ( m i n o a ) c o m e t o light. T h u s we find in m a n y t e x t s a n " a r t i c u l a t e d e m p h a s i s o n r e v e l a t i o n as a con t i n u i n g process involving a c o n s t a n t search for n e w illumination"40.
In legal t e x t s this r e v e l a t i o n is t i e d m o r e t o a n e x p o s i t i o n of t h e Mosaic T o r a h a n d of t h e p r o p h e t s , w h e r e a s in t h e H y m n s it a p p e a r s m o r e in t h e f o r m of d i r e c t i n s p i r a t i o n * ' . T h e r e a l m of di-
37 See supra, n.32. 38 God is depicted as the source of the law in IQS 1,3.7.12.14; 2,16; 3 , 5 . 6 . 9 ; 4 , 3 ; 8, 1 5 - 2 1 , IQSb 1,1-3; CD 2 , 1 8 . 2 1 ; 3 , 2 . 6 ; 5 , 2 1 ; 9,7.8; 1 9 , 3 2 ; IQH 1 5 , 1 1 - 1 2 . 1 9 ; 1 6 , 1 3 . 17; IQpHab 1,11; 2 , 1 5 ; 5,5; 8,16-17; 1Q22 1 , 4 ; 2 , 1 - 2 . 1 1 ; 4 Q 5 0 1 7;4QDibHama f 1 2,13; f2 5 , 1 4 ; 4QDibHamb f l 2 1 , 2 ; 4 Q 1 6 6 2,4; 4 Q 1 8 5 2,3-4; l l Q p l s b 2,7; 1 IQ Melch 12; 1 IQT 5 4 , 5 - 1 4 ; l l Q P s ^ 18,14; 24,9. In these passages the genitive is often used to denote God as the source of the law. 39 Cf. H. Braun, Radikalismus, 1, p . l 8 . 4 0 J.M. Baumgarten, Studies, pp.29f. He concludes that "the Qumran exegetes, while . . . recognizing the authority of the Pentateuch, thought of it as only one of the rclevations received by Moses, the others being embodied in theu- arcane writings" (p.35). 41 Cf. M. Hengel, Judentum, p . 4 0 3 . Hengel points out that this different emphasis is not necessarily a contradiction: it can be explained by the differing literary forms of the statements as well as by the fact that divine illumination is also needed for
174
Law and Commandments:
The Rule of Life
vine revelation can b e d e f i n e d w i t h t h e t e r m naN*^^ a c e n t r a l con c e p t for Q u m r a n i a n t h e o l o g y : "Was G o t t t u t , m i t t e i l t u n d f o r d e r t , ist
nax"*'.
Moses a n d t h e p r o p h e t s h a v e a l r e a d y b e e n m e n t i o n e d as media tors of r e v e l a t i o n . O t h e r p e r s o n s in this c a t e g o r y i n c l u d e Z a d o k Hilkiah (CD 5 , 5 ) , E z r a (CD 1,6-12), a n d t h e T e a c h e r of R i g h t e o u s ness ( C D 1,11-12; 7,14-19)**. 10.3.2. Symbols and images. T h e r e c e p t i o n of r e v e l a t i o n * ' is c o m p a r e d w i t h t h e o p e n i n g of m a n w h o is u n d e r s t o o d t o be ' c l o s e d ' , especially in t h e H y m n s . I n this c o n t e x t nbj. is u s e d in its Hteral sense " t o o p e n " : G o d " o p e n s " t h e ears ( I Q H 1 , 2 1 ; 6 , 4 ; 1 8 , 4 . 2 0 ) , t h e eyes ( I Q H 1 8 , 1 9 ) , a n d t h e h e a r t ( I Q H 1 2 , 3 4 ; 1 8 , 24) of m a n . As his ' c l o s e d ' organs are o p e n e d , m a n receives revel ation. Different images are used t o describe t h e q u a l i t y of t h e revel a t i o n . It is d e s c r i b e d as light (cf. I Q H 4 , 5 . 2 3 . 2 7 ; I Q S 2 , 3 ; 3,192 0 ; 1 1 , 3 . 5 ) , as w a t e r (cf. C D 3 , 1 6 - 1 7 ; 6 , 2 - 1 1 ; I Q H 2 , 1 8 - 1 9 ; 4 , 5 - 6 ) , as life-giving a n d n o u r i s h i n g p o w e r (cf. I Q H 7 , 2 1 - 2 2 ; 5 , 2 3 ) . G o d ' s S p i r i t has a n i m p o r t a n t p a r t t o p l a y in t h e p r o c e s s of re velation**' . T h e revealing a c t i v i t y of t h e Spirit is n o t e m p h a s i z e d as s u c h . T h e t e x t s focus m o r e o n t h e p u r i f i c a t i o n w h i c h p r e p a r e s m a n for t h e r e c e p t i o n of r e v e l a t i o n a n d o n t h e k n o w l e d g e w h i c h is given b y t h e Spirit as p o w e r of r e v e l a t i o n . B o t h t h e t e a c h e r a n d t h e s t u d e n t of t h e T o r a h are i n s p i r e d b y t h e Spirit. T h e revelation w h i c h is a p r o d u c t of t h e i n t e r p r e t a t i o n of t h e S c r i p t u r e s a n d t h e r e v e l a t i o n given b y G o d ' s Spirit are o n e .
10.4. T h e Law and the Covenant
42 43 44 45 46
the knowledge of the secrets of God's revelation in the Scriptures (cf. IQH 12,1113). On the concept of revelation in IQH see S. Holm-Niclscn, Hodayot, 1 9 6 0 , pp. 2 8 2 - 2 9 0 ; H.W. Kuhn, Enderwartung und gegenwdrtiges Heil: Untersuchungen zu denGemeindeliedem von Qumran,SUNT 4 , 1956, p p . 2 2 - 2 4 , 1 3 9 - 1 7 5 . naN occurs 133x in K.G. Kuhn's A:onAor
The Law and the Covenant
1 75
10.4.1. T e r m i . As t h e c o v e n a n t b e t w e e n G o d a n d his p e o p l e is t h e k e y t o the u n d e r s t a n d i n g of t h e O T , so c o v e n a n t t h e o l o g y forms t h e f o u n d a t i o n of t h e basic beliefs of t h e Q u m r a n C o m m u nity*^. T h e t e r m n n a is f r e q u e n d y u s e d in t h e Q u m r a n texts**. O f t e n r e f e r e n c e is m a d e t o Moses in c o n n e c t i o n w i t h the c o v e n a n t a n d / o r t h e law*^. 10.4.2. Sinai, Israel, and the Community. T h e r e is n o q u e s t i o n t h a t t h e C o m m u n i t y believed in t h e m e d i a t i o n of t h e l a w b y Moses (cf. I Q S 1,2-3). T h e Sinaitic c o v e n a n t as such e n t e r s t h e pic t u r e especially t h r o u g h t h e r e f e r e n c e in t h e h i s t o r y of t h e C o m m u n i t y t o t h e D'llffK-i i T ' i a , t h e c o v e n a n t G o d m a d e w i t h t h e fore fathers (cf. C D 1,4; 3 , 1 0 ; 4 , 9 ; 6 , 2 ; 8 , 1 6 - 1 8 ) ' ° . G o d e s t a b l i s h e d his e t e r n a l c o v e n a n t w i t h t h o s e Israelites w h o k e p t t h e c o m m a n d m e n t s a n d w h o , t h e r e f o r e , c o n s t i t u t e t h e r e m n a n t (cf. C D 3 , 1 2 1 3 ) . F r o m this g r o u p t o w h i c h G o d revealed his wiU ( C D 3 , 1 3 - 1 6 ) a r o s e , after an initial stage (CD 3 , 1 6 - 1 7 ) , t h e C o m m u n i t y (CD 3 , 1 8 - 2 0 ; cf. 1,4-11). I t is o b v i o u s t h a t t h e Q u m r a n g r o u p saw itself t o b e in c o n t i n u i t y w i t h Israel a n d w i t h G o d ' s acts for his people.
47 Cf. A. Jaubert, Notion, p p . l 16-249; J. Becker, Heil, pp.60-65; A.S. Kapelrud, "Der Bund in den Qumran-Schriften", Bibel und Qumran, ed. S. Wagner, 1 9 6 8 , pp.1371 4 9 ; J A . Huntjens, "Contrasting Notions of Covenant and Law in the Texts from Qumran", RQ 8 ( 1 9 7 4 ) 3 6 1 - 3 8 0 ; G. Vermes, Dead Sea Scrolls, 2 l 9 7 5 , p p . 2 5 - 2 9 , 3 5 - 3 8 ; idem, Qumran, 1 9 7 7 , p p . 1 6 5 - 1 7 5 ; R.J. Raxiks, Jesus and the Law, pp.33-35; E.P. Sanders, Paul, p p . 2 4 0 - 2 7 1 ; H. Lichtenberger, Studien, p p . 2 0 0 - 2 0 7 . It should be noted that M. Limbeck, Ordnung, pp.l 19-189 in his discussion of the concept of law in Qumran refers to the covenant oiJy in passing (cf. p. 129); this explains the one-sidedness of his presentation. In a short article, N. Ug, "tJberlegungen zum Verstandnis von IT'ia in den Qumrantexten", BETL 4 6 ( 1 9 7 8 ) 2 5 7 - 2 6 3 deals with the concept of covenant with regard to the general priestly consciousness dur ing the initial stage of the history of the Community. 48
J l ' i a o c c u r s 4 2 x in CD, 3 2 x in I Q S , 2 7 x in IQH, 13x in IQM, 7x in IQSb, and in 20 further references listed by K.G. Kuhn. Add now 4 Q 1 8 3 fl 2 , 3 ; 4 Q 1 8 5 3 , 3 ; 4 Q 1 7 6 1 6 , 5 ; 4 Q 1 7 9 f l 1 , 4 ; 4 Q 4 9 1 f8-10 1,7; 4Q497 1 , 5 ; 4 Q 5 0 I I , 2 . 7 ; 4 Q 5 0 3 4 , 3 ; 4QDibHama fl-2 2,9; 3 , 9 . 1 8 ; 4 , 6 ; 5,8.9; 6 , 8 ; f2 7,9; 4QPrFetesb f 4 , 2 ; 4QPrFetesc f l 8 , 2 ; f97-98 1,8; f I 8 8 , 2 ; 4QShirb 163-64 2,5; 3 , 5 ; 4 Q 5 I 2 1 2 , 1 2 ; 5 Q 1 3 2 8 , 3 ; 6Q16 3,1; llQPsa 21,17.
4 9 Moses is mentioned l l x in CD, and in IQS 1,3; 5,8; 8 , 1 5 . 2 2 ; IQM 1 0 , 6 ; IQH 17, 12; I Q 2 2 1,1.11; 2 , 5 . 1 1 ; 4 , 3 ; 1Q62 2(? ); 4 Q I 5 8 f7-8,3; 4 Q I 5 9 f l 2 , 1 7 ; 5,4.7; 4QFlor fI-3 2 , 3 ; 4QTestim I ; 4QOrda 2 , I 7 ( ? ) ; 4QDibHama fI-2 2,9; 3 , 1 2 ; 5 , 14; f3 2,16; f4,8; f6,12; 4QDibHamt> f l 2 2 , l ; 4QPrFetesC 2 , 4 ; 4 Q O r d b 4 , 5 ; 6 Q D 3,4. 50 CL H. Lichtenberger, Studien,
p p . 2 0 3 L ; also A. Jaubert, Notion,
pp. 120-139.
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B u t t h e r e is also a d i s c o n t i n u i t y w i t h t h e t o t a l h i s t o r y of Israel w h i c h is c h a r a c t e r i z e d b y a p o s t a s y — a p a r t from t h e r e m n a n t w h o k e p t t h e c o m m a n d m e n t s ' ' w h e n Israel w e n t a s t r a y a n d was con sequently punished. The Qumran group beheved that the broken c o v e n a n t has b e e n e s t a b l i s h e d a n e w in t h e e x i s t e n c e of t h e C o m m u n i t y t o w h i c h t h e m e m b e r s of t h e i r fellowship b e l o n g as a re s u l t of t h e i r r e p e n t a n c e . This " n e w c o v e n a n t " or " c o v e n a n t of G o d " is o r i e n t e d b y t h e law w h i c h , a c c o r d i n g t o t h e i r c o n v i c t i o n , is o n l y k e p t in t h e C o m m u n i t y . As a r e s u l t , t h e C o m m u n i t y is s e p a r a t e d , a n d has t o b e k e p t s e p a r a t e d , from t h e rest of the J e w s . 10.4.3. The faithful remnant. Israel is t h u s split i n t o t w o : t h e r e is t h e r e m n a n t w h o k e p t t h e divine c o m m a n d m e n t s , a n d t h e r e is Israel w h o w e n t a s t r a y (cf. C D 3 , 1 2 - 1 5 ; 4 , 1 ) . T h i s leads t o t h e con clusion t h a t t h e c o n c e p t of e l e c t i o n has b e e n n a r r o w e d d o w n t o t h e s e p a r a t e d C o m m u n i t y w h i c h is t h e o n l y g u a r a n t o r of salvation. H e r e the C o m m u n i t y is i d e n t i c a l w i t h t h e " c o n v e n a n t of g r a c e " (Ton n n a , I Q S 1,8). T h e s e p a r a t i o n of t h e C o m m u n i t y from Israel h a s t o be seen against t h e b a c k g r o u n d of its aim t o achieve a p e r f e c t a d j u s t m e n t t o G o d ' s c h a r a c t e r (cf. C D 2 , 2 0 - 3 , 1 2 ) ' 2 . G o d h a t e s t h e spirit of dark-
51 See also those passages which show that the Qumran group regarded itself to be in the same situation as the J e w s who returned from the Exile (CD 2 0 , 1 1 - 1 2 ; cf. 6,5). Cf. H. Gabrion, "Interpretation", ANRW 11/19,1 ( 1 9 7 9 ) 8 1 6 ; also K. Schubert, Qumran-Essener, pp.73.76. 52 Cf. M. Limbeck, Ordnung, p p . 1 2 0 - 1 2 3 ; he refers to CD 5,16; 8,3.13.18-19; IQS 5, 12; IQM 3 , 6 ; 4 Q F l o r 1,5-6;4QTestim 2 3 - 2 4 . H. Braun, Radikalismus, l , p . l 5 states that "in der Sekte bildet die radikale Torabeobachtung den Hauptgrund fiir die Konstitutierung einer eigenen Gemeinde". This is right if the Community's obser vance of the law is seen as integral part of the Qumranian aim of the 'imitation of God' w h o hates evil and loves the good. Cf. F.J. Helfmeyer, " 'Gott nachfolgen' in den Qumrantexten", RQ 7 ( 1 9 6 9 ) 8 1 - 1 0 4 ; M. Limbeck, o.c, p . 1 2 2 ; H. Lichten berger, Studien, p . 2 0 1 ; G. Kiinzing, Umdeutung des Kultus in der Qumrangemeinde, 1 9 7 1 , p . 1 5 3 . H. Lichtenberger, o.c, p . 2 0 6 concludes with regard to the pesharim that the obedience to the Torah effects the separation between those who "despise the Torah" (IQpHab 1,11) and the Community which follows the Torah and its interpretation by the Teacher. The members of the Community are those w h o "observe the Torah" (IQpHab 8 , 1 ; 12,5). CL also P.R. Davies, "The Ideology of the Temple in the Damascus Document". 7/5 3 3 ( 1 9 8 2 ) 2 8 7 - 3 0 1 w h o emphasizes that the temple, in CD, is not an issue in its own right but that the temple repre sents only one aspect of the Community's existence "which was based on the con viction that only it fulfilled, because only it possessed, the divine law in its fulness
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177
ness a n d all t h o s e w h o hve in this spirit ( I Q S 3 , 2 6 - 4 , 1 ) . H e h a t e s all sinners ( C D 1 , 2 1 ; I Q S 2 , 1 5 ; I Q H 1 1 , 8 ; I Q M 3,6.9) a n d t u r n s a w a y his face from all w h o sin (CD 1,3-4; 2 , 8 ) ' ' . T h e r e f o r e t h e C o m m u n i t y h a t e s t h e sinners t o o a n d s e p a r a t e s itself from t h e m . The deviation from the other branches of Judaism was surely affected by the parti cular Qumran doctrines, especially with regard to the calendar^"^. But such doctrines were derived from the Torah and, in the eyes of the Community, the non-acknow ledgement of these 'commandments' which were hidden in the Torah was equivalent to the contempt of the law, i.e. of the divine will55.
T h e basic a l t i t u d e of t h e m e m b e r of t h e C o m m u n i t y a n d t h e t e n o r of his e n t i r e life is s u m m e d u p in I Q S 9 , 2 4 : " N o t h i n g shall please h i m save G o d ' s w i l l " . 10.4.4. Covenant and the Community. Entrance into the Com m u n i t y is e q u i v a l e n t w i t h t h e " r e t u r n t o t h e l a w " ( m i n '7X aitt?) a n d w i t h s u b m i s s i o n t o t h e divine c o m m a n d m e n t s (cf. I Q S 3 , 9 - 1 1 ; 5,8-9; C D 1 5 , 5 - 1 1 ) . S o m e t i m e s r e f e r e n c e is m a d e t o t h e " n e w cov e n a n t " (ritt^inn n n a , cf. C D 6 , 1 9 ; 8 , 2 1 ; 2 0 , 1 2 ; I Q p H a b 2 , 3 - 4 ) ' ^ . T h e m e m b e r s of t h e C o m m u n i t y regard themselves as t h e t r u e heirs t o G o d ' s e t e r n a l c o v e n a n t w i t h Israel. T o e n t e r t h e C o m m u n i t y a n d t o e n t e r t h e c o v e n a n t arc t h e s a m e T h e t e m p l e s y m b o l ism in Q u m r a n m a k e s it clear t h a t t h e C o m m u n i t y a s c r i b e d t o itself p r e s e n t s a l v a t i o n " . With respect t o t h e n o v i c e the c o v e n a n t
and in its detail {prws)" ( p . 2 9 8 ) . Contra J.H. Huntjens, "Notions", RQ 8 ( 1 9 7 4 ) 3 6 4 w h o concludes that the question of the calendar per se was "the single most decisive issue that led to the secession of the 'sect' from Jerusalem to Qumran". 53 M. Limbeck, o.c., p.121 states with regard to CD 2 , 2 1 ; 3,8 that sin, for the Com munity, is "die EigenwiUigkeit de» Menschen, der seine Geschbpflichkeit nicht anerkennen will". CL also H. Lichtenberger, o.c, p.208. On the question of dualism see especially P. von der Osten-Sacken, Gott und Belial, 1 9 6 9 , passim, and H. Lichtenberger, o.c, pp. 5 1 - 6 3 ; 190-200, 233L 5 4 On the calendar see infra, § 1 0 . 7 . 3 . 55 It seems that this separation of the Community from Israel gives us the best expla nation for the Qumran esoteric. CL M. Limbeck, Ordnung, p.l 23 with n.20. H. Braun, Radikalismus, 1, pp.18-24 provides a different explanation. 66 On the term "new covenant" cL E.P. Sanders,/"ou/, p p . 2 4 0 - 2 4 2 ; cL generally A. Jaubert, JVofion, p p . 2 0 9 - 2 4 9 . 67 CL J.A. Huntjens, "Notion", 8 (1974) 367 with reference to IQS 1,8.16.24; 2 , 1 0 - 1 3 . 1 8 ; 5 , 9 . 2 0 ; 6 , 1 5 . 1 9 ; 8 , 1 6 ; IQSa 1,2; IQSb 5 , 2 1 ; CD 1,20; 2,20; 3 , 1 0 ; 6 , 1 1 ; 9 , 3 ; 15,5. 58 CL H.W. Kuhn, Enderwartung, p. 167 referring to the implicit "Grundverstandnis der gottlichen Heilsgegenwart". Regarding the temple symbolism and the state ments on atonement and salvation cL recently H. Lichtenberger, "Atonement and
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refers t o t h e " B u n d e s v e r p f l i c h t u n g , die im E i n h a l t e n des G e s e t z e s b e s t e h t . I n s o f e r n h e r r s c h t die T e n d e n z v o r , d e n B u n d als Zusage G o t t e s d u r c h d i e V e r p f l i c h t u n g zu e r s e t z e n , d i e d e r E i n t r e t e n d e in d e r G e s e t z e s o b s e r v a n z a u f sich n i m m t " ' ^ . T h u s w e find r a t h e r diverse theological s t a t e m e n t s in t h e Scrolls w i t h regard t o l a w a n d c o v e n a n t ^ " . T h e c o v e n a n t is seen as divine p r o m i s e t o t h e p i o u s , b u t also as o b l i g a t i o n of m a n t o k e e p t h e law. With r e s p e c t t o t h e l a t t e r t h e Q u m r a n g r o u p has b e e n called " a c o v e n a n t c o m m u n i t y tied t o t h e law"^*.
10.5. T h e Law and the Creator 10.5.1. Terms. I t was especially M. L i m b e c k w h o d e v e l o p e d t h e Q u m r a n i a n c o n c e p t of l a w against t h e b a c k g r o u n d of t h e o r d e r of creation^^. H e s h o w s ^ ' t h a t p i n a n d u s u / ? 2 refer n o t o n l y t o l a w a n d t h e c o m m a n d m e n t s b u t also t o t h e c o s m i c order^*, t o t h e l a w of time^^, a n d t o t h e o r d e r of a h c r e a t e d things^^. A n o t h e r i m p o r t a n t t e r m is p a n w h i c h is used^^ as d e s i g n a t i o n for t h e o r d e r es t a b l i s h e d b y God^* a n d for t h e o r d e r given t o t h e C o m m u n i t y ^ ^ .
59
60
61 62
63 64 65 66 67
68
Sacrifice in the Qumran Community", Approaches to Ancient Judaism, 2, BJS 9 , ed. W.S. Green, 1 9 8 0 , p p . l 5 9 - 1 7 I . H. Lichtenberger, Studien, p . 2 0 6 . Similariy M. Limbeck, Ordnung, p . l 29 w h o states that the Qumranian unconditional assent to God's law has to be seen as an attempt "auf die von Gott im Bund angebotene Gemeinschaft vorbehaltslos einzugehen". CL J . A . Huntjens, "Notions",ftQ 8 (1974) 3 6 1 - 3 8 0 ; R J . B a n k s , / e j u j and the Law, p . 8 3 ; H. Lichtenberger, o.c, p . 2 0 7 . On law and covenant in IQH see J. Becker, Heil, pp.60-65. J . A . Huntjens,a.c., p.368. M. Limbeck, o.c, p p . 1 1 9 - 1 7 4 . His study has been received favourably; cL the re views of O. Plogerin ThLZ 9 7 ( 1 9 7 2 ) 8 3 0 - 8 3 4 ; H. Gazelles in VT2^ ( 1 9 7 3 ) 3 8 2 L ; J. Murphy- O'Connor in /?B 81 (1974) 3 0 0 L ; and the remark of H. Lichtenberger, o . c , p . 2 1 8 n.l 16. M. Limbeck, o . c , p . 4 8 . p i n in IQS 1 0 , 1 . 6 . 8 . 1 1 ; IQH 1,10; cL IQM 1 0 , 1 2 . 1 3 ; ppn in IQpHab 7 , 1 3 ; IQS 1 0 , 1 ; IQH 1,24; 03U?a in IQS 10,7.9; 11,10. p i n in I Q S 9 , 1 4 . 2 8 ; 10,26. p i n in IQH 7 , 3 4 ; OSWa in IQS 3 , 1 6 . 1 7 ; 4 , 1 8 ; IQH 1,9.16; 1 4 , 2 0 ; C D 1 2 , 1 5 . CL M. Limbeck, o . c , p p . 4 9 , 1 3 1 - 1 8 3 , 1 7 6 - 1 7 9 . He attempts to prove that 113/ ]1373 are key terms o f the preaching of the Teacher himself ( p . l 8 8 ) , and that the strong emphasis in Qumran thought and life o n the order of creation has to be traced back t o the Teacher (p. 179). CL IQS 8,4; 9 , 1 2 . 1 8 ; 10,5.7.9; IQH 12,5.8.9; IQpHab 7,13; 1Q27 f l , 6 .
The Law and the Creator
179
F u r t h e r , nati;n?3 is u s e d for G o d ' s p l a n of c r e a t i o n ^ " . O t h e r t e r m s in this c o n t e x t are m a ' n j a n d Nira^'. In IQS 3,15-17 it is said that "from the God of knowledge comes all that is and shall be ( n ' T I J I 7\^^7\ '713)- Before ever they existed he established ( T>3n) their whole design (DHaiyna), and when, as ordained for them, they come into being, it is in accord with his glorious design ( n a i 2 ; n a D ) that they accomplish their task without change. The laws of all things ( ' p i S lUBli/a) are in his hand and he provides them with all their needs". - IQM 10,12-13 explains that God is the creator of the earth "and of the laws ( D ^ p i n ) dividing it into desert and grassland". - IQH 1,9-13 asserts that God created all the spirits and established a law (t3SU?a) for aU their works and made the winds "according t o their laws" (OiT'pinV). Gf. also IQH 12,5-11; IQ34bis 2 , 2 - 3 ; 4 Q 1 8 0 1-5^2.
10.5.2. The order of creation and the Community. God's order ol c r e a t i o n is of cruci;J a n d p r a c t i c a l i m p o r t a n c e w i t h r e g a r d t o t h e " a p p o i n t e d t i m e s " like m o r n i n g a n d e v e n i n g (i.e. t h e c o m i n g a n d going of t h e s u n ) , t h e s a b b a t h s , t h e first days of t h e q u a r t e r s as d a y s of t r a n s i t i o n , t h e s a b b a t h y e a r s , a n d t h e j u b i l e e s . As t h e s e t i m e s a n d d a y s w e r e a p p o i n t e d b y G o d as specific signs of his g r a c e , t h e C o m m u n i t y e n d e a v o u r e d in a m o s t s c r u p u l o u s w a y t o o b s e r v e t h e m as s u c h . In t h e w o r d s of M. L i m b e c k , " n a c h q u m r a n ischem V e r s t a n d n i s w a r die Zeit u n d Welt, in d e r d e r M e n s c h l e b t , i h r e r S t r u k t u r n a c h v o n G o t t b e s t i m m t . D e s h a l b w a r es in i h r e n A u g e n die p r i m a r e A u f g a b e des M e n s c h e n , diese S t r u k t u r e n in s e i n e m L e b e n z u a c h t e n . D i e d e r Welt v o n G o t t g e g e b e n e O r d n u n g wotrde so - u m G o t t e s willen - z u m Mad u n d G e s e t z des m e n s c h l i c h e n L e b e n s " ^ ' . T h e o r d e r of t h e t i m e s a n d seasons w a s seen as e x p r e s s i o n a n d r e a l i z a t i o n of G o d ' s salvational p u r p o s e s a i m i n g at e s t a b l i s h i n g Israel's fellowship w i t h G o d . T h e o b s e r v a n c e of this o r d e r of t h e t i m e s i m p l i e d t h e a c c e p t a n c e of G o d ' s offer. It s e e m s t h a t t h e Essenes r e g a r d e d t h e " o r d n e n d e , s c h o p f e r i s c h e B e s t i m m u n g G o t t e s , d u r c h die allein alles G r u n d u n d B e s t a n d e r h i i l t " as i d e n t i c a l w i t h t h e " o r d n e n d e ( n ) Wille(n) G o t t e s d e m e i g e n e n V o l k gegeniiber"^*. T h e u s e of t h e t e r m p i n implies a
69 70 71 72
Cf. IQS 5,3.7; 6 , 4 . 8 . 9 . 1 0 . 2 2 ; 7 , 2 1 ; 8 , 1 9 ; 9 , 2 . 7 . 2 1 . Cf. IQS 3 , I 5 - 1 6 ; 4 , 4 ; 1 1 , 1 1 . 1 9 ; IQH 1,13; 18,22; f I 7 , 3 ; f20,4. Cf. IQH 1,12-16. 4 Q 1 8 0 has been designated as "The Ages of Creation" by J.M. AUegro in DJD 5 ( 1 9 6 8 ) 77-79. 73 M. Limbeck, Ordnung, p.l67. 74 M. Limbeck, o . c , p . 1 8 1 .
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c o n c e p t of law a c c o r d i n g t o w h i c h t h e c o s m i c o r d e r a n d Israel's law c o n s t i t u t e b u t o n e r e a l i t y . T h e C o m m u n i t y u n d e r s t o o d itself as p a r t of tlie w o r k of c r e a t i o n w h i c h was essentially d e t e r m i n e d b y t h e will of G o d . T h e divine o r d e r s a n d s t i p u l a t i o n s i n h e r e n t in c r e a t i o n a n d given t o Israel w e r e e x p e r i e n c e d as a u n i t y . T h u s it was n a t u r a l for t h e C o m m u n i t y t o organize its life in a basic a n d s c r u p u l o u s c o n f o r m i t y a n d h a r m o n y w i t h t h e laws of b o t h t h e T o r a h a n d c r e a t i o n ' ' ' . At t h e s a m e t i m e t h e strictly o b s e r v e d o r d e r of t h e C o m m u n i t y is d e t e r m i n e d b y t h e divine Spirit^^ D e s p i t e t h e e m p h a s i s u p o n t h e o r d e r of c r e a t i o n it has t o be p o i n t e d o u t t h a t " d i e O r d n u n g e n der G e m e i n d e d i e n e n . . . l e t z t l i c h in allem der besseren E i n h a l t u n g des G e s e t z e s u n d d a m i t der S i c h e r u n g der r e i n e n H e i l s g e m e i n d c . . . Die O r d n u n g e n der G e m e i n d e sind a b g e l e i t e t , sie e n t f a l t e n kein E i g e n l e b e n gegeniiber d e m G e s e t z , dessen E i n h a l t u n g sie d i e n e n " ^ ^ . This is t r u e w i t h r e s p e c t t o t h e liturgic p r o c e s s of blessing a n d cursing, t h e j u d i c i a l regula tions regarding p e n a l t i e s , a n d t h e regidations for a n d t h e m o d e of t h e a d m i t t a n c e of n o v i c e s . 10.5.3. The origin of concepts. Even if L i m b e c k ' s a s s u m p t i o n t h a t t h e s t r o n g e m p h a s i s o n t h e c r e a t i o n a l a s p e c t of t h e c o n c e p t of law in Q u m r a n has t o be t r a c e d back t o t h e T e a c h e r ' * m u s t re m a i n s p e c u l a t i v e , it nevertheless provides a g o o d e x p l a n a t i o n for t h e o b s e r v e d c o n c e n t r a t i o n o n t h e o r d e r of c r e a t i o n . T h e T e a c h e r was in all p r o b a b i l i t y a priest w h o w o r k e d a n d lived in J e r u s a l e m . T h e very fact t h a t h e is called m i a , c o m b i n e d w i t h t h e e v i d e n c e r e g a r d i n g his exegetical f u n c t i o n s in t h e C o m m u n i t y , m a k e it plausible t o a s s u m e t h a t h e was a scribe as well'9_ F u r t h e r , t h e C o m m u n i t y h a d s t r o n g links w i t h t h e w i s d o m t r a d i t i o n a n d its
75 Cf. M. Limbeck, o.c., p . l 8 2 . Cf. also II. Lichtenberger, Studien, p.207 w h o states that in CD 2 , 2 1 ; 3,8 t w o normally separate concepts are united: God as giver of the commandments, and God as creator of man. 76 C L M . Limbeck, o . c , p p . 1 8 3 - 1 8 9 . 77 H. Lichtenberger, o . c , p.21 7. 78 CL M. Limbeck, o . c , p p . 1 3 1 - 1 3 3 , 1 7 9 - 1 8 2 . 79 With regard to the person of the Teacher of Righteousness see G. Jeremias, Oer Lehrer der Gerechtigkeit, 1 9 6 3 , pp. 140-166; G. Vermes, Qumran, pp. 1 4 2 - 1 4 6 , 1 5 2 L Cf. also W.H. BrowrJee, "The Background of BibUcal Interpretation at Qumran", BETL 46 ( 1 9 7 8 ) 183-193 who demonstrated that the scribal and interpretive tra ditions of the sopherim are to be found in the Qumran texts ( p p . 1 8 8 - 1 9 3 ) .
The Study
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1 81
t h e o l o g y as will be seen later. A n d t h e s e t h r e e aspects — t h e priestly b a c k g r o u n d , t h e exegetical/scribal f u n c t i o n s , a n d t h e sapiential o r i e n t a t i o n — w o u l d place t h e T e a c h e r i n t o t h e i m m e d i a t e p r o x i m i t y of t h e p r i e s t , s c r i b e , a n d w i s d o m t e a c h e r Ben Sira a n d his s c h o o l in Jerusalem*". F r a g m e n t s of copies from Ben Sira's w i s d o m b o o k have b e e n discovered in t h e caves of t h e desert C o m m u n i t y * ' , a n d t h e r e are also o t h e r links b e t w e e n Sirach a n d Q u m r a n * ^ .
1 0 . 6 . T h e S t u d y of t h e Law 10.6.1. Foundations. T h e a c k n o w l e d g e d o b h g a t i o n of perfect o b e d i e n c e to t h e Mosaic T o r a h a n d t h e p r o p h e t s was based o n a n e x t r a o r d i n a r y d e v o t i o n t o t h e s t u d y of t h e S c r i p t u r e s * ' . T h e m e m bers of t h e C o m m u n i t y are d e s c r i b e d as p e o p l e w h o s e p a r a t e d t h e m s e l v e s " f r o m t h e h a b i t a t i o n of u n g o d l y m e n " a n d w e n t i n t o t h e w i l d e r n e s s " t o p r e p a r e t h e w a y of h i m " ( I Q S 8 , 1 2 - 1 4 ) . This " w a y of t h e L o r d " is e q u a t e d w i t h the s t u d y of t h e law ( I Q S 8,15). T h e i m p o r t a n c e of T o r a h s t u d y for t h e C o m m u n i t y is seen m o s t clearly in I Q S 6,6-8 w h e r e it is s t a t e d t h a t " i n a place in w h i c h
80 Cf. J.E. Worrell, Concepts of Wisdom in the Dead Sea Scrolls, 1968, p p . l 6 7 f . w h o makes the hypothetical assumption that the Teacher was "perhaps a sage-teacher with a school much like that seen in Sirach" (p. 168). 81 2Q18 fl (Sir 6,14 15); f2 (Sir 6,20-31), edited by M. BaiUet, D/Z) 3 ( 1 9 6 2 ) 75-7 7; U Q P s a 21,11-22,1 (Sir 5 1 , 1 3 - 2 0 b . 3 0 b ) , edited by J . A . Sanders, DJD 4 ( 1 9 6 5 ) 7 9 - 8 5 ; cf. jdso J . Rabinowitz, "The Qumran Original of Ben Sira's Concluding Acrostic on W i s d o m " , / / t / C 4 4 2 (1971) 173-184). 8 2 Cf. J. Carmignac, "Les rapports entre I'Ecclesiastique et Qumran", RQ 3 ( 1 9 6 1 ) 2 0 9 - 2 1 8 ; M.R. Lehmann, "BenSira and the Qumran Literature", ftQ 3 ( 1 9 6 1 ) 103116; D. Luhrmann, "Ein Weisheitspsalm aus Qumran", ZAW 8 0 ( 1 9 6 8 ) 8 7 - 9 8 . The attempt of H. Germatm, "Jesus ben Siras Uankgebet und die Hodajoth", ThZ 19 ( 1 9 6 3 ) 81-87 to identify (!) Ben Sira and the Teacher has to be rejected. 83 See generally M. Delcor, "Contribution a I'etude de la legislation des sectaires", RB 6 2 ( 1 9 5 5 ) 6 6 - 6 9 ; F.F. Bruce, Biblical Exegesis in the Qumran Texts, 1959; O. Betz, Offenbarung, p p . 1 5 - 7 2 ; II. Braun, Qumran und das Neue Testament, 2, p p . 3 0 1 - 3 2 5 ; E. Slomovic, "Toward an tJnderstanding of the Exegesis in the Dead Sea Scrolls", RQ 7 (1969) 3-16; D. Patte, Early Jewish Hermeneutic, 1975, p p . 2 9 9 f L ; W.H. Brownlee, "The Background of BibUcal Interpretation at Qumran", BETL 4 6 ( 1 9 7 8 ) 1 8 3 - 1 9 3 ; G. Vermes, "The Qumran Interpretation in its Historical Setting", SJLA 8 ( 1 9 7 5 ) 37-49; H. Gabrion, "Interpretation", .4VftlV 11/19,1 ( 1 9 7 9 ) , 779848.
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t h e r e are t e n , t h e r e shall n o t b e a b s e n t a m a n e x p o u n d i n g (iffTn) t h e l a w d a y a n d n i g h t , a l w a y s a l t e r n a t i n g e a c h w i t h his n e i g h b o r . A n d t h e a s s e m b l y shall b e assidous t o r e a d t h e Bible ( T S D ) as a c o m m u n i t y o n e - t h i r d of e a c h night of t h e y e a r , a n d t o e x p o u n d (i:;"n) t h e law a n d r e c i t e b e n e d i c t i o n s as a c o m m u n i t y " * * . T h e p h r a s e i n I Q S 6,7 s h o w s t h a t t h e s t u d y of t h e S c r i p t u r e s w a s t h e activity of all m e m b e r s of t h e C o m m u n i t y at least four h o u r s a d a y . T a k i n g i n t o a c c o u n t I Q S 6,3-4 a n d 5 , 2 1 - 2 2 it is o b v i o u s t h a t t h e priests w e r e e n t r u s t e d w i t h t h e s t u d y of t h e l a w in a special way. F u r t h e r , t h e T e a c h e r of R i g h t e o u s n e s s was l o o k e d u p o n as the i n t e r p r e t e r of t h e law (cf. C D 6 , 7 - 1 1 ; I Q p H a b 2 , 8 ) . I n I Q S 8 , 1 1 12 w e r e a d of t h e U 7 n n n u^-iN , t h e e x p o u n d e r of t h e l a w . T h e Q u m r a n i a n i n t e r p r e t a t i o n of t h e law is f u r t h e r distinguish ed b y its claim t o i n s p i r a t i o n a n d i n f a l l i b i h t y * ' . T h e c o r r e c t i n t e r p e t a t i o n s of t h e niglot a n d nistarot is b e h e v e d t o be k n o w n o n l y b y t h e C o m m u n i t y a n d derived b y divinely inspired bibhcal exegesis*^. 10.6.2. Exegetical technique.';. A n e x a c t o b s e r v a n c e of t h e l a w n e c e s s i t a t e d t h e exegesis of t h e Mosaic T o r a h * ' , leading t o t h e h a l a k h a h of t h e C o m m u n i t y . B u t t h e Q u m r a n i a n s i n t e r p r e t e d the b o o k s of t h e p r o p h e t s as well**. These interpretations are called 'pesharim' since each section of an interpretation which follows a biblical quotation is introduced by formulae using the word "WZ,
8 4 Following the translation and analysis of L.H. Schiffman,//a/afeAa/j, 1 9 7 5 , pp.32L 85 CL G. Vermes, Dead Sea Scrolls, 2 l 9 7 5 , p . 3 7 ; H. Gabrion, "Interpretation",
.4NRWnil9,l
(1979) 8 2 1 L
86 C L L . H . Schiffman, o . c , PP.75L 87 It is important to note that it is exegesis, not (esoteric) revelation, which is at the basis of the Qumran legislation. Cf. 11. Gabrion, a . c , p p . 8 2 2 L w h o states that "pour tout ce qui touche a la juridiction, la Torah est I'unique charte de la Communaute" ( p . 8 2 3 ) . This seems to be the case despite those remarkable features of the newly published 1 IQT which suggest that the Essenes (?) regarded the Temple Scroll as quintessential Torah, the true word o f God. Cf. J. .Milgrom, "The Temple Scroll", 5 / 1 41 ( 1 9 7 8 ) 1 0 9 , 1 1 9 . 88 CL IQpHab, IQpMic ( 1 4 ) , IQpZeph ( 1 5 ) , IQpPs ( 1 6 ) , 3QpIs ( 4 ) , 4QpIsa-e ( 1 6 1 165), 4QpHosa-b ( 1 6 6 - 1 6 7 ) , 4QpMic ( 1 6 8 ) . 4QpNah ( 1 6 9 ) , 4 ( 1 7 1 , 1 7 3 ) . For a convenient, recent edition of these (fragmentary) com mentaries, with translation and notes, see M.P. Horgan, Pesharim: Qumran Interpre tations of BibUcal Books, CBQ MS 8, 1 9 7 9 .
The Halakhah of the Community
183
"interpretation"89. Xhey have been called "companions to the biblical text"90 which unravel section by section the mysteries which were believed to be contained in the text. The pesharim established references between these mysteries and the time of the Community as (eschatological) end-time and interpreted them in terms of the history, life, and beliefs of the Community.
T w o general m e t h o d s of exegesis were pcrush (wMs), a tech n i q u e w h i c h m a d e it possible to derive (new) relevant laws from biblical verses w i t h o u t t h e use of p r o o f - t e x t ^ ' > a n d midrash (u; "i 7 a ) , the d e r i v a t i o n of a law t h r o u g h biblical exegesis, aggadic a n d es pecially h a l a k h i c exegesis^^. This leads u s . t o a brief discussion of t h e Essene h a l a k h a h .
1 0 . 7 . T h e H a l a k h a h of t h e
Community
10.7.1. Halakhah and oral law. T h e exegetical t e c h n i q u e s of a n d (ffTT?3 w h i c h w e r e a p p h e d b o t h to t h e m ' ? a j a n d t h e rmnoj f o r m the basis of t h e Q u m r a n i a n l e g i s l a t i o n ^ ' . It is im p o r t a n t t o n o t e t h a t t h e Q u m r a n C o m m u n i t y did n o t h o l d to a n oral law c o n c e p t ^ * . T h i s c o n c e p t is e n t i r e l y a b s e n t from Q u m r a n . T h e nistar is n o t t h e e q u i v a l e n t of t h e later r a b b i n i c oral law as it is derived (only) t h r o u g h divinely-inspired exegesis; t h e perush is also integrally c o n n e c t e d w i t h t h e t e x t , b a s e d u p o n t h e specific Q u m r a n i a n i n t e r p r e t a t i o n . Similarly, mizvah as t e r m for the sec-
89 On the word and genre of the 'pesher' see O. Betz, Offenbarung, p p . 7 7 - 8 0 ; F.F. Bruce, Exegesis, pp.7-10; 1. Rabinowitz, "Pesher/Pittaron: Its Biblical Meaning and its Significance in the Qumran Literature",ft<2 8 ( 1 9 7 3 ) 2 1 9 - 2 3 2 ; G . Dautzenberg, UrchristUche Prophetie: Ihre Erforschung, ihre Voraussetzungen im Judentum und ihre Struktur im ersten Korintherbrief, BWANT 104, 1975, p p . 4 3 - 6 4 ; D. Patte, Hermeneutic, pp.299fL; M.P. Horgan, o.c, pp.2S0-237; G. Brooke, "Qumran Pesher: Towards the Redefinition of a Genre", fiQ 10 ( 1 9 8 1 ) 4 8 3 - 5 0 3 ; H. Lichten berger, Studien, p p . 1 5 4 - 1 5 6 . 90 M.P. Horgan, o . c , p . 2 5 9 . 91 Playing the same role as the rabbinic concept of the 'oral law'. Cf. L.H. Schiffman, Halakhah, 1 9 7 5 , p p 3 6 4 1 ; H. Garbrion, "Interpretation", ANRW 11/19,1 ( 1 9 7 9 ) 8 2 3 L with n . 2 1 2 . 9 2 CL L.H. Schiffman, o . c , pp.57-60; H. G a b r i o n , a . c , pp.823L 93 Cf. L.H. Schiffman, o . c , pp.22-76 with regard to the halakhic terminology in Qumran. 94 The later rabbinic 'oral law' concept means that there are laws which are not linked to any Scriptural derivation but were given orally on Sinai and passed down from Moses through the generations.
1 84
Law and Commandments:
The Rule of Life
tarian legal t r a d i t i o n s s h o w s n o evidence of oral t r a n s m i s s i o n or of a claim t o a u t h o r i t y based o n oral tradition^^. T h e S c r i p t u r e s are t h e sole s o u r c e a n d basis of h a l a k h a h in Q u m r a n ^ ^ . T h e h a l a k h a h is t h e fruit of progressive revelation a n d is linked w i t h further e x e g e s i s ^ ' . T h e C o m m u n i t y h a d n o scruples a b o u t w r i t i n g d o w n t h e i r h a l a k h i c r u h n g s : w r i t t e n t r a n s m i s s i o n was t h e n o r m at Q u m r a n ^ * . T h e C o m m u n i t y m a d e an u n r e s t r i c t e d use of extra-biblical writings, i n c l u d i n g h a l a k h i c t e x t s w h i c h were record ed for t h e edification of t h e initiates a n d for their fortification agamst apostasy . I Q S a 1,1-6 seems to i m p l y t h a t s u c h writings were r e c i t e d at p u b l i c gatherings a n d s t u d i e d as p a r t of t h e c u r r i c u l u m ' " " . T h i s s u b s t i t u t i o n of t h e r e a d i n g of the T o r a h (cf. D e u t 3 1 , 1 0 ) b y t h e r e a d i n g of t h e "laws of t h e c o v e n a n t " seems t o be an " i n d i c a t i o n of t h e a l m o s t c a n o n i c a l s t a t u s to w h i c h t h e y w e r e e l e v a t e d " ' " ' . The peculiar method of rephrasing the biblical laws while inserting the elaborations of the Qumranian tradition in 4 Q O r d l 0 2 serves to "erase the distinction between biblical and non-biblical rules and to lend to all sectarian ordinances the aura of Mo saic authorship"'03. x h i s is supported by I I Q T which systematically changes, in the quotations from the Pentateuch, the 3rd person to the 1st person and uses, as in other canonical b o o k s , square brackets for the tetragrammaton; even the non-biblical
95 L.H. Schiffman,//fl/aft/wA, p p . 2 0 , 3 2 , 4 0 , 4 8 . C L J . M . Baumgarten, "The Unwritten Law in the Pre-Rabbinic VenoA", Studies in Qumran Law, 1917, p p . l 3 - L 8 ; H. Gab rion, "Interpretation", 4Vi? 1^11/19,1 ( 1 9 7 9 ) 8 2 2 . 9 6 Contra J . A . Huntjens, "Notions", RQ 8 (1974) 3 6 6 w h o says with regard to CD 9-16 that the Qumran halakhah is not developed by exegesis but "stated as already wcU-estabUshed and absolute legal maxims". Also contra D. Flusser, "The Jewish Religion in the Second Temple Period", WHJP 1/8 ( 1 9 7 7 ) 11 who states that the Essenes developed the oral law in a peculiarly sectarian matmer, but that we have no special information about the theoretical attitude of the Essenes to the oral law. 97 CL S.T. Kimbrough, "The Ethic of the Qumran Community", RQ 6 ( 1 9 6 9 ) 497 w h o calls attention to the openness within the Community which permitted real discussion of the halakhah with a real possibility of change (cf. IQS 6,9-13) and concludes that "the moral life had a certain contextuality which required the dis cussion of Halakah" (ibid.). 98 CLJ.M. Baumgarten, a.c., p p . l 5 - 1 8 , 2 9 f . ; L.H. Schiffman, o . c , pp.60-76. 99 CLJJVI. Baumgarten, SfudiVi, p . 3 5 . 100 Here the "laws of the covenant" (cL IQSa 1,5;CD 1 0 , 6 ; 2 0 , 2 9 ) refer to the laws of the Qumran Community. 101 }M. Baumgarten, Sfiidiei, p p . l 5 f . 102 4QOrda-<: ( 1 5 9 , 5 1 3 , 5 1 4 ) in DJD 5 ( 1 9 6 8 ) 6-9 (JAl. Allegro) and DJD 7 ( 1 9 8 2 ) 287-298 (M. Baillet). 103 J > 1 . Baumgarten, o . c , p.l 7.
The Halakhah of the Community
1 85
sections are formulated as direct revelation of God (in the 1st person!) to Mosesl04_ Thus 1 IQT presents itself as part and content of the T o r a h ' ^ S .
T h e r e c o r d i n g of h a l a k h a h a n d t h e p o s i t i o n of h a l a k h a h in Q u m r a n as s u c h are r e l a t e d t o t h e u n i q u e c o n c e p t of revelation h e l d b y t h e C o m m u n i t y . H o w e v e r , t h e a u t h o r i t y of Q u m r a n i a n h a l a k h a h is n o t e x p r e s s l y derived from t h e n o t i o n t h a t it is t h e p r o d u c t of r e v e l a t i o n . Its a u t h o r i t y is based o n t h e fact t h a t it is derived exclusively from exegesis a n d t h u s d i r e c t l y linked w i t h t h e a u t h o r i t y of the S c r i p t u r e s . O n t h e o t h e r h a n d , t h e exegesis of t h e C o m m u n i t y is i n d e e d l i n k e d w i t h (progressive) r e v e l a t i o n . 10.7.2. Halakhic characteristics. Scholars have tried t o establish a r e l a t i o n s h i p b e t w e e n t h e P h a r i s a i c / r a b b i n i c a n d t h e Essene hala k h a h , especially wath regard t o C D ' " ^ . S o m e scholars h o l d t h e view t h a t t h e r e is a " d e t a i l e d a g r e e m e n t b e t w e e n Q u m r a n i a n h a l a k h a h a n d t h e P h a r i s a i c " ' " ' ' . As b o t h t h e Q u m r a n C o m m u n i t y a n d t h e Pharisees m a y b e t r a c e d b a c k t o t h e h a s i d i m ' " * , it is n o t a t all surprising t o find similar c o n c e p t s a n d h a l a k h o t ' " ^ . R e c e n t studies
104 Cf. J . Maier, Die Tempeholle vom Toten Meer, UTB 8 2 9 , 1978, p . l l ; J . Milgrom, "The Temple Scroll", B 4 41 ( 1 9 7 8 ) 109. 105 As regards the provermnce of 1 IQT see supra, p. 167 n.5. 106 The pioneer work here was written by L. Ginzberg, "Eine unbekarmte jiidische Sekte", MGWJ 55-58 ( 1 9 1 1 - I 9 1 4 ) . UntU 1958 only a few studies appeared, basical ly extending Ginzberg's analyses. Cf. J A l . Baumgartner, Studies, p . 3 . 107 E.P. Sanders, Paul, p . 2 3 9 , relying mainly on C. Rabin, Qumran Studies, 1957. 108 With regard to the Essenes and the initial stages of the Community see M. Hengel, Judentum, p p . 4 1 7 , 4 5 7 , 5 6 6 ; G. Vermes, Qumran, p p . l 4 8 , 1 5 0 , 1 5 2 f . ; J.H. Charles worth, "Origin and Subsequent History", RQ 10 ( 1 9 8 0 ) 2 1 8 - 2 2 2 ; R.T. Beckwith, "Pre-History and Relationships", RQ 11 ( 1 9 8 2 ) 3 4 6 . On the hasidim as the com m o n root of Essenes and Pharisees cf. M. Hengel, o.c., p p . 3 2 l , 4 6 2 f . , 5 6 6 f . 109 Cf. J.H. Charlesworth, a . c , pp.223f. who believes that 'phase t w o ' of the history of the Community saw an influx of Pharisees which explains the similarity of theolo gical perspectives. He builds his case o n the studies of J . T . Milik, Ten Years of piscovery, SBT 2 6 , 1 9 5 9 , pp.87-93 and J. Murphy - O'Connor, "La genese litteraire de la Regie de la Communaute", RB 76 ( 1 9 6 9 ) 5 2 8 - 5 4 9 ; idem, "The Essenes in Palestine", BA 4 0 (1977) 100-124. Recently J . T . Milik published a Pharisaic type of phylactery from Qumran; cL DJD 6 ( 1 9 7 7 ) 4 7 . See also J . Neusner, " 'By the Testimony of Two Witnesses' in the Damascus Document IX, 17-22 and in Pharis aic-Rabbinic Law", RQ 8 (1973) 197-217; L.H. Schiffman, Halakhah, p . I 3 5 ; N.L. Rabinowitch, "Damascus Document IX,17-22 and Rabbinic Parallels", RQ 9 ( 1 9 7 7 ) 113-116; B.S.Jackson, "Damascus Document I X , I 6 - 2 3 and Parallels", i?Q 9 (1978)445-450.
186
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d e m o n s t r a t e t h a t t h e hcdakhah of C D a n d o t h e r t e x t s reflects t h e Z a d o k i t e p r i e s t h o o d as w e l l ' ' " . The halakhic evidence of the Temple Scroll shows that the regulations of the group or author responsible for this text differ from rabbinic l a w ' ' '.suggesting a separate halakhic t r a d i t i o n " ^ .
10. 7.3. Halakhic material. S o u r c e s of Q u m r a n i a n h a l a k h a h are m a i n l y C D , I Q S , I Q M , 4 Q O r d ^ - ' ^ " ' , 4 Q 5 0 2 " * , 4 Q 5 1 2 ' " . Im p o r t a n t subjects in Q u m r a n i a n h a l a k h a h are t h e c a l e n d a r " ® , t h e s a b b a t h ' " , j u r i s p r u d e n c e " * , a n d q u e s t i o n s of p u r i t y " 9 .
110 Cf. H. Mantel, "The Dichotomy of Judaism During the Second Temple", HUCA 4 4 ( 1 9 7 3 ) 8 6 ; L. Rosso-Ubigli, "II D o c u m e n t o di Damasco e la halakah Settaria", RQ 9 ( 1 9 7 8 ) 3 5 7 - 3 9 9 ; a n d J A l . Baumgarten, "The Pharisaic-Sadducean Controversies about Purity and the Qumran T e x t s " , / / S 31 ( 1 9 8 0 ) 157-170 w h o bases his discus sion of Qumran halakhah on 11QT establishing points of agreement between Qum ranian and Sadducean (BoethusianI) halakhah. 111 Cf. the stipulations that the Passover sacrifice can be eaten in (!) the temple (I IQT 17,8-9; but see bZer 56b), that a dead fetus makes an entire household unclean (1 IQT 5 0 , 1 0 - 1 2 ; but see bHul l a ) , that marriage to one's niece is prohibited (1 IQT 6 6 , I 6 - I 7 ; b u t see b Yeb 6 2 b ) . See also 1 IQT 3,5-6; 19,5; 2 3 , 4 ; 4 3 , 4 ; 4 6 , 1 - 3 . 112 Cf. M.R. Lehmann, "The Temple Scroll as a Source of Sectarian Halakhah", RQ 9 (1978) 579-587. 113 DJD 5 ( 1 9 6 8 ) 6-9 (J.M. Allegro), DJD 7 (1982) 287-298 (M. BaUlet). 114 DJD 7 ( 1 9 8 2 ) 81-105 (M. Baillet), called "Rituel de Mariage". 115 DJD 7 ( 1 9 8 2 ) 262-286 (M. BaUlet), caUed "Rituel de Purification". 116 Cf. A. Jaubert, "Le calendrier des JubUes et les jours liturgiques de la semaine", VT 7 ( 1 9 5 7 ) 3 5 - 6 1 ; J.M. Baumgarten, "The Beginning of the Day in the Calendar of J u b i l e e s " , / f l / , 77 ( 1 9 5 8 ) 3 5 5 - 3 6 0 ; A. Jaubert, "Jesus et le calendrier de Qum ran", NTS 7 ( 1 9 6 0 / 6 1 ) 1-30; K.G. Kuhn, "Zum essenischen Kalender", ZA^W 5 2 ( 1 9 6 1 ) 6 5 - 7 3 ; J . M . Baumgarten, "The Calendar of the Books of Jubilees and the Bible", Studies, p p . 1 0 1 - 1 1 4 ; A. Strobel, "Zur Funktionsfahigkeit des essenischen Kalendars", RQ 3 ( 1 9 6 2 ) 3 9 5 - 4 1 2 ; J.M. Baumgarten, "The Counting of the Sab bath in Ancient Sources", VT 16 ( 1 9 6 6 ) 2 7 7 - 2 8 6 ; M . Limbeck, Ordnung, pp. 134175; J.M. Baumgarten, "4QHalakah^ 5, the Law of Hadash, and the Pcntecontad Calendar", yyS 27 ( 1 9 6 7 ) 3 6 4 6 ; H. Burgmann, "Die Interkalation in den Jahrwochen des Sonnenkalendars", RQ 10 ( 1 9 7 9 ) 67-82; R.T. Beckwith, "The Signifi cance of the Calendar for Interpreting Essene Chronology and Eschatology", RQ 10 ( 1 9 8 0 ) 167-202; idem, "The EarUer Enoch Literature and its Calendar: .Marks of their Origin, Date and Motivation", RQ 10 ( 1 9 8 1 ) 3 6 5 4 0 4 . 117 CL the extensive study of L.H. Schiffman, Halakhah. p p . 7 7 - 1 3 3 ; cL also P. Sigal, Emergence, I / l , 1 9 8 0 , p p . 2 9 7 - 3 0 2 ; T.Zahavy, "The Sabbath Code of Damascus Document X , 1 4 - X I , I 8 : Form Analytical and Redaction Critical Observations", RQ 10 (1981) 5 8 9 - 6 9 2 . 118 CL J.M. Baumgarten, "On the Testimony of Women in l Q S a " , / B L 76 ( 1 9 5 7 ) 2662 6 9 ; G. Vermes, "Sectarian Matrimonial Halakhah in the Damascus R o l e " , / / S 25 (1974) 1 9 7 - 2 0 2 ; J.M. Baumgarten, "The Duodecimal Courts of Qumran, Revela-
The Function
of the Law andMotives
of Obedience
1 87
1 0 . 8 . T h e F u n c t i o n of t h e L a w a n d .Motives of O b e d i e n c e 10.8.1. The function of the law. T o s u m u p , t h e l a w a n d t h e c o m m a n d m e n t s i n c l u d i n g t h e h a l a k h i c s t i p u l a t i o n s have b e e n , a n d a r e , progressively revealed b y G o d t o t h e C o m m u n i t y r e p r e s e n t i n g t h e t r u e c o v e n a n t of G o d . As s u c h t h e l a w is t h e rule of t h e life of t h e C o m m u n i t y in general a n d of its m e m b e r s in p a r t i c u l a r . T h e law is t h e " w a y of p e r f e c t i o n " ( I T T D ^ W , I Q S 8 , 1 8 . 2 1 ) ' 2 0 of t h e C o m m u n i t y . It is t h e n o r m for cultic a n d j u r i s t i c m a t t e r s ' 2 ' , a n d t h e n o r m of m o r a l b e h a v i o u r ' ^ ^ . T h e l a w is t h e foun d a t i o n for t e a c h i n g (cf. 1 Q 2 2 2 , 9 ; I Q p H a b 2 , 8 - 9 ) . O n e passage p r e s e n t s t h e law as t h e s o u r c e of w i s d o m ( 4 Q D i b H a m * f l 2 , 1 3 15). T h e fear of t h e L o r d as r e l a t e d t o t h e l a w is n o t a p r o m i n e n t c o n c e p t in Q u m r a n ; it seems t o o c c u r o n l y in I Q S b 1,1-2 (cf. I I Q T 54,5.14). F i n a l l y , t h e law s e e m s t o possess a n e s c h a t o l o g i c a l - a p o c a l y p t i c f u n c t i o n as w e l l . T h e p r i e s t l y messiah, t h e " m e s s i a h of A a r o n " , is t h e " i n t e r p r e t e r of t h e l a w " ( m i n n i : ? n n , 4 Q F l o r l , l l ; c f . C D 7 , 1 8 ) ' 2 3 , t h e final t e a c h e r " w h o shall t e a c h r i g h t e o u s n e s s a t t h e e n d o f d a y s " ( C D 6 , 1 1 ) a n d w h o brings t h e p r o p e r i n t e r p r e t a t i o n of t h e p r o p h e t s ( I Q p H a b 2 , 9 - 1 0 ) ^ 2 4 .
119
120
121 122 123
tion, and the Sanhedrin",/BZ. 9 5 ( 1 9 7 6 ) 59-78; L.H. Schiffman, "The Qumran Law of Testimony", B Q 8 ( 1 9 7 5 ) 6 0 3 - 6 1 2 . CL J.M. Baumgarten, "The Essene Avoidance of Oil and the Laws of Purity", KQ 6 ( 1 9 6 7 ) 1 8 3 - 1 9 3 ; idem, "The Exclusion of .Netinim and Proselytes in 4QFloriIegium", RQ 8 ( 1 9 7 2 ) 8 7 - 9 6 , idem, "Controversies about P u r i t y " , / / S 3 1 ( 1 9 8 0 ) 157170. CL also IQS 1,13; 3 , 1 4 . 8 - 1 2 ; 9 , 1 9 ; IQSb 1,1-2; 5 , 2 2 ; CD 1,20-21; 2,15-16; 7,4-5; IQH 6 , 2 0 ; 4 Q 1 8 4 14-17; 4QShir f2 1,6; l l Q P s ^ 17,2-3. The members arc de scribed as "those w h o have (chosen the w a y " ( I Q S 9,17-18) and as the "perfect of w a y " ( - i n 7 in'tan, 1 Q S 4 , 2 2 ; C L IQH 4 , 2 1 . 2 4 ; CD 20,6-7). CL IQS 5-9; IQSb 3 , 2 2 - 2 4 ; CD 3 , 5 - 1 6 ; 5,6-7; 6 , 1 4 - 2 1 ; 9 - 1 6 ; 1Q22 1,2-9; 4 Q I 6 6 2,16;4QOrd'> f 3 , 5 ; 4 Q 5 1 2 fl 1 2 , 4 ; c L 1 IQT 5 1 , 5 - 9 ; 5 6 , 3 4 . 2 1 ; 5 7 , 1 3 - 1 4 ; 5 9 , 3 - 9 . CL IQS 1,26; 3 , 1 ; 6,6-7; IQ-Sb 1,1-2; CD 6 , 1 4 - 2 1 ; 7,2.6-8; 4 Q 1 8 4 14-17; 4Qplsb 2,1-10; 4QDibHam^ f2,13-14; 1 IQPs^ DavComp ( 2 7 , 2 - 1 1 ) . See G. Vermes, Qumran, 1 9 7 7 , p p . 1 8 5 , 1 9 5 L He points o u t that CD 7,18-20 dis covers in Num 2 4 , 1 7 the announcement of the coming of both the "Interpreter of the law" (= the Star) and the "Prince o f the whole Congregation" (= the Sceptre), while the quotation of N u m 2 4 , 1 7 in 4QTestim 12 is usually understood as refer ring to the kingly messiah only ( p . l 9 6 ) . Cf. also O. Betz, Offenbarung, pp.34f.; G. Jeremias, Lehrer, p p . 2 8 9 - 2 9 2 ; R. Riesner,/ejus als Lehrer, p . 3 0 8 .
124 According to I I Q T 5 6 , 2 0 - 2 1 ; 5 7 , 1 2 - 1 4 (cf. 5 8 , 1 8 ; 5 9 , 1 3 - 2 1 ) the future king of Israel has to consult the priests' interpretation of the Torah before he makes his decisions.
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and Commandments:
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10.8.2. The motives of obedience. With regard t o m o t i v e s of o b e d i e n c e , t h e claim of t h e wiU of God'^-' a n d t h e a t t a i n m e n t of e t e r n a l life as r e w a r d ' a r e p r o m i n e n t . O t h e r passages i m p l y as m o t i v e s t h e effort t o avoid s i n ' ^ ' , t o b e c o m e or t o stay p u r e ' ^ * , a n d fear a n d love'^^. E x c u r s u s I I : Q u m r a n , t h e Law, a n d Legalism In 1966 H. Braun wrote that most scholars rightly regarded the attitude of the Qumran Community as "ernsteste, besonders strenge Gesetzlichkeit"'30_ jje speaks of rigorism, narrow observances, and dry legalism. It is undisputable, of course, that we find a rigorous obedience to the Torah in Q u m r a n ' 3 1 . However, it is questionable whether this rigorism with regard to the obedience to the Torah can be equated with legalism. The statements of J.A. Huntjens demonstrate, unintentionally, the impor tance of a clear presentation which distinguishes between legal rigorism and legalism. He states with regard to CD and IQS that the legalistic notion of the Qumranian covenant concept is especially evident in the term "new covenant" which, according to him, is almost exclusively identified with the issue o f the interpretation of the Torah and with the question of the sabbath and the festivals'32. He believes that the question of the calendar was "the single most decisive issue" which led to the seces sion of the Qumran group from Jerusalem to the desert (p.364). He then attempts to support his thesis that such a rigid and legalistic notion of covenant is persistent in the Qumran texts by trying to prove that Qumran halakhah is not developed by exe gesis but "states as already well-established and absolute legal maxims" ( p . 3 6 6 ) . He concludes that the Community had a "very rigid and severely legalistic understanding of the law as an absolute maxim to be followed and o b e y e d " ( p . 3 6 8 ) , that the legal ism of the Community "and the whole issue of the law and the covenant is reduced to the question of the calendar" (p.369), and that the main exegetical aim in Qumran was "to seek biblical support for the sect's dating of the Sabbath and the festivals and for refining the regulations for the correct observance of the Sabbath" (ibid.). However, if we take into account the fact that (1) Huntjens overemphasizes the sig nificance of the calendric issue, (2) he has a totally erroneous conception of the ori gin and function of Qumranian halakhah, and (3) he has a one-sided view of the objectives of Qumranian exegesis, not much of his "rigid and severe legalism" re mains. Huntjens realizes this himself and therefore establishes a "highly spiritualized notion of covenant law as faith in the eschatological purpose of God revealed through
125 126 127 128 129 130
Cf. IQSb 1,1-2;CD 2 , 1 4 - 2 1 ; 3,2-6.11-12.15; 4QpPsa 1,2-5; 4QDibHama fl 2,13-14. Cf. CD 3 , 1 5 - 1 6 . 2 0 ; 7,5-6; 19,1-2; 1Q22 2,1-5; lQ34t>is 2,6-7. Cf. CD 2,15-18; 4QDibHama fl 2 , 1 3 - 1 4 ; cf. 1 IQT 5 9 , 9 - 1 0 . Cf. CD 7,5-6. For fear cf. IQS 4 , 3 ; 1Q22 2,9-10; for love cf. CD 19,2; IQH 16,13.17. H. Braun, Qumran und das Neue Testament, 2 , pp.229f. Cf. his earlier studies "Beo bachtungen zur Tora-Verscharfung im haretischen J u d e n t u m " , ThLZ 79 ( 1 9 5 4 ) 3 4 7 - 3 5 2 ; idem Spdtjiidisch-haretischer passim.
131 Cf. M. Hengel, Judentum,
und friihchristlicher
Radikalismus,
1, 1957,
p . 4 0 4 ; J . A . Huntjens, "Notions", RQ 8 ( 1 9 7 4 ) 3 6 2 - 3 6 9 .
132 J.A. Huntjens, "Notions", RQ 8 ( 1 9 7 4 ) 362f.
Excursus
1 89
scripture" (p.S78) discussing mainly passages from IQpHab and I Q H ' ^ S . con cludes that particularly IQH has the tendency to internalize and spiritualize the law as being centered in the heart. The law, he says, is still a law which has t o be o b e y e d ; but here obedience is a response t o , and acceptance of, the revealed law or covenant purpose of G o d , corresponding t o an act of faith. Huntjens explains the fact that these t w o notions of law (and covenant) occur in the Qumran texts side by side with the reference to the priestly-apocalyptic nature of the sect ( p . 3 7 9 ) . We doubt, how ever, whether these two differing notions of law are so much different with regard to the Qumran texts. It is important to note that the necessity of obedience to the law is implied in the 'internalized' notion of law as well (as Huntjens admits). We suggest that the difference between these notions of law should be explained o n the basis of the different literary genres ~ hodayot or hymns have necessarily a more 'internal ised' or 'spiritual' thrust than the serekh or manual - rather than by resorting to the assumption of a neat confluence of priestly and of apocalyptic traditions which did not 'merge' in the Community but found their different expressions in different doc uments. Even though CU, I Q S , and I Q H have to be ascribed to different periods and authors, they nevertheless reflect together (!) the theological perspectives and the practical piety of the Community. Further, it has t o be pointed out in principle that the law is not the centre of all thinking in Qumran. The central salvational property of the Community is not the law but the Community itself and the affiliation with and membership in i t ' 3 4 _ As regards the Community's function as a means of salva tion, four vehicles of salvation were considered to be available: (1) the teaching and knowledge of the Community, especially of the law, (2) the holy atmosphere of the Community, (3) the exclusiveness of the Community, and (4) the disciphne of the Community 135_ J h e obedience to the law and the regulations and orders of the Community serve, in the final analysis, the securing and the protection of the pure fellowship which possesses God's salvation'36_ FQ,- the member of the (^immunity, righteousness does not (!) c o m e by works of law even though human righteousness is works of law for h i m ' 3 7 . It is clear at the same time, however, that even for the members of the Community there is no salvation without obedience t o God in and through his law. The classification as p'>TS is based on the election by God's pre destining grace and involves, at the same time, the obedience to the law: "doing the law is the condition of remaining elect"138_ Obedience to the commandments is required as a condition for remaining in the covenant. Further, the final objective of the pious life was not mere obedience to the law and the commandments per se but rather the glory and the praise of G o d ' 3 9 . Therefore, love for God'"^O jgye for the
133 ,|.A. Huntjens, "Notions", RQ_ 8 ( 1 9 7 4 ) 3 7 0 - 3 7 8 . He also refers to IQM 13,2-4; 10,8-11; 11,7-8; IQS 3 , 1 3 4 , 2 5 ; lQ34t'is 2 , 3 4 ; 1Q27 3-8. He points out, and rightly so, that this side has received insufficient attention ( p . 3 7 8 ) . R.J. Banks, Jesus and the Law, p.58 asserts that the law obviously did not fill the thought and worship of the Community to the exclusion of everything else. 134 C(.G.\aixa.mg,
Umdeutung
des Kultus,
1 9 7 1 , p. 153.
135 Cf. P. Garnet, "Qumran Light o n Pauline Soteriology", 1 9 8 0 , p . 2 0 . 136 CL H. UchUnbetger, Studien, p.217. 137 C L J . Becker,//e(V, p . l 2 5 ; E.P. Sanders, fau/, p p . 3 0 6 - 3 1 2 . 138 E.P. Sanders, o . c , p . 3 1 2 . 139 CL .M. Limbeck, Ordnung, p p . 1 7 0 - 1 7 3 referring to IQS 10,8-9; IQH 1,27-31; 4, 2 7 4 0 ; 10,9-12. 140 CL CD 2 0 , 2 1 ; IQH 1 4 , 2 6 ; 15,9-10; 1 6 , 7 . 1 3 .
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Whdom:
Universal-Systematic
Blueprint for Creation and
Salvation
brethren occupies a central position in the Community. Finally, it has been pointed out that "the stress laid u p o n ethical obligations entails the preservation of many Old Testament prophetic and wisdom e m p h a s e s " ' 4 2 . Thus, we conclude that the Qumranian notion of law is not legalistic in the proper sense of the t e r m ' 4 3 jj rather inseparably linked with the notions of election and grace. The character of this linkage is still a paradox which is expressed by U. Wilckens in the following manner: "Fiir die Qumrangemeinde bedeutet die Rechtfertigungserfahrung sola gratia selbstverstandlich cine e m e u t e , unbedingte Verpflichtung zu radikaler Gesetzeserfiillung; das sola fide geht hier zusammen mit den Gesetzeswerken"'44.
§ 11
Wisdom: Universal-Systematic Blueprint for Creation and Salvation
Several scholars have discussed t h e influence a n d effects of the s a p i e n d a l t r a d i t i o n o n t h e Q u m r a n C o m m u n i t y a n d its t e x t s . T h e m o s t c o m p r e h e n s i v e s t u d y w r i t t e n so far is t h e u n p u b l i s h e d dis s e r t a t i o n of J . E . W o r r e l l ' * ' . With regard t o o t h e r relevant studies in this area t h e n a m e s of F . N o t s c h e r , A . M . D e n i s , C. R o m a n i u k , W.L. l i p s c o m b , a n d .M. K u c h l e r have t o b e m e n t i o n e d ' * 6 .
1 1 . 1 . T h e Significance of t h e Sapiential 11.1.1.
Qumran
(IS wisdom
community.
Tradition J.E.
Worrell
has de-
141 Cf. CD 6 , 2 1 ; IQS 1,9; 2 , 2 4 ; 4 , 4 - 5 ; 5,2.5. 142 R.J. Banks, Jesus and the Law, p.58. Similarly P. Garnet, a.c, pp.20-22 w h o states, however, that the phrase "justification by works of the law" is still valid for Qum ran: "In spite of the emphasis o n the covenant community, obedience was essen tial if either community or the individual were to find acceptance with G o d " (p. 22). 143 Cf. R.J. Banks, o.c, pp.57f. 144 U. Wilckens,/eomtr, 1, EKK V I / 1 , 1978, p . 2 4 8 . 145 J . E . Worrell, Concepts of Wisdom in the Dead Sea Scrolls, Ph.D Diss. Claremont Graduate School, 1 9 6 8 . 146 Cf. F. Notscher, Terminologie, p p . 3 8 - 4 8 , 5 0 - 6 3 , 7 1 - 7 6 ; A.M. Denis, Les themes de connaissance dans le Document de Damas, 1 9 6 7 ; C. Romaniuk, " 1 ^ theme de la sagesse dans les documents de Qumran", RQ9 (1978) 4 2 9 - 4 3 5 ; W.L. Lipscomb, "Wisdom at Qumran", Israelite Wisdom, 1978, pp.277-285; M. Kiichler, Weisheits traditionen, 1979, p p . 8 8 - 1 3 3 .
The Significance
of the Sapiential
Tradition
191
s c r i b e d t h e Q u m r a n C o m m u n i t y as " w i s d o m c o m m u n i t y " ' * ' . This claim c a n b e s u b s t a n t i a t e d o n t h e basis of t h e s a p i e n t i a l p h r a s e o l o g y w h i c h is diffused t h r o u g h o u t t h e Q u m r a n t e x t s ( § 1 1 . 2 . 1 ) , t h e o c c u r r e n c e of h t e r a r y genres w h i c h are c h a r a c t e r i s t i c of t h e w i s d o m t r a d i t i o n , a n d t h e sapiential p r o p e n s i t i e s of d o c u m e n t s like I Q S a n d C D w h o s e f u n c t i o n was t h e r e g u l a t i o n of t h e life of t h e C o m m u n i t y ( § 1 1 . 2 . 2 . ) , t h e f r e q u e n c y a n d c o n t e n t of t h e peri c o p e s r e l a t e d t o t h e w i s d o m t r a d i t i o n a n d of sapiential c o n c e p t s ( § 1 1 . 1 . 2 . ) , t h e claim of t h e C o m m u n i t y t o possess w i s d o m ( § 1 1 . 5.), t h e e m p h a s i s o n t e a c h i n g ( § 1 1 . 6 . ) a n d right e t h i c a l c o n d u c t ( § 1 1 . 7 . ) , a s w e h as o n t h e basis of t h e inevitable r e l a t i o n s h i p w i t h t h e c o n t e m p o r a r y s a p i e n t i a l milieu'*®. T h e possible s e l f - u n d e r s t a n d i n g of t h e Q u m r a n g r o u p as w i s d o m c o m m u n i t y is especiaUy e v i d e n t in t h e use of t h e t e r m n x y , " c o u n s e l / c o u n c i r ' ' * 9 . T h e "piajj^Q^ clearly a t e r m of t h e w i s d o m t r a d i t i o n , a p p e a r s t o have b e e n o n e of t h e m o s t prestigious p e r s o n a g e s of t h e C o m m u n i t y : h e was p r o b a b l y i d e n t i c a l w i t h t h e mebaqqer or " g u a r d i a n " , t h e t e a c h e r of t h e C o m m u n i t y " " . T h e p e o p l e w h o w a n t e d t o j o i n t h e C o m m u n i t y a r e c h a r a c t e r i z e d as possessing n y i (cf. I Q S 1,11-13). M. K u c h l e r c o n c l u d e s from this e v i d e n c e t h a t " d i e M o n c h s g e m e i n d e v o n Q u m r a n war ftir die d a m a h g e Zeit eine d e m o n s t r a tive V e r w i r k l i c h u n g . . . einer a p o k a l y p t i s c h - w e i s h e i t h c h e n G r u p p e , w e l c h e in d e r B e m i i h u n g u m die ' E i n s i c h t des L e b e n s ' u n d das 'Wissen der E w i g k e i t ' v e r h a r r t e (vgl. I Q S 2,3) u n d so ' Z e u g e ( n ) d e r W a h r h e i t ' ( I Q S 8,6) sein w o U t e " " ' .
147 J.E. Worrell, o.c, pp. 120-154 passim, followed by M. Kiichler, o . c , pp.90f. 148 Cf. M. Hengel, "Qumran und der Hellenismus", BETL 4 6 ( 1 9 7 8 ) 3 3 3 - 3 7 2 . Cf. also H. Lichtenberger, Studien, p . l 2 7 w h o states, following Hengel, that Jewish wisdom and HeUenism prepared the way for an individualization which characterizes the conditions for life in the C o m m u n i t y . J . E . Worrell, Concepts, p p . l 2 3 - 1 2 9 discusses the testimonies of Josephus and Philo o n the sapiential background of the Commu nity: Josephus mentions Judah the Essene w h o revealed mysteries and secrets (BeU l,87fL) and refers t o the Essene knowledge of prophetic apothegms (BeU 2, 159); and PhUo adduces the Essenes as cardinal example for the most exceUent sophia in Israel (Quod omnis 72-91). This evidence is, as WorreU admits ( p . l 2 8 ) , not conclusive as such, however. 149 C L J . E . WorreU, o.c, pp. 1 2 9 - 1 5 0 ; idem, "nSy: 'Counsel' or 'CouncU' at Qumran", K r 2 0 (1970) 65-74. 150 CL G. Vermes, Dead Sea Scrolls, pp.22-25; idem, Qumran, p . 9 1 ; J . E . WorreU, o . c , p p . 1 5 0 - 1 5 4 ; W.L. Lipscomb, "Wisdom at Qumran", 1 9 7 8 , p . 2 7 7 . 151 M. Kiichler, Weisheitstraditionen, p.91.
192
Wisdom: Universal-Systematic
Blueprint for Creation
and
Salvation
W.L. Lipscomb acknowledges the fact that numerous passages in the Qumran texts employ wisdom terminology and reflect a concern for knowledge and t e a c h i n g ' 5 2 . He disagrees, however, with the claim that such elements are really sapiential. He states that they are neither sapiential on the grounds of gaining consistent personal experience of the divine world order, nor are they sapiential o n the basis of form: "The object of wisdom at Qumran was the revealed mysteries of God's predestined plan of salvation, knowledge of sectarian doctrine" ( p . 2 7 8 ) . He believes that the employe
152 CL W.L. Lipscomb, "Wisdom at Qumran", 1978, pp.277L 153 C L J . E . WorreU, Concepts, p p . 2 8 0 - 3 5 7 ; J.G. Gammie, "Spatial and Ethical Dualism in Jewish Wisdom and Apocalyptic L i t e r a t u r e " , / B i 9 3 ( 1 9 7 4 ) 3 5 6 - 3 8 5 . 154 CL H. Lichtenberger, Studien, p p . 1 9 0 - 2 0 0 . CL also G. von Rad, Theologie. 2, pp. 2 1 4 - 2 2 1 ; idem, Wisdom, p p . 2 6 3 - 2 8 3 . 155 With respect to the relationship between wisdom and apocalyptic, Lipscomb is ambiguous. He states on the one hand that wisdom was one of the factors which contributed to the origin and development of apocalyptic thought ("Wisdom at Qumran", p.282 n.7), but o n the other hand he says that P.von der Osten-Sacken and K. Koch presented "cogent chaUenges" to G.von Rad's thesis that the origins of apocalyptic thought may be seen in the wisdom Uterature (ibid.). See G. von
The Significance
of the Sapiential
Tradition
193
1982) to maintain that there exist no wisdom compositions of Qumranian origin: 4 Q 4 8 6 l 5 6 _ 4 Q 4 8 7 l 5 7 ^ 4 Q 4 8 9 1 5 8 are possibly sapiential compositions, and 4QShir, representing'Hymns of the S a g e ' ' 5 9 , is clearly of Qumranian origin. And with regard to texts where the Essene authorship is disputed (e.g. 4 Q 1 8 5 1 6 0 ) it has to be point ed out that they were used and copied in Qumran and therefore must surely reflect the self-understanding of the Community in some way. It is true that it would be exaggerated to label the central concern of the Community as sapiential. Therefore the objection to the classification of the Qumran group as 'wisdom community' might be warranted after all. But it is obvious that the Commu nity belonged to the contemporary sapiential miheu just as the other Jewish groups did and that it was strongly based upon, and molded by, wisdom perspectives.
T h e significance of w i s d o m for a p r o p e r u n d e r s t a n d i n g of t h e Q u m r a n C o m m u n i t y is f u r t h e r u n d e r s c o r e d b y t h e fact t h a t t h e "gift of k n o w l e d g e " w h i c h is n e a r l y exclusively d e s c r i b e d w i t h p e r f e c t a in I Q H is h n k e d w i t h t h e e n t r a n c e i n t o t h e C o m m u n i t y . T h e r e c e p t i o n of r e v e l a t o r y k n o w l e d g e coincides w i t h t h e " e i n m a h g e F a k t u m " of t h e e n t r a n c e i n t o t h e g r o u p ' ® ' . T h u s , J . E . Worrell arrives at t h e c o n c l u s i o n t h a t " Q u m r a n ' s
Rad, Theologie, 2, p p . 2 1 4 - 2 2 1 ; idem. Wisdom, p p . 2 6 3 - 2 8 3 , and his critics P.von der Osten-Sacken, Die Apokalpytik in ihrem Verhaltnis zu Prophetie und Weis heit, Theologische Existenzheute 1 5 7 , 1 9 6 9 ; K. Koch, Ratios vor der Apokalyptik, 1 9 7 0 , pp.43-45; also F. Dexinger, Offene Probleme, 1 9 7 7 , pp.39-43. Recently I. Gruenwald, "Jewish Apocalyptic Literature",/fiVRIV 11/19,1 ( 1 9 7 9 ) 9 2 L suggested that apocalyptic should not be explained by either/or theories as it is to be viewed within a framework which is by and large independent of Scripture. Gruenwald states that if apocalyptic is to be viewed mainly in relation to Scripture, it should be linked with "para-prophecy" which contains many wisdom elements. C. Miin c h o w , Ethik, 1 9 8 1 , pp.l 2,113-117 demonstrated that the apocalyptic movement, whole continuing the prophetic tradition, incorporated numerous sapiential ele ments and concepts; cf. also H. Gese, "Wisdom", HBT 3 ( 1 9 8 1 ) 3 7 L ; C. Rowland, OpenHeaven, 1982, pp.203-208. 156 4Q486: DJD 7 ( 1 9 8 2 ) 4-5 (M. BaUlet) going back, at least, to the first part of the 1st century B.C. 157 4 Q 4 8 7 : 0 / D 7 ( 1 9 8 2 ) 5-10 (M. BaUlet) consisting of 5 3 fragments which are mostly too small to give any meaning. On caUigraphic grounds the fragments date around 70 B.C. 158 4 Q 4 8 9 : DJD 7 ( 1 9 8 2 ) 73-74 (M. BaUlet) consisting of 15 hymnic or sapiential fragments. The script dates back to Herodian times (turn of era). 159 4QShira(510):/)/Z) 7 ( 1 9 8 2 ) 2 1 5 - 2 1 9 (M. BaUlet) dating into the last quarter of the 1st century B.C. These hymns are clearly of Essene character ( p . 2 1 5 ) . 4QShirh ( 5 1 1 ) : DJD 7 ( 1 9 8 2 ) 2 1 9 - 2 6 2 (M. BaUlet) with 2 2 4 fragments date to Herodian times resembling the Teacher hymns. 160 CL H. Lichtenberger, "Eine weisheitliche Mahmede in den Qumranfunden (4Q185)",fl£7X 4 6 ( 1 9 7 8 ) 151-162. 161 CL H.W. \uhn, Enderwartung. p p . l 5 5 - 1 6 1 , referring to IQH 1,21; 7,26-27; 11,3-4. 9-10.15-17.27-28; 10,13-14.28-29; 14,13.
1 94
Wisdom: Universal-Systematic
Blueprint for Creation and
Salvation
terminological and structural implementations provide a prime historical e x a m p l e of s a p i e n t i a l items g a t h e r e d i n t o a s u p e r i m p o s e d s y s t e m a n d p e r s p e c t i v e . . . T h e C o m m u n i t y of Q u m r a n was a ' w i s d o m c o m m u n i t y ' in t h e sense t h a t their c a t e g o r i e s for selfu n d e r s t a n d i n g c a m e t h r o u g h t h e 'sapiential m i l i e u ' . T h e i r t e r m s of self-designation a p p r o p r i a t e d w i s d o m c o n c e p t s for specific ends"'®2.
11.1.2. The Qumranian world-view. The p e r i c o p e I Q S 3 , 1 5 - 4 , 2 6 s h o w s a s t r i k i n g a c c u m u l a t i o n of a b s t r a c t t e r m s , a n d it is o b vious t h a t t h e a n t h r o p o l o g i c a l t e r m i n o l o g y of this a n d of o t h e r Q u m r a n t e x t s is closely l i n k e d w i t h t h a t of late w i s d o m . We find a n effort t o e m p l o y a s y s t e m a t i c , even ' p h i l o s o p h i c a l ' , c o n c e p t u a l ity w h i c h is u n p r e c e d e n t e d in t h e H e b r e w language b e f o r e t h a t t i m e ' ® ' . In I Q S 3 , 1 5 - 4 , 2 6 we have a n a t t e m p t to i n t e r p r e t "all t h a t is a n d shall b e " (n'"nai m m , 3 , 1 5 ) , i.e. b e i n g a n d p r o c e s s , c r e a t i o n a n d h i s t o r y , o n t h e basis of a theological a p p r o a c h in a systematic form. In the words of M. Hengel, "bei den Essenern wird - m.E. zum ersten Mai in der jiidischen Geistesgeschichte - ansatzweise ein 'System' universaler Weisheit vorgelegt, das Gott, Himmel und Erde, Menschheit und Geschichte umfaBtund in dem alle Phanomene von Natur - oder besscr Schopfung - und Geschichte ihren bestimmten Ort zugewiesen erhalten" '
T h i s s y s t e m a t i c b l u e p r i n t of t h e C o m m u n i t y is, of c o u r s e , total ly t h e o c e n t r i c : G o d ' s free c o u n s e l a n d r e v e l a t i o n is t h e basic a n d c o n s t a n t p o i n t of d e p a r t u r e . " E r b e r u h t im voUen S i n n des Wortes auf ' a p o k a l y p t i s c h e r Weisheit', die d e m N i c h t - E r w a h l t e n v e r b o r g e n bleibt"'®'. 11.1.3. Origin of concepts. S o m e scholars p o i n t o u t paraUels b e t w e e n t h e Essene a n d t h e g n o s t i c c o n c e p t of knowledge'®®. B u t this view has b e e n r e j e c t e d o n g o o d g r o u n d s ' ® ' . T h e Q u m r a n dual-
162 163 164 165 166
J . E . Worrell, Concepts, p p . 3 9 0 - 3 9 3 . Cf. M. llengeX, Judentum, p.396. M. Hengel, "Qumran und der Hellenismus", BETL 4 6 ( 1 9 7 8 ) 3 5 2 . M. Hengel, a.c, p . 3 5 3 ; cf. also C. Rowland, Open Heaven, pp.l 15-120. Cf. K.G. Kuhn, "Die in Palastina gefundenen hebraischen Texte und das Neue Testament", ZThK 41 ( 1 9 5 0 ) 203f.; C. Colpe, m RGG 2 ( 1 9 5 8 ) 1 6 5 1 . 167 Cf. H.W. Kuhn, Enderwartung, p. 142 (with regard to the hymns of the Community in IQH), referring to the theological wisdom of the Palestiruan sources, the con-
Terms and Genres
195
ism has b e e n t r a c e d b a c k t o Iranian origins, b u t this d e r i v a t i o n has n o t b e e n u n a n i m o u s l y a c c e p t e d either'®*. T h e Q u m r a n i a n ' s y s t e m of universal w i s d o m ' has its s o u r c e in the or t r a d i t i o n , especially late w i s d o m , a n d has parallels in a n c i e n t o r i e n t a l wisdom'®^. T h e r e are m a n y c o m m o n p o i n t s be t w e e n w i s d o m in Q u m r a n a n d w i s d o m in t h e O T : (1) t h e p r a c t i c a l c h a r a c t e r of w i s d o m , (2) t h e c o n c e p t of w i s d o m as t h e p r i n c i p l e of a m o r a l l y c o r r e c t ' hfe, (3) t h e reference t o G o d as the o n e w h o possesses t r u e w i s d o m in a u n i q u e w a y , (4) t h e t h o u g h t t h a t marl's w i s d o m is b u t t h e p a r t i c i p a t i o n in G o d ' s w i s d o m , (5) t h e r e l a t i o n s h i p b e t w e e n sin a n d folly, (6) t h e c o n v i c t i o n t h a t w i s d o m n o t o n l y assures t h e h o n e s t y of m o r a l life b u t also g u a r a n t e e s eternid life, ( 7 ) t h e n o t i o n t h a t w i s d o m is t h e highest v a l u e " " . T h e differ ences b e t w e e n b i b h c a l a n d Q u m r a n i a n w i s d o m " ' can be e x p l a i n e d o n t h e basis of the exclusive s e l f - u n d e r s t a n d i n g of the C o m m u n i t y w i t h its a p o c a l y p t i c - e s c h a t o l o g i c a l e m p h a s e s .
11.2. Terms and Genres 11.2.1. Wisdom terms. Scholars have l o n g r e c o g n i z e d t h e fact t h a t t h e Q u m r a n t e x t s use sapiential v o c a b u l a r y w i t h a r e m a r k a b l e f r e q u e n c y ' 2 . Especially t e r m s of c o g n i t i o n are n u m e r o u s : yT"'^'
cepts of 'knowledge' and 'insight' in the apocalyptic hterature as prerequisites for understanding the "revelational knowledge' in IQH ( p p . 1 4 2 - 1 5 4 ) . Cf. also J . E . Wor rell, Concepts, p . 2 0 3 ; B. Reicke, "Traces of Gnosticism in the Dead Sea Scrolls?", NTS 1 ( 1 9 5 4 / 5 5 ) 1 3 7 - 1 4 1 ; idem, "Da^at and Gnosis in Intertestamental Utera ture", 1 9 6 9 , p p . 2 4 6 - 2 5 0 . 168 Cf. the discussion in H. Lichtenberger, Studien, p p . 1 9 6 - 2 0 0 . CL B. Otzen, "Old Testament Wisdom Literature and Dualistic Thinking in Late Judaism", 5 VT 28 ( 1 9 7 5 ) 146-157; J.G. Gammie, "Spatial and Ethical D u a l i s m " , / B i 9 3 ( 1 9 7 4 ) 3563 8 5 ; J . E . WorreU, o.C, p p . 2 8 0 - 3 5 7 ; W.L. Lipscomb, "Wisdom at Qumran", p . 2 7 8 . 169 CL .M. Hengel, Judentum, p . 3 9 6 ; idem, "Qumran", BETL 4 6 ( 1 9 7 8 ) 3 5 3 . 170 CL C. Romaniuk, "Le theme de la sagesse", RQ 9 ( 1 9 7 8 ) 4 3 3 L 171 In the biblical tradition wisdom is avaUable to everyone, whereas in Qumran it is only for the members of the Community. Wisdom as direct object of praise, not u n c o m m o n in the biblical tradition, is rare in Qutruan, as is the poetic personifica tion of wisdom. Also, in Qumran we have not found the phrase that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, which is so frequent in Prov and Sir. 172 CL K. Notscher, Terminologie, pp.38-79; H.W. Kuhn, Enderwartung, pp.139-141; S. Wagner, "yT' in den Loblicdern von Qumran", Bibel und Qumran, KS H. Bardtkc, 1 9 6 8 , p p . 2 3 2 - 2 5 2 ; J . E . WorreU, Concepts. p p . l 8 l - 2 3 6 ; B. Reicke, "Da^at und
196
Wisdom: Universal-Systematic
Blueprint for Creation and Salvation
nv-^'\ n W . V^'''^ n . ^ n ' " D = n ' ' « n a D n " ^ ^ 3 ^ " ° ^ ^ n u ^ a ' " naTy'®^ n a i ^ n a " ' , n ' i n ' * * . A t t e m p t s t o differentiate the mean-
Gnosis". 1 9 6 9 , pp.246-249; C. Romaniuk, a.c, p p . 4 2 9 - 4 3 5 ; M. Kuchler, W w heitstraditionen, pp.88-91. 173 y i i occurs 7 3 x in IQH, 2 0 x in CD, and in IQpHab 7,2.4; IQS 4 , 2 5 . 2 6 ; 5,11.19; 6,25; 8 , 1 8 ; 10,16; IQM 10,16; 11,15; 1 3 , 3 ; 18,10; IQSa 1,10.10.28; 1Q18 1,2; 1Q22 1,11; 1Q27 f l 1,3.4.8; 2 , 1 1 ; 1Q34 f3 2,3.7; 1Q36 1,4; 2 1 , 1 ; 2 Q 2 2 1 2,1; 3 Q 1 4 l l , l ; 4 Q F l o r 5,3;4Q180 f2-4 2 , 1 0 ; 4 Q 1 8 1 2 , 5 , 4 Q 4 9 1 f 11 1 , 2 3 ; 4 Q 1 6 0 1,5; f3-4 2,5; 4 Q 1 7 7 f l - 4 , 1 2 ; 4 Q 1 8 5 f l - 2 2 , 7 . 1 5 ; 3 , 1 3 ; 4 Q 5 0 2 f28,2; 4 Q 5 0 3 4 , 7 ; f 5 1 5 5 , 9 . 1 3 . 1 4 ; f 7 2 , 2 ; 4QDibHama f l - 2 2,10; f4,5.14; f8 recto 10; 4QDibHam<: f l 3 1 132,10; 4QPrFetesh f l , l ; f2,4.5; 4QShirt> f2 1,2; 2,6.9; f 4 2 , 7 ; f 4 8 - 5 1 2 , 7 ; l l Q P s a 1 8 , 2 . 2 . 3 . 4 . 4 . 1 2 . 1 3 ; 19,2; 2 1 , 1 3 ; 2 6 , 1 2 . Total: 161 occurrences. 174 nyT occurs 17x in I Q S , 17x in IQH, and in IQpHab 11,1; IQM 17,8; IQSb 4,27; 5 , 2 5 ; CD 2 , 3 . 4 ; 10,10; 1Q36 12,2; 4 Q 5 0 2 f l 0 , 3 ; 4 Q 5 0 3 4 , 4 ; 4QShirt> f2 1,6; f l 8 2,8; f l 9 , 3 ; f 2 8 - 2 9 , 3 ; f43,2; f63-64 2,4; f71,4; f 9 3 , l ; f 9 6 , 4 ; f l 2 4 , 3 ; f l 3 1 , 2 ; 4QS1 39 fl 1,18; 4 0 f 2 4 , 2 ; 4QpPsa f l - 2 1,19; 4QDibHama 8 recto 5 ; 6 Q 1 8 5 , 3 ; 1 IQPs^ 1 9 , 1 4 ; 2 6 , 1 1 . Total: 6 2 occurrences. 175
n y T occurs in I Q S 3 , 1 5 ; 7,4; 9 , 1 8 ; 1 1 , 6 . 1 5 . 1 8 ; IQH 1,26; 11,8.28; 12,10; 14,25; f4,15; f8,9; CD 15,15; 2 0 , 5 ; 1Q27 fl 1,7; 4QDibHama f4,4; 4QDibHamC f l 3 1 - 1 3 2 , 9;4QShira f l , 2 ; 4 Q S h i r b f l , 8 ; f l 4 3 , 2 . Total: 21 occurrences. 176 I ' a o c c u r s 16x in IQH, 12x in CD, 5 x in IQS, and in IQSa 1,5.28; 1Q27 fl 1,3; 1Q34 f3 2 , 3 . 4 ; 2Q27 1,4; 4 Q 1 6 0 f3-4 2 , 6 ; 4 Q 1 8 6 f2 1,1.1; 4QpNah f3-4 2 , 5 ; 3 , 1 . 4 ; 4QDibHama f l - 2 2,17; f 6 , 3 . 4 ; 4 Q 4 8 5 f l , 6 ; 4 Q 4 8 7 f l 7 , 2 ; 4QPrFetesC f4,4; f l 2 l , 1 3 ; f 9 7 - 9 8 1,2.4, 5 Q 1 3 , 1 . 9 . Total: 55 occurrences. 177 n J ' a occurs 17x in IQH, and in IQS 4 , 3 ; 1 1 , 1 ; IQM 1 0 , 1 0 . 1 6 ; C D 5,16.1 7; 1Q29 13,2; 1Q40 1 , 3 ; 4 Q 1 5 8 f l - 2 , 8 ; 4Q5q2 f 2 , 4 ; 4 Q 5 0 3 f 5 1 - 5 5 , 1 3 ; f 2 1 6 , 3 ; 4QDibHama f5 2 , 8 ; f8 recto 5; 4QPrFetes<: f l 2 2 , 9 ; 4QShira f l , 6 ; 4QShirb f l 8 2,6.8; f48-51 2,1; f 186,1. Total: 37 occurrences. 178 Dan occurs in CD 6 , 3 ; IQSa 1,28; 2 , 1 6 ; IQH 1,35; 3 , 1 4 ; l l Q P s a 2 7 , 2 .
179 nasnoccurs 8 x in IQH, and in IQS 4,3.18.22.24; CD 2,3; 4Q487 f2,8; 4QPrFetesC f l 6 , 7 ; f 5 5 , 2 ; l l Q P s ^ 1 8 , 3 ; 2 6 , 1 4 . Total: 18 occurrences. The relatively tare occurrence of D3n/naDn is t o be explained by (1) the effort to avoid the official Pharisaic use of the term on the basis of Qumran's purist reaction (cf. J.E. Worrell, Concepts, p p . 1 5 4 , 1 8 3 - 1 8 6 ) , and (2) the emergence of the noetic-reflective perception and the resulting greater differentiation of the revealed 'knowledge' to which the old term n a s n could n o longer do justice (cf. M. Hengel, Judentum, p.402 n . 6 5 1 ; a l s o M. Kuchler, Weisheitstraditionen, p.89). 180
181 182 183
184
"psu? occurs, as verb and noun, 29x in IQH, 15x in I Q S , and in CD 1 3 , 7 . 1 1 ; IQSa 1,7.17; IQM 10,10; 4QS1 39 fl 1,21; 4 Q 1 8 4 1 , 1 3 ; 4 Q 1 8 5 f l - 2 1 , 1 3 ; 4 Q 5 0 2 f2,4; l l Q P s a 18,5; 19,3. Total: 55 occurrences. "p'lDU^a occurs in IQS 3 , 1 3 ; 9 , 1 2 . 2 1 ; IQSb 1,1; 3 , 2 2 ; 5,20; CD 1 2 , 2 1 ; 13,22;"lQH f8,10;4QShira f l - 4 ; 4 Q S h i r b f2 1,2. Total: 11 occurrences. n a i y occurs in IQS 4 , 6 . 1 1 ; 1 0 , 2 5 ; 11,6; IQH 1,35; 2,9; CD 2 , 4 ; IQpHab 7 , 1 4 ; 4 Q 4 9 1 f l l 1 , 1 0 ; 4 Q 5 0 2 f l 6 , 3 . Total: 10 occurrences. n2U7na occurs 13x in IQH, lOx in IQM, 8 x in IQS, and in IQpHab 3,5; CD 2,6; 1Q29 13,4; 4QFlor 1,8.9; 4QMa 12; 4QDibHama f4,4; f6.2; f 2 4 , 3 ; 4Q491 f8-10 1,12; f l 4 - 1 5 , 8 . 8 ; 4 Q 4 9 8 f3 1,3; 4 Q 5 0 2 f6,2; 4 Q 5 0 3 f 5 1 - 5 5 , 1 3 ; 4QPrFetesC f23 1,2; 4QShirh f22,4; f 2 3 , 4 ; f26,2; f42,7; f63-64 2 , 3 ; f l 0 0 , 2 . Total: 5 3 occurrences. nmin occurs in IQS 10,24; 11,6;CD 2,3.
Terms and Genres
197
ing of these t e r m s ' * ' s h o u l d n o t be carried t o o far since t h e y a r e , in t h e Q u m r a n c o n t e x t , n e a r l y s y n o n y m o u s ' * ® . T h e y d e m a r c a t e t h e s p h e r e in w h i c h "alles Wichtige a n Wissen u n d E r k e n n t n i s vor sich g e h t " u n d c h a r a c t e r i z e the C o m m u n i t y as t h e place " a n d e m e n t s c h e i d e n d e s Wissen v o n G o t t g e s c h e n k t , v o n d e n M o n c h e n aufg e n o m m e n u n d g e h i i t e t u n d m i t e i n a n d e r im ' W e i s h e i t s r a t ' ( I Q S 1 0 , 2 4 ) e r w o g e n w i r d " ' * ' . T h e a b o v e - m e n t i o n e d g r o u p of t e r m s possesses t h e greatest w e i g h t in Essene t h e o l o g y ' * * . The frequent occurrences of wisdom terms in IQH is particularly remarkable. The roots jn"), •|"'3, D3n and their derivates occur 171 times in IQH, fragments included, in most cases referring to the "gegenwartige Sein des Qumranfrommen in der Gemeinde"189. Thus we find the "Hymnik als locus der Erkenntnis-Reflcxi o n " ' 9 0 which is rather typical for the concept of wisdom as gift in the apocalyptic tradition. The use of y T i n IQS shows a "definite predilection for practical imptications"!^ 1.
O t h e r i m p o r t a n t w i s d o m terms are n s y ' ^ ^ , n D ' ^ ' , a n d
la*?'^*.
185 Cf. F. Notscher, Terminologie, pp.44-63; J.E. Worrell, o . c , p p . 1 8 7 - 2 1 2 ; C. Rom aniuk, "Le theme de la sagesse", RQ 9 ( 1 9 7 8 ) 4 2 9 4 3 3 . 186 CL C. Romaniuk, "Theme", RQ 9 (1978) 4 3 3 ; M. Kiichler, Weisheitstraditionen, p.90; already observed by H. Braun, Radikalismus, 1, p . 2 2 n.4. See for example the combination of sapiential terms in IQH 11,27-28. 187 M. Kuchler, o . c , p.90. 188 CL M. \ienge\, Judentum, p . 4 0 1 . 189 H.W. Kuhn, Enderwartung, p. 1 4 0 ; he mentions 100 occurrences in the "Commuruty hymns' and 20 occurrences in the "Leacher hymns' (including the references of n'PJ). obviously not including the fragments. 190 M. Kuchler, o . c , p.90. 191 B. Reicke, "Da^at and Gnosis", 1969, pp.247f. 192 n x y occurs 4 0 x in IQS, lOx in IQH, 5x in IQpHab, and in IQSa 1,3.26.27; 2, 2 . 9 . 1 1 ; IQSb 3 , 2 8 ; 4 , 2 4 . 2 6 ; 6 , 2 5 ; C D 5,17; 12,8; 1 3 , 1 7 ; 2 0 , 2 4 ; IQM 3,4; 1 3 , 1 1 ; 1Q14 10,6; 1Q38 8 , 1 ; 4QFlor 1,17.17; 4Qplsd 1,2; 4 Q 5 0 2 f 3 0 5 , l ; 4QpNah 2,5.6. 9 ; 3,7.8; 4QpPsa 2 , 1 9 ; 4 Q 4 9 I f l l 1,11; 4QShir'> f 2 3 , l ; f48-51 2 , 1 ; 4 Q 5 1 5 f l , 2 . 2 ; f 2 3 , l ; 5Q18 1,2. T o t a l : 8 0 occurrences. 193 n o o c c u r s 29x in IQH, lOx in IQS, and in CD 14,10; 19,36; IQM 13,9; 1Q88 8 , 1 ; 1Q46 1,1; 4 Q 1 8 0 1,10; 4 Q 4 8 6 f l , 5 ; 4 Q 4 9 1 flO 2,17; 4 Q 5 0 2 f l 9 , l ; f23,4; f24,4; f l l 6 , 2 ; f l 7 7 , l ; 4QDibHama f4,21; 4QShirl' f l O , l l ; f26,3; f 2 8 - 2 9 , 3 ; f44-47 1,2; f52-59 3,5; f63 3 , 2 ; f63-64 2 , 1 ; 4 Q 5 1 2 3 , 1 3 . Total: 61 occurrences. On nSJ? and/or "nO cL J.E. Worrell, Concepts, p p . l 2 9 - 1 5 0 ; idem, "riSy:'Counsel' or 'CouncU' at Qumran", VT 20 ( 1 9 7 0 ) 65-74; O. Betz, Offenbarung, pp.50-53. 194
Ta'? occurs in IQS 3 , 1 3 ; 9 , 1 3 ; IQSa 1,7; IQH 2,17; IQM 6 , 1 2 . 1 3 ; 10,2.10; 14,6; 4 Q 1 6 9 f3-4 2 , 8 ; 4 Q 4 9 1 f8-10 1 , 4 ; 4 Q 4 9 5 f 1,2. Total: 12 occurrences. On "ra'? and other terms for teaching ( y 7 i n , VZiTi, '?'>DU;r!) see J.E. WorreU, o . c , pp. 156160.
198
Wvidom: Universal-Systematic
Blueprint for Creation and
Wisdom metaphors include the water imagery'^' t e r m s like " l i g h f ^ ^ S a n d " w a y " ' ^ ' .
Salvation
and, further,
11.2:2. Wisdom genres. T h e C o m m u n i t y R u l e I Q S has b e e n d e s c r i b e d as " a t e a c h e r ' s m a n u a l a u t h o r i z e d b y t h e R a b b i m a n d i n t e n d e d t o p r o v i d e m a t e r i a l from w h i c h t h e I n s t r u c t o r c o u l d d r a w in his d i d a c t i c w o r k a n d material w h i c h m i g h t serve t o re m i n d h i m of t h e k i n d of b e h a v i o u r t h e R a b b i m e x p e c t e d of h i m " ' ^ * . If this is a c o r r e c t e v a l u a t i o n of I Q S ' ^ , it is o b v i o u s t h a t I Q S has t o be r e g a r d e d as b e l o n g i n g t o t h e w i s d o m t r a d i t i o n . It seems t h a t C D 1 3 - 1 6 is t h e fragment of a ' C o m m u n i t y R u l e ' too^OO.
A n o t h e r w i s d o m g e n r e is t h e sapiential p o e m , r e p r e s e n t e d b y 4Q1842'" a n d 4Q185202. j h e t e x t s 4 Q 4 8 6 , 4 Q 4 8 7 , 4 Q 4 8 9 , a n d 4QShir a r e p r o b a b l y w i s d o m p o e m s w i t h a h y m n i c c h a r a c t e r .
195 Terms like "fountain", "spring": ] ' y a o c c u r s in IQS 3 , 1 9 ; 1 0 , 1 2 ; 11,7; IQH 1,5; 5 , 2 6 ; 6 , 1 7 ; 8 , 6 . 1 2 ; 1 2 , 1 3 ; 1Q35 2 , 1 ; 1Q36 1 2 , 2 ; n p a o c c u r s 17x in IQH, and in IQS 3 , 1 9 ; 1 0 , 1 2 ; 11,3.5.6.; IQM 7,6; IQSb 1 , 3 . 6 ; 3 , 1 9 ; 1Q16 8 , 2 ; 4 Q D i b H a m a f l 2 5 , 2 ; 4QShirb f 4 4 4 7 1,1; f52-59 3 , 2 ; f63 3 , 1 ; 4QOrdC fl 1,4. Total: 3 2 occur rences. 196
- n K o c c u r s as noun 16x in I Q S , lOx in IQH, lOx in IQM and in CD 5 , 1 8 ; 1 3 , 1 2 ; 1Q14 2 2 , 2 ; 1Q27 fl 1,6; 4QFIor f l - 2 l,9;4QpIs f2 1,4; 4 Q 5 1 2 f l 9 1 , l ; f 2 2 7 , 3 ; 4 Q 5 1 7 f l 6 , 2 ; 8Q5 1,3; 1 IQPs^ 2 6 , 1 1 ; 2 7 , 2 . 2 . Total: 8 7 occurrences. 197 -jni occurs 4 3 x in IQS, 23x in IQH, 2 2 x in C D , and in IQM 3 , 1 0 ; 14,7; IQSa 1,2.17.28; IQSb 6 , 2 2 ; 1Q17 1,4; 1Q19 1,3; 1Q22 2,8; 1Q30 2 , 2 ; 2 Q 2 2 2 , 3 ; 4 Q F l o r f l - 2 l , 1 4 ; 4 Q p I s b 1,5; 4Qpls<: 1,3; 4 Q 1 5 8 f l - 2 , 1 0 ; 4 Q 1 7 6 f 18,2; 4QS1 39 fl 1,22; 4 0 K 4 , 7 ; 4 Q 1 8 3 fl 2 , 5 ; 4 Q 1 8 4 f l , 8 . 9 . 9 . 1 4 . 1 6 . 1 7; 4 Q 1 8 6 f l - 2 2 , 1 ; 4 Q 4 8 6 f l , 3 ; 4 Q 4 9 1 f8-10 1 , 5 ; 4 Q 4 9 7 f 6 , 2 ; 4 Q 4 9 9 f 5 , 2 ; 4 Q 5 0 2 fl 19,1; 4QDibHama f l - 2 5 , 2 0 . 2 0 ; f 4 , 1 3 ; f8 recto 13; f 1 7 2,4; 4QDibHamt' f l 2 1 , l ; 4QPrFetesC f 2 9 6 , l ; 4QShira f l , 9 ; 4QShirt' f2 1,6; f 1 0 , 8 ; f 6 3 3 , 3 ; 4 Q 5 1 7 f l 7 , 2 ; l l Q P s a 2 1 , 1 3 ; 2 2 , 1 0 ; 2 7 , 3 . Total: 134 occurrences. 198 199 200 201
E.V.Koop, Form Critical Study. 1 9 7 2 , p.335 (conclusion). Roop's study is approvingly quoted by H. Lichtenberger, Studien, pp.35f. CL H. Lichtenberger, o.c, p . 3 7 . Classified as a "short sapiential p o e m " by R.D. .Moore, "Personification of the Se duction of Evil: 'The Wiles of the Wicked Woman' ", RQ 10 ( 1 9 8 1 ) 5 0 5 . CL also G. Vermes, Dead Sea Scrolls, p.255. 202 CL H. Lichtenberger, "Mahnrede", BETL 4 6 ( 1 9 7 8 ) 151-162; G. Vermes, o.c, p.257.
Wisdom,
God, and Creation
1 99
Several t e x t s have b e e n classified as " w i s d o m t e x t s w i t h a di dactic nature"203 : 1 Q 2 6 , 4QOrNab, 1 IQPs''DavComp. T h e a s t r o n o m i c a l - a s t r o l o g i c a l fragments of 4 Q 1 8 0 , 4 Q 1 8 6 , 4 Q 2 4 7 , 4 Q 2 6 0 , 4 Q 3 1 7 , 4 Q 3 8 4 - 3 9 0 c a n be a t t r i b u t e d t o w i s d o m genres as well^"*. N o p r o v e r b i a l t e x t s h a v e b e e n f o u n d in Q u m r a n w h i c h is r a t h e r s u r p r i s i n g w h e n w e c o n s i d e r t h e large i n f l u e n c e of t h e w i s d o m tra d i t i o n o n t h e C o m m u n i t y . T h e fact t h a t Q u m r a n seems t o have h a d n o r o o m "fiir die L e b e n s w e i s h e i t d e r S p r i i c h e u n d i i b e r h a u p t fiir e i n e geschliffenere F o r m u l i e r u n g d e r L e b e n s r e g u l a t i v e in S e n t e n z e n u n d B i l d w o r t e n , w e l c h e aus sich selbst s p r e c h e n u n d k o n t e x t u n a b h a n g i g s i n d " ^ " ' , can b e e x p l a i n e d (1) b y t h e great i m p o r t a n c e of t h e m a n u a l s I Q S a n d C D for t h e C o m m u n i t y , a n d (2) b y t h e u r g e n t r e f e r e n c e of all individual a c t i o n s t o t h e great d e c b i o n s of t h e n e a r f u t u r e .
11.3. Wisdom, G o d , and Creation 11.3.1. Theocentric wisdom. In t h e Q u m r a n t e x t s , t e r m s a n d c o n c e p t s of k n o w l e d g e are o f t e n l i n k e d w i t h a r e f e r e n c e t o God^o®. G o d is t h e m y m ba, t h e " G o d of k n o w l e d g e " ( I Q S 3 , 1 5 ; I Q H 1,26; 1 2 , 1 0 ; 14,15). G o d is t h e n y 7 n p n , t h e " s o u r c e of k n o w l e d g e " ( I Q S 1 0 , 1 2 ; 1 l , 3 ; c f . I Q H 2 , 1 8 ; 5 , 2 6 ; 8 , 6 ; 1 2 , 2 9 ) . H e possesses k n o w l e d g e , a n d h e passes o n k n o w l e d g e . G o d is o m n i s c i e n t ^ ' . T h e s y s t e m a t i c ' b l u e p r i n t ' of t h e Essenes is t o t a l l y t h e o c e n t r i c : t h e p o i n t of d e p a r t u r e is G o d ' s free c o u n s e l a n d rev elation^"*.
203 204 205 206
Cf. M. Kiichler, Weisheitstraditionen. p. 106. Cf. M. Kuchler, o.c., p . l 0 8 . M. Kiichler, o.c, p.96. Cf. IQS 3 , 1 5 ; 4 , 3 . 4 . 1 8 . 2 2 ; 1 0 , 1 2 ; 1 1 , 3 . 1 8 . 1 9 ; CD 2,3-4; IQpHab 7,14; IQH 1,7. 8 . 1 4 . 1 9 . 2 1 . 2 6 ; 2 , 1 8 ; 4 , 1 3 ; 5 , 2 6 ; 7,27; 8,6; 9 , 1 7 . 2 3 . 3 1 ; 10,14; 1 1 , 8 . 9 . 1 2 . 1 6 . 2 7 . 2 8 ; 1 2 , 1 0 . 1 1 . 1 3 . 2 9 ; 1 3 , 8 . 1 3 ; 1 4 , 8 . 1 2 . 2 7 ; 1 5 , 1 2 ; 4 Q 1 8 5 1,14; 2 , 1 1 ; 4QShira 1,2; 4QShirb f l , 7 - 8 ; f2 1,6.7; 2,7-9; f l 8 2 , 8 ; f29,3; f 4 9 , l ; f63-64 2 , 4 ; f63 3,1-4; f 9 6 , 4 .
207 Cf. CD 2,6-8; IQM 1 8 , 1 0 ; IQH 1,7; 7 , 1 3 ; 9 , 1 2 . 1 7 - 3 0 . 208 Cf. M. Hengel, "Qumran", BETL 46 ( 1 9 7 8 ) 3 5 3 . Cf. also F. Notscher, Termino logie, pp.40f.; J . E . Worrell, Concepts, p . 2 0 4 ; M. Hengel, Judentum, p . 4 0 2 . A.M. Denis, Les themes de connaissance, p.78 demonstrates that in CD knowledge is derived from God himself.
200
Wisdom: Universal-Systematic
Blueprint
for Creation and
Salvation
11.3.2. The order of creation. I n several passages a special func t i o n a l r e c o g n i t i o n w i t h r e g a r d t o c r e a t i o n is given t o G o d ' s w i s d o m and knowledge. In IQS 3,15-18 we read that "from the God o t knowledge ( m j 7 7 n bn) comes all that is and shall b e f T T T I J I m i n ) . Before ever they existed he established ( I ' a n ) their whole design ( o n S U ^ n a ) , and when, as ordained for them, they c o m e into being, it is in accord with his glorious design ( 1 7 1 2 3 naii'n WD) that they accomplish their task without change. The laws of all things ( "piO ' U S t f f a ) are in his hand and he provides them with all their needs". - In IQH 1,7.14^09 ^ stated in a similar marmer that "by your wisdom ( n S n a D n a ) all things.exist from eternity, and before creating ( N T S ) them y o u knew their works for ever and ever ... You have fashioned ( ] 1D) all their inhabitants according t o your vidsdom (n 3 n a 3n 3)". In the 'Hymn to the Creator' wc read: "Separating light from deep darkness, by the knowledge o f his mind ( la"? n y 7 3 ) he established ( p s a ) the dawn . . . Blessed be he w h o makes (nU?y) the earth by his power, establishing ( ] ' ' 3 a ) the world in his wisdom ( i n a 3 i n 3 ) . By his understanding ( i n J 1 3 n 3 ) he stretched out the heavens" (I IQPs* 26,4-8).
T h e o r d e r of t h e w o r l d c r e a t e d b y G o d ' s w i s d o m is e x p r e s s e d in I Q H 1,7-15; 1 2 , 5 - 1 1 w i t h p h r a s e s h k e " t h e l a w ( u s u ^ a ) of t h e s p i r i t s ' " " t h e laws ( D ' > p i n ) of t h e m i g h t y w i n d s " , " t h e p a t h s ( n i 3 ' ' n 3 ) of t h e s t a r s " , " t h e laws ( n i p i n ) of t h e great light of h e a v e n " , " t h e s t a t u t e ( T i 3 n ) a n d signs of e v e r y d o m i n i o n " , " t h e certain law ( n a i a x a i i 3 n ) " , " t h e p r e c e p t w h i c h is a n d shaU be for ever a n d ever w i t h o u t e n d ( n K ' ' n i n u n n7iyn m n n ) " . It has b e e n observed already that p i n a n d D S B ' a a r e often u s e d as d e s i g n a t i o n s of t h e o r d e r of c r e a t i o n set u p b y G o d ^ ' " . T h e u n i v e r s a l i t y of w i s d o m is n o t a p r o m i n e n t c o n c e p t ; it is i m pUed in I Q S 3 , 1 5 ; I Q H 9 , 1 7 2 " . 11.3.3. Sapiential personifications. J.A. Sanders pointed out t h a t l l Q P s * 18 (= Ps (syr) 2) has close c o n n e c t i o n s w i t h w i s d o m s p e c u l a t i o n , p r o b a b l y even i m p l y i n g t h e p e r s o n i f i c a t i o n of wisd o m ^ ' ^ . T h e Q u m r a n i a n origin of this p e r i c o p e is d i s p u t e d ^ ' ' .
209 See also IQH 12,5-11; 13,8-10.13. 210 Cf. supra, p . l 7 1 with n.23 and §10.5.1-2. 221 Cf. M. Kiichler, Weisheitstraditionen, p . 9 4 w h o points o u t that "eine universale Ptasenz der 'Weisheit' bei d e n Menschen wie in Sir 1,10; Bar 3,38 ist undenkbar". 2 1 2 J . A . Sanders, " T w o Non-Canonical Psalms in l l Q P s ^ " , ZAW 76 ( 1 9 6 4 ) 57-75; idem, DJD 4 ( 1 9 6 5 ) 6 9 ; cf. also J.C.H. Lebram, "Die Theologie der spaten Chokma", Z^IV 77 ( 1 9 6 5 ) 202-21 1, here 202L 213 J . A . Sanders, DJD 4 ( 1 9 6 5 ) 6 9 states that "there is nothing of necessity Qumran ian in the psalm". Similarly D. Liihrmann, "Ein Weisheitspsalm aus Qumran ( 1 1 -
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201
S a n d e r s asserts t h a t t h e p e r s o n i f i c a t i o n of w i s d o m is n o t f o u n d in a n y o t h e r Q u m r a n t e x t ^ ' * . T h e a b s e n c e of t h e p e r s o n i f i c a t i o n or h y p o s t a t i z a t i o n of w i s d o m has b e e n o b s e r v e d b y o t h e r s as w e U ^ ' ' . T h i s a b s e n c e can b e e x p l a i n e d by p o i n t i n g o u t (1) t h a t t h e fem i n i n e h y p o s t a s i s of G o d p r o b a b l y a p p e a r e d as t o o m y t h o l o g i c a l for t h e C o m m u n i t y , (2) t h a t s u c h a p e r s o n i f i c a t i o n was superflu ous as t h e C o m m u n i t y itself claimed a r a t h e r close a n d i n t i m a t e fellowship w i t h G o d , a n d (3) t h a t t h e r f o r e a p e r s o n i f i c a t i o n or h y p o s t a s i s did n o t fit i n t o t h e s t r i c t o u t l i n e s of Essene theology^'®.
11.4. Wisdom, Revelation, and the Covenant 11 .4.1. Revealed wisdom. For the Q u m r a n C o m m u n i t y the p r e s e n t a e o n is c h a r a c t e r i z e d b y a f u n d a m e n t a l lack of w i s d o m . T h e w i c k e d of Israel w h o are t h e sons of d a r k n e s s walk in t h e spirit of f a l s e h o o d , w h i c h is t h e spirit of folly ( I Q S 4 , 2 4 ) , per f o r m i n g d e e d s of foHy ( I Q H 4 , 8 ; 1 3 , 4 ) . It is o n l y t h e C o m m u n i t y w h i c h possesses w i s d o m , revealed b y G o d . T h i s distinctive w i s d o m w h i c h s e p a r a t e s t h e C o m m u n i t y from t h e rest of Israel is express ed a n d c o n t a i n e d in t h e " m y s t e r i e s " (o'Tn ) of G o d . A n d in t h e c o n t e x t of t h e C o m m u n i t y t h e •"'H c o r r e s p o n d to t h e divine
Thus cialized sion by wisdom
214 215 216 217 218
it can b e said t h a t " w i s d o m a n d r e v e l a t i o n b e c o m e spe correlatives in t h e Scrolls, w i t h i n s p i r a t i o n as m u c h posses w i s d o m as possession of w i s d o m " ^ ' * . A n d it is in or b y his t h a t G o d reveals his secret c o u n s e l t o t h e C o m m u n i t y (cf.
QPsa XVIII)", ZAW SO (1968) 88 concluding from a form-critical analysis that it is different from the Essene psalms in IQH (pp.90f.). W.L. Lipscomb. "Wisdom", p.279 agrees that Liihrmann's arguments to the effect that the Essenes could not have written the psalms are unconvincing. J.A. Sanders,/)//) 4 (1965) 69. J . A . WorreU, Concepts, p p . 2 3 0 - 2 3 6 ; M. Hengel, Judentum, p p . 2 9 6 L ; M. Kuchler, o.c, p . 9 4 . Cf. J . E . Worrell, o.c, pp.231f., foUowing H. Ringgren, The Faith of Qumran, 1 9 6 3 , p p . 8 1 - 9 3 ; M . HengeL o.c, p.397 n . 6 3 3 . CL F. Notscher, Terminologie, p.72; J.E. WorreU, o.c, p . 1 7 8 ; M. Kuchler, Weis heitstraditionen, pp.92L J.E. WorreU, o.c, p . l 7 7 , referring to those passages where sapiential terms are link ed with C T H . and to the paraUels between n and T 10- Cf. also W.L. Lipscomb, "Wisdom", 1 9 7 8 , p.277; C. Rowland, Open Heaven, pp.l 15-120.
202
Wiidom:
Universal-Systematic
Blueprint for Creation
and
Salvation
IQS 2,3; 4,2; CD 2,12-13; I Q H 1,21; 9 , 3 1 ; 11,9-10.27-28). Here, as w i t h regard t o c r e a t i o n , G o d is t h e n j ? ! " i i p a , t h e " s o u r c e of k n o w l e d g e " . M. Hengel states in this context that "das Wissen dber die tieferen Zusammenhange in Schopfung und Geschichte . . . stammen aus ihm (i.e. Gott) allein, und nur der ist weise, dem Gott dutch seinen Geist die Geheimnisse seines Willens geoffenbart hat"219.
T h e c o m m u n i c a t i o n of this divinely revealed k n o w l e d g e is ach ieved t h r o u g h t e a c h i n g (cf. § 1 1 . 5 . ) . We p o i n t e d o u t earlier t h a t G o d ' s c o u n s e l a n d revelation is t h e p o i n t of d e p a r t u r e of t h e Q u m r a n i a n t h e o c e n t r i c a n d s y s t e m a t i c b l u e p r i n t of t h e c r e a t e d w o r l d , known only to the Community. T h e T e a c h e r of R i g h t e o u s n e s s plays a n i m p o r t a n t role in t h e r e v e l a t o r y c o m m u n i c a t i o n of divine w i s d o m . He a s s u m e s t h e cen tral r o l e as revealer^^". T h e essential c o n n e c t i o n of t h e C o m m u n i t y w i t h the secrets of G o d consists in t h e T e a c h e r ' s e n h g h t e n m e n t c o n c e r n i n g t h e Q u m r a n i a n possession a n d c o m m u n i c a t i o n of wis dom and salvation. 11.4.2. Wisdom and the covenant. It has b e e n p o i n t e d o u t a l r e a d y t h a t for t h e individual t h e r e c e p t i o n of t h e gift of k n o w ledge c o i n c i d e s w i t h t h e e n t r a n c e i n t o t h e C o m m u n i t y ^ ^ ' . I n o t h e r w o r d s , " t h e gift of k n o w l e d g e is t h e m e a n s of effecting t h e elect i o n " 2 2 2 . It is in this c o n t e x t t h a t I Q S 4 , 2 - 1 4 u n d e r s c o r e s t h e wis d o m of t h e p"'TX w h i c h e n a b l e s h i m t o grasp G o d ' s w o n d e r s a n d w h i c h is g r a n t e d o n l y t o t h e elect^^^. T h e c o n t e n t of r e v e l a t o r y a n d revealed k n o w l e d g e deals w i t h t h e p r e s e n t salvation given b y G o d t o t h e C o m m u n i t y (cf. I Q H 7 , 2 6 - 3 3 ; 1 1 , 3 - 1 4 ) . T h e children of G o d ' s t r u t h " j u b i l a t e in e t e r n a l k n o w l e d g e " ( I Q M 1 7 , 8 ) . T h e r e are " w i s e m e n " ( D ' a a n , I Q S a 1,28; 2 , 1 6 ; 1 Q 2 2 2,8-9) a n d " m e n of k n o w l e d g e " ( m y l •'\i;2H, C D 2 0 , 4 ) in t h e C o m m u n i t y . T h e
219 M. Hengel, Judentum, p.402 referring to IQS 11,3-7; idem, "Qumran", BETL 46 (1978) 357. 2 2 0 F. Notscher, Terminologie, p . 5 1 ; G. Jeremias, LeArer. p p . 1 4 1 , 1 5 0 - 1 6 6 ; J . E . Wor reU, Concepts. p p . 1 6 3 - 1 6 9 , 3 7 9 - 3 8 5 ; M. Kuchler, Weisheitstraditionen. pp.92f. 221 EspeciaUy in the 'Community hymns' in IQH; cf. H.W. Kuhn, Enderwartung, pp. 155-163. 2 2 2 E.P. Sanders, Pau/, p . 2 6 0 , quoting IQH 14,25-26. 2 2 3 Cf. B. Sharvit, "The Virtue of Wisdom in the Image of the Righteous Man in the Manual of DiscipUne" (hebr), Beth Mikra 5 9 ( 1 9 7 4 ) 5 2 6 - 5 3 0 .
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" s p i r i t of k n o w l e d g e " ( n y T n n ) has b e e n given t o , a n d is active in, t h e C o m m u n i t y ^ ^ * . T h e r e are also passages w h i c h d e s c r i b e t h e gift of k n o w l e d g e as e s c h a t o l o g i c a l e n d o w m e n t (cf. I Q S 4 , 2 2 ; I Q H 3 , 2 2 - 2 3 ; 1 1 , 1 2 ; 1Q27 n 1,7; 4 Q M e s s A r 1,3-10; 4 Q p I s " f8 1 0 , l l - 2 4 ) 2 2 5 _ T h e u n p u b l i s h e d t e x t 4 Q A h A a t t r i b u t e s great wis d o m t o t h e p r i e s t l y messiah^^^.
11.5. Wisdom and Teaching 11..5.1. I'he importance of teaching. T e a c h i n g is an essential w i s d o m c a t e g o r y . T h a t this is t r u e for Qumran^^^ b e c o m e s o b vious w h e n w e c o n s i d e r t h e t e r m s u s e d t o describe t h e p r o c e s s of t e a c h i n g : Ta"? ( p i ) , y T i n , T ' 3 n , a n d ^7•>3iz/n. T h e s e t e r m s refer (1) t o G o d ' s r e v e l a t i o n of w i s d o m t o t h e C o m m u n i t y ^ ^ * , a n d (2) t o t h e t e a c h i n g w i t h i n t h e C o m m u n i t y ^ ^ ^ . In t h e different t e x t s w e find n u m e r o u s w i s d o m forms a n d e l e m e n t s w h i c h serve a d i d a c t i c f u n c t i o n ^ ' " . The m a n u a l form of C D a n d of I Q S ^ " u n d e r s c o r e t h e i m p o r t a n c e erf s a p i e n d a l t e a c h i n g for Q u m r a n . 11.5.2. The Teacher of Righteousness. T h e p T s n m i a re ceived his w i s d o m from G o d (cf. I Q p H a b 7,4) a n d passed it o n t o t h e C o m m u n i t y ( I Q H 2 , 9 - 1 0 ; I Q p H a b 2 , 1 - 3 ; C D 1,1-12). S o m e s c h o l a r s a s s u m e t h a t t h e T e a c h e r m i g h t have b e e n a s a g e / t e a c h e r in Jerusalem^^^ pjj^ vvisdom w a s , h o w e v e r , n o t t h e c o m m o n wis-
2 2 4 Cf. IQSb 5 , 2 5 ; IQH 14,25; 4QShira f l , 6 ; 4QShirb f l 8 2,6; 4QS1 37-40; U Q P s ^ 19,14. 225 Cf. H.W. Kuhn, Enderwartung. pp.166-175 concluding that passages like IQS 4 , 2 2 ; 1Q27 fl 1,7; IQH 11,12; 7,27 show "daB man der gegenwartigen Offenbarungserkenntnis den Sinn eines eschatologischen Geschehens im strengen Sinn geben konnte" ( p . l 6 8 ) . Cf. also P.G.R. de Villiers, "The Messiah and Messiahs in Jewish hpocdilyptic", Neotestamentica 12 ( 1 9 8 1 ) 8 8 . 2 2 6 Cf. J. Starcky, "Les quatres etapes du messianisme a Qumran", RB 70 ( 1 9 6 3 ) 4 9 2 ; cL R. Riesner, Jesus als Lehrer, p . 3 0 8 . 227 C L J . E . WorreU, Concepts, p p . l 5 6 - 1 6 0 ; W.L. Lipscomb, "Wisdom", 1978, p.277. 2 2 8 inb: IQH 2 , 1 7 ; H Q P s * 2 4 , 8 ; y > l i n : H Q P s ^ 19,2-3; IQH 4 , 2 7 - 2 8 ; 7.27; 10,5. 14; p a n : l l Q P s a 2 4 . 8 ; IQH 11,22.28; 12,33; " j i a w n : IQH 7 , 2 6 ; 9 , 1 6 ; 10,4. 6-7; etc. 229 CL 1 Q S 3 , 1 3 ; 4 , 2 2 ; 9 , 1 3 - 1 4 ; C D 1,11-12. 2 3 0 C L J . E . WorreU, o.c, p p . 1 6 0 - 1 6 3 . 231 CL E.F. Roop, Form Critical Study, 1 9 7 2 , pp.310-335 (conclusion). 232 C L J . E . WorreU, o . c , PP.167L
204
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Salvation
d o m of t h e ' o l d ' sage b u t a u n i q u e p r o p h e t i c - a p o c a l y p t i c wisdom233. 11.5.3. The maskil. It h a s b e e n p o i n t e d o u t a l r e a d y (§11.1.1.) t h a t t h e b'^OfVa seems t o have b e e n o n e of t h e m o s t i m p o r t a n t p e r s o n s i n t h e C o m m u n i t y , p r o b a b l y being i d e n t i c a l w i t h t h e T p a a a n d t h e r m n n t y i n , t h e " g u a r d i a n " a n d t h e " i n t e r p r e t e r of t h e l a w " ^ ' * . T h e maskil w a s t h e t e a c h i n g f u n c t i o n a r y in t h e C o m m u n i t y , c o m m u n i c a t i n g its d o c t r i n e s t o t h e m e m b e r s 2 ' ' . He is to "teach the saints to live according to the Book of the Community Rule, that they may seek G o d with a whole heart and soul, and d o what is good and right before him as he commanded by the hand of Moses and all his servants the Prophets" (IQS 1,1-3). According to IQS 3,13-14 the maskil is to "instruct ( pan"?)' aU the sons of light and shall teach (TOibb) them the nature of aU the children of men ac cording to the kind of spirit which they possess". Cf. further IQS 9 , 1 2 - 2 0 .
11.6. C o n d u c t a n d Ethics 11.6.1. Wisdom and ethics. W i s d o m a n d ethics a r e l i n k e d in passages w h i c h deal w i t h t h e e x a m i n a t i o n of t h e novices a n d t h e m e m b e r s of t h e C o m m u n i t y . In IQS 5,20-21 we read that "when a man enters the covenant to walk according to all these precepts that he may join the holy congregation, they shall examine his spirit in community with respect to his understanding ( 1 "jDU;) and his practice of the law ( m m a T>i:'ya)". in C D I 3 , I I it is similarly stated that the novice shall be examined "with regard to his deeds ( TU/J?a), understanding ( I ' P D ' B ? ) , strength, ability, and possession". When the novice has completed his year of proba tion "the congregation shall deliberate his case with regard to his understanding ( l'?Dt2?) and his observance of the law ( r m n n T" li^ya)" ( I Q S 6,18).
E a c h m e m b e r of t h e C o m m u n i t y "shall s t r e n g t h e n his loins t h a t h e m a y p e r f o r m his tasks ( w y a m i a y ) a m o n g his b r e t h r e n in ac c o r d a n c e w i t h his u n d e r s t a n d i n g ( T'?3t2?) a n d t h e p e r f e c t i o n of his w a y ( i D T T D i n ) " ( l Q S a 1,1 7-18). T h u s t h e r a n k of e a c h m e m b e r in t h e h i e r a r c h y of t h e C o m m u n i t y d e p e n d e d o n this e x a m i n a t i o n of his spirit ( n n ) w i t h regard t o his u n d e r s t a n d i n g {b:iV}) and
2 3 3 C f . J . E . WorreU, o . c , pp.379f. 234 Cf. G. Vermes, Oead Sea Scro/is, pp.19-25; J . E . Worrell, o . c , p p . 1 5 0 - 1 5 4 . 235 Cf. W.L. Lipscomb, "Wisdom", 1 9 7 8 , p . 2 7 7 .
Conduct
and Ethics
205
his " w o r k s of t h e l a w " ( n m n a "-u/yn) w h i c h s e e m to be envis aged as o b j e c t i v e l y discernible q u a l i t i e s ^ ^ . As t o t h e Q u m r a n i a n parenesis it has b e e n o b s e r v e d t h a t t h e Es s e n e e x h o r t a t i o n s have t w o general c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s : t h e e m p h a s i s on separation leading t o purity, and the emphasis on knowledge a n d u n d e r s t a n d i n g ^ ' ' . T h e c o s m i c - e t h i c a l d u a l i s m is r o o t e d in t h e w i s d o m t r a d i t i o n as well^^*. 11.6.2. Ethics and law. T h e s t u d y of t h e law, t o g e t h e r w i t h all divine k n o w l e d g e given t o t h e C o m m u n i t y , aims at m a n ' s c o n d u c t ^ ' ^ . This can b e seen in t h e i n t e n s i t y a n d significance of t e r m s like T]VV, D - ' i y y a , m ' ? ' ' ? y , a n d n'?n u s e d w i t h regard t o man^*". Right c o n d u c t (cf. I Q S 1,2: " t o d o w h a t is g o o d a n d right b e f o r e h i m " ) is e x p l a i n e d m a t e r i a l l y b y t h e l a w a n d t h e p r o p h e t s (cf. I Q S 1,3). T h e c o n d u c t w h i c h is pleasing t o G o d can b e a c h i e v e d b y a b s o l u t e o b e d i e n c e t o t h e divine c o m m a n d m e n t s in t h e C o m m u n i t y — exclusively in c o n t r a s t t o , a n d in s e p a r a t i o n f r o m , t h e w i c k e d (cf. t h e p o l e m i c in I Q S 5 , 1 1 - 1 2 ) 2 * ' . G o d c a n be s o u g h t o n l y in t h e T o r a h . T h e r e l a t i o n s h i p b e t w e e n T o r a h a n d e t h i c s in t h e C o m m u n i t y is a vital, b u t also a c o m p l e x relationship^*^, f h e C o m m u n i t y requires a b s o l u t e o b e d i e n c e t o , a n d r e v e r e n c e of, t h e law a n d t h e p r o p h e t s . B u t w i t h regard t o t h e m o r a l i t y of its e t h i c w e o b s e r v e " a n e n v i r o n m e n t a l c o n d i t i o n i n g of b e h a v i o u r b y l a w and obhgation "2*'. We discussed a l r e a d y t h e crucial significance a n d i n s p i r e d s t a t u s cf Q u m r a n h a l a k h a h ( § 1 0 . 7 . ) . H a l a k h i c discussions m a d e a n ad j u s t m e n t of t h e rules of t h e C o m m u n i t y p o s s i b l e . F o r t h e C o m m u n i t y , t h e T o r a h discloses also t h e " h i d d e n t h i n g s " , i.e. t h e d o c trines p e c u h a r t o t h e C o m m u n i t y w h i c h are derived b y (inspired)
236 C f . J . E . Worrell, Concepts, p p . 2 2 7 - 2 3 0 ; H. Lichtenberger, Studien, p . 2 1 6 . 237 CL E.P. Sanders,/"fluA p p . 3 1 2 L 238 CL B. Otzen, "Old Testament Wisdom Literature and Dualistic Thinking in Late Judaism", SKr 28 ( 1 9 7 5 ) 146-157. 239 CL S.T. Kimbrough, "The Ethic of the Qumran Community", RQ 6 ( 1 9 6 9 ) 4 8 3 4 9 8 . He characterizes Qumran's faith as "religion of deed rather than of creed" (p.496). 240 Cf. H. Braun, Radikalismus, 1, p.24. 241 CL H. Lichtenberger, StudzVn, pp.201 L 242 CL S.T. Kimbrough, "Ethic", RQ 6 ( 1 9 6 9 ) 4 9 3 L 2 4 3 S.T. Kimbrough, a.c, p . 4 9 5 . He characterizes the Qumran ethic as "ethic of limited flexibility" ( p p . 4 8 3 , 4 9 8 ) .
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exegesis. As a r e s u l t , Q u m r a n e t h i c s c o m p r i s e s h o l i n e s s , p u r i t y , w o r s h i p (at t h e p r o p e r t i m e s ! ) , sacred m e a l s , social policies ( w i t h regard t o m a r r i a g e , private p r o p e r t y , e t c . ) , v i r t u e s , love a n d h a t e , a n d j u s t i c e . F o r t h e C o m m u n i t y t h e high c o m p l e x i t y o f t h e i r e t h i c did n o t b u r y its u l t i m a t e g o a l : t o achieve s y m m e t r y b e t w e e n t h e r i g h t e o u s n e s s of G o d a n d m a n ' s activity^**. T h e o r i e n t a t i o n b y t h e l a w , i.e. t h e S c r i p t u r e s a n d t h e h a l a k h a h , gave t o m a n a " s i c h e r e s B e z u g s s y s t e m in s e i n e m V e r h a l t n i s zu G o t t u n d zu sei n e m Nachsten"245. X h e u n d e r l y i n g p r e s u p p o s i t o n implies t h a t m a n is i n d e e d able t o k e e p t h e law a n d t o d e c i d e in l i b e r t y r e g a r d i n g his b e h a v i o u r . T h e radical e m p h a s i s o n t h e n e c e s s i t y t o k e e p all (!) divine c o m m a n d m e n t s reveals " e i n e m e c h a n i s i e r e n d e Gleichm a c h u n g z w i s c h e n W i c h t i g e m u n d U n w i c h t i g e m , also ein V e r z i c h t auf Einheitlichkeit"24®. T h e k e e p i n g of t h e l a w ( i n c l u d i n g t h e h a l a k h a h ) is often d e scribed as " p e r f e c t i o n of w a y " ( I T T c a n ) . T h i s n o d o n is ex pressed i n I Q S 8 , 1 0 . 1 8 . 2 1 ; 9,2.b.9^*\ This p h r a s e is a characteris tic d e s c r i p t i o n of t h e hfe in t h e C o m m u n i t y ^ * * . It h a s t o b e p o i n t e d o u t , h o w e v e r , t h a t m a n , in Q u m r a n t h e o l o g y , is a l w a y s d e p e n d e n t u p o n G o d w i t h regard t o t h e forgiveness of sins a n d s a l v a t i o n . N e v e r t h e l e s s , a t o n e m e n t is still l i n k e d w i t h c o n d u c t : i t is o n l y possible i n t h e s u b m i s s i o n of t h e i n d i v i d u d a n d of t h e e n t i r e C o m m u n i t y t o t h e divine will as it is e m b o d i e d in t h e law2«.
§12
Law and
Wisdom
T h e c o r r e l a t i o n of law a n d w i s d o m in Q u m r a n has n o t b e e n s t u d i e d in d e p t h b y a n y scholar. M. Hengel believes t h a t t h e re-
244 245 246 247
Cf. S.T. Kimbrough, c c , p . 4 9 7 . H. Lichtenberger, o . c . p . 2 0 4 . H. Bnun, Radikalismus, l,pp.28L See also the phrase in^'an in IQS 4 , 2 2 ; IQM 1 4 , 7 ; IQH 1,36; IQSa 1,28; 4QMa f8-9,5; 4QS1 39 fl 1,22; 4QShira 1,9; 4QShirb f i o , 8 ; f63 3 , 3 . Compare the phrases T > 3 n 7 3 a"'an -\br\ in IQS 4 , 2 2 ; ^ ^ ^ n t V i n IQH 2,10; and T D T T blOa D i a n in HQPs^UavComp 3 . 248 CL G. Kiinzing, Umdeutung des Kultus, 1 9 7 1 , pp.98L w h o states with regard to the background of the cultic meaning o f Qian that "auch das, was an die Stelle des Opfers tritt, wird mit kultischen Mafistaben geracssen" (p.98). 249 CL H. Lichtenberger, Stiwiien, p p . 2 1 0 - 2 1 2 .
Exegetical
Evidence
207
l a t e d n e s s of Essene t h e o l o g y t o h i s t o r y p r e v e n t e d t h e identifica t i o n of G o d ' s k n o w l e d g e or 'plan for t h e w o r l d ' wdth t h e T o r a h , t h u s differing from B e n Sira a n d later Pharisaic-rabbinic t h o u g h t ^ ^ " . O t h e r s c h o l a r s seem t o b e inclined t o r e c o g n i z e a Q u m r a n i a n re l a t i o n s h i p b e t w e e n l a w a n d w i s d o m b u t h m i t t h e m s e l v e s t o very brief r e m a r k s ^ ^ ' . T h e o n l y e x c e p t i o n is J . A . Davis w h o s e c o m m e n t s , h o w e v e r , are still r a t h e r provisional^^^. will first a n a l y z e inchvidual t e x t s b e f o r e w e arrive at a s y n t h e s i s of t h e n a t u r e of t h e c o r r e l a t i o n of law a n d w i s d o m in t h e Q u m r a n writings.
1 2 . 1 . T h e Exegetical E v i d e n c e 12.1.1. Explicit evidence. T h e r e are 11 passages w h i c h refer r a t h e r e x p l i c i t l y t o t h e close c o r r e l a t i o n a n d i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of law a n d w i s d o m . (1) I Q S 3 , 1 : " H i s soul detests t h e wise t e a c h i n g ( • ' n o •> n V T ) of j u s t laws ( p t s • ' O s u / a ) " . T h e t e r m is n o t p r o m i n e n t in t h e OT^^^ b u t is used in t h e Q u m r a n t e x t s ^ ^ w i t h t h e m e a n ing " i n s t r u c t i o n " , " d i r e c t i o n " , " r e p r i m a n d " . T h e p h r a s e 'OSB^n p i s is u s e d elsewhere^^^ a n d m e a n s h e r e , especially in con j u n c t i o n w i t h t h e v e r b p t n , t h e c o m m a n d m e n t s of t h e law (in c l u d i n g t h e specific Q u m r a n halakhah)^^®. I Q S 2 , 2 6 - 3 , 1 can also b e t r a n s l a t e d : " h i s s o u l r e j e c t e d t h e i n s t r u c t i o n of k n o w l e d g e ; h e has n o t h e l d o n t o t h e j u s t p r e c e p t s " ^ ^ ' . A c c o r d i n g t o this division of t h e t e x t we have a c h i a s m w h e r e " i n s t r u c t i o n " c o r r e s p o n d s
2 5 0 M. Hca%e\, Judentum, p . 4 2 1 . 251 Cf. F. mtschet, Terminologie, p . 6 3 ; J.E. WorreU, Concepts, p . 2 2 9 ; B. Sharvit, "The Virtue of Wisdom" (hebr), Beth Mikra 59 ( 1 9 7 4 ) 5 2 6 - 5 3 0 ; E.P. Sanders, fauA p . 2 7 1 ; C. Romaniuk, "Theme", RQ 9 (1978) 4 3 1 n.2; H. Gabrion, "Interpreta tion", 4A7ftW 11/19,1 ( 1 9 7 9 ) 8 3 0 . 252 C f . J . A . Davis, Wisdom and Spirit, 1 9 8 2 , p p . 2 6 - 3 3 . 2 5 3 Cf. only J o b 4 0 , 2 with the (disputed) meaning o f "the one w h o reprimands", "grumbler"; cf. L. Koehler, W. Baumgartner, Lexikon, 2 , p . 3 9 9 . The noun occurs in Sir 40,29 and the verb in Sir 4 , 1 9 ; 6 , 3 3 ; 7,23; 1 0 , 1 . 2 5 ; 3 0 , 1 3 and is translated in most places with irat&euew. 2 5 4 Cf. IQH 17,22; CD 7,5.8; 19,4; 1Q34 f3 2,7. 255 Cf. IQS 4 , 4 ; 9 , 1 7 ; CD 2 0 , 3 0 . 3 1 ; IQH 1,23.26; f5,I; IQSb 2 , 2 6 . 2 5 6 Cf. the translations of G. Vermes and E. Lohse. 257 FoUowing E. Lohse, Texte, p.9.
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w i t h " p r e c e p t s " . R e f e r e n c e is m a d e h e r e t o t h o s e w h o refuse t o e n t e r t h e C o m m u n i t y . This p e r i c o p e s t a t e s t h e n ( 1 ) t h a t t h e " i n s t r u c t i o n of k n o w l e d g e " , i.e. w i s d o m , is t h e result of t h e l a w , or ( 2 ) t h a t w i s d o m is e q u i v a l e n t t o t h e l a w . ( 2 ) I Q S 3 , 1 5 - 1 7 : " F r o m d i e G o d of k n o w l e d g e ( m y T n V N ) c o m e s all t h a t is a n d shall b e . Before ever t h e y e x i s t e d h e e s t a b lished t h e i r w h o l e design ( n 3 U ? n a ) , a n d w h e n as o r d a i n e d for t h e m , t h e y c o m e i n t o b e i n g , it is in a c c o r d w i t h his glorious d e sign ( n a u / n a ) t h a t t h e y a c c o m p l i s h t h e i r task w i t h o u t c h a n g e . T h e laws of all things ( b^D •'DDii^a) are in his h a n d a n d h e p r o v i d e s t h e m w i t h all t h e i r n e e d s " . This pericope^^* is closely l i n k e d w i t h
IQH
1,1-19
(cf. also I Q H
1 3 , 7 - 1 3 ; 15,12-26)^59 embodying
the
d e t e r m i n a t i o n o f all b e i n g a n d all processes in c r e a t i o n a n d e s t a b lishing t h e f r a m e w o r k for t h e foUowing dualistic a n d p r e d e s t i n a tional statements. Everything happens according t o a plan which G o d t h e C r e a t o r has e s t a b l i s h e d even before c r e a t i o n . T h e p h e n o m e n a of t h e w o r l d m o v e n o t in a c c o r d a n c e w i t h a n a u t o n o m o u s static world order b u t according t o a plan which was set u p in a n e x a c t m a n n e r b e f o r e c r e a t i o n . As all w o r k s of c r e a t i o n a r e d e t e r m i n e d , s o is m a n in his w a y s a n d in t h e s e q u e n c e o f t h e gen e r a t i o n s . T h e t e r m n'UBU/a is u s e d as a d e s i g n a t i o n for t h e p r e c e p t s or laws w h i c h d e t e r m i n e t h e affairs of t h e world^®". H e n c e we e n c o u n t e r t h e c r e a t i o n a l a s p e c t of t h e c o r r e l a t i o n of w i s d o m a n d l a w h e r e : G o d ' s w i s d o m is a p p a r e n t in t h e design ( n a u / n a ) of c r e a t i o n a n d in t h e laws ( o ' D B l b a ) of n a t u r e . ( 3 ) I Q S 9 , 1 7 : " H e (i.e. t h e maskil) shaU c o n c e a l t h e t e a c h i n g of t h e l a w ( r m n n n x y ) from m e n o f fjdsehood ( "Jiyn • > u ; j K ) , b u t shaU i m p a r t t r u e k n o w l e d g e ( n a x n y i ) a n d r i g h t e o u s j u d g m e n t ( P 7 S U B i : ; a ) t o t h o s e w h o have c h o s e n t h e w a y ( i n ) " . T h e maskil is r e q u i r e d t o c o n c e a l t h e " c o u n s e l " o r t e a c h i n g of t h e l a w — o b v i o u s l y i m p l y i n g t h e Q u m r a n i a n h a l a k h a h — from t h e w i c k e d , n o t giving t h e m a share in t h e i n t e r p r e t a t i o n of t h e T o r a h b y t h e C o m m u n i t y a n d t h u s in t h e w a y of s a l v a t i o n T h i s p e r i c o p e cor-
258 Cf. P.von der Oster-Sacken, Gott und Belial, p p . 1 2 3 - 1 3 1 ; H. Lichtenberger, Stu dien, p p . 1 8 7 - 1 8 9 . 259 P.von der Osten-Sacken, o.c., p . l 3 1 assumes "dafi der Abschnitt (i.e. IQS 3,15-17) aus dcm Gut der Loblieder schopft". 260 CL IQH 1,9.16 and similar formulations in IQS 10,16. 261 CL H. Lichtenberger, o.c, p . 2 1 3 .
Exegetical
Evidence
2 09
relates w i s d o m a n d l a w in t w o w a y s : (1) t h e T o r a h is t h e basis of " c o u n s e l " 2 ® 2 , a n d (2) t h e t e a c h i n g a n d c o u n s e l of t h e T o r a h is e q u i v a l e n t t o t h e " k n o w l e d g e of t r u t h " ^ ^ ' . (4) C D 6 , 2 - 5 : " B u t G o d r e m e m b e r e d t h e c o v e n a n t w i t h t h e f o r e f a t h e r s , a n d h e raised from A a r o n m e n of d i s c e r n m e n t (D ) a n d from Israel m e n of w i s d o m ( a ' a a n ) , a n d h e c a u s e d t h e m t o hear. A n d t h e y d u g t h e well: t h e well w h i c h t h e p r i n c e s d u g , w h i c h t h e n o b l e s of t h e p e o p l e delved wdth t h e stave ( N u m 2 1 , 1 8 ) . T h e well is t h e l a w ( n n n n ) , a n d t h o s e w h o d u g it w e r e t h e con verts of Israel w h o w e n t o u t of t h e L a n d of J u d a h t o s o j o u r n in t h e l a n d of D a m a s c u s " . This passage relates N u m 2 1 , 1 8 t o t h e h i s t o r y a n d s e l f - u n d e r s t a n d i n g of t h e C o m m u n i t y . Wise m e n from t h e p r i e s t s ( A a r o n ) a n d from t h e laity (Israel) a r e said t o h a v e l i s t e n e d t o G o d a n d " d u g t h e w e h " (cf. also C D 3 , 1 6 - 1 7 ) , i.e. s t r o v e after a specific a n d e x e m p l a r y a p p r o a c h t o t h e law^®*. W i t h o u t discuss ing t h e precise i n t e r p r e t a t i o n of this ' w e l l - m i d r a s h ' in C D 6,2ll^®^, it is stiU o b v i o u s t h a t •''3133 a n d D''aDn are said t o b e en gaged in t h e e x p o s i t i o n of t h e p r o p e r , i.e. E s s e n e , i n t e r p r e t a t i o n of t h e T o r a h . T h e s e t e r m s seem t o be d e s i g n a t i o n s for p r i e s t l y scribes a n d lay scribes w h o s t u d y t h e T o r a h . This c o r r e s p o n d s w i t h t h e p i c t u r e of t h e ideal scribe p r e s e n t e d b y Ben Sira a n d b y t h e Pharisaic a n d l a t e r t h e r a b b i n i c circles^®®. ( 5 ) I Q M 1 0 , 9 - 1 1 : " W h o is h k e y o u r p e o p l e Israel w h i c h y o u h a v e c h o s e n for y o u r s e l f from all t h e p e o p l e s of t h e l a n d s ; t h e p e o p l e of t h e saints of t h e coven2mt ( i T ' i a ) , i n s t r u c t e d in t h e laws ( p i n ' l a i ' p a ) a n d l e a r n e d in w i s d o m ( n j ' a ' ' j ' S i y a ) . . . w h o h a v e h e a r d t h e voice of m a j e s t y a n d h a v e seen t h e angels of h o h -
262 Cf. O. Betz, Offenbarung, p.50 w h o states with regard to the phrase m i n n nvy that "die Tora gleicht nach dieser Wendung einer Person, die den Frommen berat, wie es etwa die Weisheit tut". He observes further that the phrase bii nxy in IQS 1 , 8 . 1 0 . 1 3 ; 3 , 6 ; IQH 6 , 1 1 . 1 3 ; etc., is identical with the m i n n nxy (p.51). 2 6 3 Interpreting naK nyT as a genitive construction, as G. Vermes and T.H. Gaster ad loc. Pace E. Lohse, Texte, p . 3 5 . 264 J . Murphy-O'Connor, "A Literary Analysis of Damascus Document VI,2-VIII, 3 " , RB 78 ( I 9 7 I ) 2 3 0 interprets the phrase "to dig the well", especially with regard to CD 6 , 8 - 1 1 , as meaning "unless read in the perspective of a special teaching the Law does not release its life-giving force". 265 Cf. O. Betz, Offenbarung, p p . 2 3 - 3 5 ; J . Murphy-O'Cormor, "Literary Analysis", RB 78 ( 1 9 7 1 ) 2 1 0 - 2 3 2 , here 2 2 8 - 2 3 2 . 266 C L J . A . Davis, Wisdom and Spirit, pp.26L stating that CD 6,2-11 describes the To rah, as interpreted b y the sect, as source of wisdom.
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Wisdom
n e s s , w h o s e ear has b e e n u n s t o p p e d ( i n N "''PTia) a n d w h o have h e a r d p r o f o u n d things ( m p T a y ) ? " . T h i s p e r i c o p e ^ ^ ' d e s c r i b e s l s r a e l as t h e o b j e c t of divine e l e c t i o n . O n t h e b a c k g r o u n d of t h e general c o n t e x t of I Q M , Israel has t o b e u n d e r s t o o d h e r e as l i m i t e d t o t h e C o m m u n i t y w h i c h is e n g a g e d in t h e e s c h a t o l o g i c a l battle^®*. T h e t h e m e of e l e c t i o n is Unked w i t h t h e i n s t r u c t i o n of Israel in t h e divine law^^^ T h e r e m a r k a b l e a c c u m u l a t i o n of w i s d o m t e r m i n o l ogy in 1 0 , 1 0 - 1 1 in this c o n t e x t of e l e c t i o n a n d i n s t r u c t i o n in t h e law c a n be c o m p a r e d w i t h D e u t 4 , 6 - 1 4 . T h e p h r a s e p i n ' l a i ' p n refers t o t h e l a w ^ ' " w h i c h p o s s i b l y i n c l u d e s h e r e t h e C o m m u n i t y ' s p e c u h a r h a l a k h a h . T h e 1 2 3 3 "^ip, i.e. t h e " v o i c e of m a j e s t y " o r " g l o r i o u s v o i c e " has t o b e l i n k e d very p r o b a b l y w i t h t h e Sinai e v e n t s as w e l l , referring t o " l a voix ^levee m a j e s t u e u s e , i m p o s a n t e , q u i a r e s o n n e sur la m o n t a g n e d u S i n a i " ^ ' ' . A l t h o u g h angels h a d n o f u n c t i o n in t h e c o m m u n i c a t i o n of Sinaitic law in t h e O T tradi t i o n , t h e y w e r e i n d e e d r e l a t e d t o t h e Sinaitic e v e n t s in t h e extrabiblical t r a d i t i o n a n d in t h e N T ^ ' ^ . This p e r i c o p e clearly c o r r e l a t e s l e a r n i n g ( ' ' l a i ' p a ) in t h e law a n d k n o w l e d g e (•''?''3u;a) in w i s d o m in s y n o n y m o u s parallelism. (6) I Q H l , l ( ? ) - 2 0 . T h i s c r e a t i o n h y m n is similar t o t h e c r e a t i o n h y m n in I Q M 1 0 , 8 - 1 6 , b o t h w i t h regard t o t h e overaU f r a m e w o r k of t h e w o r k s of c r e a t i o n m e n t i o n e d a n d w i t h r e g a r d t o individual t e r m s w h i c h are u s e d ^ ' ' . B u t t h e h y m n in I Q H 1 has s t r o n g deter-
267
IQM 10,8-16 has been classified as a creation h y m n . Cf. P.von der Osten-Sacken, Gott und Belial, p.59 with n . l ; P.R. Davies, The War Scroll from Qumran, Biblica et Orientalia 3 2 , 1 9 7 7 , p . 9 5 ; H. Lichtenberger, Studien, p p . l 8 5 L 268 CL H. Lichtenberger, o.c, p p . l 8 5 L 269 The concept of law is of basic importance for IQM. Cf. Y. Yadin, The Scroll of the War of the Sons of Light Against the Sons of Darkness, 1 9 6 2 , pp.4L who points out that with regard to the eschatological war expected by the Community the exact fulfilment of the Mosaic law was an essential condition. He states that "the fact that the angels fight o n their side obliges the Sons of Light to conduct themselves in accordance with all the Biblical laws of purity . . . This basic concep tion passes through the scroll Uke a purple thread. It determines its content, struc ture, and sequence" (p.5). 270 CL the connection with the law in Deut 4 , 1 4 ; Ps 1 1 9 , 1 2 ; Ezr 7,10. CL Y. Yadin, Scroll p . 3 0 6 . 271 B. Jongeling, Le Rouleau de la Guerre, STDJ 2, 1 9 5 9 , p . l 3 7 ; Y . Yadin, o.c, p . 3 0 6 (as possibility). CL Ex 20,18-19; Deut 4 , 1 2 ; 5 , 2 2 - 2 3 ; cL Hebr 1 2 , 1 9 . 272 CL Deut 33,2 LXX; PesiqR 21 (103b-104a); ShemR 29 ( 8 8 d ) ; BemR 11 ( 1 6 4 b ) ; Pesiq 108a; Josephus Ant 1 5 , 1 3 6 ; also Acts 7 , 3 8 . 5 3 ; Gal 3 , 1 9 ; Hebr 2 2 , 2 . CL H.L. Strack, P. Billerbeck, Kommentar, 3 , p p . 5 5 4 - 5 5 6 . 273 Cf. Y. Yadin, o.c, p . 3 0 6 ; H. Lichtenberger, Sfudien, p p . l 6 7 f . For a recent analysis
Exegetical
Evidence
211
m i n i s t i c o v e r t o n e s referring t o t h e p r e d e s t i n a t i o n of aU c r e a t e d b e i n g s ( 1 , 7 - 1 5 ) a n d of m a n ( 1 , 1 9 ) . T h e p e r i c o p e u n d e r s c o r e s t h e c o n v i c t i o n t h a t G o d ' s w i s d o m finds e x p r e s s i o n in his c r e a d o n w i t h its o r d e r of t i m e a n d n a t u r e ^ ' * . G o d ' s w i s d o m is r e f e r r e d t o w i t h the terms n s y ( l , 5 ) , n a s n (1,7.14.19), y m (1,7), and n y i ( 1 , 1 9 ) . T h e p r e s c i e n c e ( 1 , 7 . 1 9 ) a n d o m n i s c i e n c e ( 1 , 8 ) of G o d t h e C r e a t o r a r e d e s c r i b e d . T h i s w i s d o m of G o d is e x p r e s s e d in t h e o r d e r of c r e a t i o n w h i c h is d e s c r i b e d w i t h t h e t e r m s tssB^a ( 1 , 9 . 1 6 ) , D-'pin ( 1 , 1 0 ) , m n ' - n a ( 1 , 1 2 ) , K t v a ( 1 , 1 2 ) , o ' s s n ( 1 , 1 3 ) , a n d D ' X p ( 1 , 1 6 ) . T h u s we have h e r e again t h e close c o r r e l a t i o n of G o d ' s w i s d o m a n d t h e laws of c r e a t i o n . T h e s a m e is t r u e for I Q H 12,5-11. (7) I Q H 4 , 9 - 1 1 : " A n d t h e y , t e a c h e r s of lies a n d seers of false h o o d , h a v e s c h e m e d against m e a devilish s c h e m e , t o e x c h a n g e y o u r law ( n a m i n ) engraved^'^ o n m y h e a r t , for t h e s m o o t h things ( m p ' ? n ) 2 ^ ® ( w h i c h t h e y s p e a k ) t o y o u r p e o p l e . A n d t h e y w i t h h o l d from t h e t h i r s t y t h e d r i n k of k n o w l e d g e ( n y i n p a ^ a ) a n d assuage t h e i r thirst w i t h v i n e g a r ^ ' ' " . This p e r i c o p e b e l o n g s to the 'Teacher hymns'^'*. The term m m a n d n y i n p B ? a a r e syn o n y m o u s : t h e e n e m i e s of t h e C o m m u n i t y , o r of t h e T e a c h e r , t o o k a w a y t h e T o r a h , i.e. t h e p r o p e r u n d e r s t a n d i n g of t h e l a w , a n d t h e y w i t h h e l d t h e " d r i n k of k n o w l e d g e " . I n s t e a d of t h e T o r a h t h e y p r e s e n t " s m o o t h t h i n g s " , i.e. their o w n p a r t i c u l a r h a l a k h a h , a n d i n s t e a d of t h e " d r i n k of k n o w l e d g e " t h e y offer s o m e i n t o x i c a t i n g d r i n k . T h u s t h e T o r a h is e q u i v a l e n t w i t h t h e " d r i n k of k n o w ledge "279.
274 275 276 277
of the structure and the poetic techniques of several hymns of IQH see B.P. Kittel, The Hymns of Qumran: Translation and Commentary, SBLDS 5 0 , 1 9 8 1 . T h e pas sages which are relevant for our discussion are not treated. Cf. S. Holm-Nielsen, Hodayot, p . 1 9 ; M. Mansoor, The Thanksgiving Hymns, 1 9 6 1 , p.34. CL Deut 6,7. This term, especially in the phrase mp'?n 'U^TIT. is taken b y many scholars to refer to the Pharisees. Cf. Ps 6 9 , 2 2 where the usual translation is "vinegar". According to S. Holm-Nielsen, Hodayot, p.82 it refers more probably to an intoxicating drink.
2 7 8 CL J . Becker, Heil, p p . 5 4 L ; H.W. Kuhn, Enderwartung, pp.23L But see recenUy D. Domkowski Hopkins, "The Qumran Community and IQHodayot: A Reassess ment", /?Q 10 ( 1 9 8 1 ) 3 2 3 - 3 6 4 passim. 279 CL S. Holm-Nielsen, o.c. p.82 w h o says that n y i refers here, based upon the law.
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The term nptZ/?3 "drink" is a metaphor for studying which is well known in the later rabbinic Uterature280_ According to mAb 1,4 R. Yose b. Joezer said: "Drink with thirst their (Le. the sages') words" ( D n n a T nX?a!fn nmt!;). The same metaphor occurs in BemR 1 4 , 1 1 : "We are your disciples and we drink from your waters". See also bBQ 62a with the phrase niM) Hbn D'>n ]'>H- We discussed aheady CD 6,4 with the interpretation of H T i n n NTI 1X371.
(8) I Q D i r e M o s h e 2 , 8 - 9 : " W h e n 1 have e s t a b h s h e d t h e c o v e n a n t a n d c o m m a n d e d t h e w a y ( i m n nn m i x ) in w h i c h y o u s h a h w a l k , a p p o i n t wise m e n ( • " ' a s n DDV T3n ) w h o s e w o r k it s h a h be to expound t o y o u a n d y o u r c h i l d r e n all these w o r d s of t h e law ( m i n n • ' T D T ' P T S ) " ^ * ' . In this fareweh d i s c o u r s e Moses a d m o n i s h e s Israel t o k e e p t h e law a n d t h e c o m m a n d m e n t s a n d t o a p p o i n t special t e a c h e r s of t h e law. T h e p e r i c o p e 2, 8-9 is b a s e d o n D e u t 1,13^*2 w h e r e Moses tells t h e p e o p l e of Israel t o " c h o o s e s o m e w i s e , u n d e r s t a n d i n g a n d r e s p e c t e d m e n ( D'»n3n D ' ' U ? J N D'>yT'T D''J33'!)" f r o m e a c h tribe as overseers, officials, a n d c o m m a n d e r s (cf. D e u t 1,15). In o u r p e r i c o p e h e r e t h e • ' ' a a n are de scribed as p e o p l e w h o e x p o u n d ( n N a ' ? ) 2 * ' t h e T o r a h , i.e. as scribes. (9) 4 Q M e s s A r 1,3-11. This A r a m a i c text^** seems to be t h e h o r o s c o p e of t h e final " p r i n c e of t h e c o n g r e g a t i o n " or t h e r o y a l messiah^*^. His e d u c a t i o n c a n b e c o m p a r e d w i t h t h e s c h e d u l e o u t -
280 281 282 283 284
"to truth by virtue of God's revelation in contrast to the lies of man". CL also F. Notscher, Terminologie, p.62. CL M.R. Lehmann, "Talmudic Material Relating to the Dead Sea Scrolls", RQ 1 ( 1 9 5 9 ) 3 9 2 ; M. Mansoor, Thanksgiving Hymns, p . l 2 4 . The lacunae have been restored with J . T . MUik, DJD 1 ( 1 9 5 5 ) 9 3 ; cL also G. Ver mes, Dead Sea Scrolls, p . 2 2 6 ; T.H. Gaster, Dead Sea Scriptures, 1 9 7 6 , p . 3 7 4 . The preceding sentence in 2,7-8 is cleariy a rearrangement of Deut 1,12. CL J . T . MUik, o.c, p . 9 4 . -) pi means "to explain", "to expound". It is used with regard to the law in Deut 1,5. First edited by J . Starcky, "Un texte messianique arameen de la grotte 4 de Qum ran", Memorial du cinquantenaire de TEcoledes langues orientates anciennes de I'Institut Catholique de Paris, 1964 p p . 5 1 - 6 6 ; cL also J . Carmignac, "Les Horos copes de Qumran", RQ 5 ( 1 9 6 5 ) 2 0 6 - 2 1 7 ; J . A . Fitzmyer, "The Aramaic 'Elect of God' Text from Qumran Cave IV", CBQ 27 ( 1 9 6 5 ) 3 4 8 - 3 7 2 . 4QMessAr has to be dated o n paleographical grounds to the end of the Ist centtuy B . C . ; c L J . Starcky, a.c., p.54 with n . l ; M. H e n g e l , / u d e n f u m , p . 4 3 4 . J . A . Fitzmyer, a . c , p p . 3 7 0 - 3 7 2 contests the view that this is a messiaruc text and suggests that it belongs to Utera ture concerned with the birth of Noah.
285 Cf. J. Starcky, "Texte messianique", p.51 with n.2; J . Carmignac, "Horoscopes", RQ 5 ( 1 9 6 5 ) 2 1 7 ; M. Hengel, Judentum, p . 4 3 4 ; G. Vermes, Dead Sea Scrolls, p. 268.
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lined in I Q S a I.S-IS^*®. T h e t e x t stresses t h e u n u s u a l k n o w l e d g e of t h e messiah: h e " k n o w s ( V T ' ) o n e t h i n g from a n o t h e r " ( 1 , 3 ) ; he a c q u i r e s w i s d o m ( a n y ) a n d learns u n d e r s t a n d i n g ( V T " ) , so t h a t e v e n p r o f e s s i o n a l seers will c o m e t o h i m o n their knees^*' ( 1 , 6 ) ; h e possesses c o u n s e l ( n s ' ^ a ) a n d p r u d e n c e ( n a i m y i ) a n d k n o w s ( y T ) t h e secrets ( D m ) of all t h e p e o p l e s ( 1 , 7 - 8 ) . I t is fur t h e r said t h a t " h e k n o w s t h e t h r e e b o o k s (^''TSD T\r\br\ y n a a ) " (1,5). The phrase X''TSD n n ^ n has always been a puzzle for the scholars. J . Starcky understands the phrase to b e an allusion to the mystery involved in the manifestation of the 'elect of God' suggesting that these books were of eschatological, perhaps even astrological, character^SS. j . Carmignac suggests that these "three b o o k s " are the "Book of S t u d y " ( i ; i n n I S U ) of CD 10,6; 13,2 (cf. IQSa 1,7), together with t h e "Manual of Discipline" ( I Q S ) and the "Zadokite D o c u m e n t " (CD)289. J . A . Fitz myer takes the phrase t o be a general reference to apocalyptic books such as the "books of the living" of En(eth) 4 7 , 3 , the "heavenly tablets" of En(eth) 8 1 , 1 - 2 ; J u b 3 0 , 2 2 , or the "book of man's deeds" of Ps 5 6 , 9 ; Dan 7,10; En(eth) 9 0 , 1 7 , without being specific, real b o o k s 2 9 0 . T.H. Gaster rejects these suggestions presuming that the nimiber "three" need n o t be taken literally but refers to the usual standard t w o or three t e x t b o o k s 2 9 1 . According t o his reading o f the text these are books which have to be mastered by the average man in order to be educated but with which the "wondrous child" will be able to dispense292_ Vermes suggests that the "three b o o k s " refer t o the three sections of the Hebrew canon293
I t c a n n o t b e d e c i d e d w h e t h e r t h e " t h r e e b o o k s " a r e i n d e e d a re f e r e n c e t o t h e H e b r e w Scriptures^^"*. H o w e v e r , w h e n w e c o n s i d e r t h e significance of t h e c o m m a n d m e n t s of t h e l a w a n d of specific h a l a k h i c rules for t h e C o m m u n i t y , it c a n b e a s s u m e d t h a t t h e " t h r e e b o o k s " refer b y aU m e a n s t o t h e a u t h o r i t a t i v e writings of the C o m m u n i t y , whether to the Hebrew Scriptures, to written
286 287 288 289 290 291
Cf. G. Vermes, o.c, p . 2 6 8 . Cf. the translation of T.H. Gaster, Dead Sea Scriptures, p . 4 4 9 . C f . J . Starcky, a . c , pp.56f. C f . J , Carmignac,a.c, p . 2 1 2 . Cf. J . A . Fitzmyer, "Aramaic 'Elect of God' Text", CBQ 27 ( 1 9 6 5 ) 362f. Cf. T.H. Gaster, o.c, pp.475f. w h o points out with regard to the solution of J . Car mignac that it carmot be proved that these documents existed together at the time 4QMessAr was composed and asks whether the "wondrous child" was a Qumranite "who had t o be reared in what were, after all, manuals for a sect 'preparing the way' for his advent". 292 Cf. T.H. Gaster, o . c , p . 4 7 6 (his translation on p . 4 4 9 ) . 2 9 3 G. Vermes, Dead Sea Scrolls, p.268. 2 9 4 This interpretation is rejected by J . Starcky, "Texte messianique", p . 5 7 ; J.A. Fitz myer, CBQ 2 7 ( 1 9 6 5 ) 3 6 2 ; T.H. Gaster, Dead Sea Scriptures, p . 4 7 6 .
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h a l a k h i c r e g u l a t i o n s , or b o t h . A 1 DO was a valuable a n d h o n o u r e d m e a n s of c o m m u n i c a t i o n a n d t r a d i t i o n a n d surely reserved for t h e essential p r o p e r t i e s of t h e C o m m u n i t y . A n d t h e " t h r e e b o o k s " are p r e s e n t e d as t h e s o u r c e of t h e child's e x t r a o r d i n a r y k n o w l e d g e a n d wisdom^^^. T h u s , t h e law o r t h e laws a r e again identified w i t h wisdom. ( l O ) l l Q P s ^ 1 8 , 1 0 - 1 3 : " F r o m t h e gates of t h e r i g h t e o u s ( ' n n a D ' ' p ' ' T s ) i s h e a r d h e r (i.e. w i s d o m ' s ) voice {b^p), a n d from t h e as s e m b l y of t h e p i o u s ( • • ' T o n bnp) her song ( m a r ) . W h e n t h e y eat w i t h s a t i e t y she is c i t e d ( m n i y a ) , a n d w h e n t h e y d r i n k in c o m m u n i t y t o g e t h e r , their m e d i t a t i o n ( o n n ' i : ; ) is o n t h e L a w of t h e Most High {]^•>'?]} m i n a ) ; t h e i r w o r d s ( n a n n n x ) o n m a k i n g k n o w n ( v m n ' ? ) his m i g h t . H o w far from t h e w i c k e d is h e r w o r d ( m a s ) , from all h a u g h t y m e n t o k n o w her"^^®. It is disputed whether 1 IQPs^ 18 is a Qumranian composition. S o m e scholars opted for an Essene origin of the psalm^^^^ other scholars pointed out that there is nothing in the psalm which is exclusively Qumranian^^S. x h e arguments against the possibil ity of Qumranian origin are not totally convincing299. J . A . Sanders points out that "it is inevitable that one should think of Qumran in dealing with the psalm"300: particularly 18,11-12 reflects the c o m m o n meals of the Community, the life of sac ramental eating and drinking accompanied by meditation and discussion of the law, and the task of the covenanted people (cf. IQS 6,4-8). The term • ' ' a ' a n is attested in many passages as designation for the members of the Community^Ol. Neverthe less, the archaizing language and the theology of the psalm as well as considerations with regard to the inclusion of the psalm in the Psalm Scroll make it plausible to reck on with a proto-Qumranian or hasidic origin302_ Thus we will treat 1 IQPs^ 18 not
2 9 5 Cf. J . A . Fitzmyer, a.c: p . 3 6 2 ; contra the reading and interpretation o f T.H. Gaster, o.c. p p . 4 4 9 , 4 7 6 . 296 1 IQPsa 18,1-16 = Ps(syr) 2,1-39. Cf. DJD 4 (1965) 64-70 (J.A. Sanders). 297 M. Delcor, "Cinq nouveau psaumes esseniens", RQ 1 ( 1 9 5 8 ) 8 5 ; M. Philonenko, "L'origine essenien des cinq psaumes syriaques de David", Semitica 9 ( 1 9 5 8 ) 354 8 ; J . E . Worrell, Concepts, p p . 2 7 1 - 2 7 5 . See implicitly T.H. Casta, Dead Sea Scrip tures, p p . l 2 5 - 1 2 7 , 2 1 9 f . who includes it in "Poems from a Qumran Hymnal" (pp. 2 1 7 - 2 2 7 ) . He understands l l Q P s ^ 18 as an "invitation to grace after meals", known in rabbinic literature as birkhat zimmun (cf. pBer 7,2; mAb 3,3-4). 298 Cf. J . A . Sanders, DJD 4 ( 1 9 6 5 ) 6 9 ; D. Luhnnann, "Weisheitspsalm", ZAW 8 0 ( 1 9 6 8 ) 8 7 - 9 8 ; A.S. van der Woude, "Die funf syrischen Psalmen", JSHRZ IV/1 ( 1 9 7 4 ) 3 5 ; W.L. Lipscomb, "Wisdom", pp.278L 299 CL W.L. Lipscomb, a.c.. p . 2 7 9 . 3 0 0 C L J . A . Sanders, o . c , p p . 6 9 L , 7 5 . 301 CL supra, p.187 with n . l 2 0 . 302 CL J.A. Sanders, o . c , p.70; H. Bardtke, "Literaturbericht", ThR 35 ( 1 9 7 0 ) 2 2 1 2 2 6 ; M. Hengel, Judentum, p . 3 2 3 ; W.L. Limpscomb, a.c., p p . 2 7 8 L Pace A.S. van der Woude, o . c , p.35 who classifies the psalm as late wisdom and dissociates it from proto-Essenic circles.
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215
as a primary witness for the theology of the Community^OS. However, the probable hasidic origin of the psalm plus the fact that it was incorporated in l l Q P s ^ and handed down in the Community allows us to assume that l l Q P s ^ 18 at least reflects the theology of the Qumran group.
T h e g r o u p w h i c h is d e s i g n a t e d as D ' a i D , D ' a i n r , D - ' p - ' - r s , • ' T o n ( 1 8 , 1 . 1 0 . 1 1 . 1 3 ) possesses w i s d o m ( n a s i n ) w i t h regard t o t h e task of p r o c l a i m i n g G o d ' s m i g h t ( 1 8 , 3 - 4 . 1 2 - 1 4 ) . T h e g o o d a n d p i o u s o n e s " c i t e " w i s d o m ( m a x a ) , i.e. s p e a k of h e r ( 1 8 , 1 1 ) w h i l e t h e y e a t a n d d r i n k . If U Q P s ^ 18 is i n d e e d a birkhat zimmun^, t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of law a n d w i s d o m is very clear: t h e call t o j o i n in t h e 'grace a f t e r m e a l s ' Wcis t h e n c o u p l e d w i t h an i n v i t a t i o n t o p a r t i c i p a t e in t h e " t a l k a b o u t t h e T o r a h " as " w o r d s of t h e T o r a h " (min 'TaT) h a d t o a c c o m p a n y t h e m e a l . T h e " c i t i n g " of wis d o m w h i c h is p r o b a b l y a r e f e r e n c e t o t h e " v o i c e " a n d " s o n g " of w i s d o m ( 1 8 , 1 0 . 1 1 ) ^ ^ c o r r e s p o n d s t h e n w i t h t h e " w o r d s of t h e T o r a h " ' " ® . Even if we h a v e t o regard l l Q P s * 18 s i m p l y as a wis d o m h y m n ' " ' , w i s d o m is i d e n t i f i e d w i t h t h e law: t h e r i g h t e o u s p r o c l a i m w i s d o m ( 1 8 , 1 0 - 1 1 ) a n d talk a b o u t w i s d o m ( 1 8 , 1 1 - 1 2 ) , and they mediate o n the law (18,12)'"*. (11) l l Q P s ^ 24,8: "Grant me understanding ( •'aa'an), O Lord, in y o u r L a w ( n s n m n a ) , a n d t e a c h m e {"mb) y o u r o r d i n a n c e s (n3'DD!:?a)"'°^. T h e p s a l m in l l Q P s * 2 4 is p r o b a b l y of hasidic o r i g i n " " b u t h a s n o t s u c h a close r e l a t i o n s h i p t o Q u m r a n t h e o l o g y o r p h r a s e o l o g y as U Q P s * 1 8 ' " . H e n c e we will n o t use it w i t h regard t o a n y c o n c l u s i o n s as t o Q u m r a n i a n t h e o l o g y . We n o t e , h o w e v e r , t h a t t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of law a n d w i s d o m is very o b v i o u s
30S Cf. H. IJchtenberger, Studien, p . 4 3 . 3 0 4 Cf. T.H. Gaster, o.c, p p . l 2 6 f . See also J . A . Sanders, o.c, p.68 w h o classifies the psalm, o n form-critical grounds, as a berakhah or "call to worship", but then de cides to call it more generally a "sapiential hymn". 305 C f . J . A . Sanders, D/Z> 4 ( 1 9 6 5 ) 6 7 . 3 0 6 Cf. T.H. Gaster, Dead Sea Scriptures, p.126 w h o states that the "voice of wisdom" is a c o m m o n rabbinic synonym for the Torah. 307 Cf. J.A. Sanders, o.c, p.68; D. Liihrmann, "Weisheitspsalm", ZAW %0 ( 1 9 6 8 ) 879 8 ; M. Htngel, Judentum, p.323. 308 Cf. M. Hengel, o.c, p.323 who takes 1 IQPs* 18 to be a sapiential psalm stating that "der Psalm zeigt auch deutlich, dafi auch die 'Frommen' eigene 'Weisheitsschulen' besaBen, in deren Mittelpunkt 'ihre Meditation iiber der T o r a ' f m i n a Dnn''U? •[^•>bV ) stand". 309 1 IQPs* 24,3-17 = Ps(syr) 3,1-38. CL DJD 4 ( 1 9 6 5 ) 70-75 (J.A. Sanders). 3 1 0 CL M. Hengel, o.c, p . 3 2 5 . 311 C L J . A . Sanders, o . c , p . 7 5 .
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in this p s a l m : t h e s t u d y of t h e l a w a n d of its c o m m a n d m e n t s l e a d s , w i t h t h e h e l p of G o d , t o w i s d o m a n d u n d e r s t a n d i n g . 12.1.2. Implicit evidence. T h e r e are 12 passages w h i c h i m p l y t h e s a m e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of law ( i n c l u d i n g Q u m r a n h a l a k h a h ) a n d wis d o m . F o r r e a s o n s of s p a c e w e will n o t engage h e r e in d e t a i l e d e x e getical analyses b u t will s i m p l y p r e s e n t t h e c o n c l u s i o n s w h i c h w e have t o draw from the individual pericopes. (1) I Q S 1 , 1 1 - 1 3 . T h i s p e r i c o p e asserts t h a t all t h o s e w h o e n t e r t h e C o m m u n i t y s h a h b r i n g aU their k n o w l e d g e ( r i y r ) , p o w e r s ( m a ) , a n d possessions ( 1T n ) i n t o t h e C o m m u n i t y " t h a t t h e y m a y p u r i f y t h e i r k n o w l e d g e ( o n y T Tia"?) in t h e t r u t h of G o d ' s p r e c e p t s (D"" i ? i n " 2 ) " a n d o r d e r t h e i r p o w e r s a n d p o s s e s s i o n s a c c o r d ing t o G o d ' s " c o u n s e l " a n d " w a y of p e r f e c t i o n " , i.e. a c c o r d i n g t o Q u m r a n i a n h a l a k h a h ' ' ' . T h i s i n s t r u c t i o n implies t h a t (1) t h e re liable c o m m a n d m e n t s of G o d c o r r e s p o n d w i t h G o d ' s " c o u n s e l " (nxy) a n d " w a y of p e r f e c t i o n " ( D ' s m o n ) , i.e. w i t h G o d ' s l a w i n c l u d i n g t h e p a r t i c u l a r s t i p u l a t i o n s a n d i n t e r p r e t a t i o n s of t h e C o m m u n i t y , a n d (2) t h a t this law, if s t u d i e d p r o p e r l y (in t h e C o m m u n i t y ! ) , leads t o a p u r e r a n d b e t t e r k n o w l e d g e . In o t h e r w o r d s , t h e p r o p e r u n d e r s t a n d i n g of t h e l a w results in p u r e , i.e. proper wisdom. (2) I Q S 2 , 2 - 3 . T h e priests are t o bless aU m e n w h o " w a l k per f e c t l y " in all t h e w a y s of G o d ( T a n "Jiaa D ' a n D's'PTnn ) , i . e . w h o o b e y all t h e c o m m a n d m e n t s of God"''^. T h e m a i n p a r t of t h e blessing s a y s : " M a y h e Ughten y o u r h e a r t wdth life-giving wdsdom ( D " n bDV/) a n d g r a n t y o u e t e r n a l k n o w l e d g e ( D ' a ' p i y n y i ) " ( 2 , 3 ) . T h u s , p e o p l e w h o o b e y t h e l a w a r e blessed w i t h ever-increasing w i s d o m a n d k n o w l e d g e . T o b e wdse i m p h e s t h e k e e p i n g of t h e l a w " ^ . A n d o b e d i e n c e t o t h e l a w is t h e p r e r e q u i s i t e a n d t h e guar a n t e e of wdsdom. (3) I Q S 4 , 2 - 6 . T h i s p e r i c o p e describes t h e c h a r a c t e r of t h e S o n s of Light w h o s e h e a r t is e n l i g h t e n e d ( T" NnV) a n d w h o walk o n t h e
3 1 2 O n t h e t e n n pin see supra, p . l 7 1 . 313 Cf.J.Becker,//ei/, p.165. 3 1 4 In the context of the Qumranian reverence of the law and in the corresponding obedietKe to the commandments, this is the meaning of this phrase. Cf. also H. Lichtenberger, Studien, p . 2 0 5 . 3 1 5 Cf. F. Notscher, Terminologie, p . 6 4 .
Exegetical
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217
" p a t h s " ( • ' D m ) of t r u e r i g h t e o u s n e s s a n d w h o fear ( " r n a ) t h e laws ( o ' D S i r / a ) of G o d ( 4 , 2 ) . I n 4 , 3 - 6 d i f f e r e n t gifts of t h e S p i r i t a r e m e n t i o n e d , a m o n g t h e m u n d e r s t a n d i n g Cpau?), intelligence ( n a ' a ) , m i g h t y w i s d o m ( n m a i n a s n ) ' ' ® . Again, o b e d i e n c e t o t h e l a w is closely r e l a t e d w i t h t h e gift of w i s d o m . (4) I Q H 1,34-36. This a d m o n i t i o n h n k s t h e wise m e n ( D ' a D n ) w i t h t h e j u s t m e n ( a ' p ' T x ) a n d w i t h t h e p e r f e c t of w a y ( ' a ' a n im)'". F o r t h e C o m m u n i t y t h e c o n c e p t s of npTS a n d m n a r e i n t r i c a t e l y l i n k e d w i t h t h e k e e p i n g of t h e Mosaic l a w a n d t h e i r h a l a k h a h . H e n c e w i s d o m is again l i n k e d w i t h o b e d i e n c e t o t h e l a w . (5) I Q H 1 2 , 3 2 . H e r e again n y is l i n k e d w i t h n p i s ' ' * . K n o w l e d g e is e q u i v a l e n t t o r i g h t e o u s n e s s w h i c h is G o d ' s gift b u t a l s o , for t h e C o m m u n i t y , d e p e n d e n t o n t h e k e e p i n g of t h e l a w ' ' ^ . (6) I Q p H a b 2 , 8 - 1 0 . T h e c o n t e x t applies H a b 1,5 t o t h e h i s t o r y of t h e Q u m r a n C o m m u n i t y dealing in 2,7 w i t h t h e "final genera t i o n " in w h i c h " t h e p r i e s t " ( TniDn ) w i h p l a y a n i m p o r t a n t role ( 2 , 8 ) : G o d has p u t " u n d e r s t a n d i n g " i n t o his h e a r t {bn i n a nj'a'^o^ 2,8) t o i n t e r p r e t ( T I U ; S ' ? ) a h t h e p r o p h e t s t h r o u g h w h o m G o d p r e d i c t e d t h e f u t u r e of his p e o p l e a n d of t h e C o m m u n i t y ( 2 , 9 - 1 0 ) . If t h e r e s t o r a t i o n of t h e l a c u n a in 2 , 8 is c o r r e c t , w e h a v e a n o t h e r i m p l i c i t i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of t h e T o r a h ( h e r e w i t h t h e focus o n t h e p r o p h e t s ) wdth w i s d o m : t h e p r i e s t l y messiah w h o is else w h e r e called " i n t e r p r e t e r of t h e l a w " ' ^ ' h a s b e e n given special w i s d o m t o u n d e r s t a n d a n d t o i n t e r p r e t t h e p r o p h e t s . T h a t is, a proper a n d relevant understanding of t h e p r o p h e t s — a n i m p o r t a n t
3 1 6 Cf. p. von der Osten-Sacken, Gott und Belial, p . l 5 3 wdth n . l w h o compares these sapiential gifts of the Spirit with IQH 1 2 , 1 1 - 1 3 ; 4 , 3 1 - 3 2 . 317 Cf. S. H o l m - N i e l s e n , / / o d a y o t , p.27; H.W. Kxshn, Enderwartung, p.l60. 3 1 8 I Q H 12,32 uses p i T S which occurs only here and in IQH f2,16. According to M. Jastrow, Dictionary, s.v., this term means "justification" in the rabbinic litera ture. There seems t o b e no great difference in meaning with regard t o p73f • Cf. S. Holm-Nielsen, o.c, p . 2 0 7 . 319 Cf. J . Becker, Heil, p . l 6 7 w h o speaks wdth regard to the soteriological statements in IQH o f "solia gratia itmcrhalb des Gesetzesgehorsams". 3 2 0 Restored foUowing E. Lohse, Texte, p . 2 2 8 ; G. Vermes, Dead Sea Scrolls, p . 2 3 6 ; M.P. Horgan, Pesharim, p p . 1 3 , 2 5 . CL also L Rabinowitz, "The Second and Third Columns of the Habbakuk Interpretation ScroU",/BZ, 69 ( 1 9 5 0 ) 3 3 L , w h o suggests nasn which is possible in terms of the c o n t e x t ; with t h e usual fuU writing of n a D i n the word would be t o o long, however. CL M.P. Horgan,Pesharim, p . 2 6 . 321 See supra, § I 0 . 8 . I .
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p a r t of t h e T o r a h for t h e C o m m u n i t y — is d e p e n d e n t u p o n wis d o m given by G o d . (7) 4 Q S I 3 9 f l . T h e first p a r t of t h e 'Angelic Liturgy'^22 p ^ g . sents a series of blessings p r o n o u n c e d b y e a c h of t h e seven arch angels c o n c e i v e d of as t h e angelic c o u n t e r p a r t of t h e p r i e s t l y b e n e d i c t i o n in N u m . 6,24-27^23 fi ijj.ig (blessing n o . 4) t h e blessing is p r o n o u n c e d o n t h o s e w h o " w a l k u p r i g h t l y " ( TU? •> •> o*? i n ) , w h o " l a y t h e f o u n d a t i o n s of t r u t h " , w h o e x a l t " t r u e k n o w l e d g e " ( i n a K n y i ) . H e r e again t h e life in o b e d i e n c e t o t h e c o m m a n d m e n t s of t h e law is r e g a r d e d as e q u i v a l e n t t o t r u e w i s d o m . In vv. 2 1 - 2 2 (blessing n o . 6) t h e " m i g h t y in w i s d o m " {bsw - " T i a j ) are identified similarly w i t h t h e " p e r f e c t of w a y " ( I T T • ' a ' a n ) . In v v . 2 4 - 2 5 (blessing n o . 7) t h e " h o l y f o u n d e r s of k n o w l e d g e " ( n y i • ' T c n a o ^ ' U ^ n p ) are l i n k e d w i t h t h o s e " w h o e x a l t his stat u t e s " ( 1 •'i3su?n • ' a n a ) . (8) 4 Q 1 8 4 f l , 1 4 - 1 7 . In t h e so-called 'Wiles of t h e W i c k e d Woman'^2^, a n allegorical w i s d o m p o e m on a p o s t a s y ^ ^ or o n t h e c h a r a c t e r of evil^^^, several s y n o n y m o u s a n d parallel t e r m s are u s e d t o d e s i g n a t e G o d ' s faithful p e o p l e as o b j e c t of t h e s e d u c t i o n : " a r i g h t e o u s m a n ( p ' T J f WH) . . . a perfect man ( m x y B^'N) . . . t h e u p r i g h t ( D ' T B ? ' ) . . . t h e righteous elect ( p 7 2 f ' ' T ' n a ) . . . t h e firmly e s t a b l i s h e d ( T S •> • ' S i a o ) . . . t h o s e w h o walk u p r i g h t l y ( l u / ' • ' 3 ' ? i n ) " ( w . l 4 - 1 5 ) ^ 2 ^ . It is f u r t h e r said of t h e m t h a t t h e y k e e p t h e c o m m a n d m e n t s ( m s a T S J ) a n d t h a t t h e y walk in t h e " w a y s of r i g h t e o u s n e s s " ( p l s ' 3 1 1 , v.16) a n d in t h e " p a t h s of u p r i g h t n e s s " ( n n w • > 3 T 7 , v . l 7 ) , a n d a r e faithful t o t h e s t a t u t e
3 2 2 See the editio princepsby J. Strugnell, "The Angelic Liturgy at Quraran, 4 Q Serek Slrfot Has&bat", SVT 7 ( 1 9 6 0 ) 3 1 8 - 3 4 5 ; cf. also G. Vermes, Dead Sea Scrolls, p p . 2 1 0 - 2 1 3 ; r.H. Gastei, Dead Sea Scriptures, pp.283-295. The text 4QS1 has to be dated to ca. 6 0 B . C . ; c f . J . Strugnell, a . c , p . 3 1 9 . 323 Cf. T.H. Gaster, o.c, pp.285f. 3 2 4 Cf. the edition by J.M. Allegro, D/D 5 ( 1 9 6 8 ) 8 2 - 8 5 , and the notes of J. Strugnell, "Notes en marge",/{Q 7 ( 1 9 7 0 ) 2 6 3 - 2 6 8 ; also G.Veimes, Dead Sea Scrolls, pp.2552 5 7 ; T.H. Gaster, Dead Sea Scriptures, p p . 4 9 3 - 5 0 3 ; and the study of R.D. Moore, "Personification of the Seduction of Evil: T h e Wiles of the Wicked Woman' ", RQ 10 ( 1 9 8 1 ) 5 0 5 - 5 1 9 . 3 2 6 Cf. T.H. Gaster, o.c, p . 4 9 5 . 3 2 6 Emphasized by R.D. Moore, a.c, p . 5 0 6 and passim. 327 Following the translation of J.M. Allegro, o.c, p.83 and J . Strugnell, a . c , p.268 (correcting the text of Allegro with Strugnell, a.c, pp.265f.). Cf. similarly the re cent translation of R.D. Moore, a.c, pp.507f.
Exegetical
Evidence
219
( i 7 i n , V . 1 5 ) . T h e r i g h t e o u s are t h o s e w h o are m o r a l l y p e r f e c t , o b e y ing faithfully t h e c o m m a n d m e n t s a n d p r e c e p t s of t h e T o r a h , in c l u d i n g t h e specific Q u m r a n h a l a k h a h ( p i n ) . T h e o p p o s i t e of t h i s r i g h t e o u s n e s s b y k e e p i n g t h e T o r a h is foolishness a n d w a n t o n ness'2^. T h e r e f e r e n c e t o foolishness p l u s t h e c o n t e x t of this wis d o m p o e m i m p l y t h a t t r u e w i s d o m is t h o u g h t t o b e e q u i v a l e n t t o m o r a l p e r f e c t i o n w h i c h is t a k e n t o be t h e direct result of o n e ' s faithful o b e d i e n c e t o T o r a h . (9) 4 Q 1 8 5 f l - 2 1 , 1 3 - 2 , 1 . T h e t e x t 4 Q 1 8 5 ' 2 9 h a s b e e n i d e n t i f i e d as s a p i e n t i a l Mahnrede^^ " m i t der z e n t r a l e n ReferenzgroBe d e r W e i s h e h u n d / o d e r des G e s e t z e s " ' ' ' . The Mahnrede summons Israel, and indeed all peoples332^ to close their minds to the divine will but to obey it and hence receive salvation and life. The question of how the divine will shows itself leads directly into the problem of the text: the suf fixes of the 3rd person fem.sg. may refer to wisdom or to the l a w 3 3 3 . It seems to be obvious that the identification of law and wisdom is carried through here as weU334.
In f l - 2 1,13-2,1 m a n is s u m m o n e d t o " d r a w w i s d o m ( l?33m)^^5 from t h e m i g h t y w i s d o m of G o d ( D ' H ' P N r m a ; t a ) " ® " ( 1 , 1 4 ) a n d t o " d o his g o o d p l e a s u r e " ( 1 3 1 2 : T i B ^ y ) 3 3 5 ( 2 , 1 ) , r e m e m b e r ing t h e miracles w h i c h h e w r o u g h t in E g y p t ( 1 , 1 5 ) . In t h e c o n t e x t of t h e E x o d u s e v e n t , G o d ' s " p l e a s u r e " o r " w i l l " ( 1 , 1 5 i m m e d i a t e ly p r e c e d i n g 2,1) m a y very well refer t o t h e S i n a i t i c legislation, in w h i c h case w i s d o m w o u l d clearly b e i d e n t i f i e d w i t h t h e law. T h e p e r i c o p e f l - 2 2 , 2 - 1 1 c o n f i r m s t h i s : r e f e r e n c e is m a d e t o t h e
3 2 8 S e e t h e b-finb and Tns in 1,15. 3 2 9 Cf. the edition by J.M. AUegro, DJD 5 ( 1 9 6 8 ) 8 5 - 8 7 , and the notes of J.StrugneU, a.c, p p . 2 6 9 - 2 7 3 ; see also G. Vermes, o.c, pp.257-259; T.H. Gaster, o.c, pp.4304 3 2 ; H. Lichtenberger, "Eine weisheitliche Mahnrede in den Qumranfunden (4Q185)", BETL 4 6 ( 1 9 7 8 ) 151-162; M. Kuchler, Weisheitsperikopen, pp.l03-I05. We use the translations of J . StrugneU, a . c , pp.272L and H. Lichtenberger, a . c , passim. 3 3 0 CL H. Lichtenberger, "Mahnrede", BETL 46 ( 1 9 7 8 ) 1 5 1 , 1 6 1 ; similarly J . Strug neU, "Notes", RQ 7 ( 1 9 7 0 ) 2 6 9 . 331 M. Kiichler, Weisheitstraditionen, p. 103 n.22a,4Q185 is pre-Qumranian, but was used and probably copied in Qumran; cL H. Lichtenberger, a . c , pp.161 L 3 3 2 CL H. Lichtenberger, a . c , p . l 5 3 . 3 3 3 C L J . StrugneU, a . c , p . 2 6 9 ; H . Lichtenberger, a . c , p . l 5 2 ; M . K u c h l e r , o . c , p . l 0 3 . 3 3 4 CL H. Lichtenberger, a . c , p. 152. 3 3 5 CL the reconstruction by J . StrugneU, a . c , p.270. 3 3 6 Interpreting m i 3 3 in its inteUectual sense as elsewhere in the Qumran texts; cL J. StrugneU, a . c , p . 2 7 0 .
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" w o r d s of Y a h w e h " ( m n ' ' n a i , 2,3) a n d t h e " p a t h ( n a T i j ) ' ' ' h e a p p o u i t e d for I s a a c " (2,4) w h i c h are i d e n t i f i e d w i t h " h i s wis d o m " ( i n a 3 n ) 3 3 8 in 2 , 1 1 . T h e t w o m a c a r i s m s in f l - 2 2 , 8 - 1 3 a n d 2 , 1 3 - 1 5 refer t o w i s d o m a n d / o r t h e l a w ' ' ^ : it h a s b e e n d e m o n s t r a t e d w i t h r e g a r d t o 2 , 1 2 t h a t " d i e G a b e n die fur das T u n d e s v o n G o t t g e b o t e n e n Weges g e g e b e n w e r d e n , sind e b e n d i e , die in w e i s h e i t l i c h e n T e x t e n die G a b e n der Weisheit sind"'"*". T h e s e gifts are " l e n g t h of d a y s " ( D ^ n ^ ms)'*', " f a t n e s s of b o n e " (T^^T D)!V), i-e. l u x u r i a n t strength''^^^ " j ^ y pf h e a r t " (aa"? nnni:7)343^ "riches" (lu^y) and " h o n o u r " ( T T 3 3 ) ' 4 4 . ( 1 0 ) 4 Q D i b H a m ^ f l - 2 2 , 1 2 - 1 5 . In t h e p r a y e r s of 4 Q D i b H a m ' ' ^ ^ Israel is d e s c r i b e d as having b e e n e l e c t e d b y G o d ( f l - 2 3 , 9 ; 4 , 3 . 5)'*®. In 2 , 1 2 - 1 5 G o d ' s miracles are m e n t i o n e d w h i c h h e did in t h e " e y e s of t h e n a t i o n s " . G o d is ' r e m i n d e d ' t h a t his n a m e has b e e n " c a l l e d over I s r a e l " ( i J ' ^ y n a n u ; ^ • ^ p i ) . T h e s e s t a t e m e n t s m i g h t establish t h e E x o d u s e v e n t a n d t h e S i n a i t i c c o v e n a n t as t h e c o n t e x t of o u r p e r i c o p e . G o d is i m p l o r e d t o lead Israel t o t o t a l re p e n t a n c e a n d t o " i m p l a n t " his l a w ( n s m i n n y u ' ? ) in t h e i r h e a r t s ( 2 , 1 3 ) s o t h a t t h e y m i g h t n e v e r d e p a r t f r o m it t o a n y d e g r e e ( 2 , 1 4 ) . T h i s i m p l a n t a t i o n of G o d ' s law in t h e h u m a n h e a r t is t h e n d e s c r i b e d as " h e a l i n g " ( N S T ) f r o m foolishness ( p y i U ' ) , b l i n d n e s s ( T i l T V ) , a n d a b e r r a t i o n of h e a r t ( 3 3"? p n a n ) . This p l e a i m p h e s clearly t h e i d e n t i t y of wise c o n d u c t a n d o b e d i e n c e t o T o r a h , of wisdom and law. ( 1 1 ) 4 Q S h i i ^ f 1,7-8. This p e r i c o p e belongs t o t h e c o l l e c t i o n of
337 338 339 340 341 342 343 344
Cf. J . StrugneU, a.c., p.271 contraJ.M. AUegro, DJD 5 ( 1 9 6 8 ) 85 w h o reads nrsTin. Thus the reconstruction of J . StrugneU, a.c., p . 2 7 1 . C f . J . S t r u g n e U , a . c . , p p . 2 6 9 , 2 7 3 ; M . Kuchler, o . c , p . l 0 5 . H. Lichtenberger, "Mahnrede", B£rZ, 4 6 ( 1 9 7 8 ) 152. CL Prov 3 , 1 6 ; S i r 1,20; Bar 3 , 1 4 . CL Prov 15,30; cL Sir 1,18. CL Qoh 5,19; Sir 4 , 12G; 6 , 2 8 . Restored tentatively with H. Lichtenberger, a.c., p.l 62 wdth n.70. With regard to honour as gift cL Prov 3,16; 8 , 1 8 ; Sir 4 , 1 3 ; 6 , 3 1 ; 24,16-17; 3 7 , 2 6 ; 5 1 , 1 7 ; with re gard t o riches cf. Prov 3 , 1 6 ; 8 , 1 8 ; Sir 24,17. 3 4 5 Cf. the editio princeps by M. BaiUet, "Un recueU liturgique de Qumran, grotte 4: 'Les Paroles des Luminaires", RB 6 8 ( 1 9 6 1 ) 195-250; idem,/)/£> 7 ( 1 9 8 2 ) 137-175. CL also G. Vermes, Dead Sea Scrolls, pp. 202-205; T.H. Gaster, Dead Sea Scrip tures, p p . 2 6 9 - 2 8 1 . Scholars agree that 4QDibHam is a pre-Quraranian, hasidic writ ing; cL K.G. Kuhn, "Nachtrage", RQ 4 ( 1 9 6 3 ) 168L; G. Vermes, o . c , p . 2 0 2 ; H. Lichtenberger, Studien, p.93 n . l ; M. BaUlet, o . c , p . l 3 7 . 3 4 6 CL H. Lichtenberger, o . c , p p . l 8 5 L
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h y m n s labelled 4QShir^'^^ w h i c h w e r e w r i t t e n b y a maskil. Refer e n c e is m a d e t o t h e " g l o r y of G o d of k n o w l e d g e " (''m'pN Tins n i y i ) w h i c h is shining in " h i s w o r d s " ( p - i a x n ) . W h e t h e r t h e s e " w o r d s " of G o d refer t o his w o r d of c r e a t i o n o r t o t h e w o r d s of legislation, it has t o be n o t e d t h a t G o d ' s w i s d o m is p r e s e n t in his w o r d . I n f2,5-7 t h e r e m n a n t of G o d is m e n t i o n e d , t h e t r u e Israel, w h o " k e e p s t h e w a y of G o d (D''ni'?K i m •'nniu;) a n d t h e p a t h of his h o h n e s s ( HVT i p r i ' ? D n ) " , o b v i o u s l y referring t o t h e k e e p i n g of t h e c o m m a n d m e n t s . T h e w r i t e r c o n t i n u e s t h a t " f o r t h e saints of his p e o p l e t r u e insight ( n a i nan)^'*^ consists in t h e k n o w l e d g e of G o d ( D ' n i ' P N n y m ) " . This c o u l d b e i n t e r p r e t e d in s u c h a w a y t h a t t h e k e e p i n g of t h e w a y s of G o d a m o u n t s t o t r u e insight a n d is p o s s i b l e o n l y o n t h e basis of t h e k n o w l e d g e of G o d . ( 1 2 ) l l Q P s ^ D a v C o m p ( 2 7 , 2 - 1 1 ) . T h e o n l y p r o s e s e c t i o n of t h e Psalms Scroll^*^ c o n t a i n s a m i d r a s h i c s u p p l e m e n t o n t h e p o e t i c activities of David w h o is c r e d i t e d w i t h 4 , 0 5 0 c o m p o s i t i o n s . David is called D s n a n d T S i o (v.2) a n d d e s c r i b e d as b e i n g " d i s c e r n i n g " ( p n a ) a n d " p e r f e c t in all his w a y s " ( I ' m T "pinn • ' ' n n , v . 3 ) , a n d possessing a " d i s c e r n i n g a n d e n l i g h t e n e d s p i r i t " ( m i Ni n j i n a n n , v . 4 ) . Finally, h e is c r e d i t e d w i t h t h e divine gift of p r o p h e c y ( n N i n a n ) as s o u r c e of his c o m p o s i t i o n s (v. 1 1 ) . Thus, "at Qumran, David was thought of not only as a musical composer and author of the Psalter under prophetic inspiration, but also as Aaft/iam, capable of the kind of thinking elsewhere attributed to the great Wisdom teacher Ben Sira"^50.
H e n c e , t h e S c r i p t u r e s ( h e r e w i t h t h e focus o n t h e Psalter) a r e said t o be b o t h divinely i n s p i r e d a n d closely r e l a t e d t o scribal wis dom.
347 See the editio princeps by M. BaUlet, D]D 7 ( 1 9 8 2 ) 215-262. This collection of hymns is clearly of Qumranian origin; cf. M. Baillet, o . c , p p . 2 1 5 , 2 2 0 . We follow the (French) translation of BaUlet. 3 4 8 Translating the definite article in nj 1 3 J n a s ""true wisdom". 3 4 9 HQPs^DavComp (27,2-11). See the editio princeps by J . A . Sanders, 4 (1965) 9 1 - 9 3 ; cf. also G. Vermes, Dead Sea Scrolls, pp.264f. This pericope dates probably to the beginning of the 1st century A.D.; cf. J . A . Sanders, The Dead Sea Psalms Scroll, 1 9 6 7 , p p . l 3 4 f . 3 5 0 J . A . Sanders, OyZ) 4 ( 1 9 6 5 ) 9 2 .
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1 2 . 2 . T h e N a t u r e of t h e I d e n t i f i c a t i o n 12.2.1. The creational dimension. Several passages e q u a t e vvis d o m w h i c h is m a n i f e s t in t h e o r d e r of c r e a t i o n w i t h t h e laws es t a b l i s h e d b y G o d ( I Q S .3,15-17; I Q H 1,1-20; 1 2 , 5 - 1 1 ; a n d p o s sibly 4 Q S h i r ' ' fl , 7 - 8 ) . T h e t e r m s u s e d for, a n d in c o n n e c t i o n w i t h , t h e sapiential o r d e r of c r e a t i o n i n c l u d e n n s i n , m s n , n j n , n 3 U ; n a , n S 5 ; ( c f . § 1 1 . 3 . 2 . ) . T h e laws of n a t u r e are r e f e r r e d t o as D ^ p T n , D ' D S i ^ ' a , m a ' n j (cf. § 1 0 . 5 . 1 . ) .
It is significant t o n o t e t h a t m i n is never u s e d for t h e o r d e r of c r e a t i o n ' ^ ' . As t h e P e n t a t e u c h a n d t h e e n t i r e H e b r e w c a n o n w e r e e s t e e m e d in an e x c e p t i o n a l m a n n e r , t h e C o m m u n i t y refrained from transferring t h e c h a r a c t e r i s t i c d e s i g n a t i o n m m t o t h e r e a l m of c r e a t i o n . I n s t e a d , it u s e d i?i n a n d usa^a w h i c h d e s i g n a t e d else w h e r e t h e S c r i p t u r e s i n c l u d i n g its o w n p a r t i c u l a r h a l a k h a h . F o r t h e Q u m r a n g r o u p , t h e laws of c r e a t i o n w e r e basically o n e w i t h t h e laws of t h e C o m m u n i t y w h i c h w e r e , in t h e i r o p i n i o n , d i r e c t l y a n d u n q u e s t i o n a b l y b a s e d o n t h e w r i t t e n law. A n d t h e laws of t h e o r d e r of c r e a t i o n w e r e a n e x p r e s s i o n a n d e m b o d i m e n t of G o d ' s great w i s d o m . 12.2.2. The particularistic dimension. We have seen earlier t h a t b o t h t h e law a n d w i s d o m w e r e closely a n d a t t i m e s even exclusive ly related t o t h e Q u m r a n C o m m u n i t y . T h e l a w is i n t e r p r e t e d , u n d e r s t o o d , a n d k e p t p r o p e r l y , a b o v e a h , in t h e C o m m u n i t y , es pecially w i t h regard t o m a t t e r s w h i c h t h e l a t e r rabbis called hala k h a h (cf. § 1 0 . 4 , 1 0 . 7 . ) . T h e C o m m u n i t y was c o n v i n c e d t h a t it was t h e o n l y g r o u p w h i c h lived in h a r m o n y w i t h t h e God-given lawful o r d e r of c r e a t i o n (cf. § 1 0 . 5 . 2 . ) . T h e C o m m u n i t y was fur t h e r c o n v i n c e d of t h e fact t h a t G o d ' s w i s d o m w h i c h was e m b o d i e d in t h e o r d e r of c r e a t i o n h a d b e e n revealed especially a n d exclusive ly t o t h e m ( § 1 1 . 4 . 1 . ) , a n d t h a t t h e spirit of w i s d o m d e t e r m i n e d t h e h f e in t h e C o m m u n i t y (cf. § 1 1 . 4 . 2 . ) . T h i s p a r t i c u l a r i s t i c d i m e n s i o n can b e o b s e r v e d in t h e i m m e d i a t e c o n t e x t of t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of law a n d w i s d o m as w e h . In t e x t s w h i c h b e l o n g e i t h e r to t h e p r e - Q u m r a n i a n o r t o t h e early Q u m r a n i a n p e r i o d s ( I Q M 1 0 , 9 - 1 1 ; 1 Q 2 2 2 , 8 - 9 ; 4 Q 1 8 5 f l - 2 1,13-2,1.2-
351 At this point we want to point out again that the Qumran Community does not use the personification of wisdom (cf. § 11.3.3.).
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1 1 ) , t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n is e x p r e s s e d in t h e w i d e r c o n t e x t of Israel a n d t h e c o v e n a n t w i t h t h e fathers. T h e t e x t s w h i c h w e r e w r i t t e n in t h e m a i n a n d t h e later p e r i o d s of t h e C o m m u n i t y use t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n in t h e n a r r o w e r c o n t e x t of t h e C o m m u n i t y w h i c h p o s sesses a n d o b e y s b o t h t h e law a n d t h e divine w i s d o m in a n exclu sive m a n n e r ( 1 Q H 4 , 9 - 1 1 ; 1 Q S 1 , 1 1 - 1 3 ; 9 , 1 7 ; C D 6 , 2 - 5 ; cf. 4 Q S h i r ' ' f2,5-7)^^2. O n e p r e - Q u m r a n i a n t e x t w h i c h was u s e d in t h e C o m m u n i t y also refers t o t h e (implicit) i d e n t i f i c a t i o n ( 4 Q D i b n a m * f l 2 2,12-15). O n l y t h e p r e - Q u m r a n i a n Mahnrede 4 Q 1 8 5 f l - 2 1,13-2,1 c a n be i n t e r p r e t e d as i m p l y i n g t h e universal a s p e c t of t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of l a w a n d w i s d o m . 12.2.3. The ethical dimension. It has b e e n p o i n t e d o u t earlier t h a t Q u m r a n e t h i c s is b a s e d u p o n t h e T o r a h a n d t h e p a r t i c u l a r h a l a k h a h of t h e C o m m u n i t y , a n d has s t r o n g links w i t h t h e w i s d o m t r a d i t i o n (cf. § 1 1 . 6 . , 1 1 . 1 . 1 - 2 . ) . T h e m o s t i m p o r t a n t c o n t e x t of t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of l a w a n d w i s d o m in t h e Q u m r a n t e x t s is t h e ethical context. In several passages t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n is l i n k e d w i t h t h e c o n c e p t of n i 7 7 S ( I Q S 3 , 1 ; 4 , 2 - 6 ; 9 , 1 7 ; I Q H 1,34-36; 1 2 , 3 2 ; cf. HQPS^" 1 8 , 1 0 - 1 3 ; 4 Q 1 8 4 11,14-17) w h i c h is t h e basic r e q u i r e m e n t of Q u m r a n ethics^^*. I n o t h e r t e x t s t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n is r e l a t e d t o t h e c o n c e p t of Din/D'?2n ( I Q S 1 , 1 1 - 1 3 ; 2 , 2 - 3 ; I Q H 1,34-36; 4 Q S 1 3 9 fl 1 , 2 1 - 2 2 ; cf. l l Q P s ^ 2 7 , 2 - 1 1 ) . M a n y t e x t s refer t o t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of l a w a n d w i s d o m in c o n nection with the " t h e w a y " ( i n ) or the upright or proper " w a l k " ( i V n ) ( I Q S 1 , 1 1 - 1 3 ; 2 , 2 - 3 ; 4 , 2 - 6 ; 9 , 1 7 ; I Q H 1,34-36; 1 Q 2 2 2,89 ; 4 Q S 1 3 9 f l 1 , 1 7 - 1 8 . 2 1 - 2 2 ; 4 Q S h i r ' ' 12,5-7; cf. 4 Q 1 8 5 f l - 2 , 2,2-11; llQPs^ 27,2-11). S o m e passages p l a c e t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n in t h e c o n t e x t of t h e h u m a n h e a r t ( I Q S 2 , 2 - 3 ; 4 , 2 - 6 ; I Q H 4 , 9 - 1 1 ; 4 Q D i b H a m ^ f l - 2 2, 12-15).
3 5 2 J . A . Davis, Wisdom and Spirit, 1 9 8 2 , pp.26-28,33 asserts that the concept of wis dom in Qimiran is not identical with the law per se but understood to be "co-essen tial with the sectarian interpretation of the law" (p.33). However, this is no proof that the correlation of law and wisdom was redefined in Qumran since the law al ways (1) existed (only) as interpreted law. 3 5 3 Cf. S.T. Kirabrough, "Ethic", RQ 6 ( 1 9 6 9 ) 4 8 5 .
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T h e m e m b e r s of t h e C o m m u n i t y c o n s i d e r e d a r i g h t e o u s , p r o p e r c o n d u c t t o b e possible ( o n l y ) o n t h e basis of t h e w r i t t e n revela t i o n , i.e. t h e S c r i p t u r e s a n d their o w n p a r t i c u l a r r e g u l a t i o n s w h i c h h a d t o b e faithfully o b e y e d , a n d i n a c c o r d a n c e w i t h t h e God-given w i s d o m w h i c h h a d t o be a p p r o p r i a t e d in t h e C o m m u n i t y . L a w a n d w i s d o m w e r e o n e in e v e r y d a y life. 12.2.4. The didactic dimension. T h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of w i s d o m a n d l a w in t h e C o m m u n i t y is e m b o d i e d in t h e offices a n d figures of t h e T e a c h e r of R i g h t e o u s n e s s , t h e maskil, a n d t h e p r i e s t l y mes siah, as w e h as in t h e f u n c t i o n of t h e wise m e n / s c r i b e s . T h e T e a c h e r is d e s c r i b e d as h a v i n g received p a r t i c u l a r w i s d o m a n d k n o w l e d g e from G o d w h i c h h e passed o n t o t h e C o m m u n i t y (cf. § n . 5 . 2 . ) , a n d at t h e s a m e t i m e he is t h e i n t e r p r e t e r of t h e law par excellence (cf. § 1 0 . 1 . ) . T h e maskil — t h e d e s i g n a t i o n a n d t h e i m p l i e d f u n c t i o n b e l o n g t o t h e sapiential t r a d i t i o n — w h o seems t o h a v e o c c u p i e d t h e of fice of t h e " i n t e r p r e t e r of t h e l a w " in t h e C o m m u n i t y , is t h e t e a c h i n g f u n c t i o n a r y (cf. § 1 1 . 5 . 3 . ) . T h e maskil is d i r e c t l y l i n k e d w i t h t h e c o r r e l a t i o n of law a n d w i s d o m (cf. I Q S 9 , 1 7 ) . T h e p r i e s t l y messiah w h o wih give t h e t r u e i n t e r p r e t a t i o n of t h e p r o p h e t s is also d i r e c t l y c o n n e c t e d w i t h b o t h w i s d o m a n d t h e l a w (cf. I Q p H a b 2 , 8 - 1 0 ) . T w o passages r e l a t e t h e D ' a a n t o t h e s t u d y of t h e law (cf. C D 6 , 2 - 5 ; 1 Q 2 2 2 , 8 - 9 ) . A p r e - Q u m r a n i a n t e x t refers t o David as n a n a n d -ID1D ( l l Q P s * 2 7 , 2 - 1 1 ) . It seems t h a t , for t h e C o m m u n i t y , w i s d o m was b o t h t h e p r e r e q u i s i t e for, a n d t h e result of, t h e s t u d y of t h e l a w , w h i l e t h e law c o u l d b e s t u d i e d , i n t e r p r e t e d , a n d t a u g h t p r o p e r l y o n l y b y wise p e o p l e .
12.2.5. The eschatological dimension. Both wisdom and the law h a v e e s c h a t o l o g i c a l d i m e n s i o n s in Q u m r a n t h o u g h t . T h e p r i e s t l y messiah c o m e s as i n t e r p r e t e r of t h e law (cf. C D 7 , 1 8 ; 4 Q F l o r r , l l ) w h o t e a c h e s r i g h t e o u s n e s s at t h e e n d of d a y s ( C D 6 , 1 1 ; I Q p H a b 2 , 9 - 1 0 ) . T h e r o y a l m e s s i a h is a s s o c i a t e d w i t h t h e " t h r e e b o o k s " ( 4 Q M e s s A r 1,5) w h i c h m i g h t b e a r e f e r e n c e t o t h e s u m of a u t h o r i t a t i v e writings of t h e C o m m u n i t y i n c l u d i n g t h e S c r i p t u r e s . Wis d o m a n d k n o w l e d g e are d e s c r i b e d as e s c h a t o l o g i c a l gifts (cf. § 1 1 . 4.2.) a n d are a s s o c i a t e d w i t h t h e r o y a l m e s s i a h ( I Q p H a b 2 , 8 - 1 0 ) .
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In e a c h of t h e s e t w o t e x t s t h e law is i m p l i c i t l y i d e n t i f i e d w i t h wisdom. 12.2.6. The theological dimension. T h e r e a s o n w h y this a s p e c t of t h e c o r r e l a t i o n of w i s d o m a n d law is m e n t i o n e d last is t h a t t h e c o n c e p t of t h e fear of t h e L o r d as s u b m i s s i o n u n d e r G o d ' s will is basically a b s e n t from t h e Q u m r a n writings a n d is never m e n t i o n e d in c o n j u n c t i o n w i t h t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of law a n d w i s d o m . H o w ever, it is self-evident t h a t t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n c a n n o t b e s e p a r a t e d from t h e t h e o l o g i c a l d i m e n s i o n : w i s d o m a n d k n o w l e d g e are u n i q u e possessions of G o d a n d w e r e given b y h i m to t h e T e a c h e r a n d his C o m m u n i t y , a n d t h e law was divinely revealed t o Moses a n d t h e f o r e f a t h e r s , as well as i n t e r p r e t e d p r o p e r l y a n d t a u g h t a d e q u a t e l y ( o n l y ) in t h e C o m m u n i t y . We o b s e r v e d earlier t h a t t h e " w a l k " in t h e p e r f e c t " w a y " is a l w a y s d e p e n d e n t u p o n G o d (cf. § 1 1 . 6 . 2 . ) . G o d is t h e u l t i m a t e s o u r c e of b o t h law a n d w i s d o m , of h a l a k h a h a n d of p r o p e r b e h a v i o u r .
12.3. Summary We have e s t a b l i s h e d t h e crucial role of t h e law for t h e Q u m r a n C o m m u n i t y . T h e o r i e n t a t i o n b y t h e law is a f u n d a m e n t a l d a t u m of Q u m r a n t h e o l o g y . T h e law has b e e n revealed t o Israel b u t is u n d e r s t o o d a n d i n t e r p r e t e d p r o p e r l y o n l y in t h e C o m m u n i t y . Pro gressive r e v e l a t i o n g u a r a n t e e s t h e k n o w l e d g e of t h e " h i d d e n t h i n g s " . T h e m e m b e r s of t h e C o m m u n i t y strive t o live in p e r f e c t a c c o r d a n c e w i t h G o d ' s w r i t t e n law a n d in c o m p l e t e h a r m o n y w i t h t h e divine o r d e r s of c r e a t i o n . We have also seen t h a t t h e Q u m r a n world-view, life-style, a n d v o c a b u l a r y have s t r o n g c o n n e c t i o n s w i t h t h e sapiential t r a d i t i o n . T h e C o m m u n i t y i n d e e d claims distinctive a n d exclusive w i s d o m a n d k n o w l e d g e for its m e m b e r s w h o are t h e " s o n s of l i g h t " w h o k n o w God's secrets. We have f u r t h e r seen t h a t t h e C o m m u n i t y k n e w t h e identifica t i o n of law a n d w i s d o m a n d u s e d it in a similar m a n n e r as o t h e r i n t e r t e s t a m e n t a l writers a n d g r o u p s used it. T h e e t h i c a l d i m e n s i o n of t h e c o r r e l a t i o n is in the f o r e g r o u n d . P a r t i c u l a r i s t i c , d i d a c t i c , a n d e s c h a t o l o g i c a l p e r s p e c t i v e s are p r e s e n t , a n d t h e t h e o l o g i c a l
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a s p e c t is clearly i m p l i e d . T h e c r e a t i o n a l ( r a t h e r t h a n universalistic!) d i m e n s i o n is a n i m p o r t a n t c h a r a c t e r i s t i c of Q u m r a n t h e o l It s h o u l d b e n o t e d t h a t t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of law a n d w i s d o m is t o b e o b s e r v e d in t h e hasidic p r e - Q u m r a n i a n t e x t s ( 4 Q 1 8 5 , 1 I Q P s ' ' 1 8 ; 2 4 ; 4 Q D i b H a m ^ ) , in t h e early Q u m r a n writings ( I Q M , I Q H ) , in t h e m a j o r t e x t s ( I Q S , C D I Q p H a b , 4 Q S h i r ' ' ) , a n d in late Q u m ran writings ( 4 Q S 1 , 1 IQPs^DavComp). We c o n c l u d e w i t h a q u o t e from M. Hengel in w h i c h h e c o r r e lates w i s d o m , k n o w l e d g e , scribal e r u d i t i o n , right c o n d u c t , salvation, a n d r e v e l a t i o n w i t h regard t o t h e Q u m r a n C o m m u n i t y : " N u r der Weise u n d G e l e h r t e , d e r iiber die b e h e r r s c h e n d e u n d d u r c h d r i n g e n d e Kraft des D e n k e n s verfiigt, k a n n wirklich f r o m m , w i r k l i c h g u t sein. Die E r k e n n t n i s e r h a l t d a b e i d e n C h a r a k t e r des Heilswissens, das d e m i r r e n d e n M e n s c h e n d u r c h G o t t e s O f f e n b a r u n g erschlossen w e r d e n mufi
3 5 4 Cf. H. Lichtenberger, Studien, p . 2 3 8 w h o emphasizes the outstanding role of crea tion aspects for Qumran anthropology. 355 M. Hengel, "Qumran und der HeUenismus", BETL 4 6 ( 1 9 7 8 ) 3 5 7 . See also H. Gabrion, "Interpretation", ANRW 11/19,1 (1979) 8 3 0 w h o states that "la connaissance n*a d'importance a Qumran que dans la mesure oil elle permet a ceux qui la possedent de conformer leur vie k I'exigence authentique de la Loi".
(Uiaplct
l-'onr
W i s d o m and Law in Pauline C-hristology and Ethics
O u r final c h a p t e r deals w i t h t h e t h e o l o g y of the f o r m e r Phari see a n d later a p o s d e Paul, focusing o n t h e q u e s t i o n s w h e t h e r t h e c o r r e l a t i o n of w i s d o m a n d law w h i c h p l a y e d s u c h a crucial role in t h e i n t e r t e s t a m e n t a l p e r i o d was t a k e n u p b y Paul a n d , if t h e a n s w e r is y e s , in w h i c h w a y it affected t h e c o n t e n t of his t h e o l o g y .
§ 13
Introduction
Before we a t t e m p t t o u n d e r s t a n d Paul's c o n c e p t i o n of ao^ia a n d poiioq, b o t h in t h e realm of his c o n v i c t i o n s r e g a r d i n g t h e per s o n a n d mission of J e s u s C h r i s t , a n d in t h e r e a l m of C h r i s t i a n c o n d u c t , w e first h a v e t o estabUsh t h e basis of o u r discussion, es pecially since w e are l o o k i n g for t h e m a n n e r in w h i c h t h e s e t w o c o n c e p t i o n s are c o r r e l a t e d . We will first of all deal w i t h t h e q u e s t i o n w h e t h e r t h e b a c k g r o u n d of Paul's origin m a k e s it plausible t o a s s u m e Paul's familiarity w i t h t h e c o r r e l a t i o n of law a n d w i s d o m . S e c o n d , w e will seek t o find a n explicit exegetical e x p r e s s i o n of Paul's a w a r e n e s s of this c o r r e l a t i o n . Finally, m e t h o d o l o g i c a l con s i d e r a t i o n s win have t o clarify o u r a p p r o a c h t o t h e Pauline c o r p u s as a w h o l e .
1 3 . 1 . T h e C o n c e p t u a l H e r i t a g e of Paul 13.1.1. Geographical origins. Paul was b o m in T a r s u s , t h e capi tal of t h e R o m a n p r o v i n c e of Cilicia in Asia M i n o r ( A c t s 2 1 , 3 9 ;
228
Introduction
2 2 , 3 ) ^ It is d i s p u t e d w h e t h e r P a u l also grew u p in T a r s u s , or w h e t h e r h e was b r o u g h t t o J e r u s a l e m at a very early age a n d sub s e q u e n t l y s p e n t his c h i l d h o o d a n d y o u t h t h e r e . T h e l a t t e r view was s u g g e s t e d b y W.C. van U n n i k ^ w h o a r g u e d , o n t h e basis of a fixed l i t e r a r y u n i t w h i c h L u k e u s e d in A c t s 2 2 , 3 (cf. A c t s 7,202 2 ) , t h a t Paul was b o r n {ye'repvr}l^epo(;) in T a r s u s , b r o u g h t u p (dvaredpaiiiievot;) in J e r u s a l e m (by his m o t h e r ) ^ , a n d e d u c a t e d {•nei!aLbeviiivo<;) in J e r u s a l e m ( b y f a t h e r a n d t e a c h e r ) . T h i s inter p r e t a t i o n of A c t s 2 2 , 3 e x p l a i n s t h e language e m p l o y e d b y L u k e b e s t a n d has b e e n w i d e l y a c c e p t e d w i t h c o n v i n c i n g reasons'*. Gal 1,22 c a n n o t be u s e d as a r g u m e n t against this i n t e r p r e t a t i o n since Paul w a s i n d e e d u n k n o v m t o t h e A r a m a i c - s p e a k i n g C h r i s t i a n s in J e r u s a l e m ^ . T h u s it is j u s t i f i e d t o r e c k o n w i t h Paul's u p b r i n g i n g in J e r u s a l e m from a very early age o n w a r d s . This implies t h a t t h e Palestinian i n f l u e n c e o n P a u l , as regards his f o r m a t i v e y e a r s as a y o u n g m a n , is very significant^.
1 On the historical reliability of Luke see I.H. Marshall, Luke: Historian and Theo logian, 1 9 7 0 , p p . 2 1 - 7 6 ; M. Hengel, Zur urchristlichen Geschichtsschreibung, 1979, p p . 3 6 - 3 9 , 5 4 - 6 1 ; also C. Burchard, Der dreizehnte Zeuge: Traditions- und kompositionsgeschichtsliche Untersuchungen zu Lukas' DarsteUung der Friihzeit des PauF R L A N T 1 0 3 , 1 9 7 0 , p p . 2 8 , 1 6 9 - 1 7 3 3nA].Ko\oii,Die Apostelgeschichte, NTD 5, 1 9 8 1 , pp.2-12 (with whose view that Luke, the author of Acts, did not know Paul personally we cannot agree, however). 2 Cf. W.C. van Unnik, "Tarsus or Jerusalem: The City of Paul's Y o u t h " ( 1 9 5 2 ) , 5parsa Collecta, SNT 2 9 , 1 9 7 3 , p p . 2 5 9 - 3 2 2 . 3 On the meaning of &.vaTpe
pp.71 f.
6 Cf. C. Burchard, Zeuge, pp.34f. n.42 w h o links the Palestinian-Jewish stamp of Paul's theological training with his upbringing in Jerusedem; cf. also S . Kim, Origin, pp.38 f. w h o asserts that the fact that Paul was brought up in Jerusalem weakens the view which sees Tarsus with its Hellenistic context as an important factor for Paul's career. It is clear, of course, that Palentinian Judaism was not free from Hellenistic elements, and it is beyond doubt that Paul was well acquainted with the JewishHellenistic (Alexandrian) tradition. It is simply a matter of emphasis when we point out that Paul's formative (!) years were spent in Jerusalem rather than in Tarsus. Cf. M. Hengel, o.c, p.71 and W.G. Kiimmel, Theologie, ^ i g S O , p . l 2 4 w h o points out that it is difficult, in specific c o n t e x t s , to decide on which religion-historical pre suppositions Paul bases his arguments.
The Conceptual
Heritage of Paul
2 29
13.1.2. Sociological origins. Paul's family t r a c e d its r o o t s t o t h e t r i b e of Benjamin (cf. Phil 3 , 6 ; R o m 1 1 , 1 ) ^ . A k h o u g h it lived, for s o m e t i m e , in T a r s u s in t h e D i a s p o r a it was native t o Palestine a n d h a d a l w a y s p r e s e r v e d close Palestinian family c o n n e c t i o n s * . Paul's self-designation as " H e b r e w " in Phil 3,5 a n d 2 C o r 1 1 , 2 2 c o u l d well i m p l y a linguistic a n d c u l t u r a l d i s t i n c t i o n , referring in a Pal e s t i n i a n c o n t e x t t o J e w s w h o s e m o t h e r t o n g u e was A r a m a i c , a n d in a D i a s p o r a c o n t e x t t o J e w s w h o w e r e b o r n in Palestine or w h o w e r e at least closely h n k e d w i t h Palestine^. Paul's u p b r i n g i n g a n d e d u c a t i o n are r e s p o n s i b l e for his basic Palestinian ' o u t l o o k ' , a n d A r a m a i c was p r e s u m a b l y his m o t h e r t o n g u e ' " . Paul was c e r t a i n l y bilingual s p e a k i n g G r e k as well. It seems t h a t Paul b e l o n g e d t o t h e G r e e k s p e a k i n g s y n a g o g u e in J e r u s a l e m (cf. A c t s 6 , 9 ; 9 , 2 9 ) " . T h e fact t h a t Paul was b o r n a R o m a n citizen ( A c t s 2 2 , 2 7 - 2 8 ) m e a n s t h a t h e b e l o n g e d t o t h e social d i t e ' ^ . i t is n o t clear w h e t h e r Paul was a m e m b e r of t h e S a n h e d r i n in J e r u s a l e m " . 13.1.3. Theological origins. Paul was t h e s o n of a Pharisee (cf. A c t s 23,6)'"^ w h o m a d e sure t h a t h e received a s t r i c t l y ' o r t h o d o x '
7 I.e. to those people w h o had not lost their tribal identity during the exile; cf. Neh 11,7-9.31-35. Cf. F.F. Bruce, Paul, p . 4 1 . On the Benjaminite families in the postexilic period c f . J . Jeremias,/eruM/em. pp.227f. 8 This seems to be the sense of the statements in 2Cor 11,22; cf. W. Gutbrod, in ThWNT $ ( 1 9 3 8 ) 3 9 3 ; M. Hengel, o.c, pp.70f. Cf. Acts 2 3 , 1 6 . 9 Cf. recently M. Hengel, "Zwischen Jesus und Paulus: Die 'Hellcnisten', die 'Sieben' und Stephanui", ZThK 72 ( 1 9 7 5 ) 151-206, here 1 6 9 - 1 7 1 ; F . F . B r u c e . o . c , pp.42f.; S. Kim, o . c , pp.34f. (lit.). 10 Cf. Acts 2 6 , 1 4 . Cf. W.C. van Unnik, "Tarsus", p . 3 0 4 ; F.F. Bruce, o . c , p . 4 3 . 11 Cf. F.F. Bruce, Acts, p . l 3 3 ; W.C. van Unnik, "Tarsus", p . 2 9 9 ; M. Hengel, "Urspriinge", A^rS 18 ( 1 9 7 1 / 7 2 ) 2i;\iem, Geschichtsschreibung, p . 7 2 ; S . Kim, Origin, pp.37f.; J . Rolofi, Apostelgeschichte, pp.l 13-157. 12 Cf. F.F. Bruce, o . c , pp.37f. On Paul's rights as Roman citizen cf. C. Burchard, Zeuge, p p . 3 7 - 3 9 . Cf. also R.F. Hock, "Paul's Tentmaking and the Problem of hU Social Class", JBL 97 (1978) 5 5 5 - 5 6 4 w h o confirms Paul's aristocratic origin. We cannot, however, follow Hock's presentation and evaluation of Paul's work ethic. On Paul's attitude to work see now W. Schrage, Die Ethik des Neuen Testaments, 1 9 8 2 , pp.22 If. 13 This is asserted, on the basis of Acts 26,\0,hy H. Conzelmann, Apostelgeschichte, p . 1 3 8 ; C. Burchard, o . c , p . 4 6 ; I . H . Marshall, iuJfee, p . 3 9 3 ; J . Roloff, o . c , p . 3 5 2 ; c f . G. Schneider, Apostelgeschichte. HThK 5 / 2 , 1 9 8 2 , p . 3 7 3 n.45. But see A. Oepke, "Probleme der vorchristlichen Zeit des Paulus" ( 1 9 3 3 ) , Das Paulusbild in derneueren Forschung, ed. K.H. Rengstorf, 1 9 6 4 , p p . 4 1 0 - 4 4 6 , here 418,422f. 14 Emphasized by C. Burchard, o . c , p.39; M. Hengel, o . c , p . 7 I .
230
Introduction
e d u c a t i o n . L a t e r Paul was a Pharisee himself (Phil 3 , 5 ; A c t s 2 3 , 6 ; 2 6 , 5 ) . H e s t u d i e d u n d e r t h e leading Pharisaic T o r a h scholar G a m aliel t h e Elder (Acts 2 2 , 3 ) w h o was a m e m b e r of t h e S a n h e d r i n ( A c t s 5,34)*^ a n d a leading T o r a h scholar in t h e first half of t h e 1st c e n t u r y . Paul was a z e a l o u s Pharisee striving t o k e e p t h e e n t i r e law as well as t h e a n c e s t r a l t r a d i t i o n s , a n d h e was well versed in t h e a p p l i c a t i o n of scribal d i s t i n c t i o n s , m e t h o d s , a n d c a t e g o r i e s ' ^ . It is difficult t o d e c i d e w h e t h e r Paul was a n o r d a i n e d T o r a h scho lar (i.e. a r a b b i in t h e official later t e r m i n o l o g y ) , a ypatiiiaTevc; or n o t ' ^ . S c h o l a r s w h o t a k e A c t s 2 6 , 1 0 literally, a s s u m i n g t h a t Paul was an official m e m b e r of t h e S a n h e d r i n , o f t e n regard Paul as a n ordained rabbi'^. If Paul i n d e e d g r e w u p a n d was e d u c a t e d in J e r u s a l e m in a Phar isaic a n d scribal s e t t i n g , his k n o w l e d g e of G r e e k t h o u g h t a n d lit e r a t u r e ^ a n d his familiarity w i t h t h e L X X has t o b e t r a c e d b a c k t o t h e following s o u r c e s : (1) t h e s c h o o l of Gamaliel in w h i c h m d i m e n t s of ( i r e e k learning c o u l d well have b e e n passed o n ^ ' , (2) t h e p e r i o d b e t w e e n Paul's r e t u r n from D a m a s c u s after his conver sion a n d t h e b e g i n n i n g of his m i n i s t r y in A n t i o c h w h i c h is l i n k e d w i t h T a r s u s (cL A c t s 9 , 3 0 ; 1 1 , 2 5 ) , a n d (3) t h e t i m e of Paul's
15 There is no reason to doubt the accuracy of Luke's information here; cf. I.H. Mar shall, o.c, p . 3 5 4 ; .M. Hengel, o.c, p . 7 1 ; also J . Roloff, o.c, pp.lOOf; contra E. Haenchen, Apostelgeschichte, p.554. 16 The latter fact is stressed and developed by B. Gerhardsson, "1 Kor 13: Zur Frage von Paulus' rabbinischem Hintcrgrund", Donum Gentilicium, FS D. Daube, ed. E. Bammel et al., 1 9 7 8 , pp.185-209; H. Hubner, "Gal 3,10 und die Herkunft des Paulus", KuD 19 (1973) 2 2 2 - 2 3 1 ; also S. Belkin, "The Problem of Paul's Back ground",/BZ, 5 4 ( 1 9 3 5 ) 4 1 - 6 0 ; J . Jeremias, "Paulus als m'\leMx.",Neotestamentica et Semitica, FS M. Black, ed. E.E. Ellis et al., 1 9 6 9 , pp.88f. 17 Cf. J . Jeremias, "War Paulus Witwer?", ZNW 25 (1926) 3 1 0 ; idem, Jerusalem, p.255 n.34. On the ordination ( n 3 ' ' a D ) of the later rabbis see H.D. Mantel, Studies, p p . 2 1 4 - 2 1 6 . 18 Cf. A. Oepke, "Probleme", pp.410-446 w h o characterizes Paul as a Pharisee w h o persecuted the Christians privately while having an "of fiziose Protektion" ( p . 4 2 6 ) , i.e. not officially as an ordained rabbi. Cf. also G. Burchard, Zeuge, pp.33 with n . 3 6 , 4 6 ; a l s o J . B l a n k , / ' a u f a i u n r f / r a u j , StANT 18, 1968, p p . 2 1 8 - 2 2 1 . 19 Differently C. Burchard, o.c, p.46 w h o maintains that Paul was a Pharisaic member of the Sanhedrin. 20 Cf. K.H. Schelkle, Paulus: Leben-Briefe-Theohgie, 1 9 8 1 , pp.42-45 (lit.). 21 Note that Simon b. Gamaliel I is reported to have had students w h o studied "the wisdom of the Greeks" (bSot 4 9 b ) . Cf. F.F. Bruce, Paul, p . l 2 6 ; S. Kim, Origin, pp.3 7 f. Note further that Paul probably belonged to a Greek-speaking synagogue in Jerusalem.
The Conceptual
Heritage of Paul
231
missionary career which started in the regions of Syria and Cihcia which confronted him with the Hellenistic world and in the con text of which h e identified, as far as possible, with the Gentiles (cf. I C o r 9,19-23)22. 13.1.4.
Summary.
Paul's training as Pharisee and T o r a h scholar
surely brought him in contact, apart from the T o r a h , with the corpus of Pharisaic traditions which included writings like PsSal, T o b , and Judt, and conceptions and motifs which eventually flowed into A p c B a r , 4 E z r , A n t B i b l , and the Mishnah2^. It can b e
further assumed that Paul was equally familiar with the hasidic writings such as E n , Jub, and T e s t X I I P a t r . Paul's k n o w l e d g e a n d
reception of the apocalyptic tradition is easily recognized24. T h e assumption that Paul, through his training under Gamaliel, must have come into contact with the corpus of the extra-bibhcal Jew ish literature, including the wisdom literature2^, is substantiated b y the fact that Paul exhibits similarties of thought and expression with these writings2®. I t seems safe t o assume that Paul knew Sir^^.
22 Cf. W.C. van Unnik, "Tarsus", p . 3 0 5 ; F.F. B m c e , o.c.. p . l 2 7 ; also S. Kim, o.c, pp.37f. w h o quotes E.E. ZMa,Paul's Use of the Old Testament, 1 9 5 7 , p p . l 2 f f . stat ing that Paul's occasional deviations from the L X X in favour of the Hebrew text show that he knew the latter. Scholars w h o assert that Paul grew up in Tarsus em phasize consequently the correspondingly early influences of Hellenism on Paul's thought; cL G. Turbessi, "L'Apotre Paul, 'homme de Dieu' ", Paul de Tarse, ed. L. de Lorenzi, 1 9 7 9 , p p . 1 0 1 - 1 6 2 , here 1 0 6 - 1 2 0 . 23 The Pharisaic origin of these writings is basically acknowledged. 24 CL recently H. Paulsen, Uberlieferung und Auslegung von Romer 8, WMANT 4 3 , 1 9 7 4 , p p . l U - 1 1 9 ; and J . Baumgarten, Paulus und die Apokalyptik: Die Ausle gung apokalyptischer Uberlieferungen in den echten Paulusbriefen, WMANT 4 4 , 1975,pp.55-243. 25 C L J . A . Fischer, "Pauline Literary Forms and Thought Patterns", CBQ 3 9 ( 1 9 7 7 ) 2 0 8 - 2 2 3 w h o bases his observations on the hypothesis that Paul stands in the mzunstream o f the Jewish wisdom tradition. 26 Paul 'alludes' to Sir 2 6 x , to Bar 3 x , to En 7x, to Jub 3 x , to 3Ezr I x , to IMacc I x , to 2Macc 5 x , t o 3Macc 4 x , t o AssMos 2 x , to Tob 2 x , t o TestXIIPatr I 3 x , t o PsSal 7x, and uses thoughts which are later also expressed in 4Macc ( l l x ) , 4Ezr (lOx), and ApcBar ( 1 3 x ) . These figures are based on the appendix "loci citati vel allegati" in Nestle-Aland, Novum Testamentum Graece, 1 9 7 9 , p p . 7 6 9 - 7 7 5 . It has t o be pointed out with H. Conzelmann, "Paulus und die Weisheit" ( 1 9 6 5 ) , Theologie als Schriftauslegung, BEvTh 6 5 , 1 9 7 4 , p . l 7 9 that it is not possible t o prove a direct literary dependence of Paul upon certain extra-canonical wisdom writings but that there exists "weithin ein enger Motiv-Zusammenhang". 27 Note the 26 'allusions' which are t o be found throughout the Pauline corpus (in Rom, ICor, Eph, PhU, Col, IThess; ITim, 2Tim).
232
Introduction
T h e a s s u m p t i o n t h a t Paul also k n e w t h e J e w i s h - H e l l e n i s t i c (wis d o m ) tradition^^ is s u b s t a n t i a t e d b y 'allusions' t o SapSal^^. As Paul o b v i o u s l y was well familiar w i t h t h e various J e w i s h t r a d i t i o n s a n d w r i t i n g s , p a r t i c u l a r l y t h e Pharisaic a n d apocjilyptic o n e s , it is difficult t o avoid t h e c o n c l u s i o n t h a t Paul was a w a r e of t h e c o r r e l a t i o n a n d i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of law a n d w i s d o m ^ ' ' . This is c o n f i r m e d b y t h e explicit exegetical o c c u r r e n c e of this c o r r e l a t i o n in R o m 2 , 1 7 - 2 4 .
1 3 . 2 . Paul's F a m i l i a r i t y w i t h t h e C o r r e l a t i o n of L a w a n d W i s d o m In R o m 2 , 1 7 - 2 4 Paul deals w i t h t h e d e p l o r a b l e d i c h o t o m y be t w e e n t h e ( l e g i t i m a t e ) claim a n d t h e a c t u a l e x i s t e n c e of t h e J e w s . T h e p e r i c o p e 2 , 1 7 - 2 4 is a t y p i c a l l y Pauline a n a c o l u t h o n ^ ' c o n s i s t ing of t w o p a r t s ^ ^ . T h e first s e c t i o n ( w . 1 7 - 2 0 ) consists of five s h o r t parallel phrases in v v . 1 7 - 1 8 c o n n e c t e d w i t h Kai, f o l l o w e d b y five parallel u n i t s in w . 1 9 - 2 0 , a n d describes t h e privileges a n d claims of t h e J e w . T h e privilege of b e i n g a J e w d e p e n d s o n t h e gift
28 Cf. E. Brandenburger, Fleisch und Geist: Paulus und die dualistische Weisheit, WMANT 2 9 , 1 9 6 8 , pp.223-229 concluding that essential elements of Paul's theol ogy presuppose the dualistic wisdom of Hellenistic Judaism as historical conceptual background. 29 Altogether 4 0 'allusions'. Cf. K. Romaniuk, "Le Livre de la Sagesse dans le Noveau Testament". NTS 14 ( 1 9 6 7 / 6 8 ) 4 9 8 - 5 1 4 (on Paul, pp.503tf). 3 0 D . Georgi, The Records of Jesus in the Light of Ancient Accounts of Revered Men, Protocol of the 4th Colloquy of the Center for Hermeneutical Studies, 1 9 7 5 , pp.6f. maintains that Paul was "thoroughly influenced b y the various branches of the Jew ish wisdom-movement" which is evident in his precise use of specific terms and pat terns. When he states that "PaiJ is our first literary evidence for an encounter be tween wisdom-schools and Pharisaism, scribal training and Pharisaic piety" (p.7), Georgi implies that the wisdom tradition and the Pharisaic tradition had existed side by side for nearly 150 years without having penetrated each other. It seems to be impossible to speak of 'the' wisdom movement and 'the'wisdom schools after (!) Ben Sira had identified law and wisdom which also 'merged' the institutions of law and wisdom. Also contra H. Conzelmann, "Paulus und die Weisheit", p . l 7 9 w h o as sumes (rightly) a close relationship between Paul and the Jewish vidsdom tradition and then maintains that Paul had a 'wisdom school' in Ephesus "wo man 'Weisheit' methodisch betreibt bzw. Theologie als Weisheitsschulung treibt" (ibid.). 31 Cf. BDR § 4 6 8 . 2 ; also G. Bornkamm, "Paulinische Anakoluthe im R o m e r b r i e f , Das Ende des Gesetzes, 1, ^ 1 9 6 6 , pp.76-78 w h o states that "die Diskrepanz von Anspruch und Leistung spiegelt sich in der Inkongrueiu der gaiuen Satzkonstruktion" ( p . 7 8 ) . 32 See especially U. WUckens, Romer, EKK 6 / 1 , 1 9 7 8 , p p . l 4 6 f . E. Kasemann, HNT 8a, '^1980, p.65 calls this pericope a "rhetorisches Meisterstiick".
Romir,
The Conceptual
Heritage of Paul
233
of t h e T o r a h o n w h i c h t h e J e w rightly rehes ( v . l 7 b ) . T h e T o r a h c o n t a i n s t h e will (i^eXrjjua/JlJf i ) of G o d a n d m a k e s possible t h e d i s c e r n m e n t (dOKtud^eiv) of t h e essentials ( r d Siaipepofra) of h u m a n life (v. 1 8 ) ' ' . As divine r e v e l a t i o n , t h e T o r a h is t h e " e m b o d i m e n t " {idopipcoatq), i.e. t h e t r u e , fixed, a n d b i n d i n g f o r m ('Ges t a l t ' ) of k n o w l e d g e (ypoJai<;) a n d t r u t h (dXrideta), v.20. Here rofio?designates t h e a c t u a l ' b o o k ' (or s c r o h ! ) of t h e T o r a h ' * . T h e T o r a h c o n t a i n s G o d ' s (!) k n o w l e d g e ' ^ a n d t r u t h ' ® . T h e participial p h r a s e in v . 2 0 c exopra rr\v ndpipojaip ri?? ypuaeitiq Kai rfiq dXr}deia<; ip vbixif} w h i c h f u n c t i o n s as s u m m a r y of t h e s t a t e m e n t s in vv.l 7 - 2 0 " o b v i o u s l y p r e s u p p o s e s t h e i d e n t i t y of l a w a n d w i s d o m : G o d ' s w i s d o m w h i c h is t r u t h p u r e a n d s i m p l e h a s assum e d a r e c o g n i z a b l e f o r m in t h e T o r a h ' * . P a u l s a y s , in o t h e r w o r d s , t h a t for t h e J e w G o d ' s wdsdom a n d G o d ' s law a r e o n e a n d t h e s a m e . T h e k n o w l e d g e of G o d ' s wdll w h i c h is laid d o w n in t h e T o r a h e n a b l e s t h e J e w t o discern w h a t is essential in life (v. 1 8 b ) w h i c h is t h e f u n d a m e n t a l aim of sapiential c o n c e r n s . T h u s , if t h e J e w a d o p t s a n d follows G o d ' s wdsdom, i.e. receives i n s t r u c t i o n {Karrixeip) b y t h e law ( v . l 8 c ) , law a n d w i s d o m a r e o n e also o n t h e h u m a n level ( a n d n o t o n l y o n t h e theo-logical level). Paul's awareness of t h e f u n d a m e n t a l i d e n t i t y of l a w a n d w i s d o m as e x p r e s s e d in 2 , 1 8 . 2 0 c ' ^ can be f u r t h e r s u b s t a n t i a t e d b y t h e four s u b s t a n t i v e s in v v . l 9 - 2 0 b w h i c h c h a r a c t e r i z e t h e J e w w h o
3 i Cf. U. WUckens, Romer, Romer, p . 6 5 .
1, p . 1 4 8 ; H. Schlier, Romerbrief
p . 8 3 ; E. Kasemann,
3 4 Cf. J. Behm, Art. " M W W C T K T " , ThWNT 4 ( 1 9 4 2 ) 762 who translates iMip'punc: here as "leibhafte DarsteUung", "Verkorperung". Cf. W. Bauer, Worterbuch, col. 1045 s.v. referring to Josephus Bell 2 , 2 9 2 ; Ant 1 2 , 2 5 6 ; followed by E. Kasemann, o.c., p.66; U. Wilckens, o.c, p . 1 4 9 . 35 Emphasized by R. Bultmann, ThWNT 1 ( 1 9 3 3 ) 7 0 5 ; H. SchUer, o.c, p . 8 5 ; E. Kasemann, o.c, p . 6 6 ; U. Wilckens, o.c, p . 1 4 9 . Despite the missing genitive (sub jective), yvCooic designates here, as n y T in the OT, the knowledge of the demand ing wiU of God as present iv v6iJHf>. 36 Cf. E. Kasemann, o.c, p.66 referring to ApcBar 4 4 , 1 4 : "truth of the law". 37 Cf. U. WUckens, o . c , p . l 4 7 ; E. Kasemann, o . c , p . 6 5 ; H. Schlier, o . c , p.85. 38 The presence of the identity of law and wisdom in R o m 2 , 2 0 c is implicitly ac knowledged by U. Wilckens, o . c , p. 149 when he writes that"es ist darum nicht seine eigene Weisheit, deren er sich riihmt, sondern allein diejenige Gottes, wie sie in der Tora zu Wort gekommen ist". 39 Cf. also M.J. Suggs, " T h e Word is Near You': R o m 10,6-10 within the Purpose of the Letter", Christian History and Interpretation, FS J. Knox, ed. W.R. Farmer et al., 1 9 6 7 , p.304 (note the misprint 3 , 2 0 ) .
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Introduction
claims t o b e t h e T o r a h t e a c h e r of t h e n o n - J e w i s h w o r l d . T h e p a g a n , as h e d o e s n o t possess t h e law, is blind (TU^XOC ), in d a r k n e s s (eV aKoret), foolish (dippcof), i m m a t u r e {uri-nioc:). T h e J e w , as h e pos sesses t h e law, claims t h e a u t h o r i t y t o be t h e guide {dSirydc;), light (ipcux;), e d u c a t o r (iratdevToq), t e a c h e r ( S t S d o K a X o g ) . All t h e s e pre d i c a t e s refer t o t h e c o m m u n i c a t i o n of t h e T o r a h T h e m o t i f of b l i n d n e s s / d a r k n e s s a n d e n l i g h t e n m e n t ( v . l 9 ) * ' is d e p e n d e n t o n t h e c o r r e l a t i o n of law a n d wisdom'*^: b o t h t h e T o r a h * * a n d w i s d o m " ^ are r e g a r d e d as light. T h e m o t i f of i n s t r u c t i o n ( v . 2 0 a . b ) p r e s u p p o s e s this c o r r e l a t i o n as well: t h e f u n c t i o n s of t h e e d u c a t o r a n d t e a c h e r are tasks of t h e w i s d o m teacher*^ a n d are h e r e clearly re lated to the Jewish T o r a h teachers'^. H e n c e , R o m 2 , 1 7 - 2 0 is a clear p r o o f t h a t Paul was familiar w i t h , a n d p r e p a r e d to a p p l y , t h e c o r r e l a t i o n of law a n d w i s d o m . This passage is the o n l y e x p l i c i t (!) o c c u r e n c e of this c o r r e l a t i o n in t h e Pauline corpus.
13.3. Methodological Considerations Having e s t a b l i s h e d Paul's familiarity w i t h t h e c o r r e l a t i o n of law a n d w i s d o m we are n o w r e a d y t o i n q u i r e t o w h a t e x t e n t , a n d in w h a t d e g i e e , this c o r r e l a t i o n affected Paul's theological c o n c e p -
4 0 Cf. O. Michel, Romer, p. 1 2 9 ; E. Kasemann, Romer, p . 6 6 ; U. Wilckens, Romer. 1, p.l48. 41 For the rich Jewish background and the relevant material see H. Schlier, Romer brief, p . l 2 9 ; U. Wilckens, o . c . , p p . l 4 8 f . 4 2 Cf. H. Conzelmann, Art. ' V w ? " , ThWNT 9 ( 1 9 7 3 ) 3 1 7 , 3 3 7 ; also U. Wilckens, o.c, p . l 4 8 n.381 w h o relates ifirryoc to the Jevjrish (rabbinic) conception of the law as the "way" or "halakhah"; wisdom/Torah, possessed by the J e w , is the guide of the gentiles. Wilckens refers for (his concept to Prov 2,12-15; 3,1 7; 4 , 1 1 - 1 2 ; 6,222 3 ; 8 , 2 0 . 2 2 ( L X X ) . 3 4 ; Sir 6,26-2 7; SapSal 9 , 1 1 ; 1 0 , 1 0 . 1 7 ; Sib 3 , 1 9 4 - 1 9 5 ; En(eth) 105,1 ;Josephus A p 2 , 4 1 ; P h i l o Abr 19. 43 Cf. Ps 19,9; 1 1 9 , 1 0 1 . 1 3 0 ; Sir 4 5 , 1 7 ; TLev 4 , 3 ; 18,3; 14,3-4; 1 9 , 1 ; TReu 3 , 8 ; SapSal 18,4; AntBibl 9,8; 1 1 , 1 ; etc.; 4Ezr 14,20-21; 10,22;ApcBar 17,4; 3 8 , 1 - 2 ; etc. 4 4 Cf. Qoh 2 , 1 3 ; 8 , 1 ; Sir 2 4 , 3 2 ; Bar 3 , 1 4 ; SapSal 7,20; TLev 1 8 , 3 ; AntBibl 23,7; 51,4. 4 5 Mentioned by V. WUckens, o . c , p . l 4 9 n . 3 8 4 . 46 Cf. O. Michel, Romer. p . l 2 9 who sees in v.20a.b a reference to the Jewish scribe w h o teaches the proselyte; cf. also H. Schlier, Romerbrief, p.85; C.E.B. Cranae\d,Romans, 1, 1 9 7 5 , p . l 6 7 ; U. Wilckens, Romer, l , p . l 4 9 .
Methodological
Considerations
235
tions*^. T h e first a r e a of i n v e s t i g a t i o n is P a u h n e christology**. We d o n o t i n t e n d t o p r o v i d e a survey of t h e c o n t r i b u t i o n of r e c e n t re search i n t o Paul's c h r i s t o l o g y * 9 . We wih d e l i n e a t e relevant p e r s p e c tives of w i s d o m c h r i s t o l o g y a n d of Christ's r e l a t i o n s h i p with t h e law a c c o r d i n g t o Paul in o r d e r to ascertain w h e t h e r t h e c o r r e l a t i o n of law a n d w i s d o m exercises a n y f u n c t i o n . T h e s e c o n d a r e a of o u r i n v e s t i g a t i o n deals w i t h soteriological a n t h r o p o l o g y , i.e. w i t h t h e C h r i s t i a n e t h i c in t h e c o n t e x t of Paul's t h e o l o g y . H e r e we a t t e m p t t o a n s w e r t h e q u e s t i o n w h e t h e r Pauline ethics is d e t e r m i n e d b y t h e f u n d a m e n t a l i d e n t i t y of law a n d w i s d o m . It is o b v i o u s t h a t t h e scope of this p r o j e c t e d p r o c e d u r e is so e x t e n s i v e t h a t a historical exegesis of individual passages can b e p u r s u e d o n l y at strategic p o i n t s of t.he discussion. We are con scious of t h e fact t h a t this implies t h e d a n g e r of superficiality, es peciaUy w i t h regard t o p e r i c o p e s like t h e C h r i s t - h y m n s in Phil a n d C o l , or Paul's a w a r e n e s s a n d c o n v i c t i o n of p r e - e x i s t e n c e christol-
47 We base our investigation of Pauline theology o n Gal, IThess, l / 2 C o r , R o m , Phil, and Col. Regarding Col, the close relationship with the theology of the undbputed Pauline letters is generally recognized today; cf. E. Lohse, Kolosser, KEK 9 / 2 , pp. 2 4 9 - 2 5 7 ; W.G. Kummel, Einleitung in das Neue Testament. 181973^ p p . 2 9 8 - S 0 5 ; E. Schweizer, Kolosser, EKK, 1 9 7 6 , pp.20L The differences have been spelled out most recently by J . GnUka, Kolosserbrief, HThK 1 0 / 1 , 1 9 8 0 , pp.4-19. Recently E. Schweizer, o.c., p p . 2 6 L ; W.H. OUrog, Paulus und seine Mitarbeiter, WMANT 5 0 , 1 9 7 9 , p p . 2 1 9 - 2 3 3 , 2 3 6 - 2 4 2 ; J . Gnilka, o.c, p.22 asserted that Timothy might have written Col. Many scholars defend Pauline authorship of Col; cf. W.G. Kiimmel, o.c, pp.299-303 (Ut. p.299 n . l 2 ; add J.A.T. Robinson, Redating the New Testa ment, 1 9 7 6 , p.62). - As regards Eph, only of secondary importance for our investi gation, W.G. Kiimmel, o . c , pp.315-320 gives a good summary of the arguments contra Pauline authorship. Recent major defenses of Pauline authorship of Eph include .M. Barth, Ephesians, 1 9 7 4 , pp.3-50; A. van R o o n , 77i^ Authenticity of Ephesians, 1 9 7 4 ; J.A.T. Robinson, o . c , pp.63L - The relative chronology of the PauUnc Epistles has been discussed most recently by H.H. Schade, Apokalyptische Christologie bei Paulus, GThA 18, 1 9 8 1 , pp.l 73-190 w h o assumes as sequence: IThess, ICor, 2Cor, Gal, R o m , PhU. Many British scholars regard Gal as the earUest of Paul's extant letters (cL F.F. Bruce, Galatians, 1 9 8 2 , p.55 n.56 lit.). The same chronological order - Gal, IThess, ICor, 2Cor, Rom - is also foUowed by H. Hiibner, Das Gesetz bei Paulus, FRLANT 119, 3 l 9 8 2 (cL the remark o n p . l 3 1 ) . 48 As regards PatU's knowledge of Jesus see DAI. Stanley, "Pauline Allusions to the Sayings of Jesus", CBQ 23 ( 1 9 6 1 ) 26-39; J. Blank, Paulus und Jesus, 1 9 6 8 ; H.W. Kuhn, "Der irdische Jesus bei Paulus", ZThK 67 ( 1 9 7 0 ) 2 9 5 - 3 2 0 . 4 9 Cf. particularly J.D.G. Dunn, Christology in the Making, 1980 (with a comprehen sive Ust of the relevant literature o n p p . 3 5 6 ^ 0 3 ) ; S. Kim, Origin, 1 9 8 1 , pp.lOO2 6 8 ; H.H. Schnde, Apokalyptische Christologie, 1981.
236
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ogy^^. In t h e discussion of s e c o n d a r y l i t e r a t u r e we will discuss t h e major a n d t h e m o r e r e c e n t p o s i t i o n s a n d c o n t r i b u t i o n s .
§14
Chrut and
Wisdom
In r e c e n t y e a r s , scholars f o c u s e d m o r e t h a n b e f o r e o n traits in Paul's t h e o l o g y w h i c h m a k e it r a t h e f p r o b a b l y t h a t Paul t o o k u p significant t h e o l o g o u m e n a of J e w i s h w i s d o m t h e o l o g y in his p r e s e n t a t i o n of c h r i s t o l o g y . S c h o l a r s focus m o r e a n d m o r e o n t h e i n f l u e n c e , r e c e p t i o n , a n d significance of t h e J e w i s h w i s d o m tradi t i o n in a n d for b o t h t h e p e r s o n a n d t h e t e a c h i n g of J e s u s a n d t h e G o s p e l t r a d i t i o n s ^ ' . T h e discussion of a Pauline w i s d o m christol-
50 Cf. R. Hasenstab, AJodeUe paulinischerEthikiBeitrdgezu einem Autonomiemodell aus paulinischem Geist, 1 9 7 7 , p . 1 4 9 w h o points out that, as a result of a "hermeneutische Grauzone" which exists between historical-critical exegesis and systematic theology, exegetical and systematic interests carmot be brought to congruence. 51 Cf. R. Bultmann, The History of the Synoptic Tradition, ( 2 l 9 3 1 ) , 1 9 6 8 , p p . 6 9 - 1 0 8 ("Logia: Jesus as the Teacher of Wisdom"); T.Y. Mullins, "Jewish Wisdom Litera ture in the N e w Testament", JBL 68 ( 1 9 4 9 ) 3 3 5 - 3 3 9 ; A. FeuUlet, "Jesus et la Sagesse divine dans les evangiles synoptiques", RB 62 ( 1 9 5 6 ) 1 6 1 - 1 9 6 ; idem, Le Christ Sagesse de Dieu d'apres les Epttres Pauliniennes, 1 9 6 6 , p p . 3 8 6 - 3 8 8 ; W.A. Beardslee, "The Wisdom Tradition and the Synoptic G o s p e l s " , / . 4 / 4 f i 3 5 (1967) 2 3 1 - 2 4 0 ; F. Christ, Jesus Sophia: Die Sophia-Christologie bet den Synoptikem. 1970; M.J. Suggs, Wisdom, Christology and Law in Matthew's Gospel, 1 9 7 0 ; J.M. Robinson, "Logoi sophon: On the Gattung of Q", The Future of our Reli gious Past, FS R. Bultmann, 1 9 7 1 , pp.84-130; S. Schulz, Q; Die Spruchquelle der Evangelisten, 1 9 7 2 , p p . 3 3 6 - 3 4 5 ; N. Perrin, "Wisdom and Apocalyptic in the Message of Jesus", SBL Proceedings, 2, 1 9 7 2 , p p . 5 4 3 - 5 7 0 ; S. Aalen, "The Concep tions of Wisdom and Jesus' Christological Self-Consciousness" (Swedish), SEA 3 7 / 3 8 ( 1 9 7 2 / 7 3 ) 3 5 4 6 ; R.G. Hamerton-Kelly, Pre-existence. Wisdom, and the Son of Man, SNTS MS 2 1 , 1 9 7 3 , pp.22-102 passim; M . D . J o h n s o n , "Reflections on a Wis dom Approach to Matthew's Christology", CBQ 36 ( 1 9 7 4 ) 4 4 - 6 4 ; U. Luck, "Weis heit und Christologie in Mt 11,25-30", WuD 13 ( 1 9 7 5 ) 3 5 - 5 1 ; J.M. Robinson^ "Jesus as Sophos and Sophia: Wisdom Tradition and the Gospels", Aspects of Wis dom, ed. R.L. Wilken, 1 9 7 5 , p p . l - 1 6 ; M . Hengel, The Son of God, 1 9 7 6 , p.74; R.A. Edwards, A Theology of Q: Eschatology, Prophecy and Wisdom, 1 9 7 6 , pp.58-79; D. ZcUer, Die weisheitlichen Mahnspriiche bei den Synoptikem, 1977; idem, "Weisheitliche Uberlieferung in der Predigt Jesu", ReUgiose Grunderfahrungen: Quellen und Cestalten, ed. W. Strolz, 1 9 7 7 , p p . 9 4 - 1 1 1 ; W. Grundmann, "Weisheit im Horizont des Reiches Gottes: Eine Studie zur Verkiindigung Jesu nach der Spruchiiberlieferung Q", Die Kirche des Anfangs, FS H. Schiirmann, ed. R. Sch-
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o g y is b e c o m i n g increasingly lively as it is o b v i o u s t h a t Paul m u s t h a v e b e e n a w a r e of t h e early t r a d i t i o n s w h i c h l i n k e d J e s u s a n d wisdom. In this p a r a g r a p h we will s c r u t i n i z e t h e s e efforts at clarifying t h e sapiential e l e m e n t s a n d features of Paul's c h r i s t o l o g y . After a brief survey of t h e m a i n c o n t r i b u t i o n s a n d p r o p o s i t i o n s , w e w i h give a s u c c i n c t exegeticeJ a n d c o n c e p t u a l analysis of t h e r e l e v a n t passages i n d i c a t i n g t h e t r a d i t i o n - h i s t o r i c a l origins b e f o r e we pre s e n t t h e theological a n d h e r m e n e u t i c a l e v i d e n c e of w i s d o m chris t o l o g y in a m o r e s y s t e m a t i c m a n n e r .
1 4 . 1 . W i s d o m C h r i s t o l o g y in R e c e n t
Research
It seems t h a t H . Windisch was t h e first s c h o l a r w h o a t t e m p t e d t o d e m o n s t r a t e t h a t P a u l i n e c h r i s t o l o g y has b e e n decisively in f l u e n c e d b y the J e w i s h w i s d o m t r a d i t i o n a n d t h a t Paul clearly i d e n t i f i e d the p r e - e x i s t e n t Christ w i t h t h e J e w i s h divine wisdom^2_ In t h e s u b s e q u e n t discussion, s o m e scholars a t t e m p t e d t o clar ify t h e p r o c e s s b y w h i c h Paul c a m e t o describe Christ in t e r m s of w i s d o m . W.D. Davies starts f r o m t h e J e w i s h i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of T o r a h a n d w i s d o m a n d p o i n t s o u t t h a t , as Paul r e g a r d e d J e s u s as t h e ' n e w T o r a h ' , h e ascribed t o h i m t h e a t t r i b u t e s of w i s d o m as well, t h u s asserting C h r i s t ' s p r e - e x i s t e n c e a n d activity m c r e a t i o n ^ ^ . S. K i m m a i n t a i n s t h a t Paul d e s c r i b e d C h r i s t in t e r m s of w i s d o m as
nackenburg, 1 9 7 7 , p p . 1 7 5 - 1 9 9 ; H.J. de Jonge, "Sonship, Wisdom, Infancy: Luke 2 , 4 I - 5 I a " , JV7^ 24 ( 1 9 7 8 ) 3 1 7 - 3 5 4 ; F.W. Burnett, The Testament of Jesus-Sophia: A Redaction-Critical Study of the Eschatological Discourse in Matthew, 1 9 7 9 ; P.E. Bonnard, "De la Sagesse personnifiee dans I'Ancien Testament i la Sagesse en per sonne dans le Nouveau", BETL 51 (1979) 136-139; M. Hengel, "Jesus als messianischer Lehrer der Weisheit und die Anfange der Christologie", Sagesse et Religion, CoUoque de Strasbourg Octobre 1 9 7 6 , 1 9 7 9 , p p . 1 4 8 - 1 8 8 ; R. Riesner, Jesus als Lehrer, WUNT 2 / 7 , I 9 8 I , p p . 3 3 0 - S 4 4 ; H. Gese, "WUdom", H B r 3 ( I 9 8 I ) 4 0 - 4 5 . 52 H. Windisch, "Die gottliche Weisheit der Juden und die paulinische Christologie", Neutestamentliche Studien, FS G. Heiruici, ed. A. Deissmann, 1 9 1 4 , p p . 2 2 0 - 2 3 4 . The critique of Windisch's position by B. Botte, "La Sagesse et les origines de la christologie", RSPT 21 ( 1 9 3 5 ) 385-417 is unfounded. The criticism of R. Scroggs, "Paul: £0
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a result of t h e D a m a s c u s c h r i s t o p h a n y w h e r e h e b e c a m e c o n v i n c e d t h a t J e s u s is t h e " i m a g e of G o d " a n d t h e S o n of God^'*. H . Conzel m a n n suggests t h a t Paul's r e w o r k i n g of w i s d o m t h e o l o g y a n d wis d o m t r a d i t i o n s s h o u l d b e l i n k e d w i t h a s c h o o l of P a u l , l o c a t e d p r o b a b l y in E p h e s u s , in w h i c h ' w i s d o m ' was m e t h o d i c a l l y t a u g h t a n d discussed^^. T h e s e c o n d m a i n focus in t h e discussion of Paul's w i s d o m chris t o l o g y is t h e c o n c e p t i o n of t h e p r e - e x i s t e n c e of Christ. M a n y scho lars i n c l u d i n g E. S c h w e i z e r , R . G . H a m e r t o n - K e l l y , M. H e n g e l , H. M e r k l e i n , S. K i m a n d o t h e r s assert t h a t (Hellenistic) J e w i s h vrisd o m t h e o l o g y d e t e r m i n e d t h e c o n t e x t of t h e c o n c e p t u a l genesis of p r e - e x i s t e n c e c h r i s t o l o g y ^ ^ . T h e i n t e r p r e t a t i o n of t h e relevant p e r i c o p e s a n d c o n c e p t s b y t h e s e scholars has b e e n c h a l l e n g e d m o s t r e c e n t l y b y J . D . G . D u n n , even t h o u g h h e a c k n o w l e d g e s t h e fact t h a t Paul u n d o u b t e d l y a t t r i b u t e d t h e role of w i s d o m t o Christ^^. T h e significance of w i s d o m t h e o l o g y for Paul's t h i n k i n g has b e e n f u r t h e r u n d e r l i n e d w i t h regard t o the christological f o r m u l a of t h e S o n ' s sending i n t o t h e world^^ a n d of Christ's m e d i a t i o n at
54 S. Kim, On;?.n. 1 9 8 1 , p p . 1 1 4 - 1 3 1 , 1 6 1 , 2 5 7 - 2 6 0 . 55 H. Conzelmann, "Paulus und die Weishdt", Af7S 12 ( 1 9 6 5 / 6 6 ) 2 3 1 - 2 4 4 (=ScAn//auslegung, 1 9 7 4 , p p . 1 7 7 - 1 9 0 ) ; also idem, "Die Schule des Paulus", Theologia Crucis-Signum Cnicis, FS E. Dinkier, ed. C. Andresen et al., 1 9 7 9 , pp.85-96; follow ed by B.A. Pearson, "Hellenistic-Jewish Wisdom Speculation and Paul", Aspects of Wisdom, ed. R.L. WUken, 1 9 7 5 , pp.43-66, here pp.43-45. 56 E. Schweizer, "Zur Herkunft der Praexistenzvorstellung bei Paulus", EvTh 19 ( 1 9 5 9 ) 65-70 (= Neotestamentica, 1 9 6 3 p p . 1 0 5 - 1 0 9 ) ; idem, "Aufnahme und Korrektur jiidischer Sophiatheologie im Neuen Testament" ( 1 9 6 2 ) , Neotestamentica, p p . 1 1 0 - 1 2 1 ; R.G. Hamerton-Kelly, Pre-existence, Wisdom, and the Son of Man: A Study of the Idea of Pre-existence of the New Testament, SNTS MS 2 1 , 1 9 7 3 , p. 192 and passim; M. Hengel, The Son of God: The Origin of Christology and the History of Jewish-HeUenistic ReUgion, 1 9 7 6 , pp.48-51,66-76; H. Merklein, "Zur Entstehung der urchristlichen Aussage vom praexistentcn Sohn Gottes", Zur Geschichte des Urchrist'entums, ed. G. Dautzenberg et al., 1 9 7 9 , p p . 3 3 - 6 2 , follow ed by R. Riesner, "Praexistenz und Jungfrauengeburt", ThBeitr 12 ( 1 9 8 1 ) 185f.; S. Kim, o . c , p p . 1 1 4 - 1 3 1 , 2 5 7 - 2 6 0 passim. 57 J.D.G. Dunn, Christology, 1 9 8 0 , p p . 1 6 2 - 2 1 2 (on Christ and wisdom in Paul. cf. p p . 1 7 6 - 1 9 6 ) . Dunn thinks that it is at least questionable whether Paul thereby "in tended to assert the pre-existence of Christ, or to affirm that Jesus was a divine being personally active in creation" ( p . l 9 4 ) , and that the relevant passages should not be understood as "ontological affirmations about Christ's eternal being" (p. 195). 58 E. Schweizer, "Zum religionsgeschichtlichen Hintergrund der 'Sendungsformel' Gal 4,4f; Rom 8,Sf; J o h n 3,16f; IJohn 4 , 9 " (1968), Beitriige, 1 9 7 0 , pp.83-95; M. Hengel, Son, pp.66-76.
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creation^^. T h e m o r e general c o n c e p t of t h e f i n a h t y of Christ re garding G o d ' s p u r p o s e for m a n a n d for c r e a t i o n is also t r a c e d b a c k t o w i s d o m theology®". It was p a r t i c u l a r l y A . van R o o n w h o a r g u e d t h a t Paul did n o t k n o w or use w i s d o m christology®'. U. Wilckens m a i n t a i n e d in his d i s s e r t a t i o n t h a t ' w i s d o m ' as christological d e s i g n a t i o n has t o b e a t t r i b u t e d to the Corinthians and should hence be u n d e r s t o o d on t h e b a c k g r o u n d a n d in t h e c o n t e x t of t h e g n o s t i c c o n c e p t i o n of t h e r e d e e m e r figure, c o n c l u d i n g t h a t Paul's p u r e l y soteriologicalt h e o l o g i c a l u n d e r s t a n d i n g of w i s d o m e x c l u d e s a n y essential rela t i o n s h i p b e t w e e n Paul a n d w i s d o m christology®^. W i l c k e n s ' view was s h a r p l y criticized®', a n d r e c e n t l y Wilckens c o r r e c t e d his earlier o p i n i o n asserting t h a t if we have t o r e c k o n w i t h a w i s d o m chris t o l o g y at all, it is P a u l ' s , t h a t w e c a n n o t a s s u m e t h a t t h e C o r i n t h ian o p p o n e n t s w e r e g n o s t i c s , a n d t h a t Paul's p o s i t i o n is n o t always polemical b u t often positively a r g u m e n t a t i v e ^ . T h e list of scholars w h o r e c k o n n o w w i t h J e w i s h w i s d o m t h e o l ogy as significant a n d d i r e c t l y influential m a t r i x for Pauline con c e p t i o n s of Christ is r a t h e r extensive®^. W i t h o u t e n t e r i n g i n t o a de-
59 E. Schweizer, "Kolosser 1,15-20" ( 1 9 6 9 ) , Beitrage, p p . l 13-144. 6 0 A. Feuillet, Christ Sagesse, EB, 1 9 6 6 stating that Paul's central idea is "le Christ par qui nous sommes sauves et en qui nous vivons ... c'est cette meme Sagesse de Dieu par laquelle et en laquelle aux origines tout fut cree" (p.275); J.D.G. Dunn, Christology, p p . 1 7 6 - 1 9 6 passim; S. Kim,On^>i, p p . l 1 4 - 1 3 1 , 257-260. 61 A. van R o o n , "The Relation between Christ and the Wisdom of God according to Paul", NovTest 16 ( 1 9 7 4 ) 2 0 7 - 2 3 9 . J.D.G. Dunn, o.c, p.325 n . l 9 remarks that van R o o n ordy plays down or ignores the most obvious parallels in the wisdom litera ture. 6 2 U. Wilckens, Weisheit und Torheit: Eine exegetisch-religionsgeschichtUche Untersu chung zu l.Kor. 1 und 2, BHTh 26, 1 9 5 9 , p p . 5 - 9 6 , 2 0 5 - 2 2 4 (cf. pp.97-213 for the religion-historical material), also idem, in ThWNT 7 ( 1 9 6 4 ) 5 1 8 - 5 2 5 . 63 Cf. M.H. Scharlemann in CBQ 21 (1959) 1 9 0 ; K. Koester in Gnomon 3 3 ( 1 9 6 1 ) 5 9 0 - 5 9 5 ; C. Colpe in MPTh 5 2 (1963) 4 8 9 - 4 9 4 ; K. Niederwimmer, "Erkennen und Lieben: Gedanken zum Verhaltnis von Gnosis und Agape im ersten Korinther b r i e f , KuD 11 ( 1 9 6 5 ) 80-82 with n . U ; K. Priimm, "Zur neutestamentlichcn Gnosis-Problematik: Gnostischcr Hintergrund und Lchrcinschlag in den beiden Eingangskapiteln v o n IKor?", ZKTh 87 ( 1 9 6 5 ) 3 9 9 4 4 2 ; 8 8 ( 1 9 6 6 ) 1-50; R. Scroggs, "Paul", NTS 14 ( 1 9 6 7 / 6 8 ) 3 3 - 3 5 ; R. Baumann, Mitte und Norm des Christlichen, N T A N F 5, 1 9 6 8 , p p . 7 2 - 7 8 , 1 1 6 f L 64 U. Wilckens, "Zu IKor 2,1-16", Theologia Crucis-Signum Cruets, FS E. Dinkier, ed. C. Andresen et al., pp.501-537 (= "Das Kreuz Christi als die Tiefe der Weisheit Got tes; Zur 1. Kor 2,1-16", Paolo a una chiesa divisa, cd. L. de Lorenzi, 1 9 8 0 , p p . 4 3 81). 65 Cf. E.B. Alio, "Sagesse et pneuma dans la premiere epitre aux Corinthiens", R£
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tailed analysis of the v a r i o u s c o n v i c t i o n s a n d a s s u m p t i o n s regard ing Paul's w i s d o m c h r i s t o l o g y w h i c h b o t h c o m p l e m e n t a n d c o n t r a d i c t e a c h o t h e r a t different p o i n t s , suffice it t o say t h a t it is safe t o c o u n t u p o n t h e fact t h a t Paul's t h e o l o g y implies a w i s d o m chris t o l o g y ^ w h i c h b e a r s , in o n e w a y or a n o t h e r , o n t h e christological c o n c e p t i o n s of p r e - e x i s t e n c e , m e d i a t i o n at c r e a t i o n a n d r e d e m p t i o n , t h e s e n d i n g of t h e S o n , a n d t h e " i m a g e of G o d " . Before we can d e s c r i b e t h e s y s t e m a t i c e v i d e n c e we first m u s t a n a l y z e t h e rel evant passages.
14.2. Exegetical-Conceptual Evidence 14.2.1. Gal 4.4. T h e p h r a s e ^ ^ a T r e a r e t X e f d t J e o c rdv vlbv avTov m a r k s t h e b e g i n n i n g of a christological-soteriological formula^^.
4 3 ( 1 9 3 4 ) 3 2 1 - 4 1 7 ; M.M. Bourke, "The Eucharist and Wisdom in First Corinth ians", Studiorum Paulinorum Congressus /, 1 9 6 3 , p p . 3 6 7 - 3 8 1 ; P.E. Bonnard, La Sagesse en personne annoncee et venue: Jesus Christ, 1966, 133-140; U. Luck, "Weisheit und Leiden", ThLZ 9 2 ( 1 9 6 7 ) 2 5 3 - 2 5 8 ; F. Hahn, "Methodenprobleme einer Christologie des Neuen Testaments", VuF 15 ( 1 9 7 0 ) 16; E. Schiissler Fiorenza, "Wisdom Mythology and the Christological Hymns of the New Testament", Aspects of Wisdom, ed. R.L. WUken, 1 9 7 5 , p p . 1 7 - 4 1 ; B.A. Pearson, "HellenisticJewish Wisdom Speculation and Paul", o.c, p p . 4 3 - 6 6 ; K.G. Sandelin, Die Auseinandersetzung mit der Weisheit in 1. Korinther 15, 1 9 7 6 ; R.S. Barbour, "Creation, Wisdom and Christ", Creation, Christ and Culture, FS T.F. Torrance, ed. R.W.A. McKirmey, 1 9 7 6 , p p . 2 2 4 2 ; idem, "Wisdom and the Cross in 1 Corinthians 1 and 2", Theologia Cruets, 1 9 7 9 , p p . 5 7 - 7 1 ; F.F. Bruce, Paul, p p . l 2 3 f . ; P.E. Bonnard, "Sagesse", BETL 51 ( 1 9 7 9 ) 1 3 9 - 1 4 5 ; W.G. Kummel, Die Theologie des Neuen Testaments, ^iggo, p p . 1 0 7 , 1 4 5 ; J . N . Aletti, Colossiens 1,15-20: Genre et exegese du texte. Fonction de la thematique sapientielle, AnBibl 9 1 , 1 9 8 1 , particularly pp. 141-182; G. Gese, "Wisdom, Son of Man, and the Origins of Christology", HBT $ ( 1 9 8 1 ) 23-57. See also E. Brandenburger, Fleisch und Geist: Paulus und die dualis tische Weisheit. WMANT 2 9 , 1 9 6 8 , passim. 66 Using the term 'wisdom christology', we do not imply that there existed indepen dent 'christologies' of different Christian communities. Cf. M. Hengel, Son, 1 9 7 6 , p.57. — Earlier studies o n NT christology did not include a discussion of wisdpm christology; cf. O.CiJlmann,7"/ie Christology of the New Testament, 1 9 5 9 ; F. Hahn, Christologische Hoheitstitel: Ihre Geschichte im friihen Christentum, FRLANT 8 3 , 1963 (= 4 ) 9 7 4 ) ; also J.C. Beket, Paul the Apostle: The Triumph of God in Life and Thought, 1 9 8 0 . 67 Many scholars assume a pre-Pauline origin; cf. E. Schweizer, "Hintergrund", Beitrage,p.94; idem, ThWNT 8 ( 1 9 6 9 ) 3 7 6 ; L. Goppelt, Theologie, 2 , 1 9 7 6 , p p . 4 0 0 4 0 4 ; F. Mussner, Galaterbrief, p . 2 7 2 ; H.D. Betz, Galatians, p . 2 0 6 , and others. But see S. Kim, Origin, p p . 1 1 2 - 1 1 4 w h o argues for Pauline origin. On the christologicaleschatological meaning of Gal 4,4 in its context cf. P. von der Osten-Sacken, "Das
Exegetical-Conceptual
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241
E v e n t h o u g h t h e language of this p h r a s e d o e s n o t s e e m t o c o n v e y necessarily t h e c o n c e p t of t h e S o n ' s pre-existence®* t h e c o n c e p t is n e v e r t h e l e s s in all p r o b a b i h t y imphed®^: t h e s e n d i n g of G o d ' s S o n i n t o e a r t h l y e x i s t e n c e ( n o t e t h e following (!) a o r . jeuonevou iK yvvaiKOt;)^'^ p r e s u p p o s e s t h e S o n ' s being p r i o r t o his e x i s t e n c e as m a n , especially in view of t h e fact t h a t Paul clearly r e g a r d e d J e s u s as d i v i n e ^ ' . T h i s is c o n f i r m e d b y t h e close parallel in S a p S a l 9 , 1 0 w h e r e w i s d o m is d e s c r i b e d as dweUing wdth G o d even b e f o r e crea t i o n a n d as b e i n g s e n t b y G o d from h e a v e n a n d from t h e t h r o n e of his g l o r y : t h e verb i^anooTeWeiv w h i c h Paul uses o n l y in Gal 4,4.6''2 o c c u r s also in S a p S a l 9,10 ( w i t h regard t o w i s d o m ) a n d t h e link b e t w e e n t h e s e n d i n g of t h e S o n a n d t h e s e n d i n g of t h e S p i r i t in Gal 4 , 4 . 6 is parallel t o t h e sencUngof b o t h wdsdom a n d t h e spir it in S a p S a l 9 , 1 0 . 1 7 ^ ' . If S a p S a l 9 , 1 0 or t h e J e w i s h w i s d o m t h e o l o g y in g e n e r a l * p r o vide i n d e e d t h e c o n c e p t u a l ( n o t necessarily linguistic) b a c k g r o u n d
paulinische Verstandnis des Gesetzes im Spannungsfeld von Eschatologie und Geschichte", EvTh 37 ( 1 9 7 7 ) 5 4 9 - 5 8 7 , here 5 5 1 - 5 6 0 . 6 8 Cf. H.D. Betz, o.c, pp.206f.; J.D.G. Dunn, Christology, p p . 3 8 - 4 4 , 4 6 taking it as a possibihty which, however, he does not take to be likely; also F.F. Bruce, Galatians, p.195. 6 9 Cf. E. Schweizer, "Herkunft", Neotestamentica, p p . l 0 8 f . ; idem, ThWNT 8 ( 1 9 6 9 ) 376f., 3 8 5 , 3 8 8 ; H. SchUer, Galaterbrief, p . 1 9 6 ; G. Hamerton-KeUy, Pre-existence, p . 1 1 2 ; M. Hengel, Son, pp.lOf.; L. Goppelt, o.c, pp.400f.; P. Stuhlmacher, "Zur pauUnischen Christologie" ( 1 9 7 4 ) , Aufsdtze, 1 9 8 1 , p . 2 1 3 ; F. Mussner, o.c, p. 2 7 2 ; F. Froitzheim, Christologie und Eschatologie bei Paulus, 1 9 7 9 , p p . 5 0 - 5 4 ; W.G. Kummel, Theologie, p . 1 5 1 ; R. Riesner, "Praexistenz", ThBeitr 12 ( 1 9 8 1 ) 1 8 1 ; S . Kim.Origin, p . 8 1 ; F.F. Bruce, o . c , p . l 9 5 . 70 This phrase refers to Christ's birth "out o f a human mother; cf. H.D. Betz, o . c , p.207 with n.49. It is difficult to grasp the logic of Durm's interpretation of this phrase when he states that "yevoiievov ( b o m ) refers to Jesus as one w h o had been b o m , n o t necessarily to his birth as such ... the reference is simply t o Jesus' ordi nary humarmess, not to his birth" ( o . c , p.40). Surely, ordinary humanness not only implies, but is dependent upon birth! 71 See Paul's use of the KiJpioc title for Jesus Christ, and his presentation of soteriol o g y in general; see also PhU 2,6. 72 Correcting S. Kim, Origin, p .l 18 who states that Paul uses it only in Gal 4,4. 73 Cf. E. Schweizer, "Herkunft", p . l 0 8 ; idem, "Hintergrund", p . 9 2 ; idem, ThWNT & ( 1 9 6 9 ) 3 7 7 ; G. Hamerton-Kelly, Pre-existence, p . l l l ; L. Goppelt, Theologie. 2, p . 4 0 0 . Note J.D.G. Dunn, Christology, pp.39f. who attempts to establish Jesus' w a y of speaking about himself as the more plausible background of Gal 4,4 (referring to M k 9 , 3 7 ; 1 2 . 6 ; M t 1 5 , 2 4 ; Lk 4 , 1 8 ) . 74 CL F. Mussner, Galaterbrief, p p . 2 7 2 L ; S . Kim, o . c , p p . l 18L; H. Merklein, "Entste hung", p . 3 4 and passim; also H.D. Betz, Galatians, p . 2 0 6 n . 4 1 ; F.F. Bruce, Gala tians, p. 195.
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for t h e s t a t e m e n t in Gal 4 , 4 , it w o u l d b e i m p l i e d t h a t t h e S o n is t o be identified with wisdom. This is acknowledged by Dunn^^ w h o then proceeds, however, to point out (1) that this would not be a natural inference for Paul's readers since sophia is feminine and was never called God's 'Son' before, and (2) that Paul's references to Christ's identity with wisdom are often linked with cosmic contexts (ICor 8,6; Col 1,15-17). It should be noted, however, that ICor 1,24.30 where Paul explicitly identifies Christ with God's wisdom belongs to a definitely soteriological context (as Gal 4,41). The fact that ICor was written after Gal does not prove that the equation was made for the first time by Paul in ICor 1,24.30. And, further, the argument of the feminine character of 'wisdom' carries no decisive weight since Paul describes Christ in terms of (still fem.) wasdom in many other passages. This suggests that the correlation of wisdom and Christ does by no means necessitate the total formal identification of these two 'entities', especially since sophia is not a genuine hypostasis or distinctive heavenly being, but rather a conception or way of theologizing.
It is o b v i o u s , h o w e v e r , t h a t Gal 4 , 4 is n o t a n explicit (!) s t a t e m e n t of w i s d o m c h r i s t o l o g y . A t t h e m o s t it p r e s u p p o s e s c o n c e p tions — t h e divine s e n d i n g of t h e p r e - e x i s t e n t m e d i a t o r of salvation w h i c h w o u l d be significant in w i s d o m c h r i s t o l o g y . 14.2.2. ICor 1,24.30. T h e s t a t e m e n t s t h a t Christ is deov aoipia (1,24) a n d aoifia dno &eoO (1,30) express clearly a n d e x p h c i t l y a link b e t w e e n Christ a n d w i s d o m ^ ^ . In o r d e r t o u n d e r s t a n d this link, several general o b s e r v a t i o n s h a v e t o b e m a d e . The discussion about the nature of the opposition in Corinth is still going on. It is widely recognized today that one should not look for a Gnostic background of Paul's opponents^^. Most scholars interpret ICor today rather o n the background of Jcvirish wisdom theology^S. j h e subject of the divisions in the Corinthian church is usually related to the treatise o n wisdom and folly in ICor 1-4, but this relation has not yet
75 C f . J . 0 . G . Dunn, o . c , p.39. 76 On ICor 1,30 see most recently U. Schneiie, Gerechtigkeit und Christusgegenwart: Vorpaulinische undpaulinischeTauftheologie,CThA 2 4 , 1 9 8 3 , p p . 4 4 4 6 w h o relates this verse to traditional baptismal terminology without discussing the relevance of wisdom theology/christology here. 77 Cf. H.R. Balz, Methodische Probleme der neutestamentUchen Christologie, WMANT 2 5 , 1 9 6 7 , p p . l 5 7 f . ; R. B a u m a n n , M f t e und Norm, pp.280f.; K.D. Sandelin,/Iujeinandersetzung, p p . 9 1 - 1 0 5 , 1 4 9 - 1 5 3 ; M. Hengel, Son, pp.76 n . l 3 3 ; U. Wilckens, "Kreuz Christi", p p . 6 8 - 8 1 ; R. McL. Wilson, "Nag Hammadi and the N e w Testa ment", NTS 28 ( 1 9 8 2 ) 2 9 7 ("on the Une of development which led from Wisdom speculation into Gnosticism"); G. Sellin, "Das 'Geheimnis' der Weisheit und das Ratsel der 'Christuspartei' (zu IKor 1 4 ) " , ZNW 73 ( 1 9 8 2 ) 7 1 , 9 7 . 78 Cf. most recently J . A . Davis, Wisdom and Spirit: An Investigation of 1 Corinthians 1,18-3,20 against the Background of Jewish Sapiential Tradition in the HellenisticRomanPeriod, Ph.D.Diss. Nottingham, 1 9 8 1 , particularly p p . 5 9 - 1 5 1 .
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243
been iatisfactorily clarified^9. . Paul's terminology in ICor both in general and as regards the use of ooipia is also still disputed. It is not clear whether or to what extent Paul took up the terminology of the opponents, or was influenced by their terminol ogy, or altered the meaning of their relevant key terms^O. As regards the term and concept of oo^pia, the issue between the Corinthians and Paul is also still debated: 'wisdom' has been explained (1) on the basis of the Greek philosophical tradition, (2) as esoteric truth revealed in the utterances of the pneumatics, or (3) as related to Jewish wisdom t h e o l o g y S l . It is clear, however, that 'wisdom' in ICor 1-3 is not understood as a (pre-existent) divine hypostasis82.
It d e p e n d s o n o n e ' s u n d e r s t a n d i n g of t h e s e c o m p l e x issues h o w t h e s t a t e m e n t s o n Christ as l i n k e d w i t h w i s d o m a r e r e l a t e d t o t h e progress of t h o u g h t in I C o r 1-3*'. T h e m a j o r i t y of scholars t o d a y a c k n o w l e d g e t h e fact t h a t in 1,24.30 J e s u s Christ is c r e d i t e d w i t h t h e f u n c t i o n s of salvation w h i c h t h e J e w i s h w i s d o m t r a d i t i o n ascribed t o wisdom**. J . A . Davis asserts that Paul's concern in ICor 1-3 is shaped by his attempt to depre ciate the value of a claim to the Corinthians' Torah-centristic wisdom by giving a new locus to God's wisdom in 1,24.30: in Christ a new wisdom has c o m e into being, pro viding life, holiness, and redemption, and replacing the Torah as the definite locus of
79 CA. E . Best, "The Power and the Wisdom of God: I Corinthians 1,18-25",Paoto a una chiesa divisa. ed. L. de Lorenzi, 1 9 8 0 , p.10. For the most recent discussion of this problem see G. Sellin, "Geheimnis", ZNW 73 ( 1 9 8 2 ) 69-96 who maintains that there was probably only the rivalry between Paul's and Apollos' 'party', with the 'Christ party' expressing the self-understanding of Apollos. As to the often at tempted reconstruction of the Corinthians' theology, future research should take into account the four relevant criteria estabhshed by U. Wilckens, "Kreuz Christi",
1980, pp.eOL 8 0 CL J.M. Reese, "Paul Proclaims the Wisdom of the Cross", BTB 9 ( 1 9 7 9 ) 149. 81 CL E. Best, a.c., p p . 1 9 - 2 2 . Regarding the term ooyJia \(fyou (1,17) see now R.A. Horsley, "Wisdom of Word and Words of Wisdom in Corinth", CBQ 3 9 ( 1 9 7 7 ) 2 2 4 2 3 9 ; E . Best,a.c., p p . l 3 - 1 6 ; U . Wilckens,a.c. pp.59-67. 82 CL H. Conzelmarm, "Paulus und die Weisheit", p.l 8 3 ; H. Lietzmann, Korinther, p . 1 0 ; H. Conzelmann, Erster Korintherbrief, p . l O ; E . Best, a . c , p . 3 5 ; J.D.G. Dunn, Christology, p.80; H. Weder, Das Kreuz Jesu bei Paulus, F R L A N T 1 2 5 , I 9 8 I , p . l 5 5 n . l 2 4 . Contra R.G. Hamerton-Kelly,/Ve-exwtence, pp.l 12L 83 For a good analysis of the context of ICor 1-2 cL F. Froitzheim, Christologie, pp. 6 6 - 7 7 ; U. WUckens, a . c , p p . 4 3 - 4 6 ; G . SeUin. a . c , pp. 72L Unfortunately J .A. Davis, Wisdom, 1 9 8 2 , does not discuss these issues but simply presupposes a Corinthian "Torah-centristic wisdom". 84 CL W.D. Davies, Paul, p p . l 5 4 L ; M. Hengel, Son, p . 7 4 ; P. Stuhlmacher, "Achtzehn Thesen zur paulinischen Kreuzestheologie" ( 1 9 7 6 ) , Aufsdtze, p p . 2 0 2 L ; R.S. Bar bour, "Wisdom and the Cross", 1 9 7 9 , p.68 (withcaution);P.E. Bonnard, "Sagesse", BETL 51 ( 1 9 7 9 ) 1 4 0 ; J.D.G. Dunn, o.c, p p . 1 6 7 , 1 7 7 L ; S. Kim, Origin, p.l 17; E. Best, a.c., p.35 (limiting wisdom here to that "which meets the real need of the Greek who seeks wisdom ... Christ is the meaning of existence and the meaning of God").
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divine wisdom^^. It is correct that Paul presents Christ as the new and definite locus of wisdom. But it is without exegetical foundation when Davis states that, as a result of Paul's effort to attack the Corinthians' 'Torah-centristic wisdom', the Torah is re placed: (1) Paul does not polemize against the Torah in the context of ICor 1,3, and (2) a Torah<entricity of wisdom at Corinth cannot be established from the text. The latter cannot be proved with the titles in KJor 1,20, and M. Hengel cannot be ad duced as support either^^.
T h u s , a c c o r d i n g t o Paul t h e crucified Christ is t h e w i s d o m of God^^, " t h e e m b o d i m e n t of G o d ' s p l a n of salvation a n d t h e mea sure a n d fullest e x p r e s s i o n of G o d ' s c o n t i n u i n g w i s d o m a n d power"88. In the next large pericope o n wisdom in ICor 2,6-16 Paul wants to establish why the XoyoK rov aravpov is the true Xoyot: oapiaq, i.e. why and how the content of wisdom is God's plan of salvation with its climax of "die im Kreuz Christi eriiffnete Heilswirklichkeit"^^. As Paul makes no further explicit use of Christ's identification with wisdom in this passage^*^, there is no need to discuss it h e r e ^ ' .
14.2.3. ICor 8,6. It is r e c o g n i z e d t h a t this verse c o n t a i n s prePauline a n d pre-Christian e l e m e n t s ^ ^ , b u t a t t h e s a m e t i m e it has b e e n p o i n t e d o u t t h a t Paul's c o n t r i b u t i o n as regards t h e a c t u a l f o r m u l a t i o n s h o u l d n o t b e u n d e r e s t i m a t e d since t h e r e is n o real
85 J.A. Davis, Wisdom, p p . 6 7 f . , 7 4 . 86 Contra J . A . Davis, o . c , stating that Hengel believes that ICor 1,24.30 is most naturally understood against a rorah<entristic background. However, M. Hengel, Son, p.74 simply states that Paul's appeal to the Corinthians (!) in ICor 1,30 "in essentials embraces all the functions of salvation which the pious J e w s ascribed to Wisdom-Torah", without identifying the Corinthians with these "pious Jews". 87 The stress is on 6eov; cf. U. Wilckens, "Kreuz Christi", p.99; H. Weder, Kreuz Christi, p.l55 n.l24. 88 J.D.G. Dunn, Christology. p.l 79. 89 U. Wilckens, a . c , p . 5 9 ; c f . G. Sellin, "Geheimnb", ZNW 73 ( 1 9 8 2 ) 82f. 9 0 Cf. R.S. Barbour, "Wisdom and the Cross", p.67. 91 Cf. J . A . Davis, o . c , pp.79-151 w h o understands ICor 2,6-17 to contain Paul's teaching on wisdom: "Paul sets forth something of the character of the new sophia which has been brought into being as a result of God's action" ( p . l 5 1 ) , pointing out its christological essence. 9 2 Cf. K. Wengst, Christologische Formeln und Lieder des Urchristentums, StNT 7, 1 9 7 2 , p p . 1 3 6 - 1 4 1 ; R. Kerst, "IKor 8,6: Ein vorpaulinisches Taufbekenntnis?" ZNW 66 ( 1 9 7 5 ) 1 3 0 - 1 3 9 ; R.A. Horsley, "The Background of the Confessional For mula in IKor 8,6", ZNW 6 9 ( 1 9 7 8 ) 130-135; J . Murphy-O'Connor, "ICor VIII, 6:Cosmology or Soteriology?", RB 85 ( 1 9 7 8 ) 2 5 3 - 2 6 7 ; J.D.G. Dunn, C/tri$«o/o^, p . 1 7 9 . Regarding Stoic parallels cf. E. NoTAen,Agnostos Theos, 1 9 1 3 , p p . 2 4 0 - 2 5 0 , 347f.; H. Conzelmann, Korinther, p.l71f.; R. Kerst, a.c, p p . l 3 1 f . As regards the unity of ICor 8-10 cf. now M. Bouttier, "ICo 9-10 considere du point de vue de son unite". Freedom and Love, ed. L. de Lorenzi, 1 9 8 1 , p p . 2 0 5 - 2 2 5 .
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parallel t o Paul's a f f i r m a t i o n here^^. Paul's s t a t e m e n t e x t e n d s t h e J e w i s h m o n o t h e i s t i c confession eiq dedq t o t h e d o u b l e confession eiq &e6q-€lq Kyptoc^*. Paul stresses t h e essential u n i t y of c r e a t i o n (eg oi5 r d navra . . . di'ov TO, n d f T a , v.6b.d) a n d salvation (i^juek di 'aVTov, v.6d) since t h o s e C o r i n t h i a n C h r i s d a n s w h o have k n o w ledge s h o u l d be a w a r e of t h e i r responsibility w h e n t h e y deal w i t h c r e a t e d things^^. The p h r a s e e t ? Kvpioq ITJOOUC X p i a r d ? 6t ot) r d navra Kai fjneiq 5 t ' avTOV expresses t h e c o n v i c t i o n t h a t J e s u s Christ as L o r d is t h e m e d i a t o r of b o t h c r e a t i o n a n d salvation (as t h e n e w creation!)^®. Dunn's attempt to make the assumption plausible that Paul does not comment o n the act of creation in the past "but rather about creation as believers see it n o w " ( p . l 8 1 ) does not convince: (1) It is rather unUkely that Paul's readers in the 1st cen tury would have differentiated between the past act of creation and the present inter pretation of creation without being interested in the former ;(2) Christ's mediation at creation (v,6d) is formally parallel to God's activity in creation (v.6b) and should therefore also be understood in the absolute sense (note the Kiipioc title in v.6c!); (3) Paul refers by no means to the believers' view of salvation but rather to their re sponsibility to God the Creator (i^neis eic. avTOv, v.6b) and to their salvation through Christ (riiieU Si dvTov, v.6d); (4) the presence of pre-Pauline elements from Jewish monotheism and Stoic cosmology confirms that Paul does indeed comment o n the past action of creation.
It a p p e a r s t o b e b e y o n d d o u b t t h a t Paul c o n s c i o u s l y describes Christ in w i s d o m language: Christ, as is divine w i s d o m in t h e J e w ish sapiential t h e o l o g y , is t h e creative a n d salvational p o w e r a n d a c t i o n of G o d ^ ^ . T h e d e s c r i p t i o n of Christ as m e d i a t o r of c r e a t i o n
9 3 Cf. A. FeuUlet, Christ Sagesse, pp.69-81 (Paul adapted an older confession); W. Thiising, Per Christum in Deum, NTA N F 1, 1 9 6 5 , pp.225-232 (formulated by Paul and used in proclamation); H. Langkammer, "Literarische und theologische Einzelstucke in 1 Kor 8,6", NTS 17 (1971) 193-197 (composed ad hoc from older individual elements); cL also R.S. Barbour, "Creation", p . 3 0 with n.5; J.D.G. Dunn,o.c., pp.179,181. 9 4 Regarding the monotheistic formula cf. C H . Giblin, "Three Monotheistic Texts in Paul", CBQ 37 ( 1 9 7 5 ) 5 2 7 - 2 4 7 , here 5 2 9 - 5 3 7 ; J . Murphy-O'Connor, "Freedom of the Ghetto", Freedom and Love, 1 9 8 1 , pp.25-27. 95 Cf. J.D.G. Dunn, o . c , p p . 1 8 0 , 3 2 9 (arguing contra J . .Murphy-O. Connor, a . c , w h o asserts an exclusively soteriological meaning). Note also the views of F. Hahn and R. Pesch in the discussion of Murphy-O'Connor's paper ( o . c . pp.42L). 9 6 This is generally recognized; cL H. Lietzmann, Korinther, p . 3 7 ; A. Feuillet, o . c , p.78; H. Langkammer, a . c , p p . l 9 6 L ; R.G. llamtnon-KeViy, Pre-existence, p.l 3 0 ; R.S. Barbour, a . c , pp.30L; idem, "Wisdom", p.69; C. Senft, 1 Corinthiens. 1 9 7 9 , p.lll. 97 .Most scholars agree that Paul describes Christ in terms of the Jewish wisdom theol ogy; cL E. Schweizer, "Herkunft", p.106; A. FeuUlet, Christ Sagesse, p p . 7 8 - 8 2 ; H .
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w h i c h s e e m s t o b e t h e n a t u r a l c o n s e q u e n c e from his i d e n t i f i c a t i o n w i t h w i s d o m implies o r p r e s u p p o s e s a p r e - e x i s t e n c e christology^®. 14.2.4. ICor 10,4. T h i s verse b e l o n g s t o Paul's aggadic m i d r a s h o n E x 1 3 , 2 1 ( c l o u d ) ; 1 4 , 2 1 - 2 2 (sea); 1 6 , 4 . 1 4 - 1 8 ( m a n n a ) ; 1 7 , 6 ; N u m 2 0 , 7 - 1 4 (spring)^^ w h i c h Paul uses in o r d e r t o s u b s t a n t i a t e his w a r n i n g t o see t h e d a n g e r of p r e s u m p t i o n in view of a p p a r e n t privileges'*^. T h e p h r a s e 17 nerpa be T\V 0 X p t a r d ? ' " ' is e x p l a i n e d b y v i r t u a l l y all c o m m e n t a t o r s in t h e light of t h e J e w i s h Hellenistic w i s d o m t r a d i t i o n in w h o s e E x o d u s exegesis aoipia p l a y e d a signif i c a n t role"^^. In SapSal 1 0 , 1 7 - 1 8 ; 1 1 , 4 ao
T h e fact t h a t t h e i n t e r p r e t a t i o n s of Philo a n d Paul differ as re-
Conzelmarm, Korinthcrhrief, p.172 w i t h n . 4 9 ; P. Stuhlmacher, "Christologie", /Iu/siitze, p . 2 1 3 ; R.S. Barbour, "Wisdom", p . 6 8 ; F. Froitzheim, Christologie. pp.165, 167.182f.; H. Gese, "Wisdom", HBT 3 ( 1 9 8 1 ) 4 6 ; J.M. Reese, "Christ as Wisdom Incarnate", BTB 11 ( 1 9 8 2 ) 45f.; also H.F. Weiss, "Schopfung in Christus: Zur Frage der christologischen Begriindung der Schopfungstheologie", Zeichen der ZeitSl ( 1 9 7 7 ) 434f. Pace G. Sellin, "Geheimnis", ZNW 73 ( 1 9 8 2 ) 9 6 . 9 8 Cf. E. Schweizer, a.c., p . l 0 6 ; H. Conzelmann, o.c, p . l 7 2 ; P. Stuhlmacher, a.c, p . 2 1 8 ; E. Froitzheim, o.c, p p . 5 0 , 5 4 ; H.D. Betz, Galatians, p . 2 0 6 n. 4 7 ; S. Kim, Origin, p . l 19;J.M. Reese, a . c , p . 4 6 . 99 Cf. H. Conzelmann, o.c, p . 1 9 4 ; R.G. Hamerton-Kelly, Pre-existence, p . 1 3 1 ; F. Hahn, "Teilhabe am Hcil und Gefahr des Abfalls: Eine Auslegung von IKor 10,12r',Freedom and Love, 1 9 8 1 , p p . 1 4 9 - 1 7 1 , here 1 5 4 - 1 6 8 . 100 Recently R.L. J e s k e , "The Rock was Christ: The Ecclesiology of ICorinthians 10", Kirche, FS G. Bornkamm, ed. D. Liihrmann et aL, 1 9 8 0 , p p . 2 4 5 - 2 5 5 attempted to demonstrate that the Scopus of ICor 10 is (he ecclesiology of the Corinthians which Paul c o m m e n t s upon and adjusts. 101 Those w h o take ICor 10 to belong to the Corinthians' exegesis and theology re gard 10,4b as Pauline; cf. U. Luz, Das Gese hie htsverstandnis des Paulus, 1968, p p . l l S f . ; R.L. Jeske, a.c, p . 2 4 6 . M. Hengel, Son, p.73 attributes the exegesis of 10,1-4 to non Pauline Greek speaking Jewish Christians since it is not typically Pauline. 102 Cf. H. Lietzmann, Korinther, p . 4 5 ; II. Conzelmsmn, Korintherbrief, p . l 9 6 ; U . Luz, o . c , pp.11 1 1 9 ; M. Hengel, o.c, pp.72f.; R.L. Jeske, a . c , p . 2 4 6 ; W.F. O r r , J . A . Walther, / Corinthians, 1976,p.245.
Exegetical-Conceptual
Evidence
247
gards t h e details of t h e allegorical a p p l i c a t i o n proves t h a t t h e r e is a c o m m o n t r a d i t i o n w h i c h l i n k e d t h e rock w i t h w i s d o m . It is o b v i o u s , t h e r e f o r e , t h a t in I C o r 10 Paul i n t e r p r e t s Christ in t e r m s of'"' t h e J e w i s h divine w i s d o m w h i c h was r e g a r d e d as m e d i a t o r of ( c r e a t i o n a n d ) G o d ' s salvation in t h e h i s t o r y of Israel'"*. T h i s m e a n s t h a t Christ's p r e - e x i s t e n c e is i m p l i e d h e r e as w e l l ' " ^ : Christ as m e d i a t o r of G o d ' s saving revelation a c c o m p a n i e d Israel in t h e desert. 14.2.5. Rom 10,6-7. This passage c o n t a i n s Paul's s e c o n d t i o n c o n t r a s t i n g Moses w i t h t h e r i g h t e o u s n e s s b y faith. T h e t i o n is b a s e d o n D e u t 3 0 , 1 2 - 1 4 w h i c h is m o d i f i e d in ways'"® w i t h t h e m a i n goal of e h m i n a t i n g all references
quota quota various to the
103 A.T. Hanson, jesus in the Old Testament, 1 9 6 5 , pp.16-23 attempts to refute the view that 10,3-4 is a typological exegesis, arguing for a relation of identity. 104 Most scholars agree that Paul, here, attributes to Christ functions of Jewish divine wisdom thus describing Christ in terms of wisdom; Cf. E. Schweizer, "Herkunft", p . 1 0 6 ; W.D. Davies, Paul. p . l 5 3 ; A. Feuillet, Christ Sagesse, pp. 103-109; K. Rom aniuk, "Livre", NTS 14 ( 1 9 6 7 / 6 8 ) 5 1 0 L ; H. Conzelmann, Korintherbrief, p.l96; R.G. Hamerton-KeUy, Pre-existence. p p . l S l L ; M. Hengel, Son, p p . l 5 , 7 2 L ; F. Froitzheim, Christologie, p.54 n . l 3 6 ; C. Senft, 1 Corinthiens, p . l 2 9 ; R.L. Jeske, "Rock", p . 2 4 8 ; S. Kim, Origin, p p . l l 6 L Contra J.D.G. Dunn, Christology, p.184 w h o maintains that despite Paul's possible awareness of Philo's identification of the rock with wisdom, Paul wanted to say that as the rock was wisdom in the Alexan drian allegory, so the rock was Christ in the Christian typology. However, since Paul obviously identified Christ with divine wisdom in other contexts (explicitly ac knowledged by Dunn) it is difficult to sec how Paid could say "the rock was Christ" without implying Christ's correlation with wisdom at the same time if he was indeed aware of the Alexandrian Exodus exegesis, which is likely. 105 CL E. Schweizer, a.c, p . l 0 6 ; O. Cullmann, Art. "jterpa", ThWNT 6 ( 1 9 5 9 ) 9 7 ; A. Feuillet, o . c . p.106;C.K.Barrett,7 Corinthians, p . 2 2 3 ; 11. Conzelmarm, o . c . p . 1 9 6 ; A.T. Hanson, Studies in Paul's Technique and Theology, 1 9 7 4 , p . l 4 9 ; R.G. Hamer ton-Kelly, o . c , PP.131L; M. Hengel, o . c , p . 7 2 ; C. Senft, o . c , p . 1 2 9 ; R.L. Jeske, a.c, p . 2 4 8 ; S. Kim, Origin, p p . l l 6 L ; F. Hahn, "Teilhabe", 1 9 8 1 , p . I 5 6 n.24 (also p p . 1 9 0 , 2 0 1 in the discussion). Contra J.D.G. Dutm, o . c , p p . l 8 3 f . w h o suggests that one should understand this passage not as an allegory of past realities but rather as a typological allegory of present spiritual realities. However, the (durative) imperfecta in the context (note ^yevi^6r)oav in v.6 and aw^Pewep in v.l 11) serve to describe the events in their progress and duration (BDR § 3 2 7 . 1 ) , which confirms that 10,1-4 is indeed an allegory of past events. The imperfect in v.4b which is used instead of the pure exegetical praesens (cL IQS 8,7; CD 2 0 , 3 ; Acts 4,11 which are not discussed b y Dunn, o . c , p . 3 3 0 n.78) is therefore not symbolical (Dunn gives no example of an imperfect being used as interpretative key in an allegory). The real presence of Christ in the wilderness is the systematic presupposition of the w h o l e exegesis; cL H. Conzelmann, o . c , p . l 9 6 . 106 CL O. Michel, Romerbrief
p p . 3 2 4 3 2 8 ; E. Kasemann, Romer.
p . 2 7 8 ; U. Wil-
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T o r a h . W h e r e D e u t 3 0 speaks a b o u t t h e law, Paul speaks a b o u t C h r i s t : Christ has n o t t o b e s o u g h t in h e a v e n or hades'*'^ b u t is " n e a r " in t h e p r o c l a m a t i o n of t h e k e r g y m a . S c h o l a r s have n o t e d t h a t Paul d o e s n o t use t h e christological i n t e r p r e t a t i v e e l e m e n t s of 10,6-7 w i t h t h e p a t t e r n of h u m i l i a t i o n a n d e x a l t a t i o n e l s e w h e r e ( e x c e p t in Phil 2,6-11)'*'*, as h e n o r m a l l y prefers t o speak of t h e cross a n d t h e r e s u r r e c t i o n . T h i s fact has p r o m p t e d several scholars t o a s s u m e t h a t Paul t o o k over t h e q u o t a t i o n from D e u t 3 0 , t o g e t h e r w i t h its i n t e r p r e t a t i o n , from t h e early C h r i s t i a n t r a d i t i o n a n d t h a t this t r a d i t i o n is r o o t e d in t h e b r o a d J e w i s h t r a d i t i o n - h i s t o r i c a l c o n t e x t of sapiential c o n c e p t s t r a n s f e r r e d t o t h e T o r a h ' ° ^ . T h e parallel w i t h Bar 3 , 2 9 - 3 0 is striking w h e r e D e u t 3 0 , 1 2 - 1 3 is i n t e r p r e t e d in t e r m s of w i s d o m " ° a n d has t h e r e f o r e o f t e n b e e n used as s u b s t a n t i a t i o n of t h e a s s u m p t i o n t h a t Paul implies h e r e t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of C h r i s t vvath divine w i s d o m : Paul r e p l a c e d wis d o m w i t h Christ as t h e o b j e c t or p e r s o n s e a r c h e d f o r ' " . Dunn argues that the identification Christ-wisdom depends o n the hypothesis that Paul assumed that his readers would recognize the Baruch allusion to wisdom and would thus see the implied identification ( p . l 8 5 ) . He states that in this case the en visaged interpretative equation becomes "a little c o m p l e x " (ibid.): Christ=the 'com mandment' (Deut 3 0 , l l ) = w i s d o m (Baruch's interpretation). Dunn prefers the alter native: as different schools of Judaism interpreted Deut 3 0 , 1 1 - 1 4 differently, apply-
ckens, Romer, 2, 1 9 8 0 , pp.224f. C.E.B. Cranfield, Romans, 2, 1 9 7 9 , p . 5 2 4 rightly points out that we have here not an arbitrary typology but "true interpretation in depth". Concerning Paul's use of the pesher method cf. U. WUckens, o.c., p.225 with n . l 0 0 5 . 107 The pre-existence and incarnation of Christ do not seem to be implied here; cf. E. Schweizer, "Hintergrund", p . 9 4 ; E. Kasemann, Romer, p . 2 7 8 ; J.D.G. Dunn, Christology, p p . 1 8 4 - 1 8 7 ; differently C.K. Barrett, Romans, p . 1 9 9 ; C.E.B. Cran field, Romans, 2, p . 5 2 5 . Cf. R.G. Haxatxloa-KeWy,Pre-existence, w h o does not dis cuss this passage. 108 Cf. E. Kasemann, o.c, pp.278f.; U. WUckens, Romer, 2, p . 2 2 6 . 109 Cf. recently M.J. Suggs, " "The Word is Near You': Rom 10,6-10 within the Purpose of the Letter", 1967, p p . 3 0 4 - 3 1 2 ; E. Kasemann, o.c. pp.278f.; U. WUckens, o.c, p . 2 2 6 . N o t seen by M. Black, "The Christological Use of the Old Testament in the New Testament", NTS 18 ( 1 9 7 1 / 7 2 ) 9 who assumes a Jewish midrash on the Torah as (exclusive) background. As regards the possibility of a lirUc between Christ and Torah in this pericope see infra, p.292 n.319. 110 Cf. E. Schweizer, "Herkunft", p . l 0 7 ; A. FeuUlet, Christ Sagesse, pp.325f.; U. Luz, Geschichtsverstandnis, p . 9 2 ; E.Kasemsmn, o.c, p p . 2 7 9 f . ; J . D . G . D u n n , o.c, p . l 8 5 f ; G.T. Sheppard, Wisdom, p p . 9 0 - 9 3 , 1 0 1 . 111 Cf. H. Windisch, "Weisheit", p . 2 2 3 ; B.A. Pearson, "Wisdom Speculation", p.62 n.20; M. Black, a.c, p . 9 ; E. Kasemann, o.c, p . 2 8 0 ; S. Kim, Origin, p p . 1 1 7 , 1 3 0 (answering the objection of W.D. Davies, Pau4 p.l 5 4 ) .
Exegetical-Conceptual
Evidence
249
ing it to wisdom (Bar 3,29-30) or to the Torah (Targum Neofiti), so Paul applied it to Christ. N o w , it should be noted that Philo refers to Deut 3 0 , 1 1 - 1 4 seven t i m e s ' 1 2 interpreting it in terms of TO dya»6v (Post 84-88; Mut 2 3 6 - 2 3 9 ; Som 2 , 1 8 0 ; Praem 8 0 - 8 1 ) , ri Aperi} (Quod omnis 6 8 ) , and the moral admonitions of the law which can be fulfilled (SpecLeg 1,301; Virt 1 8 3 - 1 8 4 ; a l s o Praem 8 0 - 8 1 ) . It should be noted that Praem 8 0 - 8 1 , which combines the scopus of "the g o o d " and of the observable com mandments, highlights in the same context oofi'ia, and that both "the g o o d " and "virtue" are Unked by PhUo with wisdom (cL Her 98 and All 1,103; Virt 8; VitMos 76). This means that the Jewish tradition which interpreted Deut 3 0 , 1 2 - 1 3 in terms of wisdom is predominant. There are no early examples for the application of this passage to the Torah.
As R o m 10,6-7 can well b e u n d e r s t o o d in t e r m s of w i s d o m c h r i s t o l o g y , Paul says h e r e in effect t h a t Christ as w i s d o m is, al t h o u g h n o t p r e s e n t o n e a r t h , stiU n o t h i d d e n or inaccessible b u t " n e a r " ( 1 0 , 8 using D e u t 3 0 , 1 4 ) in t h e p r o c l a m a t i o n of t h e keryg m a w h i c h s p e a k s of t h e r i g h t e o u s n e s s b y faith. 14.2.6. Rom 11,33-36. T h e r e is a b r o a d c o n s e n s u s in scholar s h i p c o n c e r n i n g t h e l i t e r a r y analysis a n d t r a d i t i o n - h i s t o r i c a l back g r o u n d of this P a u h n e h y m n ' ' ' . As it is n o t n e c e s s a r y for o u r pur poses t o e n t e r i n t o a d e t a i l e d exegesis, suffice it t o say t h a t t h e t h r e e q u e s t i o n s in vv.34-35 r e l a t e in reverse o r d e r t o t h e t h r e e parallel t e r m s in v . 3 3 a w h i c h d e p e n d o n ( S a t J o ? " * . T h e s c o p u s is n o t t h e essentiaUy i n s c r u t a b l e G o d " ^ or his characteristics b u t t h e f u n d a m e n t a l l y i n c o m p r e h e n s i b l e fact t h a t G o d a.cts sub contrario, b r i n g i n g discredit u p o n t h e w i s d o m of t h e w o r l d a n d m a k i n g r i g h t e o u s t h e u n g o d l y " ® . T h e nXovToq (i^eov) is t h e eschatological a b u n d a n c e of salvation w h i c h is r o o t e d in G o d ' s glory ( 9 , 2 3 ; cf. Phil 4 , 1 9 ; Col 1,27) a n d given in J e s u s C h r i s t " ^ . It c o r r e s p o n d s
112 Not four times, as asserted by H. Chadwdck, "St. Paul and PhUo of Alexandria", BJRL 48 ( 1 9 6 5 / 6 6 ) 2 9 5 quoted by J.D.G. Dunn, Christology. p.331 n . 8 3 . 113 CL O. Michel, Romerbrief, p p . 3 5 4 n3 (lit),361L; E. Kasemann, Romer, p . 3 0 8 ; U. WUckens, Romer, 2 , p . 2 6 9 . G. B o m k a m m , "Der Lobpreis Gottes: Rom 1 1 , 3 8 - 3 6 " ( 1 9 5 1 ) , Das Ende des Gesetzes, p.71 emphasized the sapiential background; cL also R. Deichgraber, Gotteshymnus und Christushymnus in der fruhen Christenheit, S U N T 5, 1967, p . 6 3 . 114 CL U. WUckens, ThWNT 7 (1964) 5 1 8 L ; R. Deichgraber, Gotteshymnus, p . 6 2 ; E. Kasemann, Romer, p . 3 0 9 ; U. WUckens, Romer, 2, p . 2 6 9 . 115 The inscrutabUity of God is an important subject of Jewish wisdom theology (cL J o b 2 8 , 2 8 ; Prov 3 0 , 1 - 6 ; Sir 2 4 , 2 8 - 2 9 ; 4 2 , 1 5 - 2 5 ; Bar 3 , 2 9 - 3 2 ; SapSal 9 , 1 0 - 1 8 ) , of OT prophecy (Is 4 0 , 1 2 - 2 6 ; 5 5 , 8 - 1 1 ) , and in apocalyptic (4Ezr 3 , 1 1 ; 5 , 3 6 4 0 ; 6,1-6; 8 , 2 0 - 2 3 ; ApcBar 14,8-11). CL U. WUckens, o.c., p . 2 7 0 . 116 CL E. Kasemann, o . c , p.309 referring to ICor 1 , 1 9 ; U . WUckens, o . c , p . 2 6 9 . 117 Cf. H. Schlier, Romerbrief p.345.
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w i t h t h e d e p t h s of G o d ' s gifts of salvation in I C o r 2 , 9 . 1 2 . T h e aoipia (deoi)), h e r e , is n o t so m u c h t h e w i s d o m of t h e C r e a t o r a n d of c r e a t i o n as in I C o r 1,21 b u t t h e w i s d o m in t h e c o n t e x t of C h r i s t (cf. I C o r 1 , 2 4 . 3 0 ! ) , t h e w i s d o m w h i c h is in Christus solus, t h e p a r a d o x i c a l ' l o g i c ' of G o d ' s m e r c y in t h e iustificatio impiorum (cf. V.32)''®. G o d ' s aoifiia is i n c o m p r e h e n s i b l e since n o b o d y has b e e n his " c o u n s e l l o r (oii/ziSouXoc, v . 3 4 b ) — n o b o d y e x c e p t G o d ' s o w n w i s d o m w h i c h is his " c o u n s e l l o r " r e g a r d i n g aU his w o r k s (SapSal 8 . 4 . 9 ; cf. 9 , 9 ) ' ' ^ . It is this w i s d o m w h i c h is in C h r i s t . T h e •yvcbai^ deoi) is G o d ' s o w n k n o w l e d g e w i t h w h i c h h e has c h o s e n his p e o p l e ( 8 , 2 9 ; l l , 2 ; c f . I C o r 8 , 3 ; Gal 4 , 9 ) ' 2 0 . G o d ' s " k n o w l e d g e " is i n c o m p r e h e n s i b l e since n o b o d y has " k n o w n " {ijv(X)) his " m i n d " {vovq, v . 3 4 a ) ' ^ ' — n o b o d y e x c e p t G o d ' s o w n w i s d o m w h i c h k n o w s G o d ' s secrets a n d p l a n s (cf. Prov 8 , 2 2 - 3 1 ; Sir 1,1-8; 2 4 , 1 - 5 ; S ap S al 6 , 2 2 ; 7 , 1 5 - 2 1 . 2 6 - 3 0 ; 8 , 4 . 9 ; 9 , 9 - 1 3 . 1 6 1 7 ) ' ^ ^ . A n d it is again this k n o w l e d g e o r w i s d o m ' ^ * w h i c h is in C h r i s t . F i n a l l y , t h e c o s m o l o g i c a l f o r m u l a i i , airov K a l bi 'airov Kai avTov r d jrdf xa (v.36) e m p h a s i z e s b o t h t h e salvation-histo rical a n d t h e c r e a t i o n a l significance of Christ'^'*. T h u s , it s e e m s t o b e p o s s i b l e t o find traces of Paul's w i s d o m c h r i s t o l o g y in this p e r i c o p e ' ^ ^ : G o d ' s i n s c r u t a b l e r i c h e s , w i s d o m , a n d k n o w l e d g e are closely l i n k e d w i t h J e s u s Christ w h o n o t o n l y k n e w a n d k n o w s G o d ' s w o r k s a n d p l a n ' ^ ^ in c o n t r a s t t o m a n , b u t
118 119 120 121
Cf. H. Schlier, ibid., E. Kasemann, o . c , p . 3 0 9 ; U. Wilckens, o . c , p . 2 6 9 . C f . U . WUckens, o . c , p . 2 7 1 . Cf. H. Schlier, o . c , pp.345f.; E. Kasemann, o . c , p . 3 0 9 ; U. WUckens, o . c , p . 2 6 9 . In ICor 2,16 Paul answers the same question as in R o m 11,34a positively. On the difference between the meaning see U. WUckens, Romer, 2, p.271 n.l 2 0 3 . 122 Cf. U. Wilckens, o . c , p.271 with n . l 2 0 4 . 123 For Paul, oo^ia and yvCxii
Exegetical-Conceptual
Evidence
251
e m b o d i e d , i.e. revealed a n d effectively realized, G o d ' s w i s d o m in bringing salvation t o m a n . 14.2. 7. Phil 2,6-11. T h e Christ h y m n in Phil 2,6-11 is o n e of t h e m o s t chfficult a n d t h e r e f o r e o n e of t h e m o s t discussed p e r i c o p e s of t h e P a u h n e c o r p u s ' ^ ' . T h e t w o q u e s t i o n s of s t r u c t u r e a n d of t h e religion-historical b a c k g r o u n d are of crucial significance for t h e u n d e r s t a n d i n g of t h e h y m n ' ^ ^ . M o s t scholars assert t h a t t h e h y m n implies or expresses t h e t h o u g h t of Christ's p r e - e x i s t e n c e ' ^ ^ , a l t h o u g h o t h e r s have a r g u e d against i t " " . It has b e e n stressed re c e n U y t h a t t h e focal p o i n t o r Aussageakzent of t h e h y m n (in t h e
undefined ("schwebend"), and that Paul refers, as in l,18ff.; 5,12ff.; 8,19ff. to the universal salvation whose centre is christology. 127 Cf. R.P. Martin, Carmen Christi: Philippians 2,5-11 in Recent Interpretation and in the Setting of Early Christian Worship, SNTS MS 4 , 1967 for a review of research until 1 9 6 3 . Add n o w the major contributions by J . Gnilka, PhiUpperbrief HThK X / 3 , 1968, pp.l 11-147; H.W. Bartsch, Die konkrete Wahrheit und die Luge der Spekulation: Untersuchungen uber den vorpaulinischen Hymnus und seine gnostische Mythisierung, 1 9 7 4 ; O. Hofius, Der ChristushymnusPhilipper 2,6-11: Unter suchungen zu Gestalt und Aussage eines urchristlichen Psalms, WUNT 17, 1976; J.D.G. Dunn, Christology, p p . 1 1 4 - 1 2 1 ; H.H. Schade, Christologie, 1981, pp.64-69; T. Nagata, Philippians 2,5-11: A Case Study in the Contextual Shaping of Early Christology, Ph.D. Diss. Princeton Theological Seminary, 1 9 8 1 , B. Mengel, Siudien zum PhiUpperbrief: Untersuchungen zum situativen Kontext, WUNT 2 / 8 , 1 9 8 2 , pp. 245-250. 128 Since E. Lohmeyer's analysis, the vast majority of scholars take the h y m n to be pre-Pauline; cf. H. Weder, Kreuz Jesu, 1 9 8 1 , p.209 n.333 (lit.). Some scholars still assert that Paul might well have written it himself, using traditional formulations; cf. R. Deichgraber, Gotteshymnus, p . l 2 0 n.2 (lit.); also W.G. Kiimmel, Theo logie, p p . l 3 5 f . ; S. K i m , O n ^ n , p p . l 4 7 - 1 4 9 ; c f . R.P. Martin, Carmen Christi, pp.4262. 129 Cf. D . Georgi, "Der vorpaulinische Hymnus PhU 2 , 6 - 1 1 " , 1 9 6 4 , p p . 2 7 6 - 2 7 8 ; J. GniUca, o.c, p p . 1 4 4 - 1 4 7 ; P.G. Hamerton-KeUy, Pre-existence, p p . 1 5 6 - 1 6 8 ; R.P. Martin, o.c. p p . 9 9 - 1 3 3 ; L. G o p p e h , Theologie. 2, pp.401 f.; O. Hofius, o.c, p p . l 4 f . , 56f.; M. Hengel, Son, pp.71f.; P. Stuhlmacher, "Christologie", Aufsdtze, p.213; G. Barth, Philipper, 1 9 7 9 , p . 4 5 ; F. Froitzheim, Christologie. p p . 5 0 , 5 4 n . l 3 6 ; H. Merklein, "Entstehung", p 3 4 ; W.G. Kiimmel, o . c , p. 136; S. Kim, o . c , p . 2 6 5 ; H.H. Schade, o . c , pp.68f.; R. Riesner, "Praexistenz", ThBeitr 12 ( 1 9 8 1 ) 182; H. Weder, o . c , p p . 2 1 0 f . ; M . Hcj\ge\, Atonement, 1 9 8 1 , p . 7 4 ; T. Nagata, o . c , pp.172f., 2 0 9 , 2 9 3 , 2 9 6 ; B.Mengel, o . c , p . 2 4 7 . 130 Cf. A. FeuiUet, Christ Sagesse, pp.348f.; C H . Talbert, ' T h e Problem of Pre-exis tence in PhU 2,6-11", JBL 86 ( 1 9 6 7 ) 1 4 1 - 1 5 3 ; H.W. Bartsch, o . c , p p . 7 7 f . ; J . Murphy-O'Connor, "Christological .\nthropology in PhU 2 , 6 - 1 1 " , RB 8 3 ( 1 9 7 6 ) 25-50 passim; G. Howard, "PhU 2 , 6 - U and the Human Christ", CBQ 4 0 ( 1 9 7 8 ) 3 6 8 - 3 8 7 ; J.D.G. Dunn, o . c , pp.l 1 4 - 1 2 1 .
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andWisdom
p r e s e n t form a n d c o n t e x t ) is Christ's d e a t h o n t h e cross ( 2 , 8 c ! ) , i.e. P a u l ' s theologia crucis^^^. As to t h e t r a d i t i o n a l b a c k g r o u n d , it has b e e n m a i n t a i n e d t h a t c o n c e p t s of t h e Heracles m y t h , t h e a n t h r o p o s m y t h , t h e h e a v e n l y S o n of M a n , t h e Suffering S e r v a n t , t h e O T R i g h t e o u s O n e , t h e g n o s t i c Urmensch r e d e e m e r m y t h , or c o n c e p t s of J e w i s h w i s d o m or of t h e t w o A d a m s are crucial'^^. If t h e A d a m - C h r i s t t y p o l o g y , i.e. A d a m c h r i s t o l o g y , p r o v i d e d t h e exclusive b a c k g r o u n d for t h e h y m n ' * * , t h e l a t t e r w o u l d b e irrelevant for o u r i n q u i r y . H o w e v e r , n u m e r o u s scholars m a i n t a i n t h a t J e w i s h w i s d o m t h e o l o g y is at least p a r t of t h e i n t e r p r e t a t i v e c o n t e x t of t h e h y m n ' * * . W i t h o u t b e i n g able a t this p o i n t t o e n t e r i n t o a detailed discus sion of t h e relevant w o r d s a n d c o n c e p t s in Phil 2 , 6 - 1 1 , we w a n t t o suggest t h a t c o n c e p t s of A d a m a n d w i s d o m c h r i s t o l o g y t o g e t h e r p r o v i d e t h e b e s t b a c k g r o u n d for t h e h y m n . Several r e a s o n s m a k e
131 Cf. O. Hofius, o.c, p p . 1 2 - 1 7 , 5 6 - 6 7 . See also H. Weder, o.c, pp.209-217 stating that the historical identity of Jesus of Nazareth is expressed in the horizon of the 'mythological' identity of Christ (as the pre-existent heavenly redeemer). Cf. also B. M e n g e l . o . c , 1 9 8 2 , p p . 2 4 5 - 2 5 0 . 132 See the critical discussions of R.P. Martin, Carmen Christi, p p . 1 2 0 - 1 3 3 , 154-164; J . Gnilka, Philipperbrief, p p . 1 3 8 - 1 4 4 ; J . T . Sanders, Christological Hymns, pp.587 2 ; K. Wengst, Formeln, p p . 1 4 9 - 1 5 5 ; G. Barth, Philipper, pp.45-47; T. Nagata, Case Study, p p . 3 0 - 6 6 , 3 0 2 - 3 3 5 . 133 S o m e scholars assert that Adam christology provides the most probable background; O. CuUmann, Christology, p . l 8 1 ; .\. f
Exegetical-Conceptual
Evidence
253
this s u g g e s t i o n p l a u s i b l e : (1) T h e A d a m - C h r i s t t y p o l o g y h a s t o b e e x p l a i n e d as t h e a p p l i c a t i o n of sapiential (!), a p o c a l y p t i c , a n d r a b binic-exegetical t r a d i t i o n s t o t h e r e s u r r e c t e d C h r i s t " ^ , i.e. A d a m c h r i s t o l o g y a l r e a d y i n c l u d e s w i s d o m e l e m e n t s ; ( 2 ) t h e c o n c e r n s of b o t h A d a m c h r i s t o l o g y (stressing t h e h u m a n i t y of Christ a n d de veloping a n t h r o p o l o g y and soteriology) and wisdom christology (stressing t h e divinity of Christ a n d d e v e l o p i n g t h e c o n c e p t of Christ as m e d i a t o r of c r e a t i o n , r e v e l a t i o n , a n d salvation)"® can b e f o u n d in t h e h y m n ; (3) t h e r e are also o t h e r passages w h e r e ele m e n t s derived f r o m A d a m c h r i s t o l o g y a n d w i s d o m c h r i s t o l o g y a r e found together"''. G r a n t e d t h a t t h e p o i n t s of c o n t a c t w i t h t h e A d a m m o t i f a r e crucial for a n u n d e r s t a n d i n g of t h e h y m n , it seems t o b e possible t o a s s u m e also t h a t e l e m e n t s of w i s d o m c h r i s t o l o g y s t a n d d i r e c t l y b e h i n d s o m e of t h e h y m n ' s c o n c e p t s , especially if t h e h y m n ex presses t h e p r e - e x i s t e n t Christ's d e s c e n t from h e a v e n , his humiliat i o n , a n d his m c a r n a t i o n C h r i s t ' s p r e - e x i s t e n c e " ^ is i n d i c a t e d (1) b y t h e p h r a s e 6q kv liop'pfi deov bndpxo^v (v.6a) w i t h iiopifri deov d e s c r i b i n g t h e speci fic form ( ' G e s t a l t ' ) of Christ as t o his divine s t a t u s b e f o r e his selfh u m i l i a t i o n ; (2) b y t h e p h r a s e ovx dpnay^bv r}y-qaaT0 TO elvai laa de(i) (v.6b) w h i c h describes t h e a t t i t u d e of t h e h e a v e n l y Christ w h o did n o t regard his p o s i t i o n of h o n o u r - b e i n g laa i?e
135 Cf. H.H. Schade, Christologie. pp.83f. See H.W. Bartsch.IVaftrAeit,p.77 w h o refers to the early (Jewish) Christian tradition "die bei der weisheitlichen Interpretation von Gen l,26f.; 5,1-3,5 (sic!) einsetzt" as background of the pre-Pauline hymn which interpreted Christ as second Adam. In his survey of research on the back ground of Adam christology, S. Kim, Origin, p p . 1 6 2 - 1 9 3 concludes that the origin of Paul's Adam-Christ typology has not been clarified ( p . l 9 3 , quoting E. Kiisemarm, Romer, p . l 3 6 ) . Regarding recent discussions of Paid's Adam christology see J.D.G. Dunn, Christology, pp.98-128 (focusing on the question of pre-exis tence) and S. Kim, o.c, p p . 1 6 2 - 1 9 3 , 2 6 0 - 2 6 6 ; also H.H. Schade, o.c, pp.69-87. 136 Cf. S. Kim, o.c, p.266 in his summary of his treatment of wisdom christology (pp. 258-260) and Adam christology. 137 Cf. S. Kim, o.c, p.267 referring to 2Cor 3 , 1 8 4 , 6 ; R o m 8,29-30; Col 1,15-20. 138 Cf. M. Hengel, Son, pp.71 f. referring explicitly to Sir 24. 139 Cf. the references supra n.l 2 9 . The basic problem of Dunn's interpretation of Phil 2 is his exclusive (and admirably consistent!) reference to Adam christology as in terpretative key to the hymn.
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d e n o t e s C h r i s t ' s v o l u n t a r y r e n u n c i a t i o n of his divine, h e a v e n l y s t a t u s a n d p o s i t i o n , i.e. t h e i n c a r n a t i o n (as self-humiliation). The following considerations substantiate the case for pre-existence in Phil 2,6-11. As regards the first argument, we point out that it is not possible to equate the jiopv") iSeoO with the eCuiov rov deou and link it with Adam created in the image of God and sharing in the 6dfa of God (contra Dunn, p.l 15) since (1) liop^ cannot be ex changed for eiKCjy, not even in Hellenistic usagel40_ (2) the I.XX uses neither nop^'^ nor B6%a for Adam in Gen. Dunn does not explain the change from the luopv"} iJeoO to the iioptpT\ 6ov\ov satisfactorily: it cannot be established that according to Jewish or early Christian thought Adam lost God's "image" (admitted by Dunn, p. 311 n.70), and to say that Adam "lost his share in God's glory and became a slave" (Dunn, p.l 15) is without exegetical basis. Adam was created in the "image of God"' but did not (!) share in the "form of God", and this is the fundamental difference between Adam and Christ! Jesus Christ changed his "form" or status from iSeo? to SoOXoi; whereas Adam w h o was man (D7h?) and remained man, suffered ('only') a reduction of the divine "image" which had then various consequences. As regards the second argument, it should be noted that even when laa &ei^ is translated viitYi "equivalent to, of the same value" and distinguished from itop'fifi &eov^^^< it is still possible to understand the term apirayii6<; in the sense olres rapta rather in the sense of res rapienda: Christ, even though he shares the "form of God", is not totally 'identical' with God (the Father) but rather "of the same value" (i.e. divine), sharing the same status''''^. This leads directly into trinitarian considerations which Paul of course does not elucidate explicitly. If one understands dpnayfioq in the sense of res rapienda, the concept of Christ's pre-existence is still present: "der Satz sagt, dafi Christus zwar (praexistent) in der Wirklichkeit Gottes war, sich aber nicht als Gott neben Gott etablicrte"143 l^ unconvincing to link the "equality with G o d " with Adam's (and hence Christ's) temptation (contra Dunn, p p . l l 5 f . ) since (1) there is no obvious reference to Gen 3,5 in the c o n t e x t ; (2) the thing to be 'grasped' is something positive in Phil 2,6 (equality with God), whereas in Dunn's interpretation it is something negative (as temptation); and (3) Adam's temptation was not equality with God in an ontic sense but rather the attainment of a Seinsweise (tPT\bKO TTTl) which makes the knowledge of good and evil ( D I D J ? T yTT ), i.e. autonomous mastery of life, possible (Gen 3,5.22): "Es geht um eine gdttliche, eine auf das hiichste gesteigerte Befahigung zur Bewaltigungdes Daseins"144_ Finally, as to the third argument, Dunn's translation of iKevcoaev as "he made himself powerless"145 js not tenable: Ke*'oi)i' means "to make empty, to destroy" and has nothing to do with 'power' but refers to the (voluntary) loss or renunciation of something. It is true that "Christ faced the same archetypal choice that confronted
140 Cf. D.H. Wallace, "A Note o n Morphc", ThZ 22 ( 1 9 6 6 ) 22f.; C. Spicq, "Note sur M O P * H d a n s les papyrus et quelques inscriptions", RB 8 0 ( 1 9 7 3 ) 4 4 , 570f.; W. P6hlmann,in£H'Wr 2 ( 1 9 8 1 ) 1 0 9 1 . 141 r. l l o l t z , infWJVr 2 ( 1 9 8 1 ) 4 9 4 . 142 Cf. W. Trilling, inEWNT 1 ( 1 9 8 0 ) 3 7 5 with further evidence. 143 T . H o l t z , i n E W N T 2 ( 1 9 8 1 ) 4 9 4 . 144 C. Westermann, Genesis, Bk I / l , 1 9 7 4 , p . 3 3 7 . 145 J.D.G. Dunn, Christology, p . l l 7 following M.D. Hooker, "Philippians 2, 6-11", Jesus und Paulus, FS W.G. Kummel, ed. E.E. Ellis et al., 2 l 9 7 8 , p . l 6 1 .
Exegetical-Conceptual
Evidence
255
Adam" (Dunn, p.l 1 7). However, if Jesus was only and simply human (seemingly presupposed by Durm, when he argues against Christ's pre-existence) he could not have possibly faced the same (!) choice as Adam since he would not have been sin less and so he would have had nothing to loose in the first place.
T h u s , we c o n c l u d e t h a t Phil 2 , 6 - 1 1 c o n t a i n s n o t o n l y t h e anthropological'*® b u t also t h e o n t o l o g i c a l a s p e c t of c h r i s t o l o g y in t h e c o n t e x t of w i s d o m c h r i s t o l o g y .
14.2.8. Col 1,15-20. T h e vast m a j o r i t y of scholars regards p e r i c o p e as a p r e - P a u h n e h y m n w h i c h w a s i n c o r p o r a t e d i n t o a t t a c h i n g i n t e r p r e t a t i v e p h r a s e s ' * ^ . Q u e s t i o n s of s t r u c t u r e original form of t h e h y m n ' * * are n o t really r e l e v a n t for i n q u i r y a n d c a n t h e r e f o r e be left a s i d e ' * ^ . M a n y scholars agree t h e h y m n consists of t w o s t r o p h e s : t h e first ( w . 1 5 - 1 8 a ) ribes Christ's role in c r e a t i o n ( p r o t o l o g y ) , a n d t h e s e c o n d 1 8 b - 2 0 ) his role in r e d e m p t i o n ( s o t e r i o l o g y ) ' 5 " . T h e view
this Col and our that dc(vv. that
146 Cf. D . Georgi, "Hymnus", 1 9 6 4 , pp.266-'291 passim; J . T . Sanders, Hymns, p.86 n . l ; H.W. Bartsch, Wahrheit, p p . 3 2 , 7 7 ; J . Murphy-O'Connor, "Anthropology", i?5 8 3 ( 1 9 7 6 ) 3 1 4 9 ; H.M. Schenke, "Tendenz", 1 9 7 8 , p . 3 7 2 . 147 For surveys of research see H.J. Gabathuler, Jesus Christus, Haupt der Kirche Haupt der Welt: Der Christushymnus Kolosser 1,15-20 in der theologischen For schung der letzten nOJahre, A T h A N T 4 5 , 1 9 6 5 ; E. Schweizer, "Kolosser 1,15-20" ( 1 9 6 9 ) , Beitrage, p p . 1 1 3 - 1 4 4 ; idem, "Zur neueren Forschung am Kolosserbrief (seit 1 9 7 0 ) " , Theologische Berichte. ed. J . Pfammatter et al., 1 9 7 6 , p p . 1 6 3 - 1 9 1 ; P. Benoit, "L'hymne christologique de Col 1,15-20: Jugeraent critique sur I'etat des recherches", Christianity, Judaism and other Greco-Roman Cults, FS M. Smith, 1, 1 9 7 5 , p p . 2 2 6 - 2 6 3 . As regards the theologiegeschichtliche significance of the h y m n cf. now J . Gnilka, Kolosserbrief, 1 9 8 0 , pp.77f. Some argue still for a Pauline authorship of the h y m n ; cf. W.G. Kiimmel, Einleitung, pp. 301 f.; N. Kehl, Der Christushymnus im Kolosserbrief: Eine motivgeschichtliche Untersuchung zu Kol 1,12-20, SBM 1, 1 9 6 7 , p p . l 6 3 f . ; S. Kim, Origin, pp.144-147 ( p . l 4 4 n.S lit.). Re cenUy J.C.O'Neill, "The Source of Christology in Colossians", ^rTS 26 ( 1 9 8 0 ) 87f. argued, unconvincingly, that Col 1,15-20 is not a hymn as it uses "language of pub lic declaration" (p.89). 148 On the structure of the hymn cf. J . Gabathuler, o.c, pp.l 2 5 - 1 3 1 ; A. Feuillet, Christ Sagesse, p p . 2 4 6 - 2 6 9 ; K. Wengst, Formeln, p p . 1 7 0 - 1 7 5 ; E. Schweizer, Kolos ser, p p . 5 0 - 5 2 ; J . GnUka, o.c, p p . 5 2 - 5 9 ; J . N . Wctti, Colossiens 1,15,20, 1981,pp.l4 7 . Cf. C. Burger, Schopfung und Versdhnung: Studien zum liturgischen Gut im Kolosser- und Epheserbrief, WMANT 4 6 , 1975, pp.3-79 who separates consistently the analysis of the original from the adapted h y m n . 149 Similarly J.D.G. Dunn, Christology, p . l 8 8 . 150 Cf. J . N . Aletti, o.c, p.21 listing E. Kasemann, J . Jervell, K.G. Eckart, H. Heger mann, H.M. Schenke, E. Bammel, R. Deichgraber, E. Norden, J . I^hnemann, E. Zeilinger, C. Burger, H. Conzelmann (and agrees, cf. p . 4 5 ) ; add J.D.G. Dunn,
256
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w i s d o m language a n d w i s d o m t h e o l o g y p r o v i d e t h e b e s t , t h o u g h n o t exclusive, b a c k g r o u n d of t h e h y m n is n e a r l y u n a n i m o u s l y a c c e p t e d ' ^ ' . T h e following r e m a r k s follow t h e r e c e n t significant m o n o g r a p h s of D u n n a n d A l e t t i ' ^ ^ . T h e s t a t e m e n t t h a t Christ is t h e e'lKojv rov deov TOV dopdrov (v. 1 5 a ; cf. 2 C o r 4,4) has t o b e t r a c e d b a c k t o J e w i s h w i s d o m t h e o l ogy w h i c h d e s c r i b e d w i s d o m as " i m a g e of G o d " (SapSal 7 , 2 6 ; Philo All 1 , 4 3 ) ' " a n d m a n i f e s t a t i o n of t h e invisible G o d ' ^ ^ . T h e s e c o n d title of Christ, npuroTOKoq nda-qq X T t a e w ? ( v . l 5 b ) ' ^ ^ is also d e p e n d e n t u p o n t h e w i s d o m t r a d i t i o n w h i c h described wis d o m as first c r e a t i o n or " f i r s t b o r n " (cf. Prov 8 , 2 2 - 2 5 ; Sir 1,4; 2 4 , 9 ; SapSal 9 , 9 ; Philo Q u a e s t in G n 4 , 9 7 ; Virt 6 2 ; E b r 3 0 - 3 1 ) ' 5 6 .
o.c, p . l 8 8 . Many scholars see I,17-18a or I,16f-I8a as Zwischenstrophe thus assuming three parts; cf. J . N . Aletti, o . c , pp.23f.; add now J . Gnilka, o . c , p.58. 151 Cf. W.D. Davies, Paul, p p . 1 5 0 - 1 5 2 ; H.J. Gabathuler, o.c, p . 1 3 3 ; A. FeuiUet, o . c , p p . 1 6 3 - 2 7 3 ; N. Kehl, o . c , p p . 6 1 - 7 6 , 1 0 4 - 1 0 8 ; E. Lohse, Kolosser, pp.85-90; E. Schweizer, o.c, p p . 5 6 - 6 3 , 7 2 ; C. Burger, o . c , pp.42,49f.; P. Stuhlmacher, "Chris tologie", Aufsdtze, p . 2 1 3 ; R.S. Barbour, "Wisdom", p.68; J.D.G. Dunn, o . c , pp. 188-194; S. Kim, o . c , pp.258f.; H. Gese, "Wisdom", HBT 3 ( 1 9 8 1 ) 4 7 - 5 0 ; J.M. Reese, "Christ as Wisdom Incarnate", BTB 11 (1982) 4-6; W. Schenk, "Christus, das Geheimnis der Welt, als dogmatisches und ethisches Grundprinzip des Kolosserbriefes", EvTh 4 3 ( 1 9 8 3 ) 1 4 1 , 1 4 3 . Several scholars restrict the wisdom parallels to the first part of the hymn. Cf. also J . T . Sanders, Hymns, pp.75-87 w h o con cludes that the formal matrix of the h y m n , i.e. the thanksgiving form, belongs to the psalmography of the wisdom school. 152 J.D.G. Dunn, Christology, p p . 1 8 8 - 1 9 4 focuses o n the question whether the h y m n expresses Christ's pre-existence, and comes to a negative answer. 153 On Philo's elKcop-conception cf. H. Hegermarm, ScAop/un^imj't/fcr, pp.96-99; E. Schweizer, Kolosser, p . 5 7 . Cf. generally A. Feuillet, Christ Sagesse, p p . 1 6 6 - 1 7 5 ; N. Kehl, Christushymruis, p . 6 1 ; R. Deichgr'aber, Gotteshymnus, p . 1 5 3 ; E. Lohse, Kolosser. pp.86f.; C. Burger, Schopfung, p . 4 2 ; F. Zeilingcr, Der Erstgeborene der Schopfung, 1 9 7 4 , pp.lOSf.; E. Schweizer, Kolosser, pp.56-58; M. Hengel, Son, p. 75; J . Gnilka, Kolosserbrief pp.60f.; V.A.R. Raj, The Cosmic Christ of Colossians, Th.D. Diss. St.Louis, 1 9 8 1 , pp.94f.; J.D.G. Dunn, o.c, p p . 1 6 5 , 1 8 8 ; J . N . Aletti, Colossiens 1,15-20, pp.82-87. For a general discussion of eixcjv-christology cf. S. Kim, Origin, p p . 1 3 7 - 2 6 8 . 154 Cf. J . D . G . Dunn, o . c , p . l 8 8 w h o emphasizes that wisdom as the "immanence of God" - "that which man may know of God and of God's will" - provides the background. 155 According to J . D . G . Dunn, o . c , p.l 89 this contested phrase describes Christ's pre cedence in rank rather than priority in time (p.333 n.108 virith lit.). E. Schweizer, o.c. pp.58f. understands the phrases in a comparative manner in the sense of "friiher als . . . vor aller . . ."; cf. also J . N . Aletti, o . c , p.70; J: Gnilka, o . c , pp.62f; this comparative understanding implies anteriority, i.e. pre-existence. 156 Cf. H. Hegermann, o . c , p . 9 9 ; E. Schweizer, o . c , p.58f. with n . l 3 3 ; A. FeuUlet, o . c , p p . 1 8 5 - 2 0 2 ; E. Lohse, o . c , pp.87f.; R. Deichgraber, o . c , p . l 5 3 ; C. Burger,
Exegetical-Conceptual
Evidence
257
T h e p h r a s e i v avT(b iKriadr] TO. TtavTa (v. 16a) has b e e n t r a c e d b a c k t o w i s d o m t e r m i n o l o g y as well: Christ as w i s d o m is G o d ' s creative p o w e r in a cosmological c o n t e x t " ^ ; v . l 7 belongs t o t h e s a m e w i s d o m c o n t e x t (cf. Prov 8 , 2 7 - 3 0 ; S i r 1,4; 2 4 , 9 ; 4 3 , 2 6 ; P h i l o H e r 1 8 9 , 1 9 9 ; F u g 1 1 2 ; Q u a e s t in G n 2 , 1 1 8 ; A r i s t o b P r E v 7,14, 1)158 _ H. Gese states with regard to the first strophe of the h y m n that it expresses "the fundamental recognition of Christ's essence in his relation to the being of creation", and that the sapiential christology of the hymn affirms the "identity of Sophia and Christ under the aspect of sin"159.
T h e first p h r a s e of t h e s e c o n d s t r o p h e — Christ is dpxri, T r p w r o Tcbv t ' € K p t o t ' ( v . l 8 b ) — r e m i n d s us again of w i s d o m language (cf. P r o v 8 , 2 2 - 2 3 ; Philo AU 1,43)'®°: as t h e e x a l t e d o n e , Christ is t h e " b e g i n n i n g " , i.e. t h e effective p r e s e n c e of divinity " d i e als S c h o p f e r k r a f t ein w e i t e r e s W e r d e n aus sich h e r a u s s e t z t " ' ® ' , a n d t h e " f i r s t b o r n " f r o m t h e d e a d , i.e. t h e a u t h o r of t h e e s c h a t o l o g i c a l n e w c r e a t i o n . As regards t h e t e r m Tr\r}pcona (v.19)'®^^ a sapiential b a c k g r o u n d has b e e n suggested as weU (cf. Prov 8 , 1 2 - 1 4 ; Bar 3 , 3 8 ; Sir 2 4 , 4 - 1 1 ) ' ® ' : Christ is t h e c o s m i c p r e s e n c e of G o d w h o s e a c t i o n a n d m a n i f e s t a t i o n h a v e b e e n f o c u s e d in C h r i s t ' s life, d e a t h , a n d resurrection'®*, in Christ's p r e - e x i s t e n c e , e a r t h l y life, a n d p o s t existence'®^.
TOKOC iK
157
158 159 160 161 162
163
164 165
o.c, pp.44f.; J.D.G. Dunn, o.c, p p . 1 6 5 , 1 8 9 ; S. Kim, o.c, p.259; J . N . Aletri, o.c, pp.63-70; differently N. Kehl, o.c, pp.85-88; P. Beasley-Murray, "Colossians 1,152 0 : A n Early Christian H y m n Celebrating the Lordship of Christ", Pauline Studies, FS F.F. Bruce, ed. D.A. Hagner et al., 1 9 8 0 , p . l 7 1 (reference to birthright). CL N. Kehl, Christushymnus, p . 1 0 6 ; A. Feuillet, "La creation de I'univers 'dans le Christ' d'apres I'F.pitre aux Colossiens (1,16a)", NTS 12 ( 1 9 6 5 / 6 6 ) 1-9;J. Gnilka, Kolosserbrief, pp.64f; J.D.G. Dunn, Christology, p.l90;alsoE. Lohse, Kolosserbrief PP.89L CL N. Kehl, o . c , p . l 0 5 ; A. Feuillet, Christ Sagesse, p p . 2 0 2 - 2 1 7 ; F. Zeilinger, £rrt^eborene, p . 2 0 1 ; J . GnUka, o.c, pp.66f.; J.D.G. Dunn, o . c , p p . l 6 5 L 1 9 1 . H. Gese, " W i s d o m " , / / B / ' 3 ( 1 9 8 1 ) 4 8 , 5 0 . CL E. Lohse, o.c, p.97; A. FeuUlet, o . c . p . 2 1 8 ; J . D . G . Dunn, o . c , p . l 9 1 ; S . K i m , Origin, p . 2 5 9 . E. Schweizer, A^olosier, p . 6 3 . On thU term cL A. FeuUlet, o . c , p p . 2 2 9 - 2 3 8 , 2 7 5 - 3 1 9 ; N. Kehl, o . c , p p . 1 1 0 - 1 2 5 ; C. Burger, Schopfung, p p . 4 7 4 9 ; J . N . Aletti, Colossiens 1,15-20, pp.77-81 (p.77 n . l 0 6 Ut.);J. GnUka, o . c , pp.72L Cf. A. Feuillet, o . c , p p . 2 3 6 - 2 3 8 ; H. Langkammer, "Die Einwohnung der 'absoluten SeinsfuUe' in Christus", BZ 12 ( 1 9 6 8 ) 2 5 8 - 2 6 3 , foUowed by J . N . Aletti, o . c , p.80 with n.l 2 4 ; also C. Burger, o . c , p . 4 9 ; J . D . G . Dunn, o . c , p p . l 9 2 L CL J.D.G. Dunn, o . c , p . l 9 3 . The presence of pre-existence christology in the Colossian hymn is nearly unani-
258
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Dunn's case against pre-existence christology in this h y m n evacuates the clear statements in I , 1 5 b . l 6 a . f . l 7 a of their obvious m e a n i n g l 6 6 . As regards for example the phrase ai)T(^ kKTio9ri rd ixama ( v . l 6 a ) , it is not only attractive (Dunn, p. 190) but unavoidable to interpret it in terms of Christ's pre-existence. The differen tiation between w i s d o m by which all things were created and Christ w h o later "be came" this wisdom (Durm, p p . 1 9 0 , 3 3 4 n . l 2 1 ) is rather artificial and is thwarted by the fact that the scopus of Col 1,15-20 is Christ and not vvdsdom (the latter is but the conceptual background of s o m e terms): Paul's readers understood the hymn not in terms of wisdom - which later supposedly "became" (when? how?) Christ Jesus but in terms of ChristlThis means that the iv airi^ describes (only) what happened in connection with Christ and not what happened in cormection with wisdom (as now embodied in Christ). It is difficult to see h o w Paul could stress here "the conti nuity between God's creative power and Christ" ( p . l 9 0 ) without implying that Christ himself was active in, or present at, creation. The aor.pass. ^KWCTIJT} clearly refers t o an event in the past'^^.
T o s u m u p , t h e a u t h o r of t h e h y m n a t t r i b u t e d t h e sapiential f u n c t i o n s of c r e a t i o n a l a n d salvational m e d i a t i o n t o J e s u s Christ t h u s p o r t r a y i n g t h e p r e - e x i s t e n t , i n c a r n a t e , a n d e x a l t e d Christ in t h e light of t h e J e w i s h divine wisdom'^®. Aletti's attempt to avoid the conclusion that Christ was identified with wisdom is rather artificial: (1) He never offers a methodological discussion of the terra 'identi fication' which can be understood in various ways; (2) his treatment of the wisdom figure in the Jewish tradition (pp.152-165) remains ambiguous as he luiderstands personified wisdom as "realite enigmatique" with a polymorphic character; (3) he emphasizes that wisdom expresses essentially God's relation with his creation and neglects the role of 'wisdom' in God's dealings with his people; (4) he therefore has to argue in a rather awkward manner when he notes that ICor 1,30 expresses orJy a 'functional' identification of Christ and 'wisdom' since Christ is not simply God's
mously acknowledged; cf. recently L. Goppelt, Theologie, 2, pp.403f.; F. Froitz heim, Theologie, p . 5 0 ; H. Merklein, "Entstehung", 1 9 7 9 , p.34; W.G. Kiimmel, Theologie, p . l 5 1 ; J . Gnilka, Kolosserbrief, p p . 6 1 , 6 3 - 6 6 , 7 7 ; J.N. Aletti, Colossiens 1.15-20, p p . 1 4 1 - 1 4 7 . 166 Cf. I.H. Marshall in his review. Trinity Journal 2 ( 1 9 8 1 ) 244f. 167 The perf. eKrujrai (v. 16e) cannot be used to gloss over the aor. ^KTUJI)TJ ( v . l 6 a ) ; contra J.D.G. Dunn, Christology, p . 3 3 4 n . l 2 0 . The change from aor. to perf. has to be understood as progression "vom Schopfungsakt zum Schopfungszustand" (J. Gnilka, o . c , p.65). 168 Cf. J.D.G. Dunn, o . c , p p . 1 8 7 - 1 9 6 passim; S. Kim, O n ^ n , p . 2 5 9 ; J . N . Aletti, o . c , p p . 1 4 8 - 1 8 0 . Contra W. Schenk, "Christus", EvTh 4 3 ( 1 9 8 3 ) 138-155 passim w h o rejects the view that Col 1,15-20 implies or expresses Christ's pre-existence or me diation al creation ( p p . i 4 2 f . ) and concludes that "dieser pseudepigraphe Paulus prasentiert sich als 'Entdecker' jenes zentralen Weltgeheimnisses, dafi dieser Jesus - von seiner Taufe und seinem Siihnetod her - die Weltseele ist, die die Welt zusammenhall (v. 17 avv4crrr}Kev). Die Welt ist ein OIKOC . . . Pazifizierung und 'Versdhnung' gibt es, weil am Kreuz die vermeintlichen Hausbesitzer als Hausbesetzer entlarvt und entmachtet sind".
Theological-Hermeneutical
Evidence
259
relation to man or to creation but the S o n "sans que cette relation au Pire implique necessaircment une relation aux h o m m e s " ( p . l 6 3 ) ; (5) he seems to presuppose that wisdom has to be conceived of as a real hypostasis if the identification with Christ should make any sense as otherwise Christ would be identified with a chimera (p. 157), which is not the case, however.
14.2.9. Col 2,3. T h e s t a t e m e n t t h a t in Christ t h e r e are noPTeq 01 driaavpoi TT]<; ao^iaq Kai yvcjaeojq diroKpvpoL exphcates once again w i s d o m christology'®^. Even t h o u g h this is n o t a l w a y s rec o g n i z e d ' ™ , scholars a l w a y s p o i n t e d o u t t h e sapiential b a c k g r o u n d of t h e c o n c e p t s w h i c h a r e u s e d in this verse. I n Prov 2 , 3 - 6 L X X we h a v e t h e c o n c e p t s dr^aavpoi, ao^ia, •yvCjoiq, a n d also avveatq a n d iniyvcoaiq (cf. Col 2 , 2 ! ) . Sir 1,5 re fers t o dr^aavpoi ao^piaq. Bar 3 , 1 5 m e n t i o n s t h e d-qaavpoi of ooifiia w h i c h dwell exclusively w i t h G o d . SapSal 7,14 describes aoipia as dtiaaupdq w h i c h i n c l u d e s G o d ' s friendship. Is 4 5 , 3 L X X s p e a k s of t h e driaavpoi . . . airoKpvipoi w h i c h c o m m u n i c a t e t h e k n o w l e d g e (yvojaiq) of G o d . A n d E n ( e t h ) 4 6 , 3 refers t o t h e S o n of M a n w h o reveals aU h i d d e n treasures ( n o t e t h a t t h e S o n of M a n in E n is also a s s o c i a t e d w i t h w i s d o m ) ' ^ ' . T h e s t a t e m e n t in 2 , 3 does n o t s t a t e p r i m a r i l y t h a t Christ is t h e s u b j e c t of all h u m a n k n o w l e d g e ' _ ^his is b u t t h e c o n s e q u e n c e of Paul's a s s e r t i o n — b u t t h a t Christ, as G o d ' s w i s d o m , is " t h e sole r e p o s i t o r y of w h a t m e n m a y k n o w of G o d ' s c h a r a c t e r " ' ^ ' . A g a i n , f u n c t i o n s of w i s d o m are t r a n s f e r r e d t o C h r i s t ' ^ * : h e is t h e m o s t clear a n d m o s t d e f i n i t e e m b o d i m e n t of G o d , t h e
169 Cf. H. Windisch, "Weisheit", p . 2 2 5 ; W.D. Davies,/'a«i p . l 7 3 with n.6; A. Feuillet, Christ Sagesse, p.l 72; R.P. Martin, Colossians, pp.69t.; F.F. Bruce, Colossians, p. 2 2 4 ; M. Hengel, Son. p . 7 2 ; P.E. Bonnard, "Sagesse", BETL 51 ( 1 9 7 9 ) 1 4 2 ; J . Gnil ka, Kolosserbrief, p.lll. 170 Surprisingly, neither J.D.G. Dunn, Christology, nor S. Kim, Origin, make anything of this verse. 171 Cf. generally A. Feuillet, Christ Sagesse, pp.53f., 2 3 6 , 2 5 8 ; F. Zeilinger, Erstgeborene, p . l l l n.l34;E.Schweizer,Afotoiser, p . 9 4 with n . 2 8 6 ; J . Gnilka, Kolosserbrief. p . l l l ; even A. van R o o n , "Relation", NovTest 16 ( 1 9 7 4 ) 237f. (admitting that Paul relates Christ to wisdom but rejecting the term 'wisdomchristology' neverthe less). 172 Thus E. Schweizer, o.c, p . 9 4 , referring to K. Barth, Kirchliche Dogmatik, I I / l , p. 2 8 5 ; similarly E. Lohse, Kolosser, p.l 2 9 . 173 R.P. Martin, Colossians, p.70 quoting C.F.D. Moule w h o stated that "Christ has b e c o m e to Christians all that the Wisdom of God was, according to the Wisdom lit erature, arud more stUl" ( p . 6 9 ) . 174 CL M. Hengel, Son, p . 7 2 .
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r e v e l a t i o n of G o d ' s n u a r r i p i o v (v.2) w h i c h is t h e gospel or G o d ' s p l a n of salvation w h i c h Christ e m b o d i e s ' ^ ^ .
14.3. Theological-Hermeneutical Evaluation 14.3.1. Cosmological aspects. Jewish wisdom theology, and p a r t i c u l a r l y its s p e c u l a t i o n regarding divine w i s d o m , focused o n w i s d o m ' s f u n c t i o n in c r e a t i o n (cf. § 2 . 1 . ) . W h e n Paul identified Christ as w i s d o m , Christ of n e c e s s i t y a s s u m e d c r e a t i o n a l a n d cos mological significance'^^. T h e " L o r d J e s u s C h r i s t " is t h e m e d i a t o r of c r e a t i o n . T h e c o s m o s is " t h r o u g h h i m " ( I C o r 8 , 6 ; R o m 1 1 , 3 6 ; Col 1,16). H e is t h e " f i r s t b o r n of all c r e a t i o n (Col 1 , 1 5 ) : " i n h i m " all things w e r e c r e a t e d (Col 1,16), a n d " i n h i m " all things h o l d t o g e t h e r (Col 1,17), a n d " t o h i m " are all things (Col 1,16). Christ is t h e a g e n t , t h e sustainer, a n d t h e goal of c r e a t i o n ' ^ ^ . Like wis d o m , Christ was active in c r e a t i o n . Like w i s d o m , Christ is t h e o r d e r of c r e a t i o n . A n d , u n l i k e w i s d o m b u t as a result of G o d ' s o w n w i s d o m , Christ is t h e goal of c r e a t i o n . 14.3.2. Soteriological aspects. T h e s e c o n d focus of w i s d o m t h e o l o g y , especially after t h e e x i l e , was w i s d o m ' s significance for a n d in G o d ' s h i s t o r y w i t h his p e o p l e (cf. § 2 . 2 . , 5 . 1 . 1 . ) . Divine w i s d o m was i n t i m a t e l y l i n k e d w i t h Israel a n d Z i o n , w i t h t h e c u l t , a n d w i t h t h e T o r a h . T h e soteriological significance of Christ is n a t u r a l l y n o t d e p e n d e n t u p o n his i d e n t i f i c a t i o n w i t h w i s d o m b u t o n t h e e v e n t s of t h e cross a n d t h e resurrection'^®.
175 C f . J . D . G . DuToi, Christology. p p . 2 3 5 f . ; S . Kim,Origin, p.78 n . l . 176 Cf. a l s o P . Stuhlmacher,"Christologie",ylu/Mf7?, 1 9 8 1 , p . 2 1 3 . 177 Cf. S. Kim, Origin, p . 2 5 9 . Cf. our discussion in § 1 4 . 2 . Most scholars agree that Christ as wisdom implies that he was active in creation. In order to avoid the con clusion that Christ's mediatorship in creation implied or presupposes his pre-exis tence, J.D.G. D u n n , Christology, p . 1 9 5 argues that all Paul wanted to say w h e n he identified Christ with wisdom was that "the same divine wisdom which was active in creation w e believe to have been active in Jesus". It escapes me how Dunn can write in the next sentence that "divine wisdom is not to be recognized as wholly identified with J e s u s " (italics his) and yet not infer that Christ, as wisdom of God, was active in creation t o o . One could also say that God acted 'in and through' the OT prophets w h o performed miracles and proclaimed God's word, as did Jesus! 178 On Paul's understanding of the cross cf. H. Weder, Kreuz Jesu, p p . 1 2 1 - 2 5 2 .
Theological-Hermeneutical
Evidence
261
H o w e v e r , several a s p e c t s of Paul's s o t e r i o l o g y are very closely l i n k e d w i t h w i s d o m t h e o l o g y . (1) T h e christological p e r s p e c t i v e of t h e d e s i g n a t i o n of Christ as " S o n " (of G o d ) is, a m o n g o t h e r tradi t i o n s w h i c h are m o r e d i r e c t l y revelant (e.g. m e s s i a n o l o g y ) , also re l a t e d t o w i s d o m t h e o l o g y : Christ as G o d ' s w i s d o m is G o d ' s S o n in t e r m s of a m o s t i n t i m a t e r e l a t i o n s h i p w i t h G o d ' ^ ^ . (2) G o d ' s " s e n d i n g of t h e S o n " for t h e salvation of t h e w o r l d is t o be u n d e r s t o o d against a sapiential b a c k g r o u n d as well (cf. Gal 4 , 4 ; Phil 2,61 1 ) . (3) Christ as w i s d o m is t h e e m b o d i m e n t a n d r e a l i z a t i o n of G o d ' s plan of s a l v a t i o n : t h e crucified Christ is G o d ' s w i s d o m (1 C o r 1,24.30) a n d t h e m e d i a t o r of o u r salvation ( I C o r 8 , 6 ; cf. R o m 1 1 , 3 6 ) . (4) As divine w i s d o m , Christ was p r e s e n t in G o d ' s might iest act of his h i s t o r y w i t h his p e o p l e , i.e. in t h e E x o d u s ( I C o r 1 0 , 4 ) . (5) Christ as w i s d o m of G o d is familiar w i t h G o d ' s w o r k s a n d p l a n s , a n d e m b o d i e d a n d realized this w i s d o m of G o d in a n d b y t h e e s c h a t o l o g i c a l iustificatio impiorum ( R o m 1 1 , 3 3 - 3 5 ) . (6) As divine w i s d o m , Christ is n o t o n l y t h e " f i r s t b o r n " of c r e a t i o n (Col 1,15) b u t also t h e " b e g i n n i n g " a n d t h e " f i r s t b o r n " of t h e escha tological n e w c r e a t i o n (Col 1,18). (7) As r e v e l a t o r y m a n i f e s t a t i o n of G o d ' s " s e c r e t " , Christ e m b o d i e s G o d ' s plan of salvation a n d c o n s e q u e n t l y r e p r e s e n t s t h e divine " t r e a s u r e s of w i s d o m " (Col 2, 3 ) . (8) Even t h o u g h t h e e x a l t e d Christ is n o t p r e s e n t o n e a r t h h e is, as G o d ' s w i s d o m , stiU p r e s e n t in t h e p r o c l a m a t i o n of t h e G o s p e l ( R o m 10,6-7)'*".
179 Cf. M. Hengel, Son, p p . 4 1 - 5 6 , 6 6 - 7 6 ; S. Kim, o.c, pp.l 1 7 - 1 1 9 , 2 5 9 ; H. Gese, "Wis d o m " , HBT 3 ( 1 9 8 1 ) 45f. For an extensive treatment of the term and related con cepts of "Son of G o d " cf. recently J.D.G. Dunn, Christology. 1 9 8 0 , pp.12-64. 180 K.G. Sandelin, Auseinandersetzung, 1 9 7 6 , concludes after examining ICor 15,222 8 . 4 4 b - 4 9 . 5 7 that Christ is given characteristics of the Alexandrian wisdom figure: (1) he is described as "liiFe-giving spirit" (pp.24-28); (2) he is presented asHeilsraum (cf. the expression "in Christ") and sphere of oternal life (pp.49-60; (3) he is de scribed as ruler w h o is subject to God and fights against enemies (pp.60-90). SandeUn denies, however, that Paul regarded Christ as 'incarnated sophia', especially since the Alexandrian sophia which calls upon man to attain salvation by fulfilling the law belongs to those powers which Christ overcomes (ICor 1 5 , 2 4 - 2 6 ) . Regard ing Sandelin's study, which has been well received — cf. the reviews of J . F . CoUange in RHPR 57 ( 1 9 7 7 ) 547f.; J. CahiU in CBQ 4 0 ( 1 9 7 8 ) 4 4 6 - 4 4 8 ; E.E. EUis in JBL 98 ( 1 9 7 9 ) 305f. — it has to be pointed out that Sandelin (1) seems to regard a c o n c e p t as sapiential if it just occurs somewhere in the wisdom literature or in the Philonic corpus, (2) never defines what 'wisdom' is, and (3) does not delineate his methodo logical presuppositions.
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14.3.3. Ontological aspects. In o u r exegetical discussion of t h e relevant Pauline p e r i c o p e s w e c o u l d n o t avoid t h e c o n c l u s i o n t h a t c e r t a i n s t a t e m e n t s o n Christ as t h e w i s d o m of G o d s h o u l d b e u n d e r s t o o d n o t m e r e l y in a f u n c t i o n a l m a n n e r b u t r a t h e r in o n t o logical r e s p e c t s ' ® ' . (1) As " i m a g e " of G o d a n d " f i r s t b o r n " of ( t h e old a n d t h e n e w ) c r e a t i o n (Col 1,15) — c o n c e p t s w h i c h sapiential t h e o l o g y links w i t h t h e ( p o e t i c ) w i s d o m figure — Christ n o t o n l y ' f u n c t i o n s ' as G o d ' s w i s d o m b u t is G o d ' s wisdom'®^. (2) Christ's m e d i a t o r s h i p in c r e a t i o n ( I C o r 8 , 6 ; R o m 11,.36; Col 1,15-18) is t o b e l i n k e d w i t h p r e - e x i s t e n c e christology'®*. O t h e r i n t e r p r e t a t i o n s of t h e s e passages e v a c u a t e t h e r e l e v a n t w o r d s a n d c o n c e p t s of t h e i r o b v i o u s a n d m o s t n a t u r a l m e a n i n g . (3) T h e christological title " f i r s t b o r n of all c r e a t i o n " (Col 1,15) seems t o e x p r e s s t h e a n t e r i o r i t y of C h r i s t p r i o r t o c r e a t i o n . (4) T h e c o n c e p t of " s e n d i n g " ( t h e S o n ) (Gal 4 , 4 , cf. Phil 2,6-11) also implies t h e p r e - e x i s t e n c e of C h r i s t , as w e have s e e n . (5) C h r i s t ' s p r e s e n c e in salvation h i s t o r y as divine w i s d o m ( I C o r 10,4) also expresses Paul's u n d e r s t a n d i n g of t h e p e r s o n of C h r i s t as p r e - e x i s t e n t saviour. T h u s , w i s d o m c h r i s t o l o g y implies or p r e - s u p p o s e s p r e - e x i s t e n c e christology'®*: C h r i s t , as G o d ' s w i s d o m , e x i s t e d b e f o r e c r e a t i o n .
181 Pace J.D.G. Dunn, Christology, p . 1 9 5 who states that "to understand the Wisdom passages as ontological affirmations about 'Christ's eternal being' is most probably to misunderstand them" asserting that they have to be understood rather as saying that "Christ represents what God is" (ibid.). Even though it might be true that Paul was not aiming (!) at winning men to "belief in a pre-existent being" (ibid.), it is still clear, in our eyes, that the ontological identity of Christ is expressed in these passages. 182 We are not convinced that such an identification is "an illegitimate transfer of twen tieth-century presuppositions to the first century", as J . D . G . Dunn, o.c, p . l 9 5 argues. It seems, rather, that the rejection of such an identification is an urmecessary transfer of m o d e m distinctions and cautions to the time of Paul. 183 Thus the vast majority of scholars; cf. the discussion in § 1 4 . 2 . for literature. F. Froitzheim, Christologie 1 9 7 9 , pp.54f. n . l 3 6 argues against the exclusive deriva tion of the pre-existence conception of Paul from sapiential motifs. Although it is true that Paul's pre-existence statements are not specifically connected with a parti cular christological title, it is wrong to limit the possibility of sapiential influence to those passages in which Christ is presented in a non-soteriological context as media tor of creation with the argument that sophia is a- or trans-historical (ibid.). We noted above that (1) wisdom is closely linked with Israel's history and (specific!) cult, especially in the later stages, and (2) that creation and history cannot be neat ly separated in a biblical context. 184 Cf. P. Stuhlmacher, "Christologie", Aufsdtze, p.213 w h o points out that "dicse Dimension des praexistenten Seins und Wirkens Jesu wurde urchristlich gewonnen
Theological-Hermeneutical
Evidence
263
He was G o d ' s m e d i a t o r in c r e a t i o n a n d , after b e i n g s e n t b y t h e F a t h e r i n t o t h e w o r l d , also m e d i a t o r in salvation (as n e w c r e a t i o n ) — i d r e a d y in G o d ' s dealings w i t h Israel, b u t t h e n p r i m a r i l y a n d f u n d a m e n t a l l y in revealing t h e riches of G o d ' s w i s d o m a t t h e cross w h i c h nullified t h e w i s d o m of t h e w o r l d , j u s t i f y i n g t h e u n j u s t . It was i n e v i t a b l e t h a t s u c h christological reflections l e d t o t r i n i t a r i a n questions"^. 14.3.4. Revelatory aspects. T h e p r e - e x i s t e n t Christ was n o t o n l y t h e m e d i a t o r of c r e a t i o n a n d salvation b u t also of r e v e l a t i o n . As " i m a g e of t h e invisible G o d " (Col 1,15) Christ has solved t h e old p r o b l e m of t h e h i d d e n n e s s a n d inaccessibility of G o d . C h r i s t , as G o d ' s w i s d o m , is t h e full a n d perfect a n d visible m a n i f e s t a t i o n a n d r e v e l a t i o n of God'*®. T h e t r u e c h a r a c t e r of divine w i s d o m is t o be r e a d off n o t from c r e a t i o n b u t from t h e cross ( I C o r 1,182 5 ) ' * ^ T h e s a m e t h o u g h t is e x p r e s s e d in R o m 1 0 , 6 - 7 ; 1 1 , 3 3 - 3 6 ; Col 2 , 3 . 14.3.5. Summary. F o r Paul'**, Christ was t h e w i s d o m of G o d . As m e d i a t o r of c r e a t i o n , s a l v a t i o n , a n d r e v e l a t i o n , t h e " L o r d J e s u s C h r i s t " m a n i f e s t e d t h e finality of G o d ' s o w n p u r p o s e s . As m e d i a t o r of c r e a t i o n , Christ as divine w i s d o m was t h e a g e n t a n d is t h e s u s t a i n e r ( o r d e r ! ) a n d t h e goal of c r e a t i o n . As m e d i a t o r of salva t i o n , Christ as divine w i s d o m is t h e " S o n " s e n t b y t h e F a t h e r i n t o t h e w o r l d e m b o d y i n g a n d realizing his p l a n of salvation in h i s t o r y a n d is still p r e s e n t in t h e p r e a c h i n g of t h e G o s p e l . Christ's m e d i a t o r s h i p in c r e a t i o n , his s e n d i n g i n t o t h e w o r l d , a n d his p r e s e n c e in Israel's salvational h i s t o r y all i m p l y t h a t Christ, as G o d ' s w i s d o m .
durch eine weisheitlich-messianische Aufwcitung der . . . christologischen Ursprungstraditionen". Cf. also recently J.M. Reese, "Christ as Wisdom Incarnate", BTB I I ( 1 9 8 2 ) 45f. 185 Cf. M. Hengel, Son, p . 7 0 . It is not necessary to assume that a pre-existence chris tology presupposes the hypostatization of wisdom with Christ then being identified with the hypostasis or figure of wisdom. 186 C f . S . Kim, On:?in, p . 2 5 9 ; V . A . R . Raj, Cosmic CArtsi, I 9 8 I , p p . 1 2 3 - 1 2 5 . 187 C f . J . D . G . D u n n , C A m t o t o ^ , p . l 9 5 . 188 It is irrelevant for our study whether Paul developed a full wisdom christology him self for the first time, as S. Kim, Origin, p . 2 5 8 thinks, or whether it goes back to the early Palestinian Christian community and/or to Jesus' o w n teaching, as M. Hengel, Son, p.74 asserts.
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is n o t o n l y ' p o s t - e x i s t e n t ' w i t h G o d as t h e e x a l t e d o n e b u t t h a t h e was p r e - e x i s t e n t w i t h G o d b e f o r e c r e a t i o n . F i n a l l y , Christ as divine w i s d o m has e p i s t e m o l o g i c a l significance as m e d i a t o r of r e v e l a t i o n . Christ is t h e fullest a n d m o s t p e r f e c t visible m a n i f e s t a t i o n of G o d .
' 15
C h r i s t and the
Law
I n t h e p r e c e d i n g p a r a g r a p h we e s t a b l i s h e d t h e fact t h a t Paul's c h r i s t o l o g y involved t h e c o r r e l a t i o n of Christ a n d w i s d o m . Before w e c a n discuss t h e q u e s t i o n w h e t h e r t h e t r a d i t i o n a l i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of w i s d o m a n d l a w w i t h w h i c h Paul was familiar h a d a n y influ e n c e u p o n t h e f o r m u l a t i o n of his christological c o n v i c t i o n s w e m u s t first establish t h e r e l a t i o n s h i p b e t w e e n C h r i s t a n d t h e T o r a h as envisaged b y Patil. We will p r o c e e d as we did in o u r discussion of w i s d o m c h r i s t o l o g y : a brief i n t r o d u c t i o n i n t o r e c e n t research r e g a r d i n g Paul's t h e o l o g y of t h e l a w is followed b y a c o n c i s e t r e a t m e n t of r e l e v a n t passages w h i c h r e l a t e Christ a n d t h e T o r a h a n d a s y s t e m a t i c analysis of t h e t h e o l o g i c a l e v i d e n c e . As regards t h e h a n d l i n g of t h e p r i m a r y a n d s e c o n d a r y sources'®^ in this para g r a p h , t h e m e t h o d o l o g i c a l c o n s i d e r a t i o n s of § 1 3 . 3 . a p p l y h e r e as well.
1 5 . 1 . Christ a n d t h e T o r a h in R e c e n t R e s e a r c h It was p a r t i c u l a r l y W.D. Davies w h o a s s e r t e d t h a t , for Paul, J e s u s C h r i s t was a ' n e w T o r a h ' ' ^ ° . He is a w a r e of t h e fact t h a t Paul n e v e r refers t o Christ as ' n e w T o r a h ' explicitly b u t states t h a t
189 As regards the literature o n the concept of law in Paul cf. H. Schlier, Galater, pp. 176f. n.2; G. Friedrich, in ThWNT 1 0 / 2 ( 1 9 7 9 ) 1 1 9 0 - 1 1 9 5 ; H. Hubner, Oai Gesetz bei Paulus, F R L A N T 1 1 9 , 3 l 9 8 2 , p p . 1 8 9 - 1 9 8 ; idem, Art. "v6tiO<;", EWNT 2 ( 1 9 8 1 ) 1 1 5 8 - 1 1 6 1 . For a good survey of the older literature cf. O . Kuss, "Nomos bei Paulus", MuThz 17 ( 1 9 6 6 ) 173-227; for the more recent contributions cf. A. van Diilmen, Die Theologie des Gesetzes bei Paulus, SBM 5, 1 9 6 8 , p p . 2 3 1 - 2 5 7 . 190 W.D. Davies, Paulus, p p . 1 1 0 - 1 7 6 , attempting to demonstrate that both the word of Jesus (pp.110-146) and the person of Jesus (pp.147-176) formed a 'new Torah' for PauL
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this i d e n t i f i c a t i o n is " c l e a r l y i m p h e d " in 2 C o r 3 , 4 - 1 8 ' ^ ' . As p r o o f for his thesis t h a t Paul i n t e r p r e t e d Christ in t e r m s of t h e old T o r a h , Davies a d d u c e s s i m p l y his c o n v i c t i o n t h a t this c o n n e c t i o n e x p l a i n s b e s t Paul's w i s d o m christology'^2_ I n h e r b o o k o n Paul's t h e o l o g y of t h e law, A.van D i i l m e n dis cusses all passages in Gal a n d R o m w h e r e votxoq o c c u r s a n d con cludes in h e r theological s e c t i o n t h a t Paul's t h e o l o g y of t h e l a w is christologically d e f i n e d : t h e r e is a c o n t i n u i t y b e t w e e n t h e T o r a h a n d Christ in t h e sense t h a t Christ is (1) t h e e n d of t h e law as w a y of salvation, a n d a t t h e s a m e t i m e (2) t h e p n e u m a t i c f u l f d m e n t a n d r e i n v i g o r a t i o n of t h e law as e x p r e s s i o n of G o d ' s w i h , so t h a t Christ, in a c e r t a i n sense, assumes t h e p l a c e of t h e T o r a h as, for Paul, t h e life " i n C h r i s t " replaces t h e life " u n d e r t h e l a w " ' ^ ' . In the 1970's n o monograph except Hiibner's appeared o n Paul's t h e o l o g y of t h e law'^'*. B u t n u m e r o u s articles discussed Paul's c o n c e p t i o n of the r e l a t i o n s h i p b e t w e e n t h e T o r a h a n d Christian ethics'^^^ t h e Spirit'^®, t h e G o s p e l ' ^ \ a n d Christ'^*, or focused o n t h e q u e s t i o n of t h e e n d a n d / o r t h e fulfilment of t h e
191 Cf. W.D. Davies, o . c , p . l 4 9 . On 2Cor 3,4-18 see infra, § 15.2.6. 192 Cf. W.D. Davies, o . c , p . l 5 0 and passim. This procedure is far from satisfactory and does not convince. The lack of definite evidence for the view that Paul saw Christ as new Torah was pointed out already in the reviews of J . Jeremias in ThLZ 7 4 ( 1 9 4 9 ) 148 and W.G. Kummel in Judaica 7 ( 1 9 5 1 ) 3 0 2 . 193 A. van Dulmen, Theologie, p . l 6 8 , particulariy p p . 1 8 5 - 2 3 0 . Note C. Haufe in ThLZ 96 ( 1 9 7 1 ) 3 4 8 f. w h o points out several inconsistencies in van Dulmen's argumentation. 194 Unfortunately, the dissertation of B.C. Wintle, The Law of Moses and the Law of Christ: An Exegetical Study of Pauline Teaching on the Authority of the Law over the Christian Believer, Ph.D.Diss. Manchester University, 1977, was not published. Cf. infra, pp.267. 195 Cf. A Feuillet, "Loi <mcieime et morale chretienne d'apres I'fipitrc aux Romains", NRTh 9 2 ( 1 9 7 0 ) 7 8 5 - 8 0 5 ; M. Barth, "Die SteUung des Paulus zu Gesetz und Ord nung", EvTh 23 ( 1 9 7 3 ) 4 9 6 - 5 2 6 ; J . W. Drane, "Tradition, Law and Ethics in Paul ine Theology", A'onJejf 16 ( 1 9 7 4 ) 167-178. 196 Cf. E. Lohse, "A vofux; TOU m>eiifuiTO<; rf)<: fcor)";: Exegetische Atmierkungen zu R o m 8,2", Neues Testament und christliche Existenz, FS H. Braun, ed. H.D. Betz et al., 1 9 7 3 , p p . 2 7 9 - 2 8 7 ; H.D. Betz, "Geist, Freiheit und Gesetz", ZThK 71 ( 1 9 7 4 ) 7 8 - 9 3 ; J. Blank, "Gesetz und Geist", The Law of the Spirit in Rom 7 and 8, ed. L. de Lorenzi, 1976, p p . 7 3 - 1 0 0 . 197 CL F. Mussner, Galaterbrief, ^ 1 9 7 7 p p . 2 7 7 - 2 9 0 ; P. von der Osten-Sacken, "Das paulinische Verstandnis des Gesetzes im Spanungsfeld von Eschatologie und Ge schichte", furA 37 ( 1 9 7 7 ) 5 4 9 - 5 8 7 . 198 CL H. Schurmann, " 'Das Gesetz des Christus' (Gal 6,2): Jesu Verhalten und Wort
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law'^^, o r discussed general way^™.
Paul's a l t i t u d e
towards
t h e law in a m o r e
As regards t h e r e l a t i o n b e t w e e n t h e T o r a h a n d Christ a n d Chris t i a n e t h i c s , H . S c h i i r m a n n asserts t h a t Paul t o o k J e s u s ' e x e m p l a r y c o n d u c t a n d w o r d t o b e t h e Mitte of all claims o n t h e life of t h e C h r i s t i a n , calling it " t h e law of C h r i s t " (Gal 6 , 2 ) : as t o its c o n t e n t it is c o n t r a s t e d w i t h t h e Mosaic l a w w h i c h is revised a n d is c o n c e n t r a t e d u p o n t h e c o m m a n d m e n t of love, a n d as t o its form it h a s t h e h i g h e s t p o s s i b l e a u t h o r i t y , r e p l a c i n g t h e Mosaic l a w ^ ' . As regards t h e validity of t h e T o r a h in Paul's t h e o l o g y , F . H a h n t a k e s p h r a s e s like WA/O? rriareojc ( R o m 3 , 2 7 ) , 6 z^b/uo? TOV rtv^vnaToq ( R o m 8,2) o r vonoq TOV XpioTov (Gal 6,2) as references t o t h e or Torah^*^ w h i c h goes b a c k t o G o d himself a n d always r e m a i n s t h e 8LKaiu>na of G o d , w h i c h i n c o r p o r a t e s t h e dialectic a n t i t h e t i c of t h e " l a w of sin ( a n d ) of d e a t h " a n d t h e " l a w o f U f e " , a n d w h i c h is n e w l y qualified as a result of t h e e s c h a t o l o g i c a l r e n o v a t i o n or re i n s t a t e m e n t of t h e T o r a h in t h e s e n d i n g of t h e S o n of G o d , t h u s
aJs letztgiiltige sittliche Norm nach Paulus", Neues Testament und Kirche, FS R. Schnackenbui^, ed. J . GnUka, 1 9 7 4 , p p . 2 8 2 - 3 0 0 ; J.A.Sanders, 'Torah and Christ", Int 29 ( 1 9 7 5 ) 3 7 2 - 3 9 0 ; E.M. Young, " 'FulfUl the Law of Christ': An Examination of Gal 6,2", SBT 7 ( 1 9 7 7 ) 3 1 - 4 2 . 199 P. Stuhlmacher, " 'Das Ende des Gesetzes': Uber Ursprung und Ansatz der paulinischen Theologie", ZThK 67 ( 1 9 7 0 ) 14-39; (= Aufsdtze, 1981, pp.166-192); E.P. Sanders, "On the Question of Fulfilling the Law in Paul and Rabbinic Judaism", Donum Gentilicium, FS D. Daube, ed. E. Bammel et al., 1 9 7 8 , p p . 1 0 3 - 1 2 6 . 2 0 0 Cf. F.F. Bruce, "Paul and the Law of Moses", BJRL 57 ( 1 9 7 4 / 7 5 ) 2 5 9 - 2 7 9 ; J . Blank, "Erwagungen zum Schriftverstandnis des Paulus", Rechtfertigung, FS E. Kasemann, ed. J . Friedrich et al., 1 9 7 6 , p p 3 7 - 5 6 ; F. Hahn, "Das Gesetzesverstandnis im R o m e r - u n d Galaterbrief, ZNW 67 ( 1 9 7 6 ) 2 9 - 6 3 ; E.P. Sanders, Paul, p p . 4 7 4 - 5 1 1 ; J . A . Sanders, "Torah and Paul", God's Christ and His People, FS N. Dahl, e d . J . JerveU. 1 9 7 7 . p p . 1 3 2 - 1 4 0 ; W.W. WueUner, "1 oposforschung und Torahinterpretation bei Jesus und Paulus", NTS 2 4 ( 1 9 7 8 ) 4 6 3 - 4 8 3 ; P. von der Osten-Sacken, "Paulus und das Gesetz", VIKJ 8 ( 1 9 7 8 ) 5 9 - 6 6 ; H. Schlier, Grundzuge einer paulinischen Theologie, 1 9 7 8 , pp.77-97; C.E.B. Cranfield, « o m a m , 2 , 1 9 7 9 , p p . 8 4 5 - 8 6 2 ; F. Festorazzi, "Coherence and Value of the Old Testament in Paul's Thought",/'au/cie 7'arje, e d . L. de Lorenzi, 1 9 7 9 , p p . 1 6 5 - 1 7 3 . 201 H. Schiirmann, " 'Das Gesetz des Christus' (Gal 6,2): Jesu Verhalten und Wort als letztgiUtige sittliche Norm nach Paulus", Neues Testament und Kirche, FS R. Schnackenburg, ed. J . Gnilka, 1974, p p . 2 8 9 - 2 9 4 . 202 H. Hahn, "Gesetzesverstandnis", ZNW 67 (1976) 3 7 f . , 4 7 f . , 5 7 , following G. Fried rich. "Das Gesetz des Glaubens", ThZ 10 (1954) 4 0 1 4 1 7 (= Auf das Wort komml es an. 1 9 7 8 , p p . 1 0 7 - 1 2 2 ) and E. Lohse, "Exegetische Bemerkungen", 1 9 7 3 , pp. 279-287.
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preserving t h e c o n t i n u i t y of t h e O T law as revelation of G o d ' s will a n d a t t h e s a m e t i m e a b o l i s h i n g its c h a r a c t e r as vofioq nbv ipyijjv^^. T h u s , a c c o r d i n g t o H a h n , the a s s u m p t i o n of an abrogatio legis or of a tiova lex in Paul is w r o n g . O n e has t o s p e a k , r a t h e r , of an interpretatio Christiana of t h e O T . P.von der O s t e n - S a c k e n asserts in a similar m a n n e r t h a t t h e t i m e of t h e l a w , for Paul, has c o m e t o an e n d o n l y o n t h e christo logical level with t h o s e w h o believe in Christ still being d e t e r m i n e d b y t h e law w h i c h is in o p e r a t i o n as eschatological f a c t o r of j u d g m e n t as a result of Christ's d e a t h a n d r e s u r r e c t i o n . T h u s , o n t h e a n t h r o p o l o g i c a l - s o t e r i o l o g i c a l level, t h e sinner is c o n d e m n e d b y the law w h i c h is still v a h d a n d t h e believer fulfills t h e law b y faith w h i c h w o r k s t h r o u g h love^"*. B.C. Wintle argues t h a t Israel's e l e c t i o n a n d t h e giving of t h e law h a v e t o b e u n d e r s t o o d in their salvation-historical c o n t e x t as s u b o r d i n a t e t o G o d ' s p u r p o s e of c r e a t i n g a n e w h u m a n i t y in C h r i s t : t h e law was given t o m a k e m a n a w a r e of his b o n d a g e t o sin leading i n e v i t a b l y t o G o d ' s j u d g m e n t ^ " ^ . Christ b r o u g h t t h e life w h i c h t h e law p r o m i s e d b u t c o u l d n o t give. H e has s u p e r s e d e d t h e law since h e is, as " i m a g e of G o d " , t h e final r e v e l a t i o n of G o d . T h e believer, b y faith in C h r i s t , is r e d e e m e d from t h e c o n d e m n a t i o n of t h e l a w ( p p . 1 3 1 - 1 6 3 ) . As h e is " i n C h r i s t " , h e is n o l o n g e r " u n d e r t h e l a w " , a n d b y t h e Spirit ( p p . 2 0 2 - 2 3 7 ) h e fulfills t h e r e q u i r e m e n t s of t h e law, in l o v e . T h e t e r m " l a w of C h r i s t " is a general w a y of e m p h a sizing t h a t t h e believer s t a n d s u n d e r t h e will of G o d w h i c h is his saving p u r p o s e t o c r e a t e in Christ a n e w h u m a n i t y . T h e life of t h e C h r i s t i a n is t o b e d e t e r m i n e d b y m o r a l c o n f o r m i t y t o Christ ( p p . 261-298). P. S t u h l m a c h e r distinguishes four h u e s of t h o u g h t in Paul's ' d i a l e c t i c ' t h e o l o g y of t h e law. (1) T h e c h u r c h lives in t h e t i m e a n d r e a l i z a t i o n of t h e n e w c o v e n a n t o b l i g a t i o n of J e r 3 1 , 3 I f f . as a result of Christ's d e a t h a n d r e s u r r e c t i o n . (2) In a n d w i t h Christ t h e t i m e of f r e e d o m from t h e Mosaic law has b e g u n . (3) T h e c h u r c h
2 0 3 Cf. F. Hahn, "Gesetzesvcrstandnis", ZNW 67 ( 1 9 7 6 ) 6 0 - 6 3 . 2 0 4 P. von der Osten-Sacken, "Das paulinische Verstandnis des Gesetzes im Spannungs feld von Eschatologie und Geschichte", EvTh 3 6 ( 1 9 7 7 ) 5 4 9 - 5 8 7 , here 5 6 7 - 5 6 9 ; also idem, "Das Evangelium als Einheit von Verheissung und Gesetz: Grundzuge paulinischer Theologie", ThViat 14 ( 1 9 7 7 / 7 8 ) , 8 7 - 1 0 8 , here 9 0 - 9 9 . 205 B.CV/intle, Law ofMoses and Law of Christ, 1 9 7 7 , p p . 3 9 - 1 3 0 .
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has t o p r o v e this f r e e d o m t o be g o o d in t h e p o w e r of t h e H o l y Spirit u n d e r t h e " T o r a h of C h r i s t " (Gal 6,2). (4) T h i s " T o r a h of C h r i s t " is, as e s c h a t o l o g i c a l c o u n t e r p a r t t o t h e Sinai T o r a h , identiceil w i t h t h e Z i o n T o r a h w h i c h is e s t a b l i s h e d b y J e s u s a n d w h i c h has as its c e n t r e t h e c o m m a n d m e n t of love a n d t h e f u n d a m e n t a l claims of t h e d e c a l o g u e t h u s r e a c h i n g t h e goal of t h e spiritual in t e n t i o n of t h e Sinai Torah^*'^. H. Schlier believes t h a t t h e law is a n offer of Christ for t h o s e w h o believe in h i m : t h e " l a w of C h r i s t " is t h e Mosaic law w h i c h has b e e n ' f r e e d ' o n t h e basis of its fulfilment b y Christ a n d conse q u e n t l y c a n b e h e a r d a n d fulfilled again as original will of G o d . Paul fights for t h e r e s t i t u t i o n of t h e T o r a h , G o d ' s i n s t r u c t i o n for life207. H. H i i b n e r has w r i t t e n t h e m o s t significant m o n o g r a p h o n Paul's t h e o l o g y of t h e law, focusing o n t h e d e v e l o p m e n t of his t h i n k i n g f r o m Gal t o Rom^*'®. H e sees in Gal a n essentially negative a t t i t u d e t o w a r d s t h e law d i f f e r e n t i a t i n g , o n t h e basis of G a l 3 , b e t w e e n (1) t h e i n t e n t i o n of G o d , (2) t h e i m m a n e n t i n t e n t i o n of t h e l a w , a n d (3) t h e i n t e n t i o n of t h e law-giver ( a n ; ; e l s / d e m o n s ) . In G a l , Paul a d v o c a t e s a c o n s c i o u s a b r o g a t i o n of essential p a r t s of t h e T o r a h ( p p . 1 6 - 4 3 ) . A s regards R o m , H i i b n e r agrees basically w i t h F . H a h n a n d finds a positive r o l e of t h e law w i t h " l o v e " c o n s t i t u t i n g t h e fulfilment of t h e T o r a h a n d essenrially a b r o g a t i n g t h e c u l t i c c o m m a n d m e n t s of t h e T o r a h ( p p . 4 4 - 8 0 ) . H i i b n e r i n t e r p r e t s vonoq in R o m 3 , 2 7 ; 8,2 as r e f e r e n c e t o t h e O T T o r a h ( p p . 1 1 8 - 1 2 9 ) w i t h o u t , h o w e v e r , linking t h e " l a w of f a i t h " of R o m 8,2 w i t h t h e " l a w of C h r i s t " in Gal 6 , 2 . C . F J . B . Cranfield e m p h a s i z e s in his c o m m e n t a r y t h a t , for Paul, t h e law is n o t a b r o g a t e d b y Christ^*^. I n 1 9 8 0 several articles discussed t h e t e r m s " l a w of t h e S p i r i t " , " l a w of C h r i s t " , " l a w of f a i t h " , a t t e m p t i n g t o e v a l u a t e t h e i r sig nificance in t h e light of t h e fact t h a t Christ is " t h e e n d of t h e l a w " for Paul^'**. R e c e n t l y C . T . R h y n e investigated t h e b a c k g r o u n d .
2 0 6 P. Stuhlmacher, "Gesetz", Aufsdtze, 1 9 8 1 , p p . 1 5 6 - 1 5 9 . The eschatological Zion Torah is described o.c., p p . 1 4 2 - 1 4 6 , 1 4 8 - 1 5 0 . 207 n.Schiiet, Grundzuge, 1978, pp.77-97, here 9 3 - 9 5 . 2 0 8 H. Hubner, Gesetz, 1978 ( 3 l 9 8 2 ! ) . We use the third edition. Cf. also idem. Art. ""v6iio<:",EWNT2(\9f,i) 1 1 5 8 - 1 1 7 2 , here 1 1 6 7 - 1 1 7 0 . 209 C.E.B. Cranfield, fiomanj, 2, 1 9 7 9 , p p . 8 5 2 - 8 6 1 . 2 1 0 Cf. P.W. Meyer, "Romans 10,4 and the End of the Law", The Divine Helmsman,
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m e a n i n g , a n d c o n t e x t of t h e p h r a s e fdpof loTdvoiiev in R o m 3 , 3 1 e m p h a s i z i n g t h a t Paul u s e d t h e c o n c e p t i o n of faith establishing t h e law t o e x p l a i n t h e l a t t e r ' s validity for t h e b e h e v e r a n d t h e Churchill.
F r o m o t h e r r e c e n t c o n t r i b u t i o n s t o o u r subject^'^^ we w a n t t o p o i n t o u t finally t h e article b y U. Wilckens o n t h e d e v e l o p m e n t of Paul's c o n c e p t i o n of t h e l a w ^ " in w h i c h h e discusses n o t o n l y t h e s t a t e m e n t s o n law in Gal a n d R o m (as H i i b n e r ) b u t also t h o s e in l / 2 C o r a n d in Phil 3 . H e sees t h e p o s i t i o n of R o m t o b e a revision of t h e " K a m p f p o s i t i o n " of Phil a n d Gal w h i c h has t o b e e x p l a i n e d b y t h e o c c a s i o n of t h e l e t t e r . In Gal we see a t r e m e n d o u s c o n c e n t r a t i o n o n t h e c o m m a n d m e n t s of t h e T o r a h t o t h e c o m m a n d m e n t of l o v e , r e s u l t i n g in t h e fact t h a t t h e c u l t i c a n d r i t u a l i n j u n c t i o n s are a b r o g a t e d . A t t h e same t i m e it is o b v i o u s t h a t t h e T o r a h as s u c h a n d as a w h o l e is n o t (!) a b r o g a t e d b u t receives from Christ a p o s i t i v e - b i n d i n g significance for t h e C h r i s t i a n . T h e " l a w of C h r i s t " (Gal 6,2) is t h e T o r a h in its d e t e r m i n e d n e s s b y Christ w h i c h is ful filled b y t h e C h r i s t i a n in t h e Spirit a n d in love ( p p . 1 6 4 - 1 7 6 ) . In R o m , Paul still a d v o c a t e s t h e negative f u n c t i o n of t h e law (of Phil 3 a n d Gal 3 , 1 9 - 2 0 ) regarding t h e s i n n e r a n d regarding its t o t a l lack
FS L.H. SUbermann, ed. J . L . Crenshaw, 1 9 8 0 , p p . 5 9 - 7 8 ; L.E. Keck, "The Law and 'The Law o t Sin and Death' (Rom 8,1-4): Reflections o n the Spirit and Ethics in Paul", o.c, pp.41-57; A. Feuillet, "Loi de Dieu, loi du Christ et loi de I'Esprit d'apres les epitres paulinietuies: Les raports de ces trois lois avec la Loi Mosaique", NovTest 22 ( 1 9 8 0 ) 2 9 - 6 5 ; W.S. Campbell, "Christ as the End of the Law in Rom 1 0 , 4 " , Studia Biblica 1978, 3 , ed. E.A. Livingstone, 1980 p p . 7 3 - 8 1 ; H. Raisanen, "Das 'Gesetz des Glaubens' ( R o m 3,27) und das 'Gesetz des Geistes'(Rom 8,21)", NTS 26 ( 1 9 8 0 ) 1 0 1 - 1 1 7 . 211 C.T. Rhyne, Faith Establishes the Law, SBLDS 5 5 , 1 9 8 1 . 212 CL H. Raisanen, "Paul's Theological Difficulties with the Law", Studia Biblica 1978, 3 , 1 9 8 0 , p p . 3 0 1 - 3 2 0 ; U . Luz, in R. Smend, U. Luz, G « e ( A 1 9 8 1 , p p . 8 9 - 1 1 2 ; G. Dautzenberg, "Paulus und das Alte Testament", BiKi 37 ( 1 9 8 2 ) 21-27; A. MaUlot, "Essai sur les citations veterotestamentaires contenues dans Romans 9 a 1 1 , ou comment se servir de la Torah pour montrer que le 'Christ est la fin de la Torah' ", EThR 57 ( 1 9 8 2 ) 5 5 - 7 3 ; W.D. Davies, "Paul and the Law: Reflections o n PitfaUs in Interpretation", Paul and Paulinism, FS C.K. Barrett, ed. M.D. Hooker et al., 1 9 8 2 , pp.4-16 (shortened version of his article, with the same title, in HLJ 2 9 / 1 9 7 8 , pp. 1 4 5 9 - 1 5 0 4 ) emphasizing the complexity of Paul's view of the Torah o n his Jewish background and asserting that Paul reassessed the law in the light of Jesus' messiahship;H. Kaiiinen, Paul and the Law. WUNT 2 9 , 1 9 8 3 . 2 1 3 U. Wilckens, "Zur Entwicklung des pauhnischen Gesetzesverstandnisses", TVrS 28 ( 1 9 8 2 ) 1 5 4 - 1 9 0 ; cL also idem, "Statements on the Development of Paul's View of the Ldw",Paul and Paulinism, 1 9 8 2 , pp.l 7-26.
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of salvational p o w e r , b u t a t t h e same t i m e h e seeks t o e s t a b h s h t h e law ( R o m 3 , 3 1 ) b y p o i n t i n g o u t its positive significance in t h e life of t h e Christian ( R o m 8,2) as " l a w of t h e S p i r i t " a n d " l a w of hfe" (pp.l84f.). This s u r v e y leads t o t w o i m p o r t a n t o b s e r v a t i o n s . First, t h e q u e s t i o n of t h e d e v e l o p m e n t of Paul's t h e o l o g y of t h e law is still de b a t e d . R a t h e r t h a n a s s u m i n g decisive c h a n g e s in t h e c o n t e n t of Paul's c o n c e p t i o n s ^ ' ' * , we side w i t h t h o s e w h o e x p l a i n t h e differ ences in Paul's s t a t e m e n t s o n t h e significance a n d validity of t h e law o n t h e basis of (1) different lines of t h o u g h t w h i c h c a n b e cor r e l a t e d , (2) t h e different p e r s p e c t i v e s of Paul d e p e n d i n g o n t h e o c c a s i o n of t h e l e t t e r s , or (3) d e v e l o p m e n t s in p r e s e n t a t i o n ^ ' ^ .
2 1 4 Cf. especially the study of H. Hubner, Gesetz; aho J.W. Drane, Paul, Libertine or Legalist? A Study in the Theology of the Major Pauline Epistles, 1 9 7 5 , pp.34f., 6 2 , 6 8 , 1 3 5 etc. As regards Drane's study, the critique of W. Bieder in ThZ 3 2 ( 1 9 7 6 ) 109f. is totally ill-conceived when he assumes Drane's "theologiegeschichtliche Bindung" to Anglicanism leading him to a presentation of Paul, as regards R o m , as a "Kirchenvater der anglikanischen Kirche . . . die die goldene Mitte zwischen 'Protestantismus' und 'Katholizismus' darsteUt" (p.l 10), since Drane is not an Anglican in the first place! On the development of Paul's thinking in general see now also P. Benoit, "Genese et evolution de la pensee paulinienne", Paul de Tarse, 1 9 7 9 , pp.75100. 2 1 5 Cf. e.g. F. Hahn, "Gesetzesverstandnis", ZNW 67 (1976) 3 0 , 5 7 - 6 0 ; E.P. Sanders, Paul, p.433 n.9; P. Stuhlmacher, "Gesetz", Aufsdtze, p p . l 5 6 f . ; similarly W.D. Davies, "Paul and the Law", 1 9 8 2 , pp.8-10; obviously also P. von der Osten-Sacken, "Verstandnis", EvTh 37 ( 1 9 7 7 ) 5 4 9 - 5 8 7 ; U. Luz, in R. Smend, U. Luz, Gesetz, p.l 53 n.170 (arguing contra Hiibner). Cf. also B.H. Brinsmead, Galatians — A Dialogical Response to Opponents, SBLDS 6 5 , 1 9 8 2 , pp.115-127 w h o shows that it was the specific law tradition of the opponents with its tendency towards exclusivism and calendrical observance which called forth the "unusually negative treatment from Paul" ( p . l 2 7 ) . U. Wilckens, "Entwicklung", NTS 28 ( 1 9 8 2 ) 180 calls the position of Paul in Rom a 'revision' or 'correction' of earlier statements, but then goes o n to explain the position in R o m o n the basis of the particular occasion of the letter (pp.lSOf.) which seems t o indicate that he would maintain the basic reconcilability of Paul's statements o n the law. The rather polemic article of H. Raisanen, "Difficulties", Studia Biblica 1978, 3 , 1 9 8 0 , p p . 3 0 1 - 3 2 0 in which he asserts that Paul the theologian had vast problems with the law which Paul the man was unable to digest is totally unconvincing; e.g. the fact that Cranfield and Kasemann differ diametrically in their understanding of the relation of law and Gospel in Paul (p.307) is surely n o proof for the view that Paul had difficulties with the law! I regret that it was t o o late for me to discuss Raisanen's most recent book, Paul and the Law, WUIVT 2 9 , 1 9 8 3 , as fully as I would have wished. His conclusion that Paul's speech about the law was deliberately "loose" and "vague" and that his understanding of the nature and role of the law is "strangely ambiguous", problem atic, and full of difficulties and inconsistencies (cf. particularly p p . 1 9 9 - 2 0 2 , 2 6 4 269) is exegetically unwarranted (cf. § 1 5 . 2 . for a discussion of some relevant
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S e c o n d , t h e c e n t r a l issues in P a u l ' s t h e o l o g y of t h e l a w a r e l i n k e d w i t h t h e q u e s t i o n of t h e h e r m e n e u t i c a l significance of t h e s t a t e m e n t t h a t C h r i s t is t h e " e n d of t h e l a w " a n d t h e r e l a t e d ques t i o n of t h e m e a n i n g of t h e p h r a s e s " l a w of C h r i s t " , " l a w of f a i t h " , a n d " l a w of t h e S p i r i t " . We are t h e r e f o r e j u s t i f i e d w h e n w e focus s u b s e q u e n t l y o n t h e s e s t a t e m e n t s a n d p h r a s e s as t h e y are n o t o n l y crucial for o u r i n q u i r y i n t o t h e c h r i s t o l o g i c a l significance of t h e t r a d i t i o n a l c o r r e l a t i o n of l a w a n d w i s d o m b u t also for a p r o p e r u n d e r s t a n d i n g of Paul's t h e o l o g y of t h e law a n d h e n c e also of his parenesis.
15.2. Exegetical Evidence 15.2.1. Gal 3,19-25. T h e r e l a t e d q u e s t i o n s of t h e p u r p o s e of t h e Mosaic l a w a n d of t h e C h r i s t i a n ' s h b e r a t i o n from t h e l a w are t r e a t e d in Gal 3,19-252'®. c o n c e r n s Paul's discussion o f t h e per m a n e n t v a h d i t y of t h e p r o m i s e in 3 , 1 5 - 1 8 , o n e m i g h t c o n c l u d e from 3 , 1 7 t h a t Paul denies t h e divine a u t h o r i t y of t h e law. H e n c e P a u l inserts a r a t h e r c o n c i s e digression^'^ o n t h e J e w i s h law t o prevent such a wrong conclusion. T h e t w o d o u b l e s t a t e m e n t s in v . l 9 b - e are chiastically e x p l a i n e d in w . 2 0 - 2 5 : v . 2 0 e l u c i d a t e s t h e t w o final p h r a s e s in v . l 9 d . e refer ring t o t h e origin of t h e law, a n d vv.21-25 d w e l l o n t h e f u n c t i o n of t h e l a w (cf. v . l 9 b . c ) , first w a r d i n g off a w r o n g c o n c l u s i o n (v.21) a n d t h e n p r e s e n t i n g Paul's o w n view ( w . 2 2 - 2 5 ) 2 ' * . As r e g a r d s t h e a s s u m e d origin of t h e J e w i s h law, s o m e s c h o l a r s assert t h a t Paul
passages) and theologically both unfounded and implausible. He does not discuss the correlation of different lines of thought in Paul which other scholars hold logical and coherent. His conclusions are in fact preconceived ideas which are read back into the texts. Raisanen is seemingly not interested even in an attempt to arrive at a coherent picture of Paul's position as regards the law. Coherence and consistency of Paul's theological position(s) is much more likely than ambiguity and secondary rationalizations. 2 1 6 For a detaUed exegesis cf. H.D. Betz, Galatians, pp.l 61-180; also U. WUckens, "Entwicklung",,A^rS 28 ( 1 9 8 2 ) 1 7 1 - 1 7 3 . As regards the theology of Paul's op ponents in Galatia cf. now B.H. Brinsmead, Galatians, 1 9 8 2 . 217 C f . H . D . Betz, o . c . p . l 6 3 . 218 Cf. G. EbeUng, Die Wahrheit des Evangeliums, 1 9 8 1 , pp.257f.; see H.D. Betz, o . c , pp.163-171 f o r a d e t a U e d analysis of v. 19.
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e m p h a s i z e s in v. 19 t h e a b s e n t e e s h i p of G o d in t h e c o m m u n i c a t i o n of t h e law a n d d e m o n i z e s t h e l a w as " l a w of a n g e l s " ^ ' ^ . W i t h o u t d e t a i l e d analysis of v v . l 9 d . e . 2 0 suffice it t o say t h a t (1) t h e dyyeXoL are n o t r e g a r d e d as evil, n e i t h e r t h e r e f o r e t h e T o rah^^O; (2) t h e divine origin of t h e law is n o t denied^^' ; (3) even t h o u g h t h e d i s p u t e d m e a n i n g of txealrvq^^^ i m p h e s a d e p r e c i a t o r y aspect^^^ w h i c h results in t h e T o r a h b e i n g d e s c r i b e d as inferior, this d o e s n o t m e a n t h a t Paul w a n t s t o disparage t h e l a w , b u t t h a t (4) P a u l , arguing against p e o p l e w h o magnified t h e law u n d u l y over against t h e G o s p e l ( p r o m i s e ) , d e p i c t s h e r e t h e law as nuda lex in a n a r r o w s e n s e , i.e. n o t t h e law " i n t h e fullness a n d w h o l e n e s s of its t r u e c h a r a c t e r , b u t t h e law as seen a p a r t f r o m Christ"22**;
219 Cf. especially H. Hubner, Gesetz, p p . 2 8 f . , 7 8 ; similariy H. SchUer, Galater, p p . l 5 7 f . 220 Cf. H. Schlier, o.c., p . l 5 8 ; H.D. Betz, Galatians, p . 1 6 9 ; C.E.B. Cranfield, Tiomanj, 2, p . 8 5 8 ; F.F. Bruce, Galatians, p . l 7 7 ; H. Raisanen,Pau/, p p . I S l f . ; see also T. Callan, "PauUne Midrash: The Exegetical Background of Gal 3 , 1 9 b " , / B L 9 9 ( 1 9 8 0 ) 5 5 0 - 5 5 4 . Contra H. Hubner, o.c, p . 2 8 . Hubner's interpretation of Gal 3,19-20 re garding the role and nature of the angels in the promulgation of the law has been repeatedly criticized; cf. D.R. de Lacey, in JStNT 4 ( 1 9 7 8 ) 7 1 ; U. Luz, in ThZ 3 5 (1979) 122;J.PlevnUt, in Bib 61 ( 1 9 8 0 ) 2 9 6 . H. Raisanen, o . c , p p . l S l L 221 CL T. CaUan, a . c , p . 5 5 4 ; A. van Diilmen, Theologie, pp.44L; R. Bring, Christus und das Gesetz, p p . 7 3 - 7 8 , 9 5 ; C H . Giblin, "Three Monotheistic Texts in Paul", CBQ 37 ( 1 9 7 5 ) 5 4 1 ; H. Schlier, o . c , p . l 5 8 ; F. Mussner, Galaterbrief, p.247 with n . l 7 ; B.C. Wintle, Law, p.78 n . l 4 ; C.E.B. Cranfield, o . c , p . 8 5 8 ; F.F. Bruce, o . c , p p . 1 7 5 , 1 7 7 , 1 8 0 . Contra H . D . Liihrmann, Galater, p . 6 2 ; H. H u b n e r , o . c , pp.29L; also U. WUckens, "Entwicklung", AfTS 28 ( 1 9 8 2 ) 1 7 2 . 2 2 i Most scholars interpret the mediator as referring to Moses; cL H. Hiibner, o . c , p.29; H.D. Betz, o.c, p . 1 7 0 ; C.E.B. Cranfield, o . c , p . 8 5 8 ; R. CaUan, a . c , p p . 5 5 5 - 5 6 4 ; B.H. Brinsmead, Galatians, p p . l l 6 L , 2 8 4 n.lO (referring to AssMos 1,14; 3 , 1 2 ; Philo VitMos 3,19 and, with caution, Heb 8 , 6 ; 9 , 1 5 ; 1 2 , 2 4 ) . Others see in the me diator the angel of the presence; cf. A. Vanhoye, "Un mediateur des anges en Ga 3 , 19-20", Bib 59 ( 1 9 7 8 ) 4 0 3 4 1 1 , foUowed by F.F. Bruce, o . c , p . l 7 9 ; H . Raisanen, o . c . p. 130. 2 2 3 This is unanimously acknowledged. H.D. Betz, o . c , p p . l 7 1 f . explains, for example, that Paul describes here the mediator as the representative of a plurality in contrast to God's oneness, that this plurality need not to be identified with the angels, and that "Paul argues that anything that stands in contrast to the oneness of God is in ferior. Since the concept of mediator presupposes by definition a plurality of part ies, it is inferior and, consequently, renders the Torah inferior". Cf. simUarly U. WUckens,a.c, p . l 7 2 ; B i l . Brinsmead, o . c , pp.l 16-118, 2 8 4 n . l l . 2 2 4 C.E.B. Cranfield, Romans, 2, p . 8 5 9 , quoting J . Caivin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, 2.7.2.; cL also F.F. Bruce, Galatians, p . l 7 9 ; F. Hahn, "Gesetzesverstiindnis", ZNW 67 ( 1 9 7 6 ) 5 9 ; also B.C. WinUe, Law, p.78 w h o emphasizes that Paul's main concern is not to demonstrate the inferiority of the law per se "but only that the giving of the law did not alter the conditions of God's promise to Abraham".
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273
( 5 ) t h e c h a r a c t e r i z a t i o n of t h e law as s t i p u l a t e d b y angels via a m e d i a t o r has t o b e u n d e r s t o o d i n t h e c o n t e x t of t h e G a l a t i a n s ' c o n c e r n s regarding c i r c u m c i s i o n a n d t h e o b s e r v a t i o n of c e r t a i n d a y s , m o n t h s , t i m e s , a n d y e a r s (cf. Gal 4,10)^^^. As regards t h e f u n c t i o n of t h e J e w i s h law, Paul s t a t e s t h a t t h e law was " a d d e d " in o r d e r t o c o n d e m n t h e transgressions as such^^^ u n t i l the c o m i n g of Christ ( v . l 9 b . c ) enclosing e v e r y t h i n g u n d e r sin (v.22a) a n d k e e p i n g e v e r y b o d y in c u s t o d y u n t i l Christ ( w . 2 3 - 2 4 ) , a n d t h a t w i t h Christ's c o m i n g we are n o l o n g e r " u n d e r t h e l a w " (v.25). Scholars h a v e i n t e r p r e t e d t h e s e s t a t e m e n t s as signifying t h e a b r o g a t i o n of t h e T o r a h w i t h Christ b e i n g t h e terminus ad quem of t h e Torah227. This view has b e e n d i s p u t e d , however^^®. It suffices h e r e t o p o i n t o u t t h a t Paul (1) d o e s n o t refer to a n e w T o r a h w h i c h is t o b e given in t h e messianic age a n d t h u s t o b e c o n n e c t e d w i t h C h r i s t ^ ^ , (2) w a n t s t o a v o i d t h e t o t a l s e p a r a t i o n of t h e T o r a h (of Moses) a n d t h e p r o m i s e ( t o A b r a h a m ) in v . 2 1 a : t h e l a w is n o t d i r e c t l y o p p o s e d t o t h e p r o m i s e , for t h e law was n o t given b y G o d t o c r e a t e (!) life in a n d for t h e sinners (v.21) b u t o n l y t o c o n d e m n sinners as sinners ( w . 2 3 - 2 4 ) ^ * ^ , (3) describes t h e f u n c t i o n of t h e law in its salvation-historical significance a n d necessity^*' as " p r i s o n w a r d e n " (v.23) a n d "slave a t t e n d a n t " ( v . 2 4 ) , (4) argues h e r e a n d in Gal as a w h o l e t h a t faith in J e s u s
225 Cf. M. Limbeck, Von der Ohnmacht des Rechts: Untersuchungen zur Gesetzeskritik des Neuen Testaments, 1 9 7 2 , pp.93f. n.28 who points out that the Jewish tradition attributed such regulations to the angels who gave them to Moses, referring to IQS 10,1-8; Jub 1,27.29; 2 , 1 . 2 5 - 2 6 . 2 9 . 3 0 ; 6 , 2 0 . 2 2 ; 15,25-28. He concludes that "wenn die Galater diese Vorshriften ernst nehmen, folgen sie eigentlich dem GeheiB der Engel - und damit war fiir Paulus die Moglichkeit gegeben, die Beobachtung dieser Anordnungen mit dem friiheren Gbtzendienst der Galater zu identifizieren" (p.94 n.28). 2 2 6 Thus taking xdpiv in the causal sense; cf. F. Mussner, Galaterbrief, p . 2 4 5 wdth n.5; U. Wilckens, "Entwicklung", NTS 28 ( 1 9 8 2 ) 1 7 1 . Pace H.D. Betz, Galatians, pp. 164-167; H. Huhnet, Gesetz, p.27. 227 Cf. F. Mussner, o.c, p . 2 4 6 ; H. Hiibner, o.c, p . 3 4 ; B.C. WinUe, o.c, p p . I 0 5 - 1 0 7 ; also F.F. Bruce, Galatians, p p . l 7 6 , I 8 2 f . , H. Raisanen,Paut pp.43f. 2 2 8 Cf. H.D. Betz, o.c, p.l 78f.;C.E.B. Cranfield, o.c, p p . 8 5 7 . 8 5 9 . 229 Cf. H.D. Betz, o.c, p . l 6 8 . 2 3 0 C f . U . WUckens, "Entwicklung", ATS 28 ( 1 9 8 2 ) 1 7 2 ; also B.C. Wintle, Lau;, p . 7 8 . 231 Cf. H.D. Betz, Galatians, p p . 1 6 5 , 1 7 8 who emphasizes that Paul was convinced of the necessity of the Torah "even if this necessity consists of the negative role which this Torah plays".
274
Christ and the Law
Christ is t h e sole c o n s t i t u t i v e basis for salvation ( a n d n o t t h e T o r a h ) ^ ' ^ , (5) sees, c o n s e q u e n t l y , t h e T o r a h n o t as a b r o g a t e d , evil e n t i t y b u t as o u t s t r i p p e d in its specific s t r u c t u r e w h i c h c h a r a c terizes its p o s i t i o n ante Christum crucifixum^^^, a n d , finally, (6) leaves several q u e s t i o n s c o n c e r n i n g his t h e o l o g y of t h e law u n a n s w e r e d a t this p o i n t i n this pericope^**. T h u s , w e c o n c l u d e t h a t P a u l , in Gal 3 , 1 9 - 2 5 , d o e s n o t d e n y t h e divine origin of t h e T o r a h , n o r d o e s h e a d v o c a t e t h e a b r o g a t i o n of t h e T o r a h . R a t h e r , his s t a t e m e n t s , w h i c h h a v e t o b e u n d e r s t o o d against t h e p o l e m i c b a c k g r o u n d of G a l , describe t h e law post Christum as seen sine Christo. I t is this law w h i c h is inferior t o t h e p r o m i s e , w h i c h is t e m p o r a r y , a n d w h i c h was u n a b l e t o p r o d u c e life a n d r i g h t e o u s n e s s . 15.2.2. Gal 5,14. T h e s t a t e m e n t t h a t 6 ndq uoiioq is " f u l f i l l e d " (n-eTrXtjpcjxat) in t h e o n e c o m m a n d m e n t of love r e s u m e s Paul's t r e a t m e n t of t h e subject of t h e law ( 3 , 1 9 - 2 5 ) . It is generaUy agreed t h a t 6 jrd? vdixoq d o e s n o t refer t o t h e s u m - t o t a l of t h e individual p r e c e p t s of t h e T o r a h b u t t o t h e law as a whole^*^ as G o d ' s de m a n d . T h e g n o m i c pass.perf. of ixXripoiv is crucial for a p r o p e r u n d e r s t a n d i n g of Paul's t h o u g h t here^*^: t o " f u l f i l l " t h e law m e a n s t o " d o " t h e law in t h e sense of iroieiv, irpdoaeii>, ipv'Kdaaeiv, i.e. t o ' p e r f o r m ' t h e law a n d t o m e e t its r e q u i r e m e n t s ^ * ' ' . H.D. Betz wants to distinguish between the 'doing' of the Torah (Gal 5,3) and the
232 In this context Paul can speak of his death both to the law (Gal 2,19) and to the c o s m o s (Gal 6 , 1 4 ) . Cf. H.D. Betz, o.c., p . l 7 9 . 2 3 3 Cf. F. Hahn, "Gesetzesverstandnis", ZNW 67 ( 1 9 7 6 ) 6 2 ; C.E.B. Cranfield, Ro mans, 2, p . 8 5 9 ; similarly E.JiJngel.Paii/uJumfysjuf, ^ 1 9 7 9 , pp.59f. 2 3 4 Cf. H.D. Betz, o . c ; p p . l 7 5 f . ; G. Ebeling, Warheit, pp.268f. 235 Cf. BDR § 2 7 5 . 3 ; also H.D. Betz, Galatians, p . 2 7 5 ; F. Mussner, Galaterbrief, p . 3 7 0 ; F.F. Bruce, Galatians, p . 2 4 1 ; H. Hiibner, "Das ganze und das eine Gesetz", KuD 21 ( 1 9 7 5 ) 2 3 9 - 2 5 6 ; idem, Gesetz, p p 3 7 f . ; U. Wilckens, "Entwicklung", NTS 28 ( 1 9 8 2 ) 1 7 4 . Cf. also BM. Brinsmead, Galatians, p . l 19 w h o asserts that the issue in Paul is the law as a whole, the law in principle. 2 3 6 Acknowledged by H. Hiibner, o . c , p.76 in his discussion of the parallel passage R o m 13,8-10 but not consistently applied in h b treatment of Gal 5,14 where he simply presupposes the meaning "to d o " ( p . 3 7 ) . 237 Cf. C.K. Barrett, Romans. p . 2 5 1 ; U. WUckens, Romer, 3 , 1 9 8 2 , pp.68,71 with n . 3 9 3 ; H. Schlier, Galater, p . 2 4 4 ; F. Mussner, o . c , p . 3 7 0 (who rightly points out that one should see no alternative between itkripoHv in the sense of 'fulfilling the law' and 'doing' it, and n\r]poOv in the sense of summary and centre of purpose); also U. WUckens,a.c., p . I 7 5 .
Exegetical
Evidence
2 75
'fulfilling' of the Torah (Gal 5 , 1 4 ) 2 3 8 . However, he does not specify what nXripoOv should mean in contrast to noielv. The notion of H. Hiibner that jrdc v6tio<; in Gal 5, 14 is a critical-ironic phrase which contrasts the quantitative fulfilment of the 'total ity' of the law by the Christian with the Jewish quantitative fulfilment of all com mandments of the Torah, i.e. that the whole Mosaic law is not (1) identical with the 'whole' law of the Christian (i.e. the commandment of love), thus differing drastically from Paul's later view in R o m 13,9239_ has ^e rejected. Paul wants to say in Gal 5 that only the Christian w h o is justified by faith is able t o fulfill the law, as it is 'summarized' in the law of love, "in Christ", and in the power of the Spirit (5,56)240.
Paul states that the Christian who has received the Spitit, who is "in C h r i s t " , and whose faith is working through love (5,5-6), fulfills the T o r a h as a whole in the law of love (cf. Lev 19,18) as the latter is the basic principle or common denominator of the Torah24l. The commandment of love is interpreted ^s^basic principle of the Torah in cormec tion with the rabbinic practice of the bbo • The kelal is a technical term in the context of legal discussions designating (1) a general term or principle in contrast to the specific, or (2) a general rule in relation with the individual laws which are sum med up in this rulc243. As the fte/a/is not a n 1STZ, and as \6yo<; in Gal 5 , 1 4 need not mean "commandment", it is wrong to speak of a material reduction of the Torah to a single commandment2't4 . j ^ c commemdment of love is interpreted as c o m m o n denominator of the Torah in connection with the term dvaKe^paXatoOo'^i in R o m 13,9: the law of love is of dominating significance in the total framework of the ToTddi^^^. This term does not mean completion or reduction of a multiplicity t o a unity, but concentrated reference of the various individual commandments to one point of reference246
T h u s , Paul does not imply the total abrogation of the T o r a h
238 H.D. Betz, o . c , p . 2 7 5 . 2 3 9 H. Hiibner, o . c , p p . 3 8 , 7 6 - 7 8 . 2 4 0 Cf. U. Wilckens, Romer, 2, p.69 n . 3 8 3 ; idem, a . c , p . l 8 9 n.64. The view of Hub ner that Gal 5 , 1 4 has nothing to do with R o m 13,8-10 has been criticized repeated ly; cf. U. Luz, ThZ 3 5 ( 1 9 7 9 ) 1 2 3 ; J . Plevnik, Bib 61 ( 1 9 8 0 ) 2 9 6 . Gal 5 , 1 4 and R o m 13,8-10 are usually related with each other;cL H.D. Betz, o . c , p.275 n.31. 241 On the law of love in Judaism cf. K. Berger, Gesetzesauslegung, 1, p p . 9 9 - 1 3 6 ; A. Nissen, Gott und der Ndchste, 1 9 7 4 , p p . 2 2 4 - 2 4 4 , 3 8 9 - 4 1 6 . 2 4 2 CL F.F. Bruce, Galatians, p . 2 4 1 , quoting H.J. Schoeps, Pau/, p . 2 0 8 . 2 4 3 CL A. Nissen, o . c , p . 4 0 0 . 2 4 4 Contra H. Hiibner, Gesetz, p p . 3 8 L , 7 6 L , H. Raisanen, PauZ, pp.26L 245 CL U. WUckens, Romer, 2 , pp.68L 2 4 6 CL H. Schlier, in ThWNT 3 ( 1 9 3 8 ) 6 8 1 ; S. L y o n n e t , " U charite plenitude de la loi (Rra 13,8-10)", Dimensions de la vie chritienne, ed. L. de Lorenzi, 1 9 7 9 , p . 1 5 6 ; W. Schrage, Ethik, p . l 9 7 ; also H. Merklein, i n £ WAfr 1 ( 1 9 8 0 ) 197 w h o defines this term in R o m 13,9 (with reference to Gal 5,14!) as summary of the law as a whole.
276
Christ and the Law
n o r its p a r t i a l r e d u c t i o n t o t h e c o m m a n d m e n t of love^*^ b u t as serts t h a t t h e r e q u i r e m e n t of t h e e n t i r e law is " f u l f i l l e d " (perfect!) b y t h e C h r i s t i a n w h e n h e m e e t s t h e o b l i g a t i o n of love^"*®. T h e l a w fulfilled in love^*^ is n o t m e a n s of s a l v a t i o n , b u t has t o b e seen as " t h e ethical c h a n n e l t h r o u g h w h i c h t h e n e w life in Christ flows " ^ ^ ° . F r e e d o m f r o m t h e T o r a h is t o b e realized in t h e fulfilment of t h e Torah. F o r t h e C h r i s t i a n , living i n t h e S p i r i t , t h e c o n d e m n i n g law is a p a s t e n t i t y w h i c h d o e s n o t a p p l y a n y m o r e , w h e r e a s t h e l a w p e r se a n d as a w h o l e still applies a n d is t o t a l l y fulfilled w h e r e C h r i s t i a n s c o m p l y with t h e o n e c o m m a n d m e n t of love. T h e T o r a h receives its c o n t r o l l i n g c e n t r e t h e o n e law of love - o n t h e basis of t h e
247 Contra H. Halter, Taufe und Ethos: Paulinische Kriterien fiir das Proprium christlicher Moral, FThS 106, 1 9 7 7 , pp.119-121 w h o asserts a reduction or concentration of the Torah to the love of one's neighbour: the Torah has ceased to be the ultimate criterion for God's will but has b e c o m e a "Fundgrube" of the will of God whose superior criterion is now "die Zuwendung Gottes zum Menschen durch und in Jesus Christus" ( p . l 2 1 ) . There is an unresolved ambiguity in Halter's position: o n the one hand he rejects the notion that the claims of the law have b e c o m e irrelevant for the Christian ( p . l 2 0 ) , and on the other hand he asserts that for the Christian the law stands under the 'crisis' of the superior motivating criterion of God's love express ed in Christ ( p . l 2 1 ) . 248 Cf. O. Merk, Handeln aus Glauben: Die Motivierungen der paulinischen Ethik, 1 9 6 8 , pp.9f.,70,74 w h o asserts that "in der irmeren Bezogenheit von Gottes Liebeshandeln und dem Liebesdienst der Gemeinde ist die Stellung des Gesetzes fiir den Christen fixiert. Die Totalitat des Gesetzes . . . wird zusammcngefafit in der Totalitat der Selbstpreisgabe . . . , und so ist mit dem Hinweis auf das Gesetz als Begriin dung fiir sein Tun dem Christen die Moglichkeit genommen, seinen Liebesdienst im Sinne eines Kara odpKa . . . zu t u n " (p.70). Cf. also H. Ridderbos, Paul, p p . 1 5 5 , 2 8 2 ; W.G. Kiimmel, Theologie. p p . l 6 4 f . , 2 0 2 ; A. van Diilmen, Theologie, pp.60f.; W. Schiage, Ethik, p . 1 9 8 ; U. Wilckens, "Entwicklung", A^rS 28 ( 1 9 8 2 ) 174f. 249 T.J. Deidun, Mew Covenant Morality in Paul, AnBibl 8 9 , 1 9 8 1 , p p . 1 5 0 - 1 8 7 is ambi guous concerning the role of the law for the Christian as regards Gal 5,14: o n the one hand he states that God's demands expressed in the law are not laid aside but are 'fulfilled' in God's love which has been given t o the Christian ( p p . l 5 3 f . ) and that Christian love does not constitute an ethical norm which replaces the con text of God's demand ( p . l 6 8 ) , and on the other hand he asserts that, for Paul, the law is "a privileged (but not the only one) means of supporting and illustrating ethical claims t o which he believes ~ o n grounds which have nothing to do with the Law as such - the Christian is liable" ( p p . l 5 9 f . ) . 2 5 0 C.K. Barrett, Romans, p.251 discussing R o m 13,10 and referring to Gal 5 , 1 4 ; cf. also S. Lyonnet, "Charite", 1 9 7 9 , p p . 1 5 8 - 1 6 3 . H.D. Betz, Galatians, p . 2 7 5 is surely right when he asserts that "the commandment to love functions in Paul's theology in a different way compared with the commandments to do the Torah in Jewish theology".
Exegetical
Evidence
2 77
c e n t r a l p o i n t of view of faith in t h e crucified a n d e x a l t e d L o r d J e s u s Christ. F r o m this foUows t h a t n o t a h c o m m a n d m e n t s of t h e T o r a h r e t a i n their validity. B u t t h e T o r a h as s u c h a n d as a w h o l e is not abrogated^^'. 15.2.3. Gal 6,2. Paul's s t a t e m e n t " b e a r o n e a n o t h e r ' s b u r d e n s , a n d b y d o i n g so y o u wih fulfih t h e law of C h r i s t " (dvanX-npoioeTe TOP u o f i o v TOV X p t a r o u ) has p u z z l e d m a n y s c h o l a r s , as it seems t o a d v o c a t e w h a t Paul r e j e c t e d e a r h e r , viz. t h a t t h e C h r i s t i a n s a r e t o k e e p t h e law. T h e key t e r m is fo/uo? TOV X p t a T o v w h i c h is m o s t l y i n t e r p r e t e d in t e r m s of a p o l e m i c i n t e n t i o n of Paul's p a r t w h o is said t o use t^ojuoc h e r e h o m o n y m o u s l y for J e s u s ' e t h i c a l t e a c h i n g or J e s u s ' w a y from t h e kenosis t o t h e cross^^^^ j^e command m e n t of l o v e ^ ^ ' , or t h e C h r i s t i a n i m p e r a t i v e in its totality^^*. T a k i n g i n t o c o n s i d e r a t i o n t h e w i d e r c o n t e x t of this s t a t e m e n t
251 Cf. U. Wilckens. "Entwicklung", NTS 28 (1982) 173-175. He states that the cultic (4,10) and ritual (2,14) commandments of the Torah are therefore to be regarded as abrogated (p. 1 7 5 ) . We prefer not to speak of abrogation which carries the sense of repealing or doing away wdth the law: Christ has ftilly met the requirements of the Torah as way to salvation and is therefore the only way to salvation. The Torah in its cultic and ritual aspects as way to salvation has been fully realized by Christ and was hence replaced by faith in Christ. 252 Cf. E. Bammel, "N(iMO
278
Christ and the Law
w h i c h has t o be l i n k e d w i t h Gal 5 , 6 . 1 4 , we u n d e r s t a n d voiioq TOV XpioTov as r e f e r e n c e t o t h e T o r a h as defined a n d qualified b y Christ^sS; (1) in 5 , 1 4 w / i o c clearly refers t o t h e T o r a h ; (2) t h e t e r m 070777? relates 5 , 1 4 t o 5 , 6 ; (3) t h e d e c l a r a t i o n iv XpioTtp '\r\aov is t h e crucial h e a d i n g of 5,13ff. w h i c h e x p l i c a t e s t h e thesis of 5 , 6 ; (4) in 5,6 iv
Xpiarco
'Irioov
is p a r a l l e l t o (iv)
nvevpaTi
in
5,5 w h i c h is again e x p l i c a t e d i n 5,13ff.; (5) t h u s , t h e love of t h e b r o t h e r is f o u n d e d in t h e love of Christ ( 2 , 2 0 ) a n d r e s u h s from t h e gift of t h e Spirit ( 5 , 1 6 . 2 2 f f . ) ; (6) c o n s e q u e n t l y t h e law can a n d s h o u l d b e fulfilled^^ b y t h e r i g h t e o u s iK nioTeojq Xpiarov w h o is i v XpioTcb a n d g u i d e d iv nuevpaTi: this h a p p e n s w h e n h e p r a c t i c e s drydnr} w h i c h consists in b e a r i n g o n e a n o t h e r ' s b u r d e n s ^ ^ . As " l a w of C h r i s t " , t h e T o r a h is a posteriori t h e m e a s u r e a n d s t a n d a r d of t h e C h r i s t i a n life^^^. It is n o t i m p o s s i b l e t o derive t h e a c t u a l t e r m i>6fio<; TOV Xpiarov f r o m t h e G a l a t i a n o p p o n e n t s w h o m i g h t h a v e l i n k e d Christ w i t h t h e messianic T o r a h ^ ® a n d t h u s c o m b i n e d o b e d i e n c e t o Christ
256 Cf. E. Jungel, Paulus und Jesus, 5 l 9 7 9 , p . 6 1 ; A. van Diilmen, Theologie, pp.666 8 ; U. WUckens, Romer, 1, p . 2 4 5 ; H. Schlier, Grundzuge, p . 9 4 ; H.D. Betz, Gala tians, pp. 1 6 6 , 1 7 9 , 2 2 9 f.; and especiaUy U. WUckens, "Entwicklung", NTS 28 ( 1 9 8 2 ) 176f. SimUarly also F. Hahn, "Gesetzesverstandnis", ZNW 61 (1976) 5 7 . It is interesting to note that H. Hiibner, G w e i z , does not deal with this phrase: he treats Gal 6,2 orUy with regard to the term Td/3aprf (pp.82f.,86f.); when he quotes E. Jiingel he accepts his view only with regard to R o m 8,2 ( p . 1 2 9 ) . U. Schneiie, Gerechtigkeit, p. 195 n.274 discards Hahn's view without giving arguments. 2 5 6 The reading of the future tense /u/avXripojaeTe in (p46) B G and in most ancient versions is t o be preferred to the aoramp. dvanXripwaare ( N A C D^r K) o n the basis of attestation and transcriptual probability; cf. B.M. Metzger, Textual Com mentary, p . 5 9 8 ; also F. Mussner, Galaterbrief, p.398 n . 2 3 ; H.D. Betz, o.c, p . 2 9 9 ; F.F. Bruce, Galatians, p . 2 6 1 . 267 Cf.U.WUckens,a.c., p p . l 7 5 f . ; H.D. Betz, o.c, p . 3 0 0 ; also B.H. Brinsmead, Gala tians, p p . 1 7 7 - 1 8 0 w h o is, however, not totaUy clear as t o his interpretation of "law" here: he does not explain whether "law" refers only to Jesus' ethical teach ing, taken up by the opponents and by Paul, or whether it includes the Torah, as under the Lordship of Christ (p. 180) as well. 258 Cf. E. Jungel, o.c, p.61 n.l stating that "statt in lege (sub lege) lebt der Christ cum lege"; O. Merk, Handeln, pp.76f. asserting that the "law of Christ" is the law which Christ has fvUfiHed for us and which is therefore the "law of the Spirit of life in Christ J e s u s " ( R o m 8,2) which demands in the Spirit and can be fulfilled (only) in the Spirit. 259 Cf. H.D. Betz, Galatians, pp.300f.; U. WUckens, "Entwicklung", NTS 28 ( 1 9 8 2 ) 176, foUowing W.D. Dames.Paul, p p . 6 9 - 7 4 , 1 4 2 - 1 4 5 , 1 7 4 - 1 7 6 ; idem, Torah, pp.91f.; H.J. Schoeps, Paul, pp.172f., also B J l . Brinsmead, Galatians, p p . 1 7 5 - 1 7 7 . WUckens admits that the Jewish notion of a messianic Torah does very probably not go back
Exegetical
Evidence
279
w i t h o b e d i e n c e t o t h e J e w i s h T o r a h . This t h i n k i n g is r e f u t e d b y Paul since Gal 5 , 1 3 , asserting t h a t (1) f r e e d o m from t h e law is t h e o b l i g a t i o n t o fulfill t h e law in t e r m s of t h e law of l o v e , t h a t (2) t h e law of love is t o b e m a d e specific o n t h e basis of t h e love of t h e crucified Christ in t e r m s of t h e t r e a t m e n t of Christians w h o have sinned. 15.2.4. ICor 7,19. W h e n Paul s t a t e s , in t h e c o n t e x t of a discus sion of C h r i s t i a n f r e e d o m ( 7 , 1 7 - 2 4 ) , t h a t " c i r c u m c i s i o n is n o t h i n g a n d u n c i r c u m c i s i o n is n o t h i n g , b u t t h e k e e p i n g ( T i ? p i ? a K ) of G o d ' s c o m m a n d m e n t s {ivroXdov)", h e i m p h e s t h a t even for G e n t i l e C h r i s t i a n s t h e k e e p i n g of t h e c o m m a n d m e n t s of t h e T o r a h has a p o s i t i v e significance^®". T h e ivToXai deov s h o u l d b e i n t e r p r e t e d in t e r m s of t h e c o m m a n d m e n t s of t h e J e w i s h law^®' r a t h e r t h a n in t e r m s of C h r i s t i a n ' r u l e s ' o f t h e n e w hfe^®^^ as Paul's s t a t e m e n t o b viously carries a r a t h e r p o l e m i c t o n e . As a result of G o d ' s K\r}aiq ( 7 , 1 7 . 2 0 ) , t h e T o r a h is m o d i f i e d in a r a t h e r essential r e s p e c t , i.e. insofar as t h e T o r a h e s t a b h s h e s t h e salvation-historically r e l e v a n t d i f f e r e n c e b e t w e e n J e w s a n d G e n t i l e s . B u t at t h e s a m e t i m e t h e c o m m a n d m e n t s of t h e T o r a h , as c o m m a n d m e n t s of G o d , a r e n o t o n l y declared as b i n d i n g b u t p r o n o u n c e d as 'fulfillable' o n l y a n d specifically iv Xpiart^^^^. O b v i o u s l y Paul describes t h e s i t u a t i o n a n d life of t h e C h r i s t i a n : t h e m a t e r i a l parallels in Gal 5 , 6 ; 6 , 1 5 e x p l a i n t h e riipTjaK in t e r m s of t h e itLoTiq w h i c h expresses itself t h r o u g h d ^ d T T T j ( 5 , 6 ) a n d m t e r m s of t h e Kaivri Kriaiq (6,15)^®^. T h e fact t h a t P a u l refers t o
to the 1st century A . D . By way of contrast cf. M. Hengel, "Zwischen Jesus und Paulus", ZThK 72 ( 1 9 7 5 ) 191f. who claims that Gal 6,2 shows the original tradi tion-historical origin of Paul in the Christian Jewish-Hellenistic drcle around Steph en. 2 6 0 This is seen cleariy by U. Wilckens, a . c , p . 1 5 8 ; also H. Riesenfeld, Art. "rripnoK", ThWNT 8 ( 1 9 6 9 ) 146. 261 Cf. U. Wilckens, a.c, p . l 5 9 ; H. Raisanen, Paul, p . 6 8 ; also H. Riesenfeld, ibid.; O. Merk, Handeln, p . l 10; obviously also W. Schrage, Ethik, p . l 9 7 . 2 6 2 Cf. C. Senft, 1 Corinthiens, p . 9 7 ; W.F. Orr,J.Av Walter, / Connt/iians, p . 2 1 6 ; also C.K. Barrett, First Corinthians, p. 169 explaining it as "the will of God as disclosed in his S o n " ; and seemingly W. Schrage, o . c , p . l 7 8 . Also T.J. Deidun, Morality, 1 9 8 1 , p. l 60 w h o does not want to exclude the possibility, however, that the "com mandments of G o d " might "coincide (at least in part) with the impositions of the Law". 2 6 3 CL U. WUckens, "Entwicklung", A^rS 28 ( 1 9 8 2 ) 159. 2 6 4 CL G. Schrenk, in ThWNT 2 ( 1 9 3 5 ) 5 4 9 ; H. Riesenfeld, in ThWNTS
(1969) 146;
280
Christ and the Law
t h e fulfilment of t h e c o m m a n d m e n t s of t h e T o r a h as e t h i c a l r e a h t y of t h e C h r i s t i a n e x i s t e n c e as a m a t t e r - o f - c o u r s e is n o real c o n t r a d i c t i o n t o his m o r e ' d i a l e c t i c ' s t a t e m e n t s o n t h e law in Gal a n d R o m . T h i s fact c a n b e e x p l a i n e d (1) o n t h e basis of t h e c e n t r a l i m p o r t a n c e of c o n v e r s i o n as radical m o r a l t u r n from evil t o t r u e r i g h t e o u s n e s s (cf. I C o r 6 , 9 - 1 1 ) , a n d (2) w i t h t h e r e f e r e n c e t o t h e fact t h a t t h e d o c t r i n e of j u s t i f i c a t i o n of G a l a n d R o m supplies t h e s u b s t a n t i a t i n g c o n t e x t of this ethical tum^®^. 15.2.5. ICor 9,19-23. In this pericope^®^ Paul e x p l a i n s his iXevdepia ( 9 , 1 ) as a p o s t l e w h i c h enables h i m t o r e l i n q u i s h t h e right t o m a i n t e n a n c e (vv.7ff.) a n d t o b e c o m e d&ovXoq for all p e o ple in t h e c o n t e x t of his m i s s i o n a r y e n t e r p r i s e in o r d e r t o lead m a n y t o Christ ( v . 1 9 ) . T h i s m i s s i o n a r y p r i n c i p l e is t h e n illustrated b y his b e h a v i o u r t o w a r d s J e w s a n d Gentiles ( w . 2 0 - 2 1 ) a n d b y his b e h a v i o u r t o w a r d s w e a k Christians ( v . 2 2 a ) . In b o t h cases Paul w a n t s t o e m p h a s i z e his p e r s o n a l a d a p t i o n t o chfferent p e o p l e in different s i t u a t i o n s . T o t h e J e w s , Paul b e c o m e s a J e w , i.e. " t o t h o s e u n d e r t h e l a w (vno i>6iJ.oi>) as o n e u n d e r t h e l a w {vnd vonof)" (v.20a) even t h o u g h , as a C h r i s t i a n , he is " n o t u n d e r t h e l a w " (v. 2 0 b ) . In t h e s a m e m a n n e r h e b e c o m e s t o t h e lawless (dvofioi) o n e w h o is lawless {dvo^ioq, v.2 l a ) even t h o u g h as a C h r i s t i a n h e is " n o t l a w l e s s " , i.e. n o t o u t s i d e of t h e l a w of God^®' b u t w i t h i n t h e law of C h r i s t (JUT? cbv dvojioq deov dXX'ivvoiioq Xpt0ToO, v . 2 1 b ) . Paul refers h e r e t o t h e J e w i s h T o r a h in its f u n c t i o n as c r i t e r i o n of t n e salvation-historical d i f f e r e n t i a t i o n b e t w e e n t h e J e w s w h o have t h e l a w a n d t h e G e n t i l e s w h o d o n o t have t h e law^®*.
C.K. Barrett, First Corinthians, p . l 6 9 ; U. Wilckens, a.c., p . l 5 8 (referring also to Rom 2 , 1 3 ; 8 , 4 ; 13,8-10; Gal 5,17). 2 6 5 Cf. U . WUckens,o.c., p . 1 5 9 . 2 6 6 Cf. G. Bomkamm, "Das missionarische Verhalten des Paulus nach IKor 9, 19-23 und in der Apostelgeschichte", ( 1 9 6 6 ) , Geschichte und Glaube, 2, Gesammelte Aufsatze 4 , 1 9 7 1 , p p . 1 4 9 - 1 6 1 , here 149-153; C H . Dodd, "'EPVO/JO? XpiCTToii"(1953), More New Testament Studies, 1 9 6 8 , p p . 1 3 4 - 1 4 8 ; G. Galitis, "Das Wesen der Frei heit: Eine Untersuchung zu 1 Kor 9 und seinem Kontext", Freedom and Love, 1 9 8 1 , p p . 1 2 7 - 1 4 1 , here 136f.; and especially U . WUckens, a.c, p p . l 5 9 f . whom we foUow in our analysis. 267 Clearly referring to the Mosaic Torah. Contra A. FeuUlet, "Loi de Dieu", NovTest 22 ( 1 9 8 0 ) 4 1 L w h o assumes that "law o f G o d " means "toute loi divine positive". 268 CL R o m 2 , 1 2 . 1 4 . CL H. U e t z m a n n , Korinther, p . 4 3 ; C.K. Barrett, First Corinth ians, p.2l2;V.Wilckens, Romer, l , p . l 3 2 ; M . Limbeck, i n £ W W r i ( 1 9 8 0 ) 2 5 4 .
Exegetical
Evidence
281
W i t h regard t o Paul's r h e t h o r i c a l l y p o l i s h e d s t a t e m e n t in a n ad versative parallelismus membrorum, t h r e e o b s e r v a t i o n s are of para m o u n t significance. First, vofioq s t a n d s always for t h e T o r a h , o t h e r wise t h e e l a b o r a t e parallelism b e c o m e s r a t h e r imprecise^^^. S e c o n d , in this w a y t h e i n c o n g r u e n c e of MI7 <^i> avroq i>n6 vdfxov {v.20h) over against jirj cju dvoiJiO<; deov d\\'iuuoiJiO<; XpioTOv ( v . 2 1 b ) takes o n a specific m e a n i n g ; t h e genitive i J e o i ; is n o t m e a n t t o distinguish t h e l a w of G o d f r o m t h e T o r a h as l a w of M o s e s , b u t r a t h e r e m p h a s i z e s t h a t Paul w h o is n o t u n d e r t h e d o m i n i o n ( i n o l ) of t h e T o r a h has y e t b y n o m e a n s left t h e r e a l m of t h e T o r a h as God's T o r a h b u t is, as a C h r i s t i a n , r a t h e r 'witfiin' t h e T o r a h , viz. t h e T o r a h as c o n t r o l l e d ( a n d t h u s qualified) b y Christ270.
T h i r d , as a result t h e o t h e r i n c o n g r u e n c e b e c o m e s u n d e r s t a n d a b l e ^ ^ ' : t h e J e w s are " u n d e r t h e law"(t;7r6 votxov), i.e. c o n t r o l l e d b y t h e law as slave-holder a n d in n e e d of l i b e r a t i o n , a n d t h e (Gen tile!) Christian is " i n t h e l a w " {evvopoq), i.e. in t h e r e a l m of t h e l a w as c o n t r o l l e d b y Christ^''^. Consequendy,
the phrase e v v o i i o q
X p i a r o v ( w h i c h has t o be
linked with Gal 5,14; 6,2; R o m 3 , 3 1 ; 8 , 2 - 4 ) " * characterizes the
269 Cf. C.K. Barrett, o.c, p p . 2 1 2 - 2 1 4 ; A. van DMrnen, Theologie, p . l 2 3 with n . l 6 2 ; U. Wilckens, "Entwicklung", ATTS 28 ( 1 9 8 2 ) 160. Contra H. Conzelmann, Korintherbrief, p . 1 9 0 ; C.H. D o d d , " %vvoiio<; Xpiarov", passim; C. Senft, 1 Corinthiens, p . 1 2 4 ; H. Balz, in EWNT 1 ( 1 9 8 0 ) H l S f . and others w h o interpret v6no<; in v.21b as "uneigentlich gebraucht" (H. Conzelmarm, Korintherbrief, p . l 9 0 ) in terms of "the divine imperative to which he is subject" ( T J . Deidun, Morality, p . 2 1 0 n . l 7 7 ) . 2 7 0 Cf. U. WUckens, "Entwicklung", A'rS 28 ( 1 9 8 2 ) 1 6 0 ; a l s o H . Ridderbos, ftiuA pp. 284f. Contra H. Lietzmann, Korinther, p . 4 3 ; C.H. D o d d , " "Ecwpiixr XptaToiJ", p p . 9 6 - 1 1 0 ; B.C. WinUe, Law, p . 2 6 3 ; A FeuUlet, "Loi de Dieu", NovTest 2 2 ( 1 9 8 0 ) 4 2 57 w h o see v6p.o<; in v.21b as reference to a 'new law' in terms of Jesus' ethical teaching or example, or as general Christian morals. We cannot follow U. Schneiie, Gerechtigkeit, 1 9 8 3 , pp.5 if. who believes that Paul makes no basic statements on the significance of the law in ICor 9,20-22 but simply describes the paradoxical nature of the apostle's missionary existence, taking the law oiUy as an example. The exegesis of H. Raisanen, Paul, p.81 is unsatisfactory: he states that v.21 simply asserts "that Paul is bound by God's wUl which, again, has something to do with Christ". 271 Note the remark of C.K. Barrett, First Corinthians, p . 2 1 2 that v.21 is "one of the most difficult sentences in the epistle". 2 7 2 Cf. U. WUckens, a.c, p . l 6 0 asserting that the Torah itself as God's law is not re moved and that Christ is not the antipode of the Torah but its Lord; cf. also H. SchUer, Grundzuge, p.94. The term €vuono(; Xpiarov is gen. separationis,cl.BDK § 182.4. 273 Cf. C.K. Barrett, o.c, p . 2 1 3 ; U . WUckens,a.c, p . l 6 0 .
282
Christ and the Law
C h r i s t i a n e x i s t e n c e " i n C h r i s t " as hfe in the r e a l m of t h e T o r a h as c o n t r o l l e d (and fulFdled) b y Christ. 15.2.6. 2Cor 3,4-18. P a u l ' s d e s c r i p t i o n of his a p o s t o l i c m i n i s t r y a n d t h e m i d r a s h i c treatise o n t h e l e t t e r a n d t h e spirit a n d o n t h e old a n d t h e n e w c o v e n a n t (cf. E x 3 4 , 2 8 - 3 5 ; J e r 3 8 , 3 1 - 3 4 ; Ez 3 6 37) has b e e n o f t e n discussed^^*. T h e s c o p u s of this p e r i c o p e is d o u b t l e s s t h e e l a b o r a t i o n of t h e f u n d a m e n t a l difference b e t w e e n t h e p r o c l a m a t i o n of t h e law in t h e s y n a g o g u e a n d t h e a p o s t o l i c p r o c l a m a t i o n of Christ. I.e. it describes the de facto {not de jurel) difference b e t w e e n t h e m i n i s t r y of Moses w h o s e p r e a c h i n g wa.s n o t believed as it was a d d r e s s e d t o d e a d h e a r t s — t o p e o p l e w h o (mis-) u s e d t h e law in a legalistic m a n n e r — a n d t h e m i n i s t r y of Paul w h o s e p r e a c h i n g led t o t h e salvation of t h e C o r i n t h i a n s (context!)275.
T h e following o b s e r v a t i o n s can b e m a d e . First, in w . 4 - 6 Paul describes his apostoUc m i n i s t r y in t e r m s of t h e KaLVfj 5iai?jj/cTj w h i c h is qualified n o t b y t h e " l e t t e r " b u t b y t h e " s p i r i t " . W i t h o u t e n t e r i n g i n t o a d e t a i l e d analysis^^^, we observe t h a t ypdiifia has to b e u n d e r s t o o d in t e r m s of t h e J e w s ' legalistic (mis-) use a n d inter p r e t a t i o n of t h e T o r a h , w h i c h b e c o m e s manifest o n l y in t h e con-
2 7 4 Besides the comraenUrics cf. M. Rissi, Studien zum zweiten Korintherbrief, A T h A N T 5 6 , 1 9 6 9 , p p . 2 2 - 4 1 ; J.D.G. Dunn, "2 Corinthians 3,17 - 'The Lord is the Spirit' ", JThS 21 ( 1 9 7 0 ) 3 0 9 - 3 2 0 ; J . F . CoUange, Enigmes de la deuxieme epitre de Paul aux Corinthiens. SNTS MS 1 8 , 1 9 7 2 , p p . 5 6 - 1 2 5 ; C.J.A. Hickling, "The Sequence of Thought m 2 Corinthians Chapter Three", NTS 21 ( 1 9 7 4 ) 3 8 0 - 3 9 5 ; B.C. WinUe, Uw, 1 9 7 7 , p p . l 1 5 - 1 2 1 ; R.S. R a y b u m , The Contrast Between the Old and New Covenants in the New Testament, Ph.D.Diss. Aberdeen University, 1 9 7 8 , p p . 3 0 2 - 3 9 6 ; A.T. Hanson, "The Midrash in 2 Corinthians 3" JSNT 9 ( 1 9 8 0 ) 2-28; J.A. Fitzmyer, "Glory Reflected on the Face of Christ (2Cor 3,7-4,6) and a Pales tinian Jewish M o t i f , ThSt 4 2 ( 1 9 8 1 ) 6 3 0 - 6 4 4 ; E. Richard, "Polemics, Old Testa ment, and Theology: A Study of 2Cot 3,1-4,6", RB 8 8 ( 1 9 8 1 ) 3 4 0 - 4 6 7 ; P. von der Osten-Sacken, "Geist im Buchstaben: V o m Glanz des Mose und des Paidus", ( 1 9 8 1 ) 2 3 0 - 2 3 5 ; T.E. Provence, " 'Who is Sufficient for these Things?': A n Exege sis of 2CorinUuans 2,15-3,18", NovTest 2 4 ( 1 9 8 2 ) 5 4 - 8 1 ; U. WUckens, "Entwick lung", OTS 28 ( 1 9 8 2 ) m-l6l;V.Schneae,Gerechtigkeit, I98S,pp.50L 275 CL particulariy R.S. Rayburn, o.c, pp.302-328 and passim w h o emphasizes that Paul does not contrast the Old/New Testaments or the law/the Gospel. 2 7 6 On w . 4 - 6 cL J . F . CoUange, o.c, pp.56-66; H. Baum, Mut, 1 9 7 7 . p p . 1 2 3 - 1 4 0 ; R.S. R a y b u m , o.c, p p . 3 2 9 - 3 5 1 ; E. Richard, a.c., p p . 3 4 9 - 3 5 1 ; T.E. Provence, a.c., pp. 62-68.
Exegetical
Evidence
283
t e x t of t h e reality of t h e Ttvevna , r a t h e r t h a n as s i m p l e e q u i v a l e n t of t h e T o r a h as s u c h ^ " . We agree with H. Hiibner when he writes that -ypcuiim "nicht das Gesetz schlechthin als in sich todbringend artikuliert . . . s o n d e m insofern es nur auf Stein bzw. mit Buchstaben geschrieben ist und darauf harrt, auf T a f e l n , die fleischeme Herzen sind' (= 'Brief Christi', 3,3) geschrieben zu werden. Das Gesetz ist also auf Geist hinangelegt. Es ist aber ypofifia, insofern ihm der Jude falsch begegnet"278_
I t is w r o n g t o a s s u m e t h a t Paul implies h e r e t h e a b r o g a t i o n of t h e old law a n d t h e o l d d i s p e n s a t i o n as having b e e n a b o l i s h e d b y t h e n e w covenant^^^. Moses is n o t (!) e m p l o y e d as r e p r e s e n t i n g t h e m i n i s t r y of t h e O T or t h e m i n i s t r y of t h e ' l a w ' (as o p p o s e d t o the
Gospel)280.
S e c o n d , in vv.7-11 Paul c o m p a r e s t h e " g l o r y " of t h e old a n d t h e n e w c o v e n a n t s , using t h r e e t i m e s t h e qal va-homer (a minori ad majus)^^^. Even t h o u g h Paul p o i n t s o u t t h a t t h e 5d^a of t h e m i n i s t r y (1) of Moses "is b e i n g d o n e a w a y " {KaTapyoviiePT], v.7; cf. v . l l ) it is i m p o r t a n t t o n o t e t h a t 5 6 | a is still a s c r i b e d t o t h e m i n i s t r y of Moses a n d t h a t this S b ^ a is n o t r e g a r d e d as d o n e a w a y y e t ^ ^ . T h e c o n t r a s t b e t w e e n Moses a n d Paul is n o t a c o n t r a s t be t w e e n " n o g l o r y " a n d " g l o r y " , n o r even b e t w e e n t h e f u n c t i o n s of t h e t w o " g l o r i e s " , b u t b e t w e e n a g r e a t e r a n d a lesser glory^®*.
277 Cf. C.K. Barrett, Second Corinthians, 1 9 7 3 , pp.112f.; R. Buhmaim, Zweiter Korin therbrief, 1 9 7 6 , p.80; M. Rissi, Studien, p p . 1 3 2 - 1 3 4 ; J . F . CoUange, £ n ^ m e j , pp. 64f.; R.S. R a y b u m , Contrast, p p . 3 2 9 - 3 5 1 ; T.E. Provence, "Exegesis", NovTest 24 ( 1 9 8 2 ) 65-68 (misrepresenting the position of R. Bultmarm o n p.64 with n.29!); also C.E.B. Cranfield, Romans, 1, pp.339f.; 2, p . 8 5 4 ; U. Wilckens, "Entwicklung", NTS 28 ( 1 9 8 2 ) 1 6 2 . 2 7 8 H. Hubner, Art. "yp6mia",EWNT 1 (1980) 623. 279 Contra J.D.G. Dunn, "2 Corinthians 3,17", JThS 21 ( 1 9 7 0 ) 310f.; A. Feuillet, "Loi de Dieu", NovTest 22 ( 1 9 8 0 ) 6 3 ; T J . Deidun, Afora/iiy, pp.203,206f., and others. 2 8 0 Emphasized by R.S. R a y b u m , o.c, p.351 pointing out that even the ministry which provokes TpdAi^ is treated positively by Paul ( p . 3 4 8 ) . 281 On w . 7 - 1 1 cf. J . F . Collange, o . c , p p . 6 7 - 8 4 ; R.S. R a y b u m , o.c, p p . 3 5 2 - 3 5 5 ; T-.E. Provence, a . c , p p . 6 8 - 7 3 . 2 8 2 Emphasized by P. von der Osten-Sacken, "Gcin", EvTh 41 ( 1 9 8 1 ) 2 3 1 pointing to the four praesenta in w . 7 . 1 1 . 1 3 . 1 4 . The participle Karapyovnevrjv in v.7 is a pre sent participle; cf. J . F . Collange, Enigmes, p . 7 6 ; R.Bultmatm, Zweiter Korinther brief, p.83 w h o sees it as substitute for the verbal adjective "verganglich"; differ ently e.g. C.K. Barrett, Second Corinthians, p.l 16. The term /caTa/>7erv expresses the transitoriness of the Mosaic order of salvation; cf. H. Hiibner, EWNT 2 ( 1 9 8 1 ) 661. 2 8 3 Cf. E. Richard, "Polemics", RB 88 ( 1 9 8 1 ) 7 3 ; also P. von der Osten-Sacken,
a.c.
284
Christ and the Law
T h i r d , in w . 1 2 - 1 8 Paul c o n t r a s t s t h e " v e i h n g " of t h e old cov e n a n t a n d t h e o p e n n e s s in t h e n e w covenant"*"*, Paul e l a b o r a t e s o n t h e a b i d i n g a n d o p e n c h a r a c t e r of t h e n e w c o v e n a n t w h i c h is c o n t r a s t e d wdth t h e old c o v e n a n t u n d e r w h i c h t h e p e o p l e har d e n e d t h e i r m i n d s , n o t seeing t h e goal {riXoq, v . 1 3 b ) of t h e glory of t h e fading old c o v e n a n t . T h i s goal was t o lead t h e p e o p l e t o faith r a t h e r t h a n t o works^*^. T h e old a n d t h e n e w ministries dif fer r e g a r d i n g t h e a c t i v i t y , or lack of a c t i v i t y , of t h e Spirit in t h e h e a r t of m a n : " T h e Old C o v e n a n t was t h e m i n i s t r y of t h e law w i t h o u t t h e e m p o w e r i n g w o r k of t h e S p i r i t ; t h e N e w C o v e n a n t is t h e m i n i s t r y of t h e law w i t h t h e Spirit's e m p o w e r m e n t t o a c c o m plish t h e l a w ' s d e m a n d s " 2 * ® . T o s u m u p , P a u l d o e s n o t a t t a c k t h e law as past e n t i t y . H e re fers t o t h e T o r a h in t e r m s of ypdnna in t h e c o n t e x t of t h e rrvevfia, i.e. in t e r m s of its legalistic m i s u n d e r s t a n d i n g b y t h e J e w s . S i n c e t h e Spirit was n o t a c t i v e , t r a n s f o r m i n g m a n ' s h e a r t , t h e old cov e n a n t is inferior t o t h e n e w c o v e n a n t w h i c h wdll also a b i d e forever. In t h e old c o v e n a n t , m a n in u n b e l i e f received t h e law as e x t e r n a l
p . 2 3 1 ; U. WUckens, "Entwicklung", NTS 2 8 (1982) 1 6 1 . R.S. Rayburn, Contrast, p p . 3 5 2 - 3 5 5 argues that 3,7-11 carries on the distinction hi 3,3 of no salvation/ salvation, disbelief/faith, heart of stone/heart transformed by the Spirit. 2 8 4 On w . 1 2 - 1 8 cf. W.C. van Unnik, " 'With UnveUed Face': A n Exegesis of 2 Corin thians 3 , 1 2 - 1 8 " , NovTest 6 ( 1 9 6 3 ) 153-169 (= Sparsa CoUecta, 1, 1 9 7 3 , p p . l 9 4 2 1 0 ) ; J . F . CoUange, o.c, p p . 8 5 - 1 2 5 ; R.S. R a y b u m , o.c, p p . 3 5 5 - 3 9 6 ; E. Richard, a.c., p p . 3 5 4 - 3 5 9 ; T . E . Provence, "Exegesis", ATonrwt 2 4 (1982) 7 3 - 8 1 . 285 For this interpretation of T^>.O<; cf. M. Rissi, Studien, p . 3 1 ; T.E. Provence, j . c , pp. 75-77. Note R.S. Rayburn, o.c, p p . 3 7 4 - 3 7 6 w h o interprets the term as Christ: for Paid the glory o n the face of Moses was the glory of Christ (pp.372f.). On R o m 10, 4cf. § 15.2.9. 2 8 6 T.E. Provence, a.c, p.77 referring to Ez 3 6 , 2 6 ; cf. also P.E. Hughes, Second Corin thians, p p . 9 4 , 9 7 , 1 0 0 , quoting R. Bultmann, Theology, I, pp.262f.; also C.E.B. Cranfield, Romans, 1, p p . 8 5 5 - 8 5 7 ; M. Rissi, Studien, p 4 1 . Cf. also R.S. R a y b u m , Contrast, p p . 3 8 4 - 3 9 6 passim who compares the relationship of the old/new cove nant with the relationship between flesh/Spirit, between the 'old'/'new' man, be tween death/Ufe (pp.395f.): the new covenant belongs to the 'new' man made new in Christ ( p p . 3 8 6 f . ) , whereas the old covenant is the broken relationship between God and Israel, between God and the 'old' man with his heart of stone rejecting the Gospel of Christ ui unbeUef ( p p . 3 9 0 - 3 9 2 , rejecting the identification of the old covenant with the Sinaitic law, p p . 3 8 9 f . ) . It is not possible at this point to discuss the validity of Rayburn's interpretation of the old and new covenant in 2Cor3. We simply note here that his conclusions as regards the status of the OT law for Paul are in accordance with our o w n argumentation. On the fruit of the Spirit or the transformation of the Christian ( w . l 7-18) cf. A. FeuiUet, Christ Sagesse,
Exegetical
Evidence
285
l e t t e r w h i c h t h e n c o n d e m n e d h i m ; in t h e n e w c o v e n a n t t h e law is w r i t t e n i n t e r n a l l y o n t h e believer's h e a r t w h o t h r o u g h faith in Christ is e n a b l e d t o fulfill t h e law2®^ 15.2.7. Rom 3,27-31. After having a r g u e d t h a t b o t h J e w s a n d G e n t i l e s have s i n n e d a n d t h a t t h e r e f o r e j u s t i f i c a t i o n b a s e d o n w o r k s of t h e T o r a h is impossible ( 1 , 1 8 - 3 , 2 0 ) , Paul e x p l a i n s t h e r e v e l a t i o n of t h e r i g h t e o u s n e s s of God^®® ( 3 , 2 1 - 3 1 ) . H e d e f e n d s a n d e l u c i d a t e s his c o n v i c t i o n t h a t r i g h t e o u s n e s s is b y faith o n t h e basis a n d as a result of t h e a t o n i n g a c t of G o d ' s r i g h t e o u s n e s s in Christ's d e a t h ( 3 , 2 1 - 2 6 ) . I n 3 , 2 7 - 3 1 Paul r e s u m e s t h e discussion w i t h t h e J e w i s h p a r t n e r from 3,1-8^®^. Since t h e law is n o t t h e l o c u s of t h e j u s t i f i c a t i o n of t h e sinner b u t of sin, a n d since justi fication is o n t h e basis a n d as t h e result of C h r i s t ' s d e a t h on t h e c r o s s , b y faith, a n d a p a r t f r o m t h e law ( 3 , 2 1 - 2 6 ) , Paul asks, " W h e r e t h e n is b o a s t i n g ? " ( v . 2 7 ) , c o n t i n u i n g t h e s u b j e c t of 2 , 1 7 - 2 9 . H e p o i n t s o u t t h a t G o d has e x c l u d e d b o a s t i n g o n c e a n d for all (aor. pass. e%eK\eiodr\, v . 2 7 ) s i n c e b o t h J e w s a n d G e n t i l e s are j u s t i f i e d o n t h e basis of nionc (vv.29-30) w i t h o u t epya vopov ( v . 2 8 ) . T a k i n g this s c o p u s for g r a n t e d , v.2 7b p r e s e n t s a p r o b l e m . T h e p h r a s e vopoc; ipyu^v can easily be e x p l a i n e d in c o n n e c t i o n wdth 2,
p p . 1 1 3 - 1 6 1 ; J.K. Collange, Enigmes, (1981) 630-644.
p p . 1 0 6 - 1 2 5 ; J . A . Kitzmyer, "Glory", ThSt 42
287 Cf. P.E. Hughes, Second Corinthians, p p . 9 4 - 1 0 0 ; T.E. Provence, "Exegesis", Nov Test 2 4 ( 1 9 8 2 ) 77 stating that "the law is c o m m o n to both covenants"; similarly U. Wilckens, "Entwicklung", NTS 28 (1982) 162f. w h o states that the Torah as ypofpri (not as ypd^/ia!) possesses the highest authority in the Christian church insofar as it testifies to Christ, thus belonging closely together with the Gospel ( p . l 6 2 ) , and w h o compares the relation of the old and the new covenant in 2Cor 3 with the relation of the iiito v6tiov and ^wotiot Xpiarov in ICor 9,20-21 (p.l63);. see also idem, "Statements", 1 9 8 2 , p.20 asserting that 2Cor 3,4-18 "is a considera tion, with a polemical purpose, of the opposition between gospel and Law in the light of salvation history". Contra H. Raisanen, Paul, p p . 4 4 4 6 , 2 4 3 - 2 4 5 . 288 On the phrase and concept of the SiKaioawri iJeoO cf. P. Stuhlmacher, Gerechtig keit Gottes bei Paulus, F R L A N T 8 7 , 2 ] 9 6 6 ; K . Kertelge, 'Rechtfertigung'bei Pau lus: Studien zur Struktur und zum Bedeutungsgehalt der paulinischen Rechtfertigungslehre, NTA N F 3 , 2 l 9 7 l ; j j V . Ziesler, The Meaning of Righteousness in Paul. 1 9 7 2 ; U. WUckens, Romer. 1, 1 9 7 8 , p p . 2 0 2 - 2 3 3 (with lit.); K. Kertelge, Art. "biKatoavvn", EWNT 1 ( 1 9 8 0 ) 7 8 4 - 7 9 6 (Ut.); P. Stuhlmacher, "Die Gerechtigkeitsanschauung des Apostels Paulus", Aufsdtze, 1 9 8 1 , p p . 8 7 - 1 1 6 . 289 FoUowing the analysis of U. Wilckens, Romer, 1, p p . 9 3 , 1 6 1 - 1 6 3 , 1 7 1 f.,183f., 2 4 4 . Most recent commentators treat 3,27-31 as a unit; cf. E. Kasemarm, Romer, pp. 9 5 - 9 9 ; C.E.B. Cranfield, Romans, 1, p p . 2 1 8 - 2 2 4 ; U. WUckens, o.c, p p . 2 4 4 - 2 5 7 .
286
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13 a n d 3 , 2 0 . 2 8 : it m e a n s " d i e T o r a , s o f e m sie W e r k e d e r Gerech tigkeit f o r d e r t u n d allein an i h n e n die R e c h t f e r t i g u n g bemifit"^^". T h e c r u x of t h e verse is t h e p h r a s e uonoq Trtarew? c o n c e r n i n g w h i c h several significant o b s e r v a t i o n s are in o r d e r . T h e p a r a d o x i c a l f o r m u l a t i o n fdjuoc nioTecxx; is n o t b e t o u n d e r s t o o d r h e t o r i c a l l y in t h e sense of (salvational) o r d e r , n o r m , or principle^^' b u t lit erally as Torah^^^. ( j ) this i n t e r p r e t a t i o n g u a r a n t e e s a c o n t i n u o u s p r o g r e s s i o n of t h o u g h t in t h e c o n t e x t of R o m 3 ; (2) it is n o t p o s sible t o i n t e r p r e t t h e t w o v o n o i of 3,27 as t w o different o r d e r s of Scdvation w h i c h b o t h c o m e f r o m G o d a n d w h i c h s u c c e e d o n e a n o t h e r c h r o n o l o g i c a l l y , since t'djuo? i p y c j u is n o t G o d ' s old o r d e r of salvation b u t e x p r e s s i o n of a h u m a n a t t i t u d e t o w a r d s G o d ' s T o r a h w h i c h is w r o n g in a f u n d a m e n t a l w a y ^ ^ ' ; (3) in 8,2 we find a sim-
2 9 0 U. WUckens, o . c , p . 2 4 5 ; also H. Hubner, "PauU theologiae proprium", NTS 26 ( 1 9 8 0 ) 4 6 5 ; idem, Gesetz, pp.95f.,118; P. von der Osten-Sacken, Romer 8 als Beispiel paulinischer Soteriologie, FRLANT 112, 1 9 7 5 , p . 2 4 5 ; C.E.B. Cranfield, O.C, p.220 n.3. 291 Contra H. Lietzmatm, Romer, p . 5 2 ; R. Bultmann, Theology, 1, p . 2 8 1 ; A. van Diilmen, Theologie, p.87; E. Kasemann, Romer, p . 9 6 ; O. Michel, Romerbrief, p . 1 5 5 ; H. Schlier, Romerbrief p . 1 1 6 ; also C.K. Barrett, Romans, p.83 w h o re jects the meaning 'principle' but then advocates the sense of "religious system"; fiirther F.F. Bruce, "Paul and the Law of Moses", BJRL 57 ( 1 9 7 4 / 7 5 ) 2 5 9 ; G.E. Ladd, Theology of the New Testament, 2 l 9 7 5 , p . 5 0 4 ; J . Blank, "Gesetz und Geist", The Law of the Spirit in Rom 7 and 8, 1 9 7 6 , p.97 (advocating the meaning "order" or "diraenaon" in the sense of irterid); H. Raisanen, "Das 'Gesetz des Glau b e n s ' ( R o m 3 , 2 7 ) " , ATTS 2 6 ( 1 9 8 0 ) 112 (assuming the meaning "die HeUsordnung, die auf Glauben fundiert ist"); also idem, Paul, pp.50-52. As regards Raisanen's critique of the position of G. Friedrich, P. von der Osten-Sacken, and F. Hahn we point out that in his interpretation of the aor.pass. iieK\eia&r\, Raisanen overaccentuates God's activity by ascribing to God what is 'expected' of faith, and that it is a wrong antithesis if he contrasts God and man antitheticaUy as subjects in the "law of faith" as faith is, according to Paul, in the final analysis gift of God (cf. also H. Hiibner, Gesetz, p p . l 3 6 f . ) . Raisanen uses Cranfield's (deliberately ambiguous) interpretation of thepassivum divinum without discussing the fact that Cranfield stiU interprets v6no(; maTeuic in terms of the OT law! 292 Already H. Cremer, Biblisch-theologisches Worterbuch, '^1885, s.v. viS(io<;; then especiaUy G. Friedrich, "Das Gesetz des Glaubens: Rom 3,27", ThZ 10 ( 1 9 5 4 ) 4 0 1 - 4 1 7 (= Auf das Wort kommt es an, 1 9 7 8 , p p . 1 0 7 - 1 2 2 ) ; E. Lohse, "6 v6iio<; Toil Tive^Haro<: ri7ri<:", Neues Testament und christliche Existenz, FS H. Braun, ed. H.D. Betz et al., 1 9 7 3 , p p . 2 8 1 L ; F. Hahn, "Gesetzesverstandnis", ZNW 67 ( 1 9 7 6 ) 3 8 , 4 1 , 4 7 - 4 9 ; P. von der Osten-Sacken, Romer 8, p p . 2 4 5 L ; idem, "Das pauUnische Verstandnis des Gesetzes", £t;77i 37 ( 1 9 7 7 ) 5 6 8 ; H. Hubner, "Pro prium", NTS 26 ( 1 9 8 0 ) 4 6 5 L ; idem, Gesetz, p p . 9 5 , 1 1 8 - 1 2 0 ; C.E.B. Cranfield, Romans, l , p . 2 2 0 ; U . Wilckens, i?omer, 1, p . 2 4 5 . 293 CL H. Hiibner, o . c , p p . l l 9 f . w h o then attempts to reconcile his interpretation with that of E. Kasemaim, o . c , p . 9 6 .
Exegetical
Evidence
287
ilar a n t i t h e s i s w i t h vdjioq as generic t e r m of t h e C h r i s t i a n ' s s t a t e of a n d life i n s a l v a t i o n ^ . F u r t h e r , f O / u o c nioTeux; is n o t a r e f e r e n c e t o t h e J e w i s h l a w in its f u n c t i o n as a w i t n e s s ^ ^ , n o r a t e r m for t h e p r o p e r C h r i s t i a n b e h a v i o u r w i t h regard t o G o d ' s wiU as it is e x p r e s s e d in t h e T o rah , s i n c e (1) t h e media i n t h e t w o c o n t r a r y p h r a s e s a r e n o t t h e d e m a n d s of t h e l a w ( w o r k s / f a i t h ) b u t t h e c h a r a c t e r of t h e T o r a h as l a w of God, a n d since (2) w i t h t h a t i n t e r p r e t a t i o n f a i t h , func t i o n a l l y , b e c o m e s w o r k s a g a i n ^ ^ . T h e p h r a s e vonoq iriaTecjq sig nifies, r a t h e r , " d i e i m G l a u b e n zu i h r e r u r s p r i i n g l i c h e n Bestimmung gekommene Torah"^®. Hiibner is correct w h e n he asserts that 3,27 expresses the contrast of "ein je verschiedenes Verhalten zur Torah, griindend in einer toto caelo verschicdenen Sicht der Torah: Mifibrauch des Gesetzes aus dem MiUverstandnis, es zum Hinttellen eigenproduzierter Gerechtigkeit benutzen zu miissen, oder rechte Verwendung des Geset zes, die nur aus Glauben moglich ist"^^^.
W h e n a n d w h e r e G o d reveals his r i g h t e o u s n e s s in Christ a n d t h e r e f o r e " b y f a i t h " ( v . 2 2 ) , t h e T o r a h h a s b e e n e x c l u d e d as l a w w h i c h d e m a n d s w o r k s a n d w h i c h t h e r e f o r e c o n d e m n s t h e sinner ( w . 2 1 . 2 8 ) a n d a p p e a r s as law w h i c h is r e l a t e d t o faith ( v . 2 1 ) a n d is t h u s n o t a b r o g a t e d — it is G o d ' s law — b u t e s t a b l i s h e d [ioTdvoliev, V . 3 1 ) . N o w t h e law fulfills again its original i n t e n d e d p u r p o s e , " G e r e c h t e d e m L e b e n z u z u s p r e c h e n " * ^ — n o t b y itself b u t r a t h e r 6id
niaTeijjq.
2 9 4 Cf. § 1 5 . 2 . 8 . 2 9 5 Thus G. Friedrich, "Gesetz", ThZ 10 ( 1 9 5 4 ) 4 0 1 4 1 7 ; E. Lohse, "V6MO<:", 1 9 7 3 , p p . 2 7 9 - 2 8 7 . Rejected by H. Hiibner, Gesetz, p . 1 1 9 ; U. Wilckens, Romer, 1, p. 2 4 6 ; U. Luz, in R. Smend, U. Luz, Gesetz, p . 1 0 5 . 296 Thus P. von der Osten-Sacken, Romer 8, p . 2 4 5 ; simUariy C.E.B. Cranfield, Ro mans, l , p . 2 2 0 . 297 H. Hiibner, o.c, p p . l 2 2 f . and U. Wilckens, o . c , p.245 with n . 7 6 6 . The latter seems to take place in the case of P. von der Osten-Sacken, o . c , p . 2 8 2 when he states that salvation (!) consists 'hach wie vor in der Erfiillung des Gesetzes". It. should be also noticed (ad Wilckens) that the absolutely gracious nature of justifica tion d o e s not totaUy nullify faith as an act of man. 2 9 8 U. Wilckens, o . c , p . 2 4 7 pointing out that the media in the t w o contrary phrases is the character of the Torah as law of God with the fdMOT ipywv linked with man's (attempted) justification and the i»ino<; irloTec^q with faith ( p . 2 4 5 ) . 299 H. Hiibner, o.c, p. 119; cf. also O. Merk, Handeln, p. 10. It is not impossible to bring the views of Wilckens and Stuhlmacher to congruence.providcd Stuhlmacher could see a more direct material (!) relationship between the Mosaic Torah and the eschatological Zion Torah. 3 0 0 U. Wilckens, Romer,
I, p . 2 4 9 . Also H. Hiibner, Gesetz,
p . l 2 4 w h o paraphrases
288
Christ and the Law
Stuhlmacher interprets the "Torah of Christ" and the "Torah of faith" in terms of the eschatological 'Zion Torah'^Ol which, according to him, is not simply identical with the Mosaic Torah "sondern bringt deren geistliche Intention dadurch zum Ziel, d a 6 sie der Mosetora eschatologisch entspricht"302. Following H. Gese^OS, Stuhl macher sees the 'Zion Torah' only as eschatological perfection of the Sinaitic Torah's "geschichtliche Vorliiufigkeit"304_ should be noted, however, that Jer 3 1 , 3 3 refers explicitly to TIT ID "my torah", i.e. the same law of God which is given in a new way and in a new context: man will receive a new heart and a new spirit leading to a new obedience to the (same) Torah. Similarly Ez 36,27 speaks in the same eschato logical context of ' p n a n d 'DSU?!3 (also 3 7 , 2 4 ) , obviously referring to God's eter nally valid commandments: the heart and the spirit of man will be new but nothing indicates that God's commands will be new also. Note fiurther that the commentaries b y H. Wildberger and H.W. Wolff305 do not treat the passages which Gese adduces as describing the new eschatological 'Zion Torah' as being distinct from the Sinaitic Torah. It is obvious that these texts are not interested in the character of the Torah as such306 Finally, Gese's attempt to describe the relationship between the Sinai Torah and the 'Zion Torah' is neither clear nor convincing. Reading Gese's b o o k one cannot avoid the suspicion that the texts are not always allowed t o speak for them selves but are 'coordinated' in a pre-conceived system which leads often to rather apodictic conclusions307_ this reason his views regarding an eschatological 'Zion Torah' should not be used as basis for interpreting Paul's theology of the law.
15.2.8. Rom 8,1-4. I n 8 , 1 - 4 Paul s u b s t i t u t e s t h e e x c l a m a t i o n of thanksgiving in 7,25a b y d e v e l o p i n g christologically 7 , 6 . T h e ' t h e sis' of v . l is d e f e n d e d in v.2 in t h e light of t h e larger subject of t h e l i b e r a t i o n from t h e law. T h e p h r a s e uonoq rfiq aiiapriaq Kai rov daudrov (v.2) is a s u m m a r y of 7 , 1 3 - 2 3 , referring s t r i n g e n t l y t o t h e Mosaic T o r a h w h i c h is, as " l a w of s i n " , n o t sin itself (cf. 7,7!) b u t revealing a n d e f f e c t u a t i n g sin as sin ( 7 , 1 3 ) a n d w h i c h is, as " l a w of d e a t h " , n o t d e a t h - e f f e c t i n g in itself ( 7 , 1 3 ) b u t adjudging
v.31 as "wir stellen das Gesetz hin, indem wir kategorisch seine jiidische Fehlinterpretation ablehnen. Wir stellen die ureigene Intention des Gesetzes hin, indem wuenergisch die Intention Gottes mit dem Gesetz vertreten". Cf. also E. Jiingel, Paulus und Jesus, p . 6 1 . 301 P. Stuhlmacher, "Das Gesetz als Thema biblischer Theologie" ( 1 9 7 8 ) , Aufsdtze, 1 9 8 1 , p p . I 5 8 - 1 6 I ; also idem, "Gerechtigkeitsanschauung", o.c, p p . l I 2 f . 3 0 2 P. Stuhlmacher, "Gesetz", p . 1 5 9 . 3 0 3 Cf. H. Gese, "Das Gesetz", Zur biblischen Theologie, 1 9 7 7 , p p . 7 4 - 7 7 . 3 0 4 Cf. P. Stuhlmacher, c c , p. 143. 305 Cf. H. Wildberger, Jesaja, BK X / I , 1 9 7 2 , pp.75-90 (on Is 2,1-5); idem, X / 2 , 1 9 7 8 , pp.959-969 (on Is 25,6-8); H.W. Wolff, Dodekapropheton 4: Micha, BK X I V / 4 , I 9 8 2 , p p . 8 2 - 9 9 (on Mi 4,1-8). 3 0 6 Cf. R. Smend, in R. Smend, U. Luz, Gesetz, 1 9 8 1 , p.43 asserting that the subject of these passages is the assurance of salvauon. 307 CL the review of S. Wagner, in ThLZ 106 ( I 9 8 I ) 8 7 6 - 8 7 8 . See also H. Raisanen, Paul, PP.239L
Exegetical
Evidence
289
its d e a t h p e n a l t y t o t h e sinner a n d k e e p i n g h i m in c u s t o d y in his " b o d y of d e a t h " ( 7 , 2 4 ) 3 0 8 . If, t h e n , m a n is set free (ijXeuiJepwaet') " i n J e s u s C h r i s t " from t h e T o r a h w h i c h h a s this d o u b l e effect, h o w c a n t h e p o w e r o f t h e S p i r i t w h i c h liberates m a n a n d gives h i m life b e called udfioq? M a n y scholars solve this p r o b l e m b y u n d e r s t a n d i n g vdnoq TOV nuevtiaToq rf?? fcJTJ? r h e t o r i c a l l y as (salvational) o r d e r or r u l e ^ . This i n t e r p r e t a t i o n has b e e n c h a l l e n g e d r e c e n t l y in a c o n v i n c i n g w a y ^ ' ^ : (1) t h e t e r m wjuoc TOV vveviiaToq refers very likely b a c k t o 7 , 1 4 w h e r e t h e T o r a h is c h a r a c t e r i z e d as T r i ' e u / i a r u b ? ; (2) t h e p h r a s e voiioq T 7 7 ? inapTiaq Kai TOV davaTov in t h e s a m e verse is u s e d in a s t r i n g e n t m a n n e r in t h e i m m e d i a t e p r e v i o u s c o n t e x t of R o m 7 a n d refers clearly t o t h e Mosaic T o r a h ; (3) in t h e i m m e d i a t e following c o n t e x t in 8,3-4 Paul uses pofioq again s t r i n g e n t l y as r e f e r e n c e t o t h e Mosaic T o r a h ; (4) in classical a n d Hellenistic G r e e k v6(xoq is n o t u s e d as d e s i g n a t i o n for t h e w o r l d o r d e r p e r se ( r a t h e r as t e r m for t h e p o w e r w h i c h c r e a t e s a n d m a i n t a i n s t h e w o r l d o r d e r a n d t h u s is identified w i t h Zeus) n o r {vopioq c.gen.) for differing, e v e n a n t i t h e t i c a l ' o r d e r s ' o r ' n o r m s ' ^ ' ' . T h u s , w e c o n c l u d e t h a t t h e s t a t e m e n t in 8,2 describes t h e can-
3 0 8 FoUowing the excellent analysis of U. WUckens, Romer, 2, 1 9 8 0 , p p . l 2 1 f . A dif ferent structural analysis was recently put forward by P. Lamarche, C. le D u , £pitre aux Romains V-VIII: Structure Uttiraire et sens, 1 9 8 0 , p p . 6 1 - 6 3 . 3 0 9 Cf. G. Friedrich, "Gesetz", p . 4 0 7 ; C.K. Barrett, Romans, p . l 5 5 ; J . Blank, "Gesetz", 1 9 7 6 , p p . 9 7 , 1 0 6 f . (discussion); H. SchtieT.Romerbrief, p p . 2 3 8 f . ; 0 . Michel, Romer brief, p . 2 4 9 ; A. van DiUmen, Theologie, p p . l l 9 f . ; B.C. WinUe, Law, p . l 3 5 ; E. Kasemann, Romer, p . 2 0 5 ; C.E.B. Cranfield, Romans, 1, pp.375f. (changing his earlier view, cf. n.4); H. Raisanen, "Gesetz", NTS 26 ( 1 9 8 0 ) 1 1 3 - 1 1 6 ; A. FeuUlet, "Loi de Dieu", NovTest 22 ( 1 9 8 0 ) 5 7 - 6 1 ; L.E. Keck, "The Law and 'The Law of Sin and Death' ( R o m 8,1-4)", 1 9 8 0 , pp.46-49; T.J. Deidun, Afora/i^y, p p . 1 9 3 - 2 0 3 , 255f., H. Riiisanen,i'aK/, p p . 5 0 , 5 2 . 3 1 0 Cf. E. Jiingel, Paulus und Jesus, p . 6 1 ; C.E.B. Cranfield, "St.Paul and the Law", 5/77! 17 ( 1 9 6 4 ) 61f.; E. Lohse, '"v6fiO<:", 1 9 7 3 , p p . 2 7 9 - 2 8 7 ; P. von der OstenSacken, Romer 8, p p . 2 2 6 - 2 3 4 ; E. Lohse, "Zur Analyse und Interpretation von R o m 8,1-17", The Law of the Spirit, 1976, p . l 3 9 ; F. Hahn, "Gesetzesverstand nis", ZNW 67 ( 1 9 7 6 ) 47f.; P. von der Osten-Sacken, "Verstandnis", EvTh 37 ( 1 9 7 7 ) 5 6 8 ; H. Hiibner, Gesetz. p p . 1 2 4 - 1 2 7 , 1 8 8 ; idem, "Proprium", NTS ?6 ( 1 9 8 0 ) 4 6 6 ; U. WUckens, Ro~mer. 1, 1 9 7 8 , p . 2 4 5 ; 2 , 1 9 8 0 , p p . l 2 2 f . ; H . Hiibner, Art. "v6ixo^", EWNT 2 ( 1 9 8 1 ) 1 1 7 0 ; U. WUckens, "Entwicklung", A'7-5 2 8 ( 1 9 8 2 ) 185; idem, "Statements", 1 9 8 2 , p.24. 3 1 1 For the last point cf. U. WUckens, Romer, 2 , p . l 2 2 with n . 4 9 1 . H. Raisanen, Paul, pp.50f. n.34 has misunderstood WUckens w h o does not claim that votux; does not mean 'rule' or 'order' in classical Greek.
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c e l l a t i o n o f all c o n d e m n a t i o n ( v . l ) as c h a n g e i n t h e l a w from its c o n d e m n i n g f u n c t i o n t o a f u n c t i o n w h i c h cancels this c o n d e m n a tion. In the words o f Wilckens, Paul asserts a "Wende im Gesetz selbst von seiner verurteilenden zu seiner diese Vcrurtcilung aufhebenden Funktion. Die iiberlegene Kraft der Gnade iiber die universale Verurteilungskraft des Gesetzes (5,20f) ist als gottliche Kraft der Negation z u ^ e i c h die Kraft, die im Gesetz selbst als dem Gesetz Gottes die dem Gesetz als gottlichem Verurteilungsspruch iiberlegene Wirkung zum Zuge bringt. In der Entgegensetzung von v6iio<: und vdiioq in 8,2 spiegelt sich die Entgegensetzung von Gott in Kreuz und Auferweckung Christi"3I2_
T h e g e n t i t i v e s TOV - n v e v n a T o q
a n d TT?? d/Ltaprta? d e s c r i b e
the
p o w e r s w h i c h c o n t r o l t h e u o f i o q , a n d t h e genitives rrjq fcor?? a n d Tov d a v d r o v d e s c r i b e t h e effect o f t h e l a w u n d e r t h e respective c o n t r o l l i n g p o w e r . T h e p h r a s e iv XptOTc^ I r i a o v is " d i e h e r m e n e u t i s c h e O r t s b e s t i m m u n g d e r g a n z e n Aussage u n d also . . . i h r e e n t s c h e i d e n d e M i t t e " ' " . A s a result of t h e b e h e v e r ' s b e i n g iv X p i o T i ^ a n d having received a n d b e i n g c o n t r o U e d b y t h e n v e v i i a , h e h a s fwTJ (as KaLvri KTiaiq, cf. G a l 6 , 1 5 ; 2Cor 5,17!) a n d is e n a b l e d t o fulfill t h e d e m a n d s of t h e l a w ( 8 , 4 ; cf. 2 , 1 3 ; 1 3 , 8 . 1 0 ! ) : t h e Spirit is n o t o n l y t h e p o w e r of t h e j u s t i f i c a t i o n of t h e sinner w h o w a s c o n d e m n e d t o d e a t h b y t h e T o r a h , b u t n o w , " i n C h r i s t " , also t h e p o w e r i n w h i c h t h e T o r a h , c o n t r o l l e d b y t h e Spirit, is b e i n g fulfiUed'i^ 15.2.9. Rom 10,4. T h i s verse belongs t o t h e c o n t e x t of 1 0 , 1 - 2 1 in w h i c h Paul t r e a t s Israel a s having r e j e c t e d t h e r i g h t e o u s n e s s o f G o d w h i c h c a n b e o b t a i n e d b y all w h o b e h e v e . In v.4 h e explains w h y ( 7 d p ) t h e J e w s have w r o n g k n o w l e d g e o r u n d e r s t a n d i n g (iniyvij^aiq, v . 2 ) . Paul states t h a t Christ is t h e riXoq o f t h e v6^loq for r i g h t e o u s n e s s w h i c h is for e v e r y o n e w h o believes ( v . 4 ) . S c h o l -
3 1 2 U. Wilckens, o.c, p . l 2 3 ; similarly H. Hubner, o.c, pp.I25f. 3 1 3 U. Wilckens, iJdmer, 2 , p . l 2 3 ; cf. idem, "Entwicklung", A^rS ( 1 9 8 2 ) 1 8 5 . 3 1 4 Cf. F. Hahn, "Gesetzesverstandnis", ZNW 6 7 (1976) 4 7 ; E. Lohse, "Analyse", 1976, p . 1 3 9 ; H. Hubner, Gesetz, p . l 2 7 L ; U. WUckens, o.c, p p . l 2 8 L (rejecting pronouncedly the notion of an abrogatio legis for the Christian); idem, a . c , p . 1 8 5 ; cL also H. Schlier, GnindzUge, p . 9 2 ; C.E.B. Cranfield, Romans, 1, p . 3 8 4 ; W.G. Kunmiel, Theologie, p p . 2 0 1 L ; O. Merk, Handeln, p.IO; W. Schrage, EthiK 1 9 8 2 , p . l 9 7 (stating that the Torah becomes a posteriori as "law of Christ" binding for the Christian). J . Blank, Paulus und Jesus, pp.294L is ambiguous. H. Raisanen, Paul, pp.51L is not able t o refute successfuUy the exegesis of Hahn, Hiibner, von der Osten-Sacken, and WUckens.
Theological
Evaluation
2 91
ars agree t h a t vofxoq is a r e f e r e n c e t o t h e Mosaic T o r a h ( n o t e t h e context, particularly 9,31). T h e crux interpretum is t h e precise m e a n i n g of reXot w h i c h c a n b e u n d e r s t o o d in t e r m s of fulfilment, o r g o a l , or e n d . We fol l o w Wilckens w h o c o m b i n e s t h e u n d e r s t a n d i n g in t e r m s of goal a n d in t e r m s of e n d ' ' ' ^ . Christ is (1) t h e goal of t h e l a w insofar as h e e n d e d its f u n c t i o n of c o n d e m n i n g t h e sinner — t h e p e r s o n w h o believes in Christ is in a c c o r d a n c e w i t h G o d ' s r i g h t e o u s n e s s w h i c h b r o u g h t t h e law t o its e n d in Christ's a t o n i n g d e a t h (cf. t h e c o n t e x t v v . 3 - 4 ) ^ ' ^ . O r Christ is t h e e n d of t h e a d v e r t i s e m e n t of t h e sarkic a b u s e of t h e l a w as " l a w of w o r k s " a n d as w a y t o r i g h t e o u s n e s s ^ ' ^ A n d Christ is (2) t h e goal of t h e law (cf. t h e c o n t e x t 9 , 3 1 ) insofar as be brings r i g h t e o u s n e s s t o t h e believer t h u s d o i n g w h a t t h e l a w c o u l d n o t d o ( 8 , 3 ) , fulfilling w h a t t h e Jewfs e x p e c t e d from t h e l a w . Christ is t h e goal of t h e law w h i c h t h e J e w s have " p u r s u e d " ( 9 , 3 1 ) : t h e p u r s u e d r i g h t e o u s n e s s w h i c h was originally t h e goal of t h e T o r a h , a n d this r i g h t e o u s n e s s was w r o u g h t b y Christ for t h e believer^'®. Christ w h o was t h e goal of t h e T o r a h has n o t
3 1 5 H. Raisanen, Paul, p.53 with n.48 has misunderstood the position of U. Wilckens. Raisanen admits that Paul could have written that Christ is the goal of the law (p.56). 3 1 6 Cf. U. Wilckens, Romer, 2, p . 2 2 2 , following A. von Diilmen, Theologie, p p . l 2 6 f . , 217f. 3 1 7 Cf. C.F.D. Moule, "Obligation in the Ethic of Paul", Christian History and Inter pretation, FS J . K n o x . e d . W.R. Farmer e t a l . , 1 9 6 7 , pp.402f.; J . Munck, C/ir«f and Israel, 1 9 6 7 , p . 8 3 ; A van Diilmen, o.c, pp.126f.; G.E. Ladd, Theology, pp.502f.; O. Merk, Handeln, p.lO; W.G. Kiimmel, Theologie, p . l 6 2 ; P. Stuhlmacher, "Achtzehn Thesen", Aufsdtze, p p . l 9 4 f . ; M. Hengel, Son, p.74 (asserting a "christolog ically motivated abrogation of the law, its abolition as way of salvation"); F. Hahn, "Gesetzesverstandnis", ZNW 67 ( 1 9 7 6 ) 5 0 ; W.D. Davies, "Paul and the Law", HLJ 29 ( 1 9 7 8 ) 1476; idem, "Paul and the U w " , 1 9 8 2 , p.9; H. Schlier, Grundzuge, pp.92f.; B.C. W i n t l e , i a u ; , p . l 2 7 ; U . Luz, in R. Smend, V. Luz, Gesetz, 1 9 8 1 , p . 9 3 ; H. Hiibner, Gesetz, p . l 2 9 ; idem, Art. "pdjioc", EWNT 2 ( 1 9 8 1 ) 1 1 7 0 . This inter pretation does not imply an abrogation of the Torah per se; contra T. Deidur\, Morality, 1 9 8 1 , p . l 5 2 n.7 w h o interprets T4\O<: v6iiOV "the termination of the Law's role in God's plan of salvation". This is rightly emphasized by C.E.B. Cran field, Romans, 2, p.519 w h o does not see, however, that v6no<; can still mean "end" w h e n voiioi: is qualified: not vofioq per se is terminated but its abuse as v6iio<; epryijjv. 318 Cf. U. WUckens; o.c, p . 2 2 3 ; also C.E.B. Cranfield, o.c, p . 5 1 9 ; R. Bring, Christus und das Gesetz, p p . 3 5 - 7 2 ; B.C. Wintle, o.c, p . l 2 7 ; P . W . Meyer, "Romans 10,4 and the End of the Law", The Divine Helmsman, FS L.H. SUberman, ed. J . L . Crenshaw, 1980, pp.59-78; simUarly W.S. CampbeU, "Christ as the End of the Law in Romans 10,4", Studia Biblica 1978, 3 , pp.76f.
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Christ and the Law
a b r o g a t e d t h e T o r a h as s u c h . Christ has ( o n l y ) t e r m i n a t e d a n d h e n c e a b r o g a t e d — for t h o s e w h o b e h e v e " i n h i m " ! — t h e sarkic a b u s e of t h e T o r a h as w a y t o salvation as well as t h e c o n d e m n i n g f u n c t i o n of t h e T o r a h ' ' ^ .
15.3. Theological Evaluation 15.3.1. Soteriological aspects. As a result of Christ's d e a t h , re s u r r e c t i o n , a n d e x a l t a t i o n , b r o u g h t h o m e t o Paul in a r a t h e r dra m a t i c m a n n e r o n t h e r o a d t o D a m a c u s , Paul's t r e a t m e n t of t h e r o l e , v a l i d i t y , a n d significance of t h e J e w i s h T o r a h focused o n t h e n e w soteriological s t a t u s of t h e T o r a h ' ^ " . T h u s , a l r e a d y in his e a r h e s t l e t t e r s t o t h e Christians in G a l a t i a a n d C o r i n t h , Paul e m p h a s i z e s t h a t t h e T o r a h , after t h e Christ e v e n t , has n o soteriological f u n c t i o n s left. With J e s u s ' mission it h a d b e c o m e clear t h a t the T o r a h c o u l d n o t i m p a r t life (Gal 3,21) b u t f u n c t i o n e d as p r i s o n w a r d e n a n d slave a t t e n d a n t (Gal 3 , 2 3 2 4 ) . With J e s u s ' d e a t h o n t h e cross, t h e sole c o n s t i t u t i v e basis of j u s t i f i c a t i o n a n d salvation is faith in J e s u s Christ r a t h e r t h a n t h e c o n t r o l a n d rule of t h e T o r a h (Gal 3 , 2 5 ) . G o d ' s call in Christ ef fected a f u n d a m e n t a l m o d i f i c a t i o n of t h e T o r a h ' s salvation-histor ical a n d soteriological d i f f e r e n t i a t i o n b e t w e e n J e w s a n d G e n t i l e s o n t h e basis of c i r c u m c i s i o n ( I C o r 7 , 1 9 ) : c i r c u m c i s i o n as o b e d i e n c e t o t h e T o r a h is n o t n e c e s s a r y a n y m o r e since n o w G o d ' s caU is n o t d e p e n d e n t o n , a n d r e s t r i c t e d t o , c i r c u m c i s i o n b u t is t o be h e a r d a n d received in a n d t h r o u g h J e s u s Christ. It d o e s n o t m a t t e r a n y m o r e w h e t h e r a p e r s o n is a J e w or a G e n t i l e : b e h e v e r s in Christ are n o t u n d e r t h e d o m i n i o n {vnol) of t h e T o r a h ( I C o r 9 , 2 0 ) . A m o n g t h e J e w s t h e T o r a h h a d d e g e n e r a t e d t o ypdnna, b e i n g u n d e r s t o o d in a p u r e l y legalistic m a n n e r as w a y t o salvation ( 2 C o r
319 It is unlikely that in 10,6-7 Paul imphcitly intends to link Christ and the Torah, as Paul's concern in the context is the contrast between Christ and the Torah, and as Paul obviously eliminates all references to the Torah (cf. U. Wilckens, Romer, 2, p p . 2 2 5 f . ) . The traditional Jewish interpretation of Deut 3 0 , 1 2 - 1 4 makes it plau sible to assume that Paul describes Christ in 10,6-7 in terms of wisdom. Cf. supra, §14.2.5. 3 2 0 The decisive role of Paul's Damascus experience in this respect is stressed by P. Stuhlmacher, "Gesetz",Aufsdtze, p p . l 5 5 f . and S. Kim,Origin, pp.l28f.
Theological
Evaluation
293
3 , 6 ) . As a result, t h e g l o r y of t h e old c o v e n a n t was lesser t h a n t h e glory of t h e n e w c o v e n a n t ( 2 C o r 3 , 7 - 1 1 ) . Before Christ, t h e p r e a c h ing of t h e T o r a h was lacking t h e a c c o m p a n y i n g a c t i v i t y of G o d ' s S p i r i t . ' A f t e r ' C h r i s t , i.e. in t h e c o n t e x t of t h e n e w c o v e n a n t , p r e a c h i n g is l i n k e d w i t h t h e p o w e r of t h e Spirit ( 2 C o r 3 , 1 2 - 1 8 ) . I n his l e t t e r t o t h e R o m a n s , Paul e l a b o r a t e s o n t h e s e convic t i o n s . Sinful m a n k i n d c a n n o t possibly b e j u s t i f i e d b y G o d as a re sult of " w o r k s of t h e l a w " ( R o m 1,18-3,20) b u t r a t h e r o n t h e basis a n d as a result of t h e r e a l i z a t i o n of G o d ' s r i g h t e o u s n e s s in C h r i s t ' s a t o n i n g d e a t h , a p a r t from t h e law ( 3 , 2 1 - 2 6 ) . As b o t h J e w s a n d G e n t i l e s are j u s t i f i e d o n t h e basis of faith r a t h e r t h a n o n t h e basis of o b e d i e n c e t o t h e l a w ( 3 , 2 8 - 3 0 ) , all b o a s t i n g is e x c l u d e d ( 3 , 2 7 ) . T h u s , m a n ' s i m p r o p e r use of t h e law as w a y t o r i g h t e o u s ness is r e j e c t e d . T h e c o n d e m n i n g f u n c t i o n of t h e T o r a h as ypdnfia d-noKjeivov a n d as m a s t e r has b e c o m e o b s o l e t e as a result of t h e C h r i s t e v e n t ( 7 , 1 - 6 ) . W i t h o u t Christ, t h e T o r a h reveals a n d j u d g e s sin as sin a n d t h u s leads t o d e a t h ( 7 , 1 3 - 2 3 ; 8,2). T h e p o w e r of t h e S p i r i t , t h r o u g h J e s u s Christ, l i b e r a t e d t h e believer from t h e T o r a h as c o n t r o l l e d b y sin. T h u s , Christ is t h e e n d of t h e T o r a h as c o n c e r n s its c o n d e m n a t o r y f u n c t i o n in t h e c o n t e x t of its sarkic a b u s e ( 1 0 , 4 ) . T h e T o r a h has n o soteriological f u n c t i o n s a t all. Christ is t h e exclusive ao^rrtp, a n d salvation is o n l y b y faith in h i m , o n t h e basis of G o d ' s free grace. 15.3.2. Salvation-historical aspects. In p o l e m i c a l c o n t e x t s Paul c a n m^dce h a r s h a n d d e p r e c i a t o r y s t a t e m e n t s o n t h e T o r a h seen as ante Christum crucifixum: t h e law was " a d d e d " , via a m e d i a t o r , in o r d e r t o c o n d e m n t h e transgressions as s u c h , t h u s f u n c t i o n i n g as p r i s o n w a r d e n a n d slave a t t e n d a n t (Gal 3 , 1 9 - 2 5 ) . T h e nuda lex, i.e. t h e law w i t h o u t Christ, d o m i n a t e s a n d rules over m a n w h o is vn6 ( I C o r 9 , 2 0 ; Gal 3 , 2 3 ; cf. R o m 6 , 1 4 . 1 5 ; Gal 4 , 5 . 2 1 ; 5 , 1 8 ) a n d w h o m i s u n d e r s t a n d s t h e T o r a h legalistically as ypdnfia ( 2 C o r 3,418) r e q u i r i n g epya ( R o m 3 , 2 8 ) , n o t t a k i n g i n t o c o n s i d e r a t i o n t h e fact t h a t , as s u c h , it is ruled b y t h e p o w e r of sin a n d t h a t it leads t h e r e f o r e t o d e a t h ( R o m 7 , 1 3 - 2 3 ; 8,2). In this r e s p e c t , C h r i s t is t h e e n d {riXaq) of t h e T o r a h for t h e believer ( R o m 1 0 , 4 ) . Christ is t h e e n d of t h e T o r a h as c o n d e m n i n g p o w e r in t h a t h e is, at t h e s a m e t i m e , t h e goal (reXo?) of t h e T o r a h ( R o m 10,4) in sofar as he b r o u g h t t h a t r i g h t e o u s n e s s w h i c h t h e T o r a h c o u l d n o t b r i n g ( R o m 8 , 3 ; 9 , 3 1 ) . As t h e sinless S o n of G o d , Christ m e t t h e
294
Christ and the Law
r e q u i r e m e n t s of t h e T o r a h a n d t o o k u p o n himself t h e T o r a h ' s j u d g m e n t of sin a n d s i n n e r in his a t o n i n g a n d vicarious d e a t h o n t h e cross as curse of t h e l a w " f o r u s " (Gal 3 , 1 3 ) ' 2 i . T h e r e f o r e , s a l v a t i o n is n o t b y o b e d i e n c e t o t h e T o r a h b u t b y faith in C h r i s t . I n this soteriological a n d salvation-historical f r a m e w o r k t h e T o r a h is a f f e c t e d in a f u n d a m e n t a l w a y . It is e x c l u d e d as w a y t o r i g h t e o u s n e s s a n d Ufe, b u t it is stiU i n c l u d e d as t h e h o l y a n d g o o d wiU of G o d ( R o m 7,12) w h i c h never l a c k e d 6 o | a e n t i r e l y ( 2 C o r 3 , 7 - 1 1 ) . M a n is n o t r u l e d b y t h e T o r a h a n y m o r e — r a t h e r , t h e T o r a h is r u l e d b y Christ a n d qualified b y t h e S p i r i t ' 2 2 a n d b y faith w h i c h t h e Spirit gives. T h u s , Paul speaks of t h e " T o r a h of C h r i s t " (Gal 6 , 2 ; I C o r 9 , 2 1 ) , i.e. of t h e T o r a h w h i c h is fulfiUed b y Christ a n d in C h r i s t a n d w h i c h has t h u s c o m e u n d e r t h e r u l e of C h r i s t ' ^ ^ . P a u l s p e a k s of t h e " T o r a h of f a i t h " ( R o m 3 , 2 7 ) , i.e. t h e T o r a h w h i c h is r e l a t e d t o faith t h u s e s t a b l i s h i n g ( R o m 3 , 3 1 ) G o d ' s ori ginal i n t e n t i o n w h i c h c o n s i s t e d in giving life t o t h e r i g h t e o u s . A n d Paul s p e a k s of t h e " T o r a h of t h e S p h i t " ( R o m 8 , 2 ) , i.e. t h e T o r a h w h i c h is c o n t r o U e d b y t h e Spirit leading t o hfe as h e also c o n t r o l s t h e life of t h e b e h e v e r , e n a b l i n g h i m t o fulfill t h e l a w ( R o m 8 , 4 ) . T h e T o r a h as qualified b y C h r i s t , as c o n t r o U e d b y t h e S p i r i t , a n d as l i n k e d w i t h f a i t h , is fuUy r e l e v a n t for t h e C h r i s t i a n ( I C o r 7, 19) a n d fuUy realizable b y t h e C h r i s t i a n w h o is " i n C h r i s t " a n d w h o has r e c e i v e d t h e S p i r i t w h e n h e c o m p l i e s w i t h t h e o n e c o m m a n d m e n t of love (Gal 5 , 1 4 ; 6 , 2 ; R o m 1 3 , 8 - 1 0 ) , living b y t h e p o w e r of t h e Spirit ( 2 C o r 3 , 4 - 1 8 ) . In this sense t h e T o r a h , as " G e setz o h n e G e s e t z l i c h k e i t " ' ^ * , is stiU s t a n d a r d for t h e C h r i s t i a n ' s life. It has b e e n p o i n t e d o u t a l r e a d y in t h e c o u r s e of o u r exegetical discussion t h a t it is w r o n g t o i m p l y a n a b r o g a t i o n of t h e T o r a h as
3 2 1 Cf. P. Stuhlmacher, "Achtzehn Thesen", Aufsdtze, p p . l 9 5 f . ; M. Hengel, Atone ment, 1 9 8 1 , particularly p p . 3 3 - 6 5 ; o n Gal 3,13 in the context of Paul's message of the cross cf. H. Weder, Kreuz Jesu, 1 9 8 1 , p p . 1 8 6 - 1 9 3 . 3 2 2 On the relationship between the Spirit and Christ in Paul cf. J . D . G . Huxrn, Jesus and the Spirit, 2 l 9 7 8 . p p . 3 1 8 - 3 2 6 , here 3 2 2 - 3 2 4 discussing ICor 1 5 , 4 5 ; R o m 8,91 1 ; ICor 6 , 1 7 ; 12,4-6, passages in which Paul expresses this relationship in terms of equation: Christ is the Spirit. 3 2 3 Cf. U. Wilckens, "Was heifit bei Paulus: 'Aus Werken des Gesetzes wurd kein Mensch gerecht'?" ( 1 9 6 9 ) , Rechtfertigung als Freiheit: Paulusstudien, 1974, pp.77-109, here p. 109. 3 2 4 K. Niederwimmer, Art. "i\ev«epo<:",
EWNT I ( 1 9 8 0 ) 1 0 5 6 .
Theological
Evaluation
295
s u c h o n t h e p a r t of Paul^^^. We can s p e a k m o r e a c c u r a t e l y of a abrogatio
servitudinis
sub
lege^^^.
The
Christian
is
now
cum
lege^^^, himself c o n t r o l l e d ( a n d loved!) b y Christ a n d e m p o w e r e d b y t h e S p i r i t , in faith. T h i s n e w l o c a t i o n of t h e T o r a h " i n Christ J e s u s " has i m p o r t a n t h e r m e n e u t i c a l c o n s e q u e n c e s . T h e T o r a h w h i c h is still valid for t h e C h r i s t i a n is n o t a r e d u c e d T o r a h — r e d u c e d t o t h e c o m m a n d m e n t of love — n o r a n e w T o r a h — c o n t a i n i n g t h e ethical t e a c h i n g of J e s u s - b u t t h e T o r a h as revelation of G o d ' s will as r e a h z e d in t h e h i s t o r y of salvation w h i c h c u l m i n a t e d in t h e cross a n d resur r e c t i o n of C h r i s t . Even t h o u g h o n e has t o n o t e t h a t t h e T o r a h as a w h o l e is stiU valid for t h e Christian (Gal 5 , 1 4 ) , it is o b v i o u s t h a t t h e ritual a n d c e r e m o n i a l p a r t s of t h e T o r a h have t o be seen in a t o t a U y n e w light, viz. as realized in Christ^^®. T h e y are n o t a b r o g a t e d b u t r a t h e r fulfilled b y a n d in C h r i s t , a n d h e n c e also b y t h e believer w h o is " i n C h r i s t " . 15.3.3. Revelatory aspects. T h e r e is n o d o u b t t h a t Paul r e g a r d e d t h e T o r a h as r e v e l a t i o n of G o d : t h e T o r a h is pofioq {TOV) deov (1 C o r 9 , 2 1 ; R o m 7 , 2 2 . 2 5 ; 8,7) a n d its c o m m a n d m e n t s a r e ivToXai deov ( I C o r 7 , 1 9 ) . T h e s t a t e m e n t t h a t t h e T o r a h is vofioq dytoq ( R o m 7 , 1 2 ; cf. 1,2) implies t h a t it belongs t o G o d a n d o r i g i n a t e d w i t h G o d ^ ^ . T h e T o r a h is g o o d (dyaddq) b e c a u s e it is G o d ' s will ( R o m 7 , 1 2 ; 1 2 , 1 ) ^ ^ . T h e d e c l a r a t i o n t h a t t h e T o r a h is spiritual
3 2 5 Cf. also A. van Dulmen, Theologie, p p . 2 0 4 - 2 3 0 ; M. U m b e c k , Ohnmacht, pp. 98f.; R.S. R a y b u m , Contrast, p p . 2 1 9 - 2 S 3 . Contra H. Raisanen, Paui, p p . 4 2 - 9 3 . 3 2 6 Cf. U. WUckens, Romer, 2 , 1 9 8 0 , p . 7 1 . 3 2 7 Cf.K.Jiitisel, Paulus und Jesus, p.61 n . l . 3 2 8 It is obvious that Paul does not differentiate between the ritual and ceremonial, and the ethical parts of the Torah. It is equaUy obvious, however, that Christ's death as atoning sacrifice made a fundamental difference in Paul's attitude towards the former which has c o m e to its r^Xoc in Christ ( R o m 10,4). Cf. R. Bultmann, Theology, 1, p.261 w h o states "that the identity of meaning in the cultic, ritual and the ethical demands exists only for the man w h o has not yet c o m e to faith, and that in faith itself an unconsciously working principle of criticism is provided". T. Holtz, "Zur Frage der inhaltlichen Weisungen bei Paulus", ThLZ 106 ( 1 9 8 1 ) 3 9 3 refers to this complex of thought as a central problem of Paul's theology of the law which has not yet been solved. 329 Cf. U. WUckens, Romer, Romerbrief, p . 2 2 6 . 3 3 0 Cf. U. WUckens, o.c,
2, p.83; C.E.B. Cranfield, Romans,
p . 8 3 ; H. SchUer, o.c,
p.226.
1, p . 3 4 3 ; H. Schlier,
296 {•nvevfiartKoq,
Christ and the Law
R o m 7,14) also asserts its divine o r i g i n ' ' ' . Even in
Gal t h e divine origin of t h e T o r a h is n o t d e n i e d " ^ : t h e passives iipoaeTedr)
a n d eSddr) in Paul's digression r e g a r d i n g t h e T o r a h in
G a l 3 , 1 9 . 2 1 i n d i c a t e t h e divine origin of t h e T o r a h ' " . T h e r e is n o s t a t e m e n t in t h e Pauline c o r p u s t o t h e effect t h a t Christ was of r e v e l a t o r y significance w i t h regard t o t h e m e d i a t i o n of t h e J e w i s h (messianic) T o r a h . As t h e p h r a s e voiioq TOV XpioTov (Gal 6 , 2 ; I C o r 9 , 2 1 ) refers u n e q u i v o c a l l y a n d exclusively t o t h e Mosaic T o r a h , as qualified b y Christ, it is further w r o n g t o a s s u m e , o n t h e basis of this p h r a s e a t least, t h a t Paul r e g a r d e d J e s u s Christ as t h e b r i n g e r of a n e w T o r a h . T h e r e are n o o t h e r s t a t e m e n t s b y Paul w h i c h i m p l y or express t h e n o t i o n t h a t Christ was a n e w T o rah or b r o u g h t a n e w T o r a h J e s u s Christ possessed for Paul n o e x p h c i t " ^ r e v e l a t o r y significance l i n k e d w i t h T o r a h . 15.3.4. Ontological aspects. As Paul did n o t describe Christ as identical w i t h , or as t h e b r i n g e r of, a n e w messianic T o r a h , it is o b v i o u s t h a t Paul did n o t s t a t e a n y o n t o l o g i c a l r e l a t i o n s h i p be t w e e n the T o r a h a n d C h r i s t " ® . If, for t h e writers of t h e S y n o p t i c
331 Cf. E. Kasemann,/edmer, p . l 9 1 ; C.E.B. Cranfield, o.c., p . 3 5 5 ; U. WUckens, o.c, p. 8 6 ; a l s o H. Schlier, o . c , p . 2 2 9 . 3 3 2 Cf. F.F. Bruce, Galatians, p p . 1 7 5 , 1 7 7 , 1 8 0 . 3 3 3 Cf. H. SchUer, o . c , p.247 n . l 7 . 3 3 4 Pace W.D. Davies, Paul, p p . 1 4 7 - 1 7 6 w h o admits that Paul never calls Jesus a 'new Torah' explicitly; he believes nevertheless that 2Cor 3,4-18 impUes this conviction (but see supra, § 15.2.6.); cf. also idem, Torah, 1 9 5 2 , pp.85-94. Many scholars found Davies' view that Paul regarded Christ as messianic new Torah problematic; cf. W.G. Kummel Judaica, 7 ( 1 9 5 1 ) 3 0 2 ; A. FeuUlet, Christ Sagesse, pp.191-193; M.E. ThraU, "The Origin of Pauline Christology", Apostolic History and the Gos pel, FS F.F. Bruce, ed. W.W. Casque et al., 1 9 7 0 , pp.310f.; M. Hengel, Son, p.68 n. 1 2 3 . The picture might be different in the case of the Synoptic Gospels and of Stephen w h o , according to Hengel, saw Jesus as the new law-giver or the bringer of a new Torah w h o developed the true and original wiU of God for the commencing Kingdom of God; cf. M. Hengel, "Zwischen Jesus und Paulus", ZThK 72 ( 1 9 7 5 ) 191f.,195f.; idem, o . c , p p . 6 7 - 7 1 ; idem, "Jesus und die Torah", ThBeitr 9 (1978) 1 7 1 . In the same vein cf. H. Merklein, "Entstehung", 1 9 7 9 , p.56 w h o assumes that the Synoptic Jesus-Sophia-Logia presuppose the identification of Jesus wdth the law. 3 3 5 As Paul regarded Jesus as pre-existent S o n of God he would not exclude an impUcit relationship between Christ and the giving of the Torah. However, Paul did not think through consistently such trinitarian questions here. 3 3 6 Pace W.D. Davies, "Paul and the Law", HLJ 29 (1978) 1482L; idem "Paul and the Law", 1 9 8 2 , p.l 2 asserting that Paul personalized the concept of Torah by identify ing it with Christ.
Theological
Evaluation
297
G o s p e l s as well as for S t e p h e n , t h e t r u e will of G o d was e m b o d i e d in t h e t e a c h i n g of t h e messiah J e s u s a n d n o longer in t h e Mosaic T o r a h , t h e s a m e c a n n o t b e said for Paul. When Paul asserts t h a t Christ is t h e " e n d " of t h e law ( R o m 1 0 , 4 ) , it is t r u e t h a t this con viction " c h a l l e n g e s t h e claim of t h e law in p r i n c i p l e " ^ ^ — b u t o n l y as " f u n d a m e n t a l e x p r e s s i o n of t h e u n i q u e soteriological func t i o n of t h e crucified a n d e x a l t e d J e s u s as t h e all-embracing final e s c h a t o l o g i c a l r e v e l a t i o n of G o d " ^ ^ ^ . T h a t is, for Paul, Christ ' t e r m i n a t e d ' a n d h e n c e ' r e p l a c e d ' t h e T o r a h o n l y (!) in t h e soteri ological realm (cf. § 1 5 . 3 . 1 . ) , n o t as r e v e l a t i o n of G o d ' s will a n d claim — as s u c h , Paul in fact " e s t a b l i s h e s " t h e T o r a h ( R o m 3 , 3 1 ) . As regards t h e o n t o l o g i c a l r e a l m , Paul d o e s n o t relate Christ a n d the Torah. 15.3.5. Summary. F o r Paul, t h e T o r a h has lost all soteriological significance w i t h t h e d e a t h a n d r e s u r r e c t i o n of Christ. Polemical s t a t e m e n t s against J u d a i z i n g o p p o n e n t s w h o d e n i e d t h e exclusive (!) soteriological role of Christ w a n t i n g t o r e t a i n o b e d i e n c e t o t h e T o r a h as crucial for salvation can lead Paul t o negative affirma t i o n s regarding t h e T o r a h (in Gal especially). Paul, h o w e v e r , never d o u b t s t h e divine origin of t h e law n o r , t h e r e f o r e , its c o n t i n u o u s validity as revelation of G o d ' s will. T h e T o r a h has c o m e t o its e n d , solely, as regards its c o n d e m n i n g f u n c t i o n a n d as regards its sarkic a b u s e as w a y t o r i g h t e o u s n e s s . Christ has t a k e n u p o n himself t h e c o n d e m n a t i o n of t h e sin of t h e w o r l d a n d has b r o u g h t r i g h t e o u s ness t o t h o s e w h o are l i n k e d w i t h h i m . T h e r e f o r e , Christ is t h e reXoq of t h e T o r a h . As s u c h , t h e T o r a h is defined a n d qualified b y Christ as vofxoq TOV Xpiarov. C o n s e q u e n t l y , poj-f Christum cruci fixum, t h e law b e c o m e s t h e m e a s u r e a n d s t a n d a r d of the Christian life, fulfillable in t h e realm of t h e Spirit w h o t r a n s f o r m s t h e b e h e v e r w h o is a n e w c r e a t i o n " i n C h r i s t " , a n d in t h e realm of faith. Christ is t h e h e r m e n e u t i c a l l o c a t i o n a n d t h e crucial c e n t r e of t h e T o r a h . Y e t , Christ has n o r e v e l a t o r y or o n t o l o g i c a l r e l a t i o n s h i p w i t h t h e T o r a h . T h e T o r a h is a n d r e m a i n s t h e vopoq TOV deov.
337 As maintained b y M. Hengel, o . c , p.73 n.2. 3 3 8 M. Hengel, o . c , p.74. 3 3 9 M. Hengel, ibid.
298
Christ and the Law
15.4. C o n c l u s i o n : W i s d o m a n d L a w in Paul's C h r i s t o l o g y T h e m a i n result from o u r t r e a t m e n t of Paul's w i s d o m christol ogy a n d his t h e o l o g y of t h e law in t h e light of his c h r i s t o l o g y c a n b e s u c c i n c t l y f o r m u l a t e d in t h e following m a n n e r : Paul, even t h o u g h h e was f a m i h a r w i t h t h e a l r e a d y t r a d i t i o n a l c o r r e l a t i o n a n d i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of law a n d w i s d o m , did n o t m a k e use of it in t h e f o r m u l a t i o n a n d p r e s e n t a t i o n of his c h r i s t o l o g y . In t h e d e h n e a t i o n of his c h r i s t o l o g y , Paul did t a k e u p significant e l e m e n t s o f t h e J e w i s h w i s d o m s p e c u l a t i o n , i.e. of t h e p o e t i c per s o n i f i c a t i o n of w i s d o m , a n d r e l a t e d t h e s e e l e m e n t s t o Christ. As a result o n e can j u s t l y s p e a k of a P a u l i n e w i s d o m c h r i s t o l o g y . Cos m o l o g i c a l , soteriological, r e v e l a t o r y , a n d o n t o l o g i c a l a s p e c t s of t h e wdsdom figure are t r a n s f e r r e d b y Paul t o C h r i s t , or r a t h e r em p l o y e d in t h e d e s c r i p t i o n of Christ as t h e p r e - e x i s t e n t S o n sent b y G o d , as t h e m e d i a t o r a n d s u s t a i n e r of c r e a t i o n , as t h e image of G o d a n d t h e e m b o d i m e n t a n d r e a l i z a t i o n of G o d ' s wdsdom, i.e. t h e fuU a n d p e r f e c t m a n i f e s t a t i o n of G o d . B u t Paul never c o r r e l a t e s Christ a n d t h e law. T h e fact t h a t Christ is reXoc voixov d o e s n o t m e a n t h a t h e is t h e fuh a n d perfect ' e m b o d i m e n t ' of t h e law. It m e a n s t h a t h e is the ( o n l y ! ) o n e w h o has fully fulfilled t h e T o r a h a n d has t h u s s u b j e c t e d t h e law t o him self as vonoq TOV XptoTov w h i c h a p p e a r s t o t h e believer — w h o is evvoixoq
Xpiarov
— as vonoq
irvevfiaToq
and
voixoq
nioTecoq,
but
w h i c h is StiU vd^ioq TOV deov. Whereas Christ is d e s c r i b e d in t e r m s of w i s d o m , Christ is n o t d e s c r i b e d in t e r m s of T o r a h * ^ . R a t h e r , t h e T o r a h is d e s c r i b e d a n d d e f i n e d in t e r m s of Christ. In t h e r e a l m of c h r i s t o l o g y , Paul a b a n d o n e d t h e f u n c t i o n a l i d e n t i t y of law a n d w i s d o m . Paul c o u l d use t h e characteristics of divine w i s d o m , b u t h e c o u l d n o t use essential f u n c t i o n s of T o r a h in t h e c o n t e x t of t h e ' o l d ' c o v e n a n t w h i c h l i n k e d T o r a h w i t h wds d o m : t h e f u n d a m e n t a l f u n c t i o n of T o r a h w h i c h h n k e d it w i t h w i s d o m was its soteriological r o l e as w a y of a n d t o r i g h t e o u s n e s s . It was in aU p r o b a b U i t y a t this very p o i n t t h a t Paul h a d t o give u p t h e i d e n t i t y of l a w a n d w i s d o m : t h e c o s m o l o g i c a l , o n t o l o g i c a l , a n d t h e o l o g i c a l f u n c t i o n s of w i s d o m c o u l d well b e u s e d for t h e de-
3 4 0 We noted above that Paid eliminates all references to the Torah when he uses Deut 3 0 , 1 2 - 1 4 to describe the presence of Christ in Rom 10,6b-8.
The Christian
Way of Life
299
s c r i p t i o n of t h e p e r s o n a n d w o r k of Christ, b u t t h e transfer of t h e t h e o l o g i c a l (actual) f u n c t i o n s of T o r a h t o Christ w o u l d have led t o serious m i s u n d e r s t a n d i n g s . T h e f u n c t i o n of t h e T o r a h in t h e salvation of m a n was s h a t t e r e d b y Christ's d e a t h a n d r e s u r r e c t i o n . We have t h e r e f o r e s p o k e n of a christologically m o t i v a t e d a b r o g a t i o n of t h e T o r a h in t h e s o t e r i o logical r e a l m w h i c h o b v i o u s l y e x c l u d e s t h e transfer of t h e s o t e r i o logical f u n c t i o n s of t h e T o r a h t o Christ. Paul d o e s n o t w a n t his r e a d e r s t o get t h e i m p r e s s i o n t h a t C h r i s t , as e m b o d i m e n t of G o d ' s will, b r o u g h t a n e w T o r a h w h i c h m a n has t o fulfill. Paul's c e n t r a l c o n c e r n was t h a t his r e a d e r s u n d e r s t o o d t h e exclusive s o t e r i o logical significance of Christ w h o fulfilled t h e T o r a h i n his d e a t h a n d r e s u r r e c t i o n for u s . A n e w l a w w o u l d n o t solve m a n ' s predica m e n t as G o d ' s e t e r n a l claims w o u l d still a p p l y . T h e o n l y possible s o l u t i o n for m a n ' s ' p r o b l e m ' was G o d s e n d i n g his S o n t o fulfill t h e T o r a h a n d t o die o n t h e cross for h i m . C o n s e q u e n t l y , Paul a b a n d o n e d t h e f u n c t i o n a l i d e n t i t y of T o r a h a n d w i s d o m o n t h e christological level for soteriological r e a s o n s . Christ w h o is G o d ' s w i s d o m is n o t G o d ' s ( n e w ) T o r a h b u t b r o u g h t t h e r e a l i z a t i o n of G o d ' s T o r a h b y fulfilling it himself, a n d fulfilling it for u s , t h u s defining a n d qualifying t h e T o r a h i n t h e light of t h e c l i m a x of G o d ' s h i s t o r y of s a l v a t i o n : t h e T o r a h c o m e s vmder t h e rule of Christ a n d t h u s u n d e r t h e ' r u l e ' of t h o s e w h o a r e , b y faith, in C h r i s t a n d c o n t r o l l e d b y t h e Spirit.
§ 16 The Christian
Way of Ufe
I n o u r final s e c t i o n w e investigate t h e q u e s t i o n w h a t i m p o r t t h e l a w a n d J e w i s h w i s d o m have for t h e C h r i s t i a n e t h i c as pre s e n t e d a n d s u b s t a n t i a t e d b y Paul. T h e issue of t h e p l a c e of t h e law in Pauline e t h i c leads t o t h e i m p o r t a n t q u e s t i o n s of t h e relation s h i p of G o s p e l a n d law a n d of indicative a n d i m p e r a t i v e , a n d of t h e e x i s t e n c e of b i n d i n g n o r m s for i n d i v i d u a l , specific b e h a v i o u r . M u c h has b e e n w r i t t e n o n t h e s e m a t t e r s b o t h b y P r o t e s t a n t a n d C a t h o l i c s c h o l a r s . We will occasionally t o u c h u p o n t h e first t w o areas (in §16.1.), b u t w e will dwell m o r e o n t h e q u e s t i o n of n o r m a t i v i t y i n P a u l i n e ethics ( § 16.2.).
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T h e issue of t h e p l a c e of w i s d o m in Paul's e t h i c seems never t o have b e e n d e a l t w i t h s y s t e m a t i c a l l y even t h o u g h scholars a r e a w a r e of t h e formal a n d m a t e r i a l h n k s b e t w e e n Paul's parenesis a n d t h e J e w i s h w i s d o m t r a d i t i o n . We will focus p a r t i c u l a r l y o n t h e theological a n d e t h i c a l f u n c t i o n s of w i s d o m t h e o l o g y in Paul's e t h i c ( § 1 6 . 3 . ) . T h i s p r o c e d u r e will h e l p us t o d e t e r m i n e w h e t h e r Paul's e t h i c implies or is even b a s e d u p o n t h e t r a d i t i o n a l c o r r e l a t i o n of l a w a n d w i s d o m . T h e fact t h a t Paul d i d n o t e m p l o y this c o r r e l a t i o n o n t h e christological level d o e s n o t p r e c l u d e t h e p o s s i b i h t y t h a t h e uses it o n t h e ethical level. This possibility can n o t b e r u l e d o u t as t h e t r a d i t i o n a l c o r r e l a t i o n of l a w a n d w i s d o m h a d its m a i n focus in t h e ethical r e a l m . We will discuss Paul's parenesis as a w h o l e ' ^ ' w i t h o u t t a k i n g i n t o a c c o u n t t h e different c h r o n o l o g i c a l a n d c o n t e x t u a l settings of his l e t t e r s , m a i n l y b e c a u s e n o d e v e l o p m e n t s in Paul's t h i n k i n g as t o b o t h t h e m o t i v a t i o n s a n d t h e n o r m s of C h r i s t i a n b e h a v i o u r have b e e n traced'"*^ We are a w a r e of t h e fact t h a t o n e c a n n o t s p e a k of Paul's ' e t h i c s ' since this t e r m implies s o m e s o r t of scientific t r e a t i s e , d e l i n e a t i n g a m o r a l ' s y s t e m ' , s o m e t h i n g w h i c h is o b v i o u s l y n o t e x t a n t in the Pauline corpus'"^'. T h e t e r m ' p a r e n e s i s ' as well as t h e t e r m ' e t h o s ' are e q u a l l y n o t u n p r o b l e m a t i c ' * * . H o w e v e r , as these t e r m s have
341 Cf. generally W. Schrage, Die konkreten Einzelgebote in der paulinischen Pardnese: Ein Beitrag zur neutestamentlichen Ethik, 1 9 6 1 , p p . 1 3 4 8 ; V.P. Furnish, Theology and Ethics in Paul, 1968, p p . 2 4 2 - 2 7 9 ; F. Laub, Eschatologische Ver kiindigung und Lebensgestaltung nach Paulus, 1 9 7 3 , pp.1-24; and R. Hasenstab, Modelle paulinischer Ethik: Beitrage zu einem Autonomie-Modellauspaulinischem Geist, 1977, pp.29-138 for useful surveys of the main interpretations of Paul's ethic. 3 4 2 Cf. W. Schrage, o.c., pp.187-271 passim; O. Meik, Handeln aus Glauben: Die Motivierungen der paulinischen Ethik, 1 9 6 8 , pp.245f. (arguing contra L. Nieder, Die Motive der religids-sittlichen Pardnese in den paulinischen Gemeindebriefen, 1 9 5 6 , p p . l 4 1 f f . ) ; W . Schrage, £((•*. 1 9 8 2 , p . l 5 5 . 3 4 3 Cf. V.P. Furnish, o.c, p p . 2 0 8 - 2 1 2 w h o therefore prefers to speak of PauUne 'ethic', taking into account the fact that the dynamic of indicative and imperative in Paul's thought presupposes theological convictions which, although formiUated not self consciously, underlie his concrete, specific exhortations. 3 4 4 Cf. A. Grabner-Haider, Paraklese und Eschatologie bei Paulus: Mensch und Welt im Anspruch der Zukunft Gottes, NTA N F 4 , 1 9 6 8 , p.4 w h o suggests that the term parenesis should be avoided since the terms napau/eiv and napaivrtOKS occur only in Lk 3,18(D) and Acts 2 7 , 9 . 2 2 (and in SapSal 8,9; 2Macc 7 , 2 5 . 2 6 ; 3Macc 5,17; 7,12 in L X X ) , referring to H. SchUer, J . Schniewind, W . J o e s t , E. SchUnk, and O.
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b e c o m e very m u c h e s t a b h s h e d in t h e discussion of t h e relevant m a t e r i a l , especially, as regards t h e last t w o t e r m s , o n t h e c o n t i n e n t , w e will still use t h e m . We distinguish m o t i v a t i o n s w h i c h are r e l a t e d t o t h e f o u n d a t i o n of C h r i s t i a n b e h a v i o u r ( § 1 6 . 1 . ) , b i n d i n g n o r m s for C h r i s t i a n b e h a v i o u r ( § 1 6 . 2 . ) , a n d g u i d i n g criteria relevant for t h e p r a c t i c a l a n d specific a p p l i c a t i o n of t h e s e forms in t h e Christian life ( § 1 6 . 3 . ) .
16.1. Foundational Motivations 16.1.1. Introduction. It was p a r t i c u l a r l y O. M e r k w h o research e d t h e theological basis, t h e t e c h n i q u e , a n d t h e c o n t e n t of t h e m o t i v a t i o n s in Paul's e t h i c ^ ^ . T h e classification of t h e various m o t i v e s varies w d d e l y ^ ^ . As p o i n t e d o u t a b o v e , w e w a n t t o dis tinguish between foundational motivations which touch on the basis of t h e C h r i s t i a n life, a n d b i n d i n g n o r m s a n d guiding criteria w h i c h are relevant for t h e practical w o r k i n g o u t of t h e Christian life. T h e various m o t i v a t i o n s w h i c h will b e discussed b e l o w a r e , essentially, t h e u n f o l d i n g of G o d ' s salvational a c t i o n ^ ^ . T h i s t h e o logical or t h e o c e n t r i c f o u n d a t i o n of t h e Christian life is o b v i o u s in m a n y p a r e n e t i c c o n t e x t s in Paul's l e t t e r s ^ ^ . N o t o n l y t h e classification b u t also t h e n o m e n c l a t u r e of t h e f o u n d a t i o n a n d m o t i v a t i o n of Paul's parenesis varies. S o m e schol ars, for e x a m p l e , s u b s u m e n e a r l y every a s p e c t of Paul's t h i n k i n g
Michel. He prefers the term 'paraklesis' as a more appropriate term for the early Christian mission and preaching practice. The term 'ethos', widely used in German literature, seems to have a different meaning in the Anglo-.Saxon realm, but is still used (cf. J . Nel, B. Gerhardsson). 3 4 5 Cf. O. Merk, Handeln. pp.43-229 (exegesis), 2 3 1 - 2 4 8 (systematizing conclusions); cf. also K. Romaniuk, "Les motifs parenetiqucs dans les ecrits pauliniens", A^oi;Test 10 (1968) 190-207; P. Grech, "Christological Motives in Pauline Ethics", f a u / de Tarse, 1 9 7 9 , p p . 5 4 1 - 5 5 8 . 3 4 6 P. Grech, a.c., e.g. distinguishes between 'classified' motives (pp.542-548) which include the appeal to c o m m o n sense, social reasons, scriptural authority, and theo logical, salvation-historical, eschatological, and ecclesiological motives, and the proper christological motives (pp.548-555). 347 Cf. O. Merk, o.c., p p . 4 4 1 , 2 3 5 - 2 4 8 ; V.P. Furnish, Theology, pp.213f.; H. Ridder bos,/"aut p p . 2 5 8 - 2 6 5 ; H. Halter, Taufe, pp.457f. 3 4 8 Cf. O. Merk, o.c. pp.235-237 mentioning Gal 5,13-6,10; IThess 4,6-8; 5,1-10; ICor 6 , l - 2 0 ; 8 , 1 - 1 1 , 1 ; 12-13;2Cor 8 - 9 ; R o m 12-13; 15,7;Phil 2,6-18; Col 3 , 1 4 .
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u n d e r t h e c a t e g o r y ' e s c h a t o l o g y ' , i n c l u d i n g christological as p e c t s ' ^ . ReaUzing t h e i n t e r r e l a t e d n e s s of these a r e a s , d e p e n d i n g o n t h e respective d e f i n i t i o n s , we prefer t o h o l d these areas a p a r t since e s c h a t o l o g y , even i n t h e b r o a d sense of t h e t e r m , is b u t a partial f u n c t i o n of Paul's theological c o n c e p t i o n of t h e e t h o s , evi d e n c e d b y t h e m u l t i p h c i t y of his p a r e n e t i c m o t i v a t i o n s ' ^ " . A similar s i t u a t i o n prevails regarding t h e t e r m s a l v a t i o n - h i s t o r y . We discuss, h o w e v e r briefly, t h e r e f o r e , t h e christological (including s o t e r i o l o g i c a l ) , t h e salvation-historical, t h e p n e u m a t o l o g i c a l , t h e ecclesiological, a n d t h e eschatological m o t i v a t i o n of Paul's p a r e n e sis. 16.1.2. Christological motivation. R e c e n t s t u d i e s have confirm e d t h a t t h e p r o p r i u m of t h e P a u h n e e t h o s consists " i n der Christ u s b e z o g e n h e i t d e r e t h i s c h e n Weisungen, in d e n e n das Christusereignis p n e u m a t o l o g i s c h , ekklesiologisch und anthropologisch reflektiert i s t " ' ^ ' . This f o u n d a t i o n a l christological m o t i v a t i o n c o m p r i s e s t h e p a s t of C h r i s t ' s d e a t h a n d r e s u r r e c t i o n , t h e p r e s e n t of Christ's salvation a n d l o r d s h i p , a n d t h e f u t u r e of Christ's r e t u r n . According t o 2Cor 5,14-15 Christ died for all so that those for w h o m he died shall no longer live for themselves but for the one w h o died for them and was raised from the dead. Rom 14,9 asserts that Christ died and was raised in order that he might be Lord of the dead and of the living.
Paul o b v i o u s l y ascribes t o Christ's salvational d e a t h a n d resur rection power and authority. In the words of W. Schrage, "mit dem T o d Jesu Christi sind das neue Leben und der Gehorsam der Christen mitgesetzt, und zwar nicht nur als ethische VerpfUchtung,
3 4 9 Cf. H. Halter, Taufe, p.339 w h o defines eschatology as "das pin Verstandnis des Heilshandelns Gottes durch Christus und der dadurch geschaffenen Sittiation; sim ilariy W. Schrage, Einzelgebote, p p . l 5 f . , 2 0 - 2 6 ; A. Grabner-Haider, Paraklese, pp. 3 3 - 4 4 , 5 8 - 1 1 2 and others. 3 5 0 C L C . Munchow,£fWfe, 1 9 8 1 , p . l 5 0 . 351 G. Strecker, "Autonome Sittlichkeit und das Propriimi der christlichen Ethik bei Paulus", ThLZ 104 ( 1 9 7 9 ) 871 summarizing the results of the studies of H. Halter and R. Hasenstab. See further O. Merk, Handeln, p p . l 5 - 4 1 , 2 3 7 L ; V.P. Furnish, Theology, p p . 2 1 6 - 2 2 6 ; G. Eichholz, Theologie, p p . 2 6 5 - 2 6 8 ; H.D. Wendland,£J/ii& des Neuen Testaments, 2 l 9 7 5 , p p . 4 9 - 8 8 ; H . Ridderbos,Pau/, p p . 2 0 6 - 2 1 4 ; F. Festotazzi, "Originalita della morale cristiana secondo San Paolo", Dimensions de la vie chretienne, 1 9 7 9 , p p . 5 4 8 - 5 5 5 ; J . F . CoUange, Ethique, p p . 5 5 . 6 1 ; W. Schrage, 1 9 8 2 , p p . 1 5 5 - 2 3 0 and passim.
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s o n d e m als Realit'at . . . Das befreiende Herrsein Jesu ist Ausgangs- und Zielpunkt christlichen Lebens und christlicher Ethilt"
T h a t t h e l o r d s h i p of Christ is b a s e d o n , a n d r o o t e d i n , w h a t J e s u s Christ did for m a n b e c o m e s a p p a r e n t w h e n o n e considers t h e r e l a t i o n s h i p b e t w e e n j u s t i f i c a t i o n a n d s a n c t i f i c a t i o n in R o m 6, 12.23353 y j g ^ QJ- Q Q C J ' S a c t i o n in C h r i s t , t h e b e h e v e r m u s t be o b e d i e n t ( R o m 1,5), as faith a n d o b e d i e n c e are closely r e l a t e d b y Paul (cf. R o m 1,8 w i t h 1 6 , 1 9 a n d Phil 2 , 1 2 w i t h 2 , 1 7 ; c f . R o m 1 5 , 1 8 ; 2 C o r 1 0 , 5 - 6 ) ^ ^ . O b e d i e n c e as p r o o f a n d test of faith is t h e t h a n k f u l r e c o g n i t i o n of t h e fact t h a t G o d has a c c e p t e d t h e d o ^ ? as j u s t i f i e d in Christ, t h a t G o d w a n t s t o k e e p a n d preserve h i m , t h a t G o d h a s ' m o n o p o H z e d ' h i m , a n d t h a t G o d ' s gift of SLKaioavvTi is t o realize itself c o n s t a n t l y as i n d w e l l i n g p o w e r m a k ing t h e j u s t i f i e d o n e i n t o an i n s t r u m e n t of r i g h t e o u s n e s s ( R o m 6, 13.19)^^^. T h e b e h e v e r w h o is i v XpioT(^\s at t h e s a m e t i m e i v KVpiif} — an i m p o r t a n t e x p r e s s i o n in t h e c o n t e x t of Paul's e t h o s ^ ^ ^ . T h u s , t h e w o r k a n d t h e l o r d s h i p of J e s u s Christ are of basic i m p o r t a n c e for t h e C h r i s t i a n e t h i c a c c o r d i n g t o Paul^^''. 16.1.3. Salvation-historical motivation. Paul sees t h e l o c u s of t h e C h r i s t i a n e t h o s t o be t h e t i m e b e t w e e n Christ's r e s u r r e c t i o n
3 5 2 W. Schrage, Ethik, p . l 6 1 . Cf. also G. Eichholz, Theologie, p . 2 7 2 w h o asserts in this context: "dafi wir Jesus Christus gehoren, entnimmt uns uns selbst, unserer Verfiigungsgewalt, und macht uns frei ziun Dienst fiir Christus und fiir den Nachsten". Also H. Halter, Taufe, p . 3 2 6 w h o concludes that "als der in Christus neu von Gott herkommende und auf Gott hingehende neue Mensch ist der getaufte Glaubende zu einer dieser Heilsbewegung cntsprechenden, fruchtbringenden neuen Existenz ermachtigt und gefordert". 3 5 3 Cf. U. WUckens, Romer, 2, 1 9 8 0 , pp.5-42 passim (pp.5f. Ut., add O. Merk, Han deln, pp.28-41). For the question of the relation of indicative and imperative which is relevant here cf. § 1 6 . 2 . 1 . 3 5 4 Cf. O. Merk, o.c, p . l S ; C.E.B. Cranfield, Romans, 1, pp.66f.; U. WUckens, Ro mer, 1, pp.66 f. 3 5 5 Cf. O. Merk, Handeln, p . l 3 referring to E. Kasemann, "Gottesgerechtigkeit bei Paulus", Exegetische Versuche und Besinnungen, 2 , 1 9 6 4 , p . 1 8 7 . 3 5 6 Cf. W. Schrage, £f/((ft. p . l 6 2 referring to ICor 7,39; 1 1 , 1 1 ; PhU 4 , 4 ; IThess 4 , 1 ; he asserts that "wer 'in Christus' ist, der ist eben damit eo ipso dem Herrn im Gehorsam unterstellt: 'Leben wir, so leben wir dem Herrn' ( R o m 14,9f)". 3 5 7 Cf. also IThess 5,10; ICor 1,13; 3 , 2 3 ; 5,7; 6,12-20; 7,21-24.32-35; 8 , 1 1 - 1 3 ; 10,142 2 ; 1 1 , 3 - 5 . 1 1 ; 2Cor 5,13-15; 8,8-9; Rom 12,1-2; 14,7-9; PhU 2,6-11; Col 3 , 1 7 - 1 8 . Cf. O. Merk, o.c, pp.45-229 passim, 2 5 7 - 2 3 9 ; P. Grech, "Motives", 1 9 7 9 , p p . 5 4 9 552.
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a n d his r e t u r n . T h e Christian e t h o s is r e l a t e d t o , a n d relevant for, t h e t i m e ' b e t w e e n t h e ages', t a k i n g i n t o a c c o u n t t h e t e n s i o n be t w e e n t h e ' a l r e a d y ' a n d t h e ' n o t y e t ' . A c c o r d i n g l y , t h e Christian e t h i c has b e e n t e r m e d i n t e r i m e t h i c s , c h u r c h e t h i c s , or ethica via tor um^^^. T h e ' i n t e r i m ' is b o t h t h e t i m e of salvation (cf. 2 C o r 6,2) a n d t h e t i m e of Bewahrung w h i c h is a " Z e i t des G e f o r d e r t s e i n s , der I n - D i e n s t - N a h m e d u r c h G o t t " ' ^ ^ . T h e believer w h o has b e e n j u s t i f i e d b y t h e r e v e l a t i o n of G o d ' s r i g h t e o u s n e s s in J e s u s Christ r e s p o n d s b y o b e d i e n t b e h a v i o u r w h i c h c o r r e s p o n d s t o this righ t e o u s n e s s a n d h o l d s o u t , in t h e p r e s e n t t i m e of s a l v a t i o n , t h e dialec tic b e t w e e n t h e salvation w h i c h has a l r e a d y h a p p e n e d a n d is his, a n d t h e salvation w h i c h wiU h a p p e n a n d wiU fuUy b e c o m e his (cf. Phil 2 , 1 2 - 1 3 ) . This dialectic is t h e g r o u n d for t h e dialectic of t h e i n d i c a t i v e a n d t h e i m p e r a t i v e : t h e old a e o n has b e e n over t u r n e d b y Christ b u t t h e n e w a e o n has n o t b e g u n in universal ful ness a n d p e r f e c t i o n . A n d this t o g e t h e r n e s s of t h e p r e s e n t evil a e o n a n d t h e b e g i n n i n g of t h e n e w a e o n , t h e n e w c r e a t i o n , c o r r e s p o n d s w i t h t h e s i t u a t i o n of t h e b e h e v e r ' b e t w e e n t h e times''®". As a result of this t e n s i o n b e t w e e n t h e ' a l r e a d y ' a n d t h e ' n o t y e t ' , Paul e x h o r t s b e h e v e r s n o t t o hve after t h e p a t t e r n of this a e o n ( R o m 1 2 , 2 ) , i m p l y i n g t h a t this is at least a p o s s i b i h t y . He w a r n s t h e m of specific acts of t h e sinful n a t u r e (Gal 5,19-21) a n d tells t h e m t o e x a m i n e e v e r y t h i n g a n d t o h o l d o n ( o n l y ) t o t h e g o o d ( I T h e s s 5 , 2 1 ) , k n o w i n g t h a t m a n y things are n o t useful for t h e believer ( I C o r 1 0 , 2 3 ) . A n d Paul is very m u c h a w a r e of t h e fact t h a t S a t a n is still a real t h r e a t for t h e Christians a n d c o n s e q u e n t l y a d m o n i s h e s t h e m t o b e w a r e of h i m ( R o m 1 6 , 2 0 ; I C o r 7 , 5 ; 2 C o r
358 Cf. O. Merk, o.c., p p . l 4 f . , 3 7 ; H.D. Wendland, Ethik, p . 5 1 ; H. Ridderbos, Paul, p. 2 5 7 ; O. Cullmann, "Les consequences ethiques entre le 'deja'et le 'pas encore' ", Paul de Parse, 1 9 7 9 , p p . 5 5 9 - 5 7 4 ; W. Schrage, o.c, p p . l 5 8 L ; see also H. Halter, Taufe, pp.14-17,27 w h o describes the present consensus among Catholic moral theologians as regards "dans Situiert-Sein des christlichen Ethos in der Heilsgeschich te" ( p . l 7 ) . CL a l s o j . mu\,The Ethics of Freedom, 1 9 7 6 , p.l 1. The term 'interim ethics' goes back to A. Schweitzer but is used here in a different, more positive sense. 359 CL O. Merk, o . c , p . l 4 . 3 6 0 CL O. Merk, o . c , p.37; H. Ridderbos, Paul, p.257; O. Cullmann, "Consequences", 1 9 7 9 , p p . 5 5 9 - 5 7 4 passim; W. Schrage, Ethik, p . l 5 8 . T.J. Deidun, Morality. 1 9 8 1 , pp.51-84 claims that the inward activity of the Spirit as fulfilment of the promises concerning the new covenant is the ground of the imperative.
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Motivations
305
2 , 1 1 ) a n d of t h e m a n i f o l d t e m p t a t i o n s ( I C o r 1 0 , 1 3 ; Gal 6 , 1 ; I T h e s s 3,5), w h i c h are s u r e t o p r e s e n t t h e m s e l v e s . 6.1.4. Pneumatological motivation. The pneumatological motive of Paul's e t h i c can b e r e g a r d e d as t h e c o n c r e t i z a t i o n of t h e chris tological f o u n d a t i o n ^ ^ ' . T h e C h r i s t i a n life can be d e f i n e d as a " w a l k " in t h e Spirit (Gal 5 , 2 5 ; cf. R o m 8 , 4 ) , p r o d u c i n g t h e " f r u i t " of t h e Spirit (Gal 5 , 2 2 ) . T h e gift of t h e Spirit is t h e f u n d a m e n t a l p o w e r a n d p r i n c i p l e of t h e n e w life^^^. T h e Spirit d e t e r m i n e s t h e e n t i r e life of t h e believer a n d of t h e c h u r c h ( I C o r 1 2 , 1 1 ) . T h e Spirit is "Inbegriff des n e u e n L e b e n s bis in die E i n z e l h e i t e n u n d A l l t a g l i c h k e i t e n h i n e i n " ^ ^ (cf. R o m 5 , 5 ; 8 , 9 . 1 4 . 2 6 - 2 7 ; 12,4ff.; 15,16; l C o r l 2 , 3 - l l ; G a l 3 , 3 ; 5 , 2 2 - 2 5 ) . T h e r e n e w a l of t h e believer b y t h e Spirit i n c l u d e s , a b o v e all, t h e r e a l m of m o r a l decisions a n d m o r a l c o n d u c t ^ . T h e believer is ' d e v e l o p e d ' b y t h e Spirit e x t e r n a l l y via t h e a p o s t o l i c e x h o r t a t i o n ( I T h e s s 4 , 1 - 8 ; I C o r 7 , 4 0 ) , t h e b r o t h e r l y a d m o n i t i o n (Gal 6 , 1 ) , t h e e x a m p l e of o t h e r s ( I T h e s s 1,6-7), t h e offices a n d c h a r i s m a t a of t h e c h u r c h ( I C o r 1 2 - 1 4 ; R o m 1 2 , 4 - 8 ) , a n d t h e w o r s h i p service ( I C o r 1 4 ; Col 3 , 1 6 ) , a n d i n t e r n a l l y via p e r c e p t i o n ( I C o r 2 , 1 0 - 1 6 ; Col 1,9-10), faith ( 2 C o r 4 , 1 3 ) , h o p e ( R o m 5 , 5 ; 8 , 1 6 - 1 7 ; 1 5 , 1 3 ) , p r a y e r (Gal 4 , 6 ; R o m 8 , 1 5 . 2 6 - 2 7 ) , a n d love ( R o m 5 , 5 ; 1 5 , 3 0 ; Gal 5 22)365_ T h e Spirit e n a b l e s t h e believer t o fulfill t h e will of G o d ( R o m 8 , 4 ; cf. Gal 5 , 1 3 - 1 4 . 1 6 . 2 5 ) ^ ^ .
361 Cf. H.D. Wendland, Ethik, p.53 referring to R o m 8,lff. and Gal 5,13ff. Cf. also W. Schrage, o.c,. p . l 6 7 w h o , however, should not quote R o m 12,1 in this context translating \071K»J Karpeia as "geistlicher Gottesdienst": the meaning "geistig" or "intelligent", "understanding" worship is clearly to be preferred; cf. C.E.B. Cran field, Romans, 2, pp.604f.; H.W. Bartsch, Art. "XoTtKd?", £ WAT 2 ( 1 9 8 1 ) 8 7 7 ; U. WUckens, Romer, 3 , 1 9 8 2 , pp.4-6. 3 6 2 Cf. H. Ridderbos,Paiitpp.214-223;W.Schrage,£>>u;e/^efcofe,pp.20,71f.;O.Merk, Handeln, pp.l8f.,39f.; G. Eichholz, Theologie, pp.273f.; H. Halter, Taufe, p p . 4 0 9 4 2 7 (pp.683f. lit.!); W. Schrage,£f/nVfe. p p . l 6 7 f f . 3 6 3 W. Schrage, £mzei^?feote, p . 7 1 . 3 6 4 Cf. H. Halter, o.c, pp.412f. w h o defines the Spirit and his activity as "wirkmachtigcs Anwesen Gottes untcr den Menschen . . . die subjektive Dimension des objektivcn Wirkens Gottes". 3 6 5 Cf. H. Halter, o . c , p.420 whose biblical references, however, are not aU relevant in this c o n t e x t . 3 6 6 Cf. H. Halter, Taufe, pp.423f. w h o states that "als im Geiste zu einer neuen Exis tenz Ermachtigte sind die Christen zu einer dieser Ermachtigung cntsprechenden
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16.1.5. Ecclesiological motivation. It has b e e n i n d i c a t e d t h a t t h e e t h i c a c c o r d i n g t o Paul c a n be defined as ' c h u r c h e t h i c ' . T h e ecclesiological m o t i v e s of Paul's parenesis have b e e n p o i n t e d o u t r e p e a t e d l y ' ® ^ . P a u l m a k e s individualethische statements'®* only very s e l d o m a n d relates even t h e m , essentially, t o t h e C h r i s t i a n c o m m u n i t y ' ® ^ . T h e c h u r c h is p a r t i c u l a r l y t h e l o c u s of discovering a n d d i s c e r n i n g t h e wih of G o d . C o n s e q u e n d y , P a u l ' s e x h o r t a t i o n s as regards d i s c e r n m e n t a n d p e r c e p t i o n a r e in t h e p l u r a l ( R o m 1 2 , 2 ; Phil 1 , 9 - 1 0 ; 4 , 8 ; Col 1,910). H e a d m o n i s h e s t h e b e h e v e r s TO aurrf a n d TO iv^ppoveiv (Rom 1 2 , 1 6 ; 1 5 , 5 ; 2 C o r 1 3 , 1 1 ; Phil 2 , 2 ; 4 , 2 ) ' ™ . T h e r e f e r e n c e t o t h e c o n d u c t of o t h e r believers o r c h u r c h e s can b e c o m e a decisive argu m e n t ( I C o r 1 1 , 1 6 ) . In t h e d i s p u t e b e t w e e n t h e ' w e a k ' a n d t h e 'strong', the reference t o the believers' responsibihty t o each other is a crucial p a r t of Paul's r e s p o n s e ' ^ ' . T h e \6yo<; aotpiaq ( I C o r 12,8) seems t o be a c h a r i s m w h i c h re fers t o decisions in t h e e t h i c a l r e a l m ' ' ' ^ . T h e c o n c e p t i o n s of t h e o t K o S o ^ n ' ' " of t h e c h u r c h a n d t h e Kotvu^via^''^ in t h e c h u r c h are relevant h e r e a l s o . It is a m a t t e r - o f - c o u r s e for Paul, h o w e v e r , t h a t t h e TO avTO
Existenz gefordert — das Treiben des Geistes ist ein ermogUchendes und fordemdes" ( p . 4 2 4 ) . 367 Cf. W. Schrage, Einzelgebote, p p . 1 7 4 - 1 8 1 ; O. Merk, Handeln, p p . 1 9 , 2 3 7 - 2 3 9 ; H.D. Wendland, Ethik, pp.64-69; H. Halter, o.c., p p . 4 2 7 4 5 2 ; H. Schiirmann, Orien tierungen, p p . 6 4 - 8 8 ; F. Festorazzi, "Originaliti", 1 9 7 9 , p p . 2 4 9 - 2 5 S ; P. Grech, "Motives", 1 9 7 9 , pp.547f.; J . F . Collange, Ethique, p p . 2 2 0 - 2 3 1 ; T J . Deidun, Mor ality, p p . 2 1 5 - 2 1 7 , 2 2 2 f . ; W . Schrage, £tAiA, pp.213f. 3 6 8 Cf. the statements on dperri ( Phil 4,8) , o n t h e aCifta of the individual Christian ( R o m 1 2 , 1 ; ICor 6 , 1 3 ) , o n personal suffering (Rom 8 , 1 8 ; 2Cor 4 , 1 7 ; e t c . ) ; a n d on htKpdrewL ( G a l 5 , 2 3 ; c f . ICor 7 , 9 ; 9 , 2 5 ) . Cf. W. Schrage, £tA.A, p p . 2 0 9 - 2 1 3 . 3 6 9 Cf. H.D. Wendland, o.c, p . 6 5 ; W. Schrage, o.c, 2 1 3 concluding that "am sitUichen Verhalten des Christen alseinzelnem Individuum hat Paulus kein sonderiich groBes Interesse" (ibid.). It is obvious, of course, that Paul regards the church not as trans cendent, theoretical reality but as the fellowship of individual believers in Christ! 3 7 0 Cf. W. Schtage, Einzelgebote, pp.174-176. 371 C f . J . Murphy-O'Connor, "Freedom", 1 9 7 9 , p p . 2 I - 3 2 , here p . 3 2 . 3 7 2 W.SchTdLgc,Einzelgebote, pp.l&Oi. 3 7 3 Cf. O. Michel, Kn:'oiKo&onii^", ThWNTb ( 1 9 5 4 ) 1 3 9 - 1 5 1 ; O. Merk,.tfan
Foundational
to
Motivations
a s u p e r i o r n o r m since t h e m a j o r i t y
307
does n o t
automatically
possess t h e t r u t h (cf. R o m 1 5 , 5 ; Gal 2 , 6 . 1 4 ) ^ ^ ^ M o s t scholars refer t o a s a c r a m e n t a l f o u n d a t i o n of t h e Chris t i a n e t h o s w h i c h we w a n t t o i n c l u d e in t h e ecclesiological basis. T h e m a i n focus h e r e is o n t h e f u n c t i o n of b a p t i s m as i n a u g u r a t i o n of t h e n e w e x i s t e n c e in Christ a n d as m o t i v e for C h r i s t i a n behaviour^^^. C a t h o l i c a n d m o s t P r o t e s t a n t scholars s e e m t o agree t h a t b a p t i s m is b o t h a cognitive a n d a causative event^^^ — d e s p i t e t h e fact t h a t P a u l d o e s n o t p r e s e n t a p r o p e r ' d o c t r i n e ' of b a p t i s m n o r t r e a t s b a p t i s m t h e m a t i c a l l y , a n d t h a t t h e q u e s t i o n of i n f a n t b a p t i s m , generally p r e s u p p o s e d b y t h e s e s c h o l a r s , c a n n o t be a n s w e r e d p o s i t i v e l y o n t h e basis of t h e N T d o c u m e n t s ^ ' ' * . I t can be said w i t h c e r t a i n t y , h o w e v e r , t h a t Paul does c o r r e l a t e b a p t i s m (as causative a c t ? or as t e s t i m o n y ? ! ) , j u s t i f i c a t i o n , a n d s a n c t i f i c a t i o n ( R o m
16.1.6. Eschatological motivation. T h e final f o u n d a t i o n a l m o t i v a t i o n of Paul's e t h i c is t h e eschatological m o t i v e . We t a k e 'escha t o l o g i c a l ' h e r e n o t in t h e b r o a d sense of t h e t e r m ^ * ' referring t o t h e p r e s e n c e of salvation b u t r a t h e r in t h e strict sense as c o m p r i s ing t h e h o p e (or t h e f u t u r e ) of salvation. F o r P a u l , t h e h o p e re g a r d i n g t h e f u t u r e carries w e i g h t for t h e p r e s e n t b e h a v i o u r of t h e believer^Sl.
375 Cf. W. Schrage, o.c, p . l 77. Pace the Catholic scholars H. Halter, Taufe, p.439 (who refers to an "Interaktionsprozess ekklesialer'Normfindung'", pp.45 I f . ) ; H. Schiir mann, Orientierungen, pp.64-88 (who concludes that "die apostolische Kirche schrieb sich selbst die letztlich entscheidende sittliche Erkenntnisfahigkeit und eine hohe WeisungsvoUmacht zu weim es darum ging, den Willen Gottes zu erkenen. Der nachapostoloschen Kirche koramt diesselbe doch wohl ebenfalls z u " , p.86); T J . Deidun, Morality, p p . 2 2 2 - 2 2 5 (who affirms the obligation of clerical celibacy in this c o n t e x t ! ) . 3 7 6 Cf. Schrage, o . c , p p . 4 9 , 1 8 7 ; O. Merk, o . c , p p . 1 9 - 2 8 , 3 4 , 4 1 ; H. Halter, o . c , p p . 2 8 9 3 0 3 ; H. Schurmann, o . c , pp.94f. 377 Cf. H. Halter, o . c , p.291 (pp.684f. n . l 8 lit.); for the Protestant side cf. recently U. Schneiie, Gerechtigketi, 1 9 8 3 , passim. 3 7 8 Note the explicit remark t o this effect by H. Halter, Taufe, p p . 3 0 , 2 9 2 ! 3 7 9 Cf. O. Merk, Handeln, p p . 1 9 - 4 1 ; W. Schrage, Ethik, p p . l 6 4 f . ; also U. Wilckens, Romer, 2 , pp.5-62 passim and U. Schneiie, Gerechtigkeit, pp.33-161 passim. 380 Cf. supra p.302 with n . 3 4 9 . 381 Cf. W. Schrage, Einzelgebote, pp.20f.; K. Romaniuk, "Motifs", AfooFeit 10 ( 1 9 6 8 ) 1 9 2 f . , 1 9 7 ; O. Merk, o . c , p p . 2 3 8 , 2 4 0 - 2 4 3 ; H. Schiirmann, Orientierungen, pp. 93f.; F. Festorazzi, "OriginaUti", pp.248f.; P. Grech, "Motivations", pp.546f.;
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Several scholars have pointed out that the view is wrong which explains Paul's use of parenesis by his diminishing Naherwartung — the element of the proximity of the parousia is of secondary importance for Paul's ethical motivations382. x h i s is corroborated, for example, by the fact that the orientation of the admonitions by the end is characteristic for Paul already in IThess (cf. 4 , 6 ; 5,9-10 ;also 3 , 1 2 - 1 3 ; 5, 23).
In t h e c o n t e x t of t h e r e l a t e d n e s s of c h r i s t o l o g y , e s c h a t o l o g y , a n d e t h i c s , Paul's references t o t h e future have (1) a critical func t i o n for t h e p r e s e n t stressing t h e ' n o t y e t ' , a n d (2) a c o n s t r u c t i v e f u n c t i o n for t h e p r e s e n t p o i n t i n g t h e believer t o t h e f u t u r e a n d d e t e r m i n i n g his u n d e r s t a n d i n g of t h e p r e s e n t in w h i c h his a c t i o n s take place'*'. T h e c o n c e p t of t h e j u d g m e n t a c c o r d i n g t o w o r k s ( R o m 2 , 5 - 1 1 . 16; I C o r 3 , 1 3 ; 2 C o r 5 , 9 - 1 0 ; cf. Gal 6 , 8 ; Phil 1 , 1 0 ; Col 3 , 2 5 ; I T h e s s 4 , 3 - 6 ) serves t h e e l a b o r a t i o n of Christian b e h a v i o u r in t h e ' i n t e r i m ' , i.e. it serves " d e r V e r k l a m m e r u n g der R e c h t f e r t i g u n g als articulus fidei constituens m i t der darauf b e r u h e n d e n E t h i k als articulus fidei consequens"^^'^. T h e c o n c e p t of r e w a r d ( R o m 2 , 7 ; I C o r 3 , 8 . 1 4 ; 4 , 5 ; 9 , 2 4 - 2 5 ; 1 5 , 5 8 ; Gal 6 , 7 - 1 0 ; Phil 3 , 1 4 ) also plays a n i m p o r t a n t role as re gards e n c o u r a g e m e n t a n d e x h o r t a t i o n in Paul's p a r e n e s i s . O t h e r significant n o d o n s in this eschatological c o n t e x t are t h e nearness
J . F . Collange, Ethique. pp.64-68; H.H. Schade, Christologie, 1981, pp.136-166 passim;C. Munchow, Ethik, 1 9 8 1 , p p . l 5 0 - 1 6 8 passim; W. Schrage, Ethik, p . 2 7 5 . 3 8 2 For details see W. Schrage, "Ziu: formalethischen Bedeutung der pauUnischen Paranese", ZEE 4 ( I 9 6 0 ) 2 0 7 - 2 3 3 , here 2 0 9 - 2 1 8 ; H. Ridderbos, Paul, p . 2 7 5 ; P. Grech, a.c, p . 5 4 7 ; A. Vogtle, "Paraklese und Eschatologie nach Rom 13,1114", Dimensions de la vie chretienne, 1 9 7 9 , p p . 1 7 9 - 1 9 4 , here 1 8 9 - 1 9 4 ; H.H. Schade, o.c, p . l 4 3 ; W . Schrage, Einzelgebote, pp.l6,173f. 3 8 3 C f . C . Munchow, £t/t
Binding Norms: The Law Aspect
3 09
of t h e " d a y " ( R o m 1 3 , 1 1 - 1 4 ^ ^ . ^-j^ess 5,1-11^86) or t h e " d a y of Christ" (ICor
of
the
awTTip J e s u s Christ (Phil 3 , 2 0 ) . All of these a s p e c t s of Paul's
(fu
turistic)
1,8; Phil 1,6;
eschatology
2,16), and the expectation
emphatically
refer
t h e believer
to
ethical
responsibility. 16.1.7. Summary. One specific c h a r a c t e r i s t i c in Paul's e t h i c , c o m p a r e d w i t h t h e c o n t e m p o r a r y J e w i s h a n d Hellenistic e t h o s , is first of all t h e m o t i v a t i o n , i.e. t h e c o r r e l a t i o n of t h e e t h o s w i t h t h e christological a n d e s c h a t o l o g i c a l foundation^87_ -jhis c o r r e l a t i o n is t h e n also significant for t h e m a t e r i a l e l a b o r a t i o n of t h e e t h o s w h i c h , h o w e v e r , w e c a n n o t discuss a t this p o i n t . As regards t h e t e c h n i q u e of m o t i v a t i o n , several c o n c l u d i n g re m a r k s m a y b e m a d e ^ . (1) Paul sees a p l u r a l i t y of m o t i v a t i o n s , a n d t h e i m p l i e d h e t e r o g e n e i t y of t h e m o t i v a t i o n s m a k e s it i m p o s sible t o r e d u c e t h e l a t t e r t o a single motive^89_ (2) T h e variety a n d t h e very use of t h e m o t i v a t i o n s s h o w t h a t Paul m a k e s it a p o i n t t o gain t h e u n d e r s t a n d i n g of t h e c h u r c h e s a n d t o r e n d e r t h e e x h o r t a -
385 See recently A. Vdgtle, "Paraklese und Eschatologie nach Rom 1 3 , 1 1 - 1 4 " , 1 9 7 9 , p p . 179-194 passim. 3 8 6 Cf. W. Hamisch, Eschatologische Existenz: Ein exegetischer Beitrag zum Sachanliegen von 1 Thessalonicher 4.13-5,11. FRLANT 1 1 0 , 1 9 7 3 , p p . 5 2 - 1 5 8 ; F. Laub, £ i chatologische Verkiindigung. 1 9 7 3 , p p . 1 5 7 - 1 6 4 ; H.H. Schade, Cftruto/o«ie, 1 9 8 1 . p.137-140. 3 8 7 Emphasized by C. Miinchow, Ethik. p.l 6 3 . 3 8 8 Cf. O. Merk, Handeln, p p .232- 235 who includes motives - under the headings 'individual motivations' and 'rare motivations' (pp.240-245) - which are discuss ed in § 1 6 . 3 . 3 8 9 Thus one should refrain from describing Paul's ethic as 'ethics of freedom', 'ethics of love', 'telos ethics', etc. The plurality of motivations stems from Paul's "Zug zur Konkretisienmg"{W. Schrage, Eiruelgebote, p.61) which is to be distinguished from casuism or legalism; cf. W. Schrage, o.c. pp.59-71 passim; H. Ridderbos,/"au/, p p . 2 7 2 - 2 7 8 ; W. Schrage, Ethik. p p . 1 7 8 - 1 8 1 . Cf. also E. Schweizer, "Ethischer Pluralismus im Neuen Testament", EvTh 35 ( 1 9 7 5 ) 397-401 with W. Schrage, "Korreferat", EvTh 35 ( 1 9 7 5 ) 4 0 2 - 4 0 7 w h o prefers to speak of plurality instead of pluralism. ~ One should note the difference to Stoic ethics where practical con sequences of moral teachings are drawn only rarely; cf. W. Schrage, Eiruelgebote. pp.59f. with n.3; for a comparison of Stoic ethics and NT ethics cf. recently T. Herr, Naturrecht aus der kritischen Sicht des Neuen Testaments. 1 9 7 6 , p p . 1 2 8 - 1 3 3 ; pace R. Hodgson, Die Quellen der paulinischen Ethik, Diss, theol. Heidelberg, 1 9 7 6 , pp.109-141 w h o admits that we find n o quotation of, or allusion t o , specific Stoic dicta but arrives nevertheless on the basis of formal and material correspondences at the "Annahme einer quellenmafiigen Abhangigkeit" (p. 138).
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t i o n s intelligible a n d c o m p r e h e n s i b l e ' ^ . (3) T h i s i m p h e s t h a t t h e m o t i v a t i o n s are n o t all equaUy significant in a given p e r i c o p e : in a p a r t i c u l a r c o n t e x t o f t e n o n l y o n e or t w o s u b s t a n t i a t i o n s are d o m i n a n t w i t h o t h e r m o t i v e s b e i n g a d d i t i o n a l . (4) T h e r e is n o p e r i c o p e in w h i c h t h e m o t i v a t i o n s a r e o p p o s e d t o e a c h o t h e r ' ^ ' . Paul m o t i v a t e s t h e C h r i s t i a n e t h o s b y u n f o l d i n g G o d ' s a c t i o n in a n d t h r o u g h t h e L o r d J e s u s C h r i s t : " D u r c h die M o t i v i e r u n g e n des v o n i h m g e f o r d e r t e n T u n s soil d e m C h r i s t e n bewuBt w e r d e n , daB er i n G o t t e s H a n d e h i h i n e i n g e s t e l l t i s t " ' ^ ^
16.2. Binding Norms: T h e Law Aspect 16.2.1. Introduction. T h e c o n c r e t e n e s s a n d m u l t i p h c i t y of Paul's m o t i v a t i o n s a n d e x h o r t a t i o n s c a n n o t be used as a n a r g u m e n t to p r o v e t h a t Paul's e t h i c is n o t o n l y s i t u a t i o n a l l y o r i e n t e d b u t also situationally conditioned (and therefore only historically v a h d ) : (1) m a n y e x h o r t a t i o n s o c c u r in p e r i c o p e s w h i c h are n o t (!) d e p e n d e n t u p o n a specific s i t u a t i o n a n d o c c a s i o n (cf. R o m 1 2 - 1 3 ; Gal 5-6; I T h e s s 4 ) ' ^ ' , a n d (2) Paul e x p e c t s from "all (!) Christians a b e h a v i o u r w h i c h is t h e result a n d t h e r e a l i z a t i o n of G o d ' s a c t i o n i n a n d t h r o u g h Christ w h i c h is, h o w e v e r , n o t u n i f o r m b e h a v i o u r . T h i s leads us t o t h e q u e s t i o n w h e t h e r Paul was c o m m i t t e d t o n o r m s i n t h e e l a b o r a t i o n of t h e C h r i s t i a n e t h o s . A t t e m p t i n g t o
3 9 0 One should not play understanding and conviction off against obedience since these concepts are not mutually exclusive, and since Paul is definitely looking for obe dience as well. Contra J . Becker, "Das Problem der Schriftgemafiheit der Ethik", Handbuch der christlichen Ethik, 1, ed. A. Hertz et al., 1 9 7 8 , p.257 w h o states that "nicht Gehorsam, sondern Ubcrzeugung wird gesucht". 391 Stated by O. Merk, Handeln, p . 2 3 4 as result of his extensive and thorough exegesis of Paul's parenetic texts. 3 9 2 O. Merk, o . c , p . 2 4 0 . 3 9 3 Stressed recently by W. Schrage, Ethik, pp.lSOf.; also idem, "Deutung", ZEE 4 ( 1 9 6 0 ) 2 2 5 - 2 3 3 ; H. Ridderbos, Paul. pp.276f. Contra e.g. H. Schiirmann, Orien tierungen, 1 9 7 8 , p.l 10 w h o states that "je konkreter die Wertungen und Weisungen materialiter werden, desto mehr mu6 ihre universale Verbindlichkcit hinterfragt werden . . . Die universale und zeitloseAllgemeinverbindlichkeitmuB immer dann ernstlich iiberpruft werden, wenn PaiUus operative Handlungsnormen fiir geschichtlich veranderte Situationen und Umstande oder Anweisungen und Mahnungen fiir konkrete Einzelfalle gibt". It is the classical Kantian proposition when Schiirmann suggests that moral-theological hermeneutics and moral reason determine Christian conduct in the final analysis (ibid.).
Binding Norms: The Law Aspect
3 I 1
a n s w e r this q u e s t i o n , o n e s h o u l d d e a r l y distingubh between the q u e s t i o n of n o r m a t i v i t y in a n d for Paul and the question of nor m a t i v i t y of Paul (for t o d a y ) . It seems t h a t t h e negative answer given b y m a n y scholars t o t h e s e c o n d q u e s t i o n also decides the an swer t o t h e first question^**. S u c h scholars p r o t e s t against a bibli cal e t h o s w h i c h claims t o b e m o r e t h a n a n o n c o m m i t t a l paradig m a t i c c o m m e n t a r y o n t h e ' c o m m a n d m e n t ' of l o v e . T h e y a t t e m p t t o j u s t i f y their p o s i t i o n p n e u m a t o l o g i c a l l y , ecclesioIogicaUy, rationalistically, or b y r e f e r e n c e t o ' l o v e ' . T h e y claim t h a t t h e deci sive n o r m ( s ) or criteria of C h r i s t i a n c o n d u c t , for Paul ( a n d h e n c e for u s ) , is t h e life in t h e Spirit^^^, t h e c o n t e x t of t h e c h u r c h ^ ^ , t h e f u n c t i o n of r e n e w e d reason^^^, a n d t h e f u n d a m e n t a l r e q u i r e m e n t oflove^^S.
I t h a s t o b e p o i n t e d o u t , h o w e v e r , t h a t w h e n Paul writes a b o u t the p e r c e p t i o n of t h e v«ll of G o d for living, he refers t o t h e Spirit very s e l d o m a n d r a t h e r r e l u c t a n t l y a n d n e v e r as i m p l y ing a c o n t r a s t t o or a u t o n o m y from a n y verbum extermum^.
3 9 4 A recent example is G. Strecker, "Autonome Sittlichkeit und das Proprium der christlichen Ethik bei Paulus", ThLZ 104 ( 1 9 7 9 ) 871 who asserts that the Christian ethos is accidental and "nicht wirklich normschopferisch, weil es im Gegebenen die aktuelle Forderung Gottes entdeckt". Cf. also J . T . Sanders, Ethics, 1 9 7 5 , p.64 w h o thinks that situation ethics is unavoidable (as regards Paul's ethos!). 3 9 5 Cf. R. Schnackenbuiig, Moral Teaching, p.277; K. Niederwimmer, Begriff der Freiheit, 1966, p p . 1 6 8 - 2 2 0 ; K.H. Schelkle, Theologie. 3 , p . 5 5 ; H.D. Wendland, Ethik, pp.53f., 8 7 ; G. Therrien, Le discemement dans les ecrits Pauliniens, EB, 1 9 7 3 , pp. 2 6 8 - 2 7 1 , 2 8 4 - 2 8 6 3 0 4 f . ; H. Halter, Taufe. p p . 4 2 4 - 4 2 7 , 4 7 5 ; B.C. WinUe, Laiu, pp. 2 0 2 - 2 3 7 , 3 2 1 ; J . D . G . Dunn, Jesus and the Spirit. pp.222f.; B. Gerhardsson, Ethos. 1 9 8 1 , p . 7 1 ; E. Lohse, "Kirche im Alltag: Erwagungen zur theologischen Begriin dung der Ethik im Neuen Testament",/if
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T h e s a m e c a n b e said w i t h r e g a r d t o t h e c h u r c h , r e a s o n , a n d love — c o n c e p t s w h i c h are i m p o r t a n t for Paul as c o n c e r n s t h e p r a c t i c a l a n d specific i m p l e m e n t a t i o n of t h e e t h o s . We will deal w i t h t h e s e a n d w i t h o t h e r similar c o n c e p t s in § 1 6 . 3 . t r e a t i n g t h e m as g u i d i n g criteria of t h e C h r i s t i a n e t h o s a c c o r d i n g t o Paul. T h e p r e s e n c e of b i n d i n g o b l i g a t i o n in t h e C h r i s t i a n life e s t a b l i s h e d , a p a r t from Paul's c o n c e p t i o n of t h e law a n d i d i t y for t h e b e h e v e r (cf. s u p r a , § 15 p a s s i m ) , b y referring c o n c e p t s in Paul's parenesis as dfajKr} ( R o m 1 3 , 5 ; Col d^eiXeiv {Rom 13,7.8; 15,1.27; I C o r 1 1 , 1 0 ; 7,3; 2Cor 8ei ( I T h e s s 4 , 1 - 2 ; 2 T h e s s 3 , 7 ) , or x a i ' w i ^ (Gal 6 , 1 6 ) * ^ .
can b e its val to such 3,18), 12,14),
F u r t h e r , it m u s t b e e m p h a s i z e d t h a t it is n o t possible t o derive specific n o r m s for C h r i s t i a n c o n d u c t from t h e indicative-impera tive r e l a t i o n since for Paul t h e C h r i s t i a n e x i s t e n c e a n d divine n o r m s never b e c o m e simply identical: norms and c o m m a n d m e n t s a l w a y s r e m a i n a n a p p o s i t e e n t i t y for t h e C h r i s t i a n ^ ' . H e t e r o n o m y , n o t a u t o n o m y , is t h e l o c u s of t h e C h r i s t i a n ' e t h o s a c c o r d i n g t o Paul. S c h r a g e w a n t s t o avoid t h e t e r m ' n o r m ' for Paul since t h e con c e p t of n o r m ( s ) c o u l d b e u n d e r s t o o d in a s t a t i c w a y a n d c o u l d easily p r o v o k e t h e legalistic m i s u n d e r s t a n d i n g of a d e o n t o l o g i c a l e t h i c w h i c h w o u l d i g n o r e t h e results of b e h a v i o u r . He prefers t h e term 'criteria' which, according to him, holds together the m o r e d y n a m i c - h i s t o r i c a l f r e e d o m a n d t h e " V e r b i n d l i c h k e i t " of Paul's ( a n d of t h e N T ' s ) e t h o s ' ^ ^ ^Ve p r e f e r t o h o l d t h e s e t w o a s p e c t s s e p a r a t e , t o s t a r t w i t h , discussing first t h e b i n d i n g n o r m s a n d t h e resulting " V e r b i n d h c h k e i t " ^ ' of e t h i c s a c c o r d i n g t o Paul ( § 16.2.) a n d t h e n dealing w i t h t h e m o r e d y n a m i c , h i s t o r i c a l , or ' f r e e ' as-
4 0 0 Cf.W.Schiage, Einzelgebote, pp.96-98. 401 Cf. W. Schrage, o.c., pp.82f. It is not clear what W. Schrage, Ethik, p . 1 6 0 means when he writes in the context of his discussion of the indicative-imperative relation, with regard to the studies of G. Stahlin and H. Schlier o n the verb parakalein, that "der Anspruch (impliziert) einen Zuspruch und der Zuspruch einen An spruch" showing that ethics does not belong into the category of law. In the OT the "Zuspruch" was primary as well: note the opening clauses of the decalogue in Ex 2 0 ! 4 0 2 W. Schrage, o.c, pp.l 8,189 following C. Link, "Oberlegungen zum Problem der Norm in der theologischen Ethik", Schopferische Nachfolge, FS H.E. Todt, 1978, pp.96-113. 4 0 3 The term "verbindlich" is usually translated with "binding" or "obligatory", con cepts which clearly presuppose or imply norms!
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p e c t of C h r i s t i a n b e h a v i o u r w h i c h we r e l a t e d t o t h e w i s d o m a s p e c t ( § 1 6 . 3 . ) . T h i s m e t h o d o l o g i c a l p r o c e d u r e will h e l p us t o a v o i d con fusing f u n d a m e n t a l n o r m s of b e h a v i o u r a n d s e c o n d a r y , t h o u g h e q u a l l y i m p o r t a n t , criteria for t h e reaUzation of t h e s e n o r m s in Christian c o n d u c t . 16.2.2. The Word of God (Torah). We have seen in § 15 t h a t , as a result of G o d ' s a c t i o n in a n d t h r o u g h C h r i s t , t h e T o r a h is nulli fied as conditio salutis b u t is still valid as r e v e l a t i o n of t h e will of G o d . T h e law as ' o r d e r of r e l a t i o n ' has c o m e t o its e n d in Christ b u t r e m a i n s valid as m a t e r i a l n o r m a n d s t a n d a r d of life. We p o i n t ed o u t t h a t t h e n e w l o c u s of t h e law " i n C h r i s t " h a d c e r t a i n con s e q u e n c e s for t h e l a w : t h e ritual a n d c e r e m o n i a l c o m m a n d m e n t s are n o t t o b e fulfilled literally a n y m o r e as t h e y are a l r e a d y ful filled " i n C h r i s t " , w h e r e a s t h e ethical n o r m s a n d c o m m a n d m e n t s are a f f i r m e d as valid for C h r i s t i a n b e h a v i o u r — realizing of c o u r s e t h a t Paul d o e s n o t reflect u p o n this d i f f e r e n t i a t i o n in a s y s t e m a t i c o r t h e o r e t i c a l m a n n e r . F o r Paul, t h e C h r i s t i a n is n o t e x e m p t from k e e p i n g t h e c o m m a n d m e n t s (cf. I C o r 7 , 1 9 ) . C o n s e q u e n t l y w e h a v e t o r e c k o n w i t h t h e fact t h a t Paul regards t h e O T , as qualified b y C h r i s t , as a u t h o r i t a t i v e s t a n d a r d for t h e C h r i s t i a n ethos'**'^. T h i s e v i d e n c e c a n b e f u r t h e r s u b s t a n t i a t e d o n t h e basis of par e n e t i c c o n t e x t s as follows*^^. (1) T h e m o r e or less faithful t a k e over a n d usage of i n d i v i d u a l O T verses, especially of t h e p a r e n e t i c p r o v e r b i a l m a t e r i a l , is r a t h e r revealing, p a r t i c u l a r l y as this h a p p e n s in a totadly n a t u r a l a n d m a t e r - o f - c o u r s e manner'**^. (2) T h e o c -
4 0 4 This is acknowledged by R. Buhmann, Theology, 1, p . 3 4 1 ; W. Schm^e, Einzelge bote, p p . 2 2 8 - 2 3 8 ; O. Merk, Handeln, p.lO; K.H. Schelkle, Theologie, 3 , p . 4 7 ; T. Herr, Naturrecht, 1 9 7 6 , pp.221 f.227; H. Ridderbos, Paul, pp.278-288 (on the socalled "tertius usus legis"); R.S. R a y b u m , Contrast, p p . 2 1 5 - 2 1 9 ; O. Cullmann, "Consequences", 1 9 7 9 , p p . 1 9 6 - 1 9 8 ; E. Reinmut, Geist und Gesetz: Studien zu Voraussetzungen und Inhalt der paulinischen Pardnese, Diss. Halle, 1981 (un obtainable, but cf. the report in ThLZ 1 0 7 / 1 9 8 2 , cols.633f.); T. Holtz, "Frage", ThLZ 106 ( 1 9 8 1 ) 3 9 4 f . ; W . Schrage, ffAiA;, 1 9 8 2 , p p . 1 9 5 - 1 9 8 . Contra e.g. P. Stuhl macher, "Gesetz", Aufsdtze, p p . 1 6 9 - 1 6 1 ; P. Grech, "Motives", pp.544f.; B. Ger hardsson, £ r t o j , p p . 6 4 - 6 6 , 8 1 . 4 0 5 Cf. W. Schrage, o.c. p p . l 9 6 f . ; T. Holtz, a.c, pp.394f. 4 0 6 Cf. W. Schrage, Einzelgebote. p.223 with n.205 listing Rom 12,16 (Prov 3,7); 12, 17 (Prov 3,4); 12,19 (Deut 3 2 , 3 5 ) ; 12,20 (Prov 2 5 , 2 1 - 2 2 ) ; ICor 5,13 (Deut 17,7); 6,16 (Gen 2 , 2 4 ) ; 16,32 (Is 2 2 , 1 3 ) ; 13,5 (Zech 8,17); 2Cor 8,16 (Ex 16,18); 8,21
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casional i n t r o d u c t o r y f o r m u l a yefpairrai-yap (Rom 12,19; 14,11), Kadcbq yeypaiTTai ( R o m 1 5 , 3 ; 2 C o r 8 , 1 5 ; 9 , 9 ) , a n d i^7?aiV ( I C o r 6,6) p r o v e t h a t Paul d o e s n o t q u o t e o r use t h e O T u n c o n s c i o u s l y w i t h o u t r e f l e c t i o n . (3) T h e s u b s t a n t i a t i n g yap in R o m 1 2 , 1 9 ; 1 4 , 11 e s t a b h s h e s t h e a u t h o r i t a t i v e c h a r a c t e r of t h e O T q u o t a t i o n s . (4) T h e fact t h a t in I C o r 5 , 1 3 ; 2 C o r 8 , 1 5 ; 9,9 t h e O T q u o t e s c o n c l u d e a train of t h o u g h t s h o w s likewise t h a t Paul regards t h e O T as a u t h o r i t a t i v e . (5) T h e i n a h e n a b l e validity of t h e T o r a h as n o r m of life can b e a s c e r t a i n e d b y a n Umkehrschlu& from R o m 4 , 1 5 (cf. 5 , 1 3 - 1 4 ) w h e r e irapaPaaiq is s i m p l y a n d o n l y t h e transgres sion (!) of t h e o r d e r of t h e T o r a h ' ^ ^ It is misleading when W. Schrage speaks of a dialectical reception of OT ethic by Paul, stating that the OT becomes binding for the Christian (only) a posteriori^OS. The OT receives its authority not only from its relation t o Christ but from its stipu lation by God and from faith in the revealed identity of Gc«d409. xhe OT is normative a priori as God's revelation; a posteriori is only the new, proper relation to it. The theological locus of the law has changed with regard to salvation"* 10 but has remain ed unchanged as regards revelation and authority. Some commandments are fulfilled "in Christ" and have therefore no more binding force for the Christian. Other, partic ularly the ethical, commandments retain their normativity as being God's eternal wdll. The examples which Schrage adduces to show that Paul takes up the OT selectively and critically even as regards ethical orders (celibacy and the prohibition of divorce) do not prove his p o i n t * ! 1.
It h a s t o b e e m p h a s i z e d in this c o n t e x t t h a t for Paul (as for t h e p e o p l e in t h e O T , in early J u d a i s m , a n d in t h e early c h u r c h ! ) t h e law e x i s t e d o n l y as i n t e r p r e t e d law b u t w a s , h o w e v e r , still a n d pre-
407 408 409 410
411
(Prov 3,4); 9,7 (Prov 2 2 , 8 ) ; 9,9-10 (Ps 112,9; Is 5 5 , 1 0 ) ; Phil 2,15 (Deut 3 2 , 5 ) ; Col 2,2 (Is 2 9 , 1 3 ) . Emphasized by T. Holtz, "Frage", ThLZ 106 ( I 9 8 I ) 3 9 5 . Cf. W. Schrage, Einzelgebote, p p . 2 3 6 - 2 3 8 ; idem, Ethik. p p . I 9 7 f . Cf. T. Holtz, ibid. Cf. supra, § 1 5 . 3 . 2 . N o t e also the relevant statement of T . Hm, Naturecht, p . 2 2 7 : "Der theologische Ort des Gesetzes ergibt sich erst als Funktion der Offenbarung: das Gesetz ist der Gnade nachgeordnet". Cf. W. Schrage, o.c., p . 1 9 7 . As concerns celibacy, Gen 2,18 is a general statement and n o t meant as establishing the necessity (!) of marriage for everybody, whereas Paul does not argue against marriage per se in ICor 7,26. As concerrrs the prohibi tion of divorce, ICor 7,10 is not totally absolute (cf. 7,11.16!) and should be re garded moreover as reinstitution of God's original will or order of creation (with the allowance of divorce, and r>f polygamy, in the OT being what Lutheran scholars call "Notordnung"). Schrage gives no criteria which Paul would have used in 'select ing' ethical material from the OT. Schrage woidd have a more consistent position if he had a proper understanding of R o m 3 , 2 7 ; 8 , 2 ; Gal 6,2 (pace W. Schrage, Ethik, PP.197L).
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cisely the l a w : for P a u l , J e s u s ' i n t e r p r e t a t i o n was at t h e s a m e t i m e t h e fulfilment of t h e law. H o w e v e r , " g l e i c h w o h l b l e i b t seine For d e r u n g des G e s e t z e s — des G e s e t z e s , das auf G o t t e s urspriinglichen Willen h i n d u r c h J e s u s erschlossen w u r d e " ^ ' ' ^ . T h u s , t h e T o r a h is for Paul n o t an a r b i t r a r y , a c c i d e n t a l , basi cally r e m o v a b l e , historically c o n t i n g e n t a n d a p p r o v e d o r d e r w h i c h c o u l d b e easily s u p e r s e d e d b y a n o t h e r , n a t i o n a l l y a n d historically e q u a l l y c o n t i n g e n t a n d a p p r o v e d o r d e r . F o r Paul t h e W o r d of G o d is t h e u n s h a k a b l e a n d a l w a y s valid o r d e r of life'*'^. Even t h e G e n t i l e C h r i s t i a n c h u r c h in C o r i n t h was t o s u b m i t t o t h e o r d e r of t h e nomos\ 16.2.3. The words of Jesus. T h e exegetical e v i d e n c e leaves n o d o u b t t h a t d o m i n i c a l sayings possessed in Paul's eyes a n a b s o l u t e a u t h o r i t a t i v e a n d m a t t e r - o f - c o u r s e validity'*''*. Direct references'*'^ t o d o m i n i c a l sayings are relatively rare ( I C o r 7 , 1 0 ; 9 , 1 4 ; cf. also I C o r 1 1 , 2 3 ; I T h e s s 4 , 1 5 ) . B u t t h e w a y in w h i c h Paul e m p l o y s t h e m s h o w s t h a t h e r e g a r d e d t h e w o r d s a n d c o m m a n d m e n t s of J e s u s as n o r m a t i v e a n d b i n d i n g t r i b u n a l , possessing a conclusive a n d i r r e f u t a b l e a u t h o r i t y . S c h r a g e is c o r r e c t w h e n h e declares t h a t " d a s G e w i c h t dieser T a t s a c h e w i r d d u r c h die geringe Zahl der ziti e r t e n H e r r e n w o r t e k a u m b e e i n t r a c h t i g t ' " * ' ^ . Possible reasons for the r a r i t y of references t o d o m i n i c a l sayings are (1) t h e l i t e r a r y g e n r e of t h e letter w h i c h is s u i t e d o n l y in a l i m i t e d w a y t o t a k e u p s u c h sayings'*'^, a n d (2) t h e f a c t u a h t y of t h e n u m e r i c a l l i m i t e d n e s s of d o m i n i c a l sayings as s u c h a n d also w i t h r e s p e c t to t h e specific v a r i e t y of t o p i c s P a u l deals w i t h a n d w i t h r e s p e c t t o his different c u l t u r a l a n d s o c i o - e c o n o m i c milieu in the diaspora'*'^. It is w o r t h
4 1 2 T. Holtz, "Frage", ThLZ 106 ( 1 9 8 1 ) 3 9 4 . 4 1 3 Cf. T. Holtz,a.c., pp.394f. 4 1 4 Cf. W. Schrage, o.c, p p . 2 0 0 - 2 0 2 ; also idem, Einzelgebote, p p . 2 4 1 - 2 4 9 ; H.D. Wendland,£t/iife p . 3 5 ; K.H. Schelkle, Theolgie. 3 , pp.51 f.; T.J. Deidun, Afora/iJy, p . l 7 5 . 4 1 5 As concerns material reminiscences and indirect correspondences between words of Jesus in the Synoptic Gospels and Paul's parenesis cf. the list in W. Schrage, o.c. p.243 n . 2 5 0 ; a l s o idem, Ethik. p . 2 0 1 . 4 1 6 W. Schrage, £fftife, p . 2 0 0 . 4 1 7 Cf. T J . Deidun, Morality, p . l 7 5 w h o points out that possibly Paul used dominical sayings to a much larger extent in his preaching; similarly K.H. Schelkle, Theologie, 3 , p.51 w h o refers to the dominical saying in Paul's address in Acts 2 0 , 3 5 . 4 1 8 Thus W. Schrage, o.c,
p.201.
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p o i n t i n g o u t t h a t w i t h t h e e x c e p t i o n of I C o r 1 1 , 2 3 - 2 6 all d o m i n ical sayings w h i c h P a u l a d d u c e s a r e r e l a t e d t o C h r i s t i a n behaviour*'^ It was ( a n d in s o m e , m a i n l y C a t h o l i c , circles still is) held t h a t t h e e a r t h l y life of J e s u s is a clear a n d definite c r i t e r i o n for behav i o u r in Paul's parenesis*^". It is o b v i o u s , h o w e v e r , t h a t t h e life (!) of J e s u s is never u s e d b y Paul as a r t i c u l a t e d , e x t e r n a l e t h i c a l criterion*2l t h e o t h e r h a n d , it w o u l d be w r o n g t o d e n y a n y rel evance of t h e life of J e s u s for t h e C h r i s t i a n s ' b e h a v i o u r in t h e con t e x t of P a u l ' s ethos'^^S. E v e n t h o u g h s o m e passages w h i c h are ad d u c e d d o n o t refer t o t h e ' e a r t h l y ' J e s u s b u t t o t h e o b e d i e n c e of t h e p r e - e x i s t e n t J e s u s Christ (as 2 C o r 8 , 9 ; Phil 2 . 6 - 1 1 ) , t h e c o n c e p t of J e s u s b e i n g a n e x a m p l e for t h e believers c a n n o t be t o t a l l y excluded^23^ a n d even d i o u g h t h e passages w h i c h refer e x p l i c i t l y t o t h e mimesis of C h r i s t ( I C o r 1 1 , 1 ; I T h e s s 1,6; also R o m 1 5 , 3 . 7 ) c o n v e y P a u l ' s theologia crucis a n d c o n c e p t i o n of 070777?, t h e y still i n d i c a t e a " b e s t i m m t e G r u n d r i c h t u n g c h r i s t l i c h e n Lebens"*24 It is n e v e r t h e l e s s o b v i o u s t h a t Paul has h a r d l y drawTi u p o n t h e h i s t o r i c a l life a n d w o r k of J e s u s for t h e c o n c r e t e o r i e n t a t i o n of C h r i s t i a n c o n d u c t . J e s u s ' message a n d w o r d s are a d d u c e d in a m o r e u n a m b i g u o u s w a y as decisive n o r m for t h e C h r i s t i a n e t h o s . 16.2.4. The dicta of the apostle. Besides G o d ' s revealed W o r d in t h e T o r a h a n d in t h e w o r d s of J e s u s , Paul regards his a p o s t o l i c i n s t r u c t i o n s or c o m m a n d m e n t s as n o r m a t i v e . T h e following facts a r e r e l e v a n t here*^^. First, Paul as a p o s t l e of J e s u s Christ is c o n -
419 420
Cf. W. Schrage, o . c . p . 2 0 2 . Cf. V.P. Furnish, Theology, p p . 2 1 8 - 2 2 3 ; K.H. Schelkle, o . c . p p . 5 0 - 5 5 ; H. Halter, Taufe. pp.331-339 (pp.659f. n.44 lit.); P. Grech, ".Motives", p p . 5 5 2 - 5 5 8 ; A. FeuU let, "Loi de UKM", NovTest 2 2 ( 1 9 8 0 ) 4 3 ; J . F . Collange, Ethique, p p . 1 9 7 - 2 0 3 . 421 CL T.J. Deidun, o . c , pp.221 L 4 2 2 Pace O. Merk, Handeln, p.238 w h o explains Paul's occasional chaUenges to take Jesus as one's example simply as "Hinweis auf die Wirklichkeit des Todes Christi in ihrer Auswirkung auf die Gegenwart". 423
CL T. Nagata, Philippians 2.5-11, 1 9 8 1 , pp..i33-350 w h o points out that for Paul the Christ-hymn provided "a prototype which defined the way of Christian life" ( p . 3 4 9 ) , as the alternative between a purely soteriological and an ethical interpreta tion is misleading.
424
Admitted by W. Schrage, Ethik, p . 1 9 9 ; cL also B.C. Wintle, Law, 1977, p p . 2 7 4 283. For the foUowing see especiaUy W. Schrage, Einzelgebote, p p . 1 0 2 - 1 4 0 ; also J.H.
425
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scious of t h e fact t h a t h e speaks in t h e n a m e of Christ (cf. I C o r 1,10; R o m 1 4 , 1 4 ; I T h e s s 4 , 1 ) a n d of G o d (cf. 2 C o r 2,17 ; l T h e s s 2,1 3 ) , i.e. t h a t G o d a n d Christ are t h e t r u e a u t h o r s a n d o r i g i n a t o r s of t h e a p o s t o l i c message a n d parenesis. F o r this r e a s o n t h e a p o s tolic message a n d p a r e n e s i s are b i n d i n g a n d o b l i g a t o r y . S e c o n d , a p a r t from verbs like napaKaXeiu, ipLordu, vovdereiu we find a u t h o r i t a t i v e verbs in Paul's parenesis s u c h as deXetP ( R o m 1 6 , 1 9 ; I C o r 7 , 7 . 3 2 ; 1 0 , 2 0 ; 2 C o r 1 2 , 2 0 ) , 77apa77eXXeti'(ICor 7, 10; 1 1 , 1 7 ; I T h e s s 4 , 1 1 ; cf. 2 T h e s s 3 , 4 . 6 . 1 0 . 1 2 ) , ^ T r t r d a a e t f ( P h l m 8) a n d SiaTdaaeadai ( I C o r 7 , 1 7 ; 1 1 , 3 4 ; 1 6 , 1 ) . T h e a p o s t o l i c ex h o r t a t i o n s o b v i o u s l y claim validity a n d d e m a n d o b e d i e n t ful filment. T h i r d , even t h o u g h Paul seeks u n d e r s t a n d i n g r a t h e r t h a n blind o b e d i e n c e , h e r e c k o n s q u i t e n a t u r a l l y w i t h t h e fact t h a t his de m a n d s will be o b e y e d (cf. 2 C o r 2 , 9 ; 2Thess 3,4)^26 F o u r t h , t h e fact t h a t all Christians in a given c h u r c h irrespective of sex or social s t a t u s are e q u a l l y held r e s p o n s i b l e a n d liable t o t h e a p o s t o l i c e x h o r t a t i o n s , t h a t all Christians in all c h u r c h e s are sub j e c t t o basically t h e very s a m e a p o s t o l i c claims, a n d t h a t m a n y a p o s t o l i c i n j u n c t i o n s are c o n s t r u c t e d w i t h t h e i m p . p r a e s . , e s t a b lishes n o t o n l y t h e u n c h a n g e a b i l i t y of t h e will of G o d b u t also t h e f u n d a m e n t a l significance of t h e office of t h e a p o s t l e t h r o u g h w h i c h G o d m a d e k n o w n his will'*^''. F'ifth, t h e u n s y s t e m a t i c a n d o f t e n p a r a d i g m a t i c c h a r a c t e r of t h e individual a p o s t o l i c i n s t r u c t i o n s b y n o m e a n s invalidates t h e n o r m a t i v e n e s s of t h e individual c o m m a n d m e n t s : Paul's e t h i c in his various letters is c h a r a c t e r i z e d b y a m a t e r i a l a g r e e m e n t in t h e f u n d a m e n t a l o u t l i n e s a n d m o t i v e s a n d b y t h e basic r e f e r e n c e of
Schiitz, Paul and the Anatomy of Apostolic Authority, and Power: The Structure of Authority in the Primitive Pauline Epistles, CB NT Series 1 1 , 1 9 7 8 .
1 9 7 5 ; B. Holmberg, Paul Church as Reflected in the
4 2 6 Cf. W. Schrage, Einzelgebote, pp.109-115. 4 2 7 Cf. W. Schrage, o.c, p p . 1 1 7 - 1 2 2 . On the office of the apostle see ICH. Rengstorf, Art. "d»ro(7ToXo
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i n d i v i d u a l a n d specific decisions t o t h e t h e o l o g i c a l c o n t e x t s a n d t o facts of principle^28 S i x t h , t h e e m p h a s i s w h i c h Paul places o n t e a c h i n g ( 5 t 6 a x n , StddoKetp) a n d o n c o m m u n i c a b i h t y {napd8oai<;), also as regards p a r e n e t i c m a t e r i a l (cf. I T h e s s 4 , 1 - 2 ; R o m 1 6 , 1 7 ; I C o r 4 , 1 7 : dSoi), p r o v e s t h a t for Paul t h e r e exist universal n o r m s a n d c o m m a n d m e n t s which remain the same despite changing times and s i t u a t i o n s , a n d w h i c h are t o be f o l l o w e d b y t h e believers in aU c h u r c h e s t h u s a c c e n t u a U n g a c o n t i n u u m w h i c h is valid navTaxov ( I C o r 4 , 1 7 ) d e s p i t e aU d y n a m i c a n d a c t u a h t y * ^ ^ . S e v e n t h , t h e fact t h a t Paul calls for t h e mimesis of t h e a p o s t l e as c o n c e r n s his c o n d u c t ( I C o r 4 , 1 6 - 1 7 ; 1 1 , 1 ; Phil 4 , 9 ; 3 , 1 7 ) is relevant for t h e q u e s t i o n of n o r m a t i v i t y also"**". T h u s , we conclude that the apostolic exhortations and com m a n d s i m p l y n o t o n l y a h i s t o r i c a l prae b u t also a m a t e r i a l criter i o n w h i c h is a n d r e m a i n s t h e n o r m a t i v e rule a n d s t a n d a r d for Christian behaviour. 16.2.5. The orders of creation. Finally t h e O T b e h e f in c r e a t i o n plays a significant role as n o r m in Paul's e t h i c even t h o u g h it is n o t t h e basic or m o s t i m p o r t a n t o n e * ' ' . It s h o u l d b e n o t e d a t t h e o u t s e t t h a t for Paul c r e a t i o n t h e o l o g y is c r e a t i o n c h r i s t o l o g y * ' ^ T h u s , Paul has n o ' c r e a t i o n e t h i c ' as s u c h , a d v o c a t i n g i n d e p e n d e n t n o r m s of c r e a t i o n . B u t G o d ' s salvational a c t i o n in a n d t h r o u g h Christ m a k e s t h e w o r l d {KdayiOq) r e c o g n i z a b l e again as G o d ' s crea t i o n ((CTtatc). With a n d in C h r i s t , t h e t r u e wiU of t h e C r e a t o r is a n d c a n b e fulfilled, especially since Christ is t h e m a n i f e s t a t i o n of
4 2 8 Cf. W. Schiage, Einzelgebote, p p . 1 2 2 - 1 2 9 . 4 2 9 Cf. W. Schrage, o.c., p p . l 2 9 - 1 4 0 w h o concludes "da6 es fiir die Gemeinde eine vorgegebene paranetische Paradosis gibt, die als kritische Norm allem Wandel der Christen vorgeordnet und gegeniiber bleibt. Damit bestatigt sich auch hier die bleibendc Verbindlichkeit der apostolischen Gebote" ( p . 1 4 0 ) . He writes succinctly that "wer das Gebot der Stunde sucht, darf das des Apostels nicht verlieren" (p. 174). 4 3 0 Cf. W. Schrage, o.c. p . l 0 6 ; J . H . Schutz, PauU p p . 2 2 6 - 2 3 2 ; W. Schrage, Ethik. p . l 8 2 . On Paul as an example cf. also B.C. Wintle, Law, p p . 2 6 1 - 2 7 4 . 431 Emphasized by G. Strecker, "Sittlichkeit", ThLZ 104 ( 1 9 7 9 ) 8 7 1 . For the foUow ing cf. W. Schrage, ^inzefeeftote, pp.210-228;iclem,£tAife. p p . 1 9 2 - 1 9 5 . 4 3 2 Cf. T. Herr, Naturrecht, p p . 1 3 7 - 2 7 0 passim, particularly p p . 1 8 4 - 1 9 9 . He states that "das Neue an der urchristlichen Schbpfungsbetrachtung ist die Deutung von der .Mitte des Christusereignisses her" ( p . 1 8 9 ) as "Christus ist, naturrechtUch gesprochcn, das Seinsprinzip aUer Dingc" ( p . 1 9 9 ) . Cf. also W. Schrage, Ethik, p . 1 9 2 .
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t h e w i s d o m of G o d jmd t h e m e d i a t o r of c r e a t i o n (cf. I C o r 8,6). C o n s e q u e n d y , as t h e e a r t h b e l o n g s t o t h e L o r d in its t o t a l i t y ( I C o r 1 0 , 2 6 ) , e v e r y t h i n g is clean a n d p u r e ( R o m 1 4 , 2 0 ) . T h e b e liever's r e l a t i o n s h i p w i t h t h e w o r l d is n e i t h e r exclusively positive n o r n e g a t i v e , it is r a t h e r dialectical: " C h r i s t e n sind n a c h Paulus gleich w e i t e n t f e r n t von W e l t v e r a c h t u n g wie von Weltvergotteru n g , v o n W e l t f l u c h t wie v o n Weltsucht'"*^^. T h e r e a s o n for t h e n o r m a t i v e validity of t h e o r d e r of c r e a t i o n has t o b e s o u g h t n o t o n l y in t h e w o r k of J e s u s Christ w h o m a d e t h e KOOfjtoq r e c o g n i z a b l e again as G o d ' s Kriaiq b u t also in t h e re ference of t h e T o r a h t o creation''**. As w e have seen, in Judjiism t h e T o r a h was r e g a r d e d as c o s m i c a n d c r e a t i o n a l principle — as a result of its c o r r e l a t i o n w i t h w i s d o m . Despite t h e fact t h a t we d o n o t k n o w e x a c t l y in w h a t m a t t e r Paul s h a r e d this view, it is evi d e n t t h a t h e k n e w of t h e reality of a vonoq d-ypa^poq or vopoq ipvae(joq a m o n g t h e p a g a n s ( R o m 2,14-15)^^^. C o n s e q u e n t l y , Paul seems t o r e c k o n w i t h t h e o n t o l o g i c a l ( t h e o retical?) possibility of m o r a l b e h a v i o u r a m o n g t h e pagans d e s p i t e t h e i r sin a n d i m - m o r a l i t y . T h a t is, Paul a s s u m e s t h e e x i s t e n c e of a n o r m of p r o p e r b e h a v i o u r t o w h i c h t h e p a g a n s are tied d e s p i t e all factual (!) transgression*^^. T h i s is c o n f i r m e d in Paul's parenesis b y passages like I T h e s s 4 , 1 2 ; I C o r 1 0 , 3 2 ; Col 4 , 5 a n d b y t h e m u l t i p l e r e c e p t i o n of f o r m a l a n d m a t e r i a l e l e m e n t s of Hellenistic a n d J e w i s h e t h i c . T h u s t h e r e exists a partial (!) e t h i c a l c o n s e n s u s as regards t h e c o n t e n t a n d t h e criteria of m o r a l b e h a v i o u r for b o t h Christians a n d n o n - C h r i s t i a n s .
4 3 3 W. Schrage, o.c, p . 1 9 3 ; cf. idem, Einzelgebote, p.211 referring to the "kritische Mitte zwischen Verweltlichung und Entweltlichung". 4 3 4 T. Holtz, "Frage", ThLZ 106 ( 1 9 8 1 ) 3 9 5 argues that the Torah's reference to crea tion provides the reason for the inalienable validity of the Torah. However, the Torah is first of all revelation and only secondarily order of the worid. This means that the validity of the Torah is to be derived from the identity of God (as Holtz states, ibid.) and hence from the fact of revelation, and not from the fact that it is the norm of life and of the world. 4 3 5 Cf. W. Schrage, "Zur Ethik der neutestamenUichen Haustafeln", A^TS 21 ( 1 9 7 5 ) 2 1 ; T. Herr, Naturrecht, p p . 1 5 5 - 1 6 4 ; U. Wilckens, Romer, 1, p p . 1 3 3 - 1 3 5 ; W. Schrage, Ethik. p . l 9 1 . We explain this conception not with a receptionof Hellenistic philo sophical and ethical conceptuality (pace Wilckens) but on the background of the Jewish correlation of law and wisdom. 4 3 6 Cf. W. Schrage, Einzelgebote, 196).
p . l 9 2 going on to discuss Rom 1-2; 7; 13,3 ( p p . l 9 3 -
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It is therefore correct when C. Miinchow states, commenting o n Paul's understand ing of history: "Es geht um das Heil unter den Bedingungen dieser Welt und nicht um eine Welt des Glaubens, die sich neben der Reahtat der Welt etabliert"437. ^ n d T. Herr asserts that "der in Christus sich auch fiir den Kosmos auftuende neue Hoffnungshorizont eriaubt auch ein erlostcs Sich-Einlassen mit der Welt und ihren Werten, w o z u nicht zuletzt das Naturrecht gehdrt"'*38.
As t h e n o r m a t i v e , divinely revealed T o r a h f o u n d e x p r e s s i o n in t h e o r d e r s of t h e w o r l d a n d in t h e o r d e r s of i n t a c t life — r e s u l t i n g from t h e fact t h a t t h e T o r a h is i d e n t i c a l w i t h (divine, c o s m i c , a n d e t h i c a l ) w i s d o m — t h e s e o r d e r s are also, essentially, n o r m a t i v e . S t a n d a r d s for C h r i s t i a n c o n d u c t referred t o b y Paul i n c l u d e (1) n a t u r e {^pvaiq) w h i c h c a n refer t o G o d ' s original o r d e r of c r e a t i o n ( R o m 1,26) or t o h i s t o r i c a l o r d e r s such as c u s t o m a n d a p p r o v e d t r a d i t i o n ( I C o r 1 1 , 1 4 ) ; (2) o r d e r s of c r e a t i o n s u c h as m a r r i a g e (1 C o r 7 ) * ' ^ s t a t e ( R o m 13,1-7)**", a n d w o r k ( I T h e s s 5 , 1 4 ; cf. 2 T h e s s 3,6-7.11)**'; (3) t h e r e s p e c t of c o n v e n t i o n ( R o m 1 3 , 1 3 ; 1 Cor 7,35; 1 3 , 5 ; 1 4 , 4 0 ; IThess 4,12). Even t h o u g h t h e s e o r d e r s b e l o n g t o this w o r l d w h i c h perishes, Paul is a b s o l u t e l y c e r t a i n , o n t h e basis of his b e h e f in c r e a t i o n , t h a t t h e w o r l d , u n t i l t h e final t r a n s f o r m a t i o n of a h e a r t h l y r e a h t y , will n o t b e left t o c h a o s . G o d t h e C r e a t o r has n o t given u p his c r e a t i o n , a n d t h e r e f o r e " t h i s w o r l d " r e m a i n s G o d ' s c r e a t i o n as m a n , even as s i n n e r , r e m a i n s G o d ' s c r e a t u r e : simul peccator et creatus^'^. T h i s m e a n s for t h e b e h e v e r t h a t , as regards sin, h e is s e p a r a t e d from t h e w o r l d a n d y e t r e m a i n s , as c r e a t u r e , w i t h i n t h e divine o r d e r s a n d t h e c o n v e n t i o n s w h i c h G o d has given a n d e s t a b h s h e d for t h e p r e s e r v a t i o n of m a n . C o n s e q u e n t l y , t h e Pauline e t h i c implies this t w o f o l d c r i t e r i o n for C h r i s t i a n b e h a v i o u r as regards t h e p r e s e n t w o r l d a n d its o r d e r s :
4 3 7 C. Munchow,£(AiA, p . I 5 2 . 4 3 8 T. Herr, o.c., p . 2 I 0 asserting also that "in Christus ist das Humanutn wieder aufgerichtet und neu umschrieben, die Ebenbildlichkeit wieder hergestellt worden" ( p . 2 0 9 ) . It should be noted, however, that this "Ebenbildlichkeit" has its locus "in Christ" and not in the "Humanum"! 4 3 9 Cf. the discussionin W. Schrage,£f/nVlt, p p . l 9 4 f . , 2 1 6 - 2 2 0 . 4 4 0 Cf. recently U. Wilckens, "Der Gehorsam gegen die Behorden des Staates im Tun des Guten: Zu Romer 13,1-7", Dimensions de la vie chretienne, 1979, pp.85-I30; idem, Romer. 3 , 1 9 8 2 , pp.28-66 (pp.28f. lit.); W. Schrage, o . c , p p . 2 2 6 - 2 3 0 ; R. Heiligenthal, "Strategien konformer Ethik im Neuen Testament am Beispiel von Rom 13,1-7",NTS 29 (1983) 5 5 - 6 1 . 441 Cf. W. Schrage, o . c , p p . 2 2 0 - 2 2 2 . 4 4 2 Cf. W. Schrage, o . c , p . l 9 5 .
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the Christian cannot and m a y n o t anticipate the n e w order arbitrar ily a n d i n d e p e n d e n t l y as l o n g as G o d lets t h e old o r d e r e x i s t , a n d a t t h e s a m e t i m e h e c a n n o t a n d m a y n o t give u p e i t h e r t h e w a i t i n g for t h e n e w o r d e r w h i c h is b e g i n n n i n g n o r his c o m m i s s i o n t o pene t r a t e t h e o r d e r s of t h e w o r l d w i t h agape"*^^. This s e c o n d c r i t e r i o n leads us t o t h e q u e s t i o n of t h e f r e e d o m of C h r i s t i a n e t h i c s . 16.2.6. Summary. T h e C h r i s t i a n e t h i c a c c o r d i n g t o Paul is b a s e d o n , o r r a t h e r derived f r o m , specific a n d b i n d i n g n o r m s . T h e law, i.e. G o d ' s r e v e l a t i o n in t h e O T as fulfilled a n d qualified b y a n d in Christ has a c o n s t i t u t i v e significance for t h e C h r i s t i a n e t h o s . T h e message a n d w o r d s of J e s u s Christ possess a b i n d i n g a n d n o r m a t i v e a u t h o r i t y . T h e e x h o r t a t i o n s a n d c o m m a n d m e n t s of t h e a p o s t l e p r o v i d e a f u r t h e r o b l i g a t o r y s t a n d a r d for C h r i s t i a n living. A n d , finally, t h e o r d e r s of c r e a t i o n are essentially n o r m a t i v e for Chris tian c o n d u c t . I t is w r o n g t o c r e a t e a c o n t r a s t b e t w e e n t h e intra nos a n d t h e extra nos, i.e. b e t w e e n t h e i n w a r d activity of t h e Spirit a n d t h e e x t e r n a l w o r d of God'*'**. Even t h o u g h t h e Christian e x i s t e n c e a n d t h e divine n o r m n e v e r b e c o m e s i m p l y i d e n t i c a l it is n e v e r t h e l e s s t r u e t h a t t h e r e is n o c o n t r a d i c t i o n b e t w e e n spiritual e x p e r i e n c e a n d h e t e r o n o m y : G o d ' s n o r m s a n d c o m m a n d m e n t s , in t h e e y e s of Paul, a l w a y s r e m a i n a n o p p o s i t e e n t i t y ( ' G e g e n i i b e r ' ) for t h e Chris t i a n . C h r i s t i a n b e h a v i o u r is t o t a l l y d e p e n d e n t u p o n t h e vwU of G o d in all its e t h i c a l d e c i s i o n s . T h e Christian is a n d a l w a y s r e m a i n s a
4 4 3 Cf. W. Schrage, Einzelgebote, p . 2 2 8 ; T. Herr, Naturrecht, p p . 1 3 1 - 1 3 3 . 4 4 4 Contra e.g. T J . Deidun, Morality, p p . 2 0 9 - 2 1 4 w h o asserts that there exists a dia lectical relationship between the two — only to dissolve this 'dialectic' later when he states that the binding external law does not have its raison d'etre in itself but derives its validity and meaning from its vital connection with the imperative of love ( p . 2 2 4 ) . Deidun seems to have forgotten his earlier, correct statement that God's demand is eternally valid ( p . l 5 3 ) and that Paul never condemned the law qua law ( p . l 5 5 ) . He excludes any tertius usus legis but then goes on to assert its possi bility using different phraseology ( p p . l 5 3 f . ) . When he points out that for Paul, the Christian does not "live b y " a code of law whatever (!) its nature and origin (!) in the sense of drawdng life from its observance, of his love being contained within the limits of prescription, of avoiding evil not because it is evil but merely because it is prohibited by law, and of seeking security in it and boasting of its observance be fore God ( p . l 5 5 ) , it is enough to point out that no serious biblical scholar would argue for such a position today. For the following remarks see especially W. Schrage, Einzelgebote, pp.71-93 passim.
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(cf. I T h e s s 1,9; I C o r 7 , 2 2 ; R o m 7 , 6 ; 1 4 , 1 8 ; 1 6 , 1 8 ; Col
In the words of Schrage, "nicmals kann und soU also der Mensch sein Leben in eigene Regie nehmen, auch nicht das christliche! Auch unter der Gnade stehen heifi* unter einer Herrschaft und somit im Gehorsam stehen ( R o m 5,21 ; 6 , I 6 . I 8 . 2 2 ) " 4 4 5 .
T h e n o r m for specific C h r i s t i a n c o n d u c t c a n n o t b e f o u n d o r es t a b h s h e d b y c o n s u l t i n g o n e ' s self or t h e Spirit in oneself. Paul k n o w s n o t h i n g of s u c h a n e n t h u s i a s t i c i m m e d i a t e n e s s o r o f a n i d e n t i t y b e t w e e n Christ a n d t h e Spirit-fihed Christian"**®. Paul never unified or i d e n t i f i e d t h e wiU of t h e C h r i s t i a n w i t h t h e wih of G o d , of C h r i s t , or of t h e S p i r i t . C h r i s t i a n living is s u b j e c t t o n o r m a n d a u t h o r i t y coram Deo. G o d ' s w o r k in u s a n d G o d ' s w o r d t o u s b e l o n g together**''. A final c o m m e n t is t o b e m a d e h e r e c o n c e r n i n g t h e r e l a t i o n s h i p between the indicative ( § 1 6 . 1 . ) and the imperative (§ 16.2.). T h e i n d i c a t i v e , w i t h G o d ' s j u s t i f i c a t i o n of t h e sinner in Christ a t its c e n t r e , is, as w e p o i n t e d o u t a l r e a d y , t h e articulus fidei consti tuens, w i t h t h e i m p e r a t i v e , or t h e Christian e t h i c , as articulus fidei consequens*^^. T h e indicative w i t h its Heilszusage is p r i m a r y b u t i m p h e s a n d t h e n s u b s t a n t i a t e s t h e i m p e r a t i v e . T h e l a t t e r is g r o u n d ed o n , a n d a p p e a l s t o , t h e i n d i c a t i v e a n d is i n t e n d e d t o b r i n g t h e
4 4 5 W. Schrage, £»>izeZ^efroie, p.83 stmimarizing this concept with the phrase i m ) » h u m domini summa libertas. 4 4 6 CL E. Reinmut, Geist und Gesetz, 1981 who demonstrated that Paul defines the "walk" in the Spirit as factual fulfilment of the commandments: the Spirit com prehends in love the character of the law but does not fidfill the law in the reduc tion to the commandment of love but fulfiUs, rather, by love the entire law (Gal 5, 13-6,10; Rom 8,1-11). The presence of the Spirit cannot be reconciled with the transgression of the law (ICor 6 , 1 2 - 2 0 ) . Thus, Paul relates the Spirit and the law in a way which links the fulfilment of the law with the presence o f the Spirit in the church: the reality of the Spirit is presented as fulfilment of the law b y and in love (cL ThLZ 1 0 7 / 1 9 8 2 , cols.633L). 4 4 7 CL W. Schrage, o.c., p.85 w h o asserts that "das intra nos schiitzt den neuen Ge horsam vor einem bloB formalen Legalismus gegeniiber dem aufieren Gebot; das extra nos aber bewahrt ihn vor einer schwarmerischen Unmittelbarkeit, die sich v o n allem Horen auf Gottes G e b o t e entbunden glaubt". 4 4 8 On the indicative-imperative relation cf. also supra, § 16.1.3., and generally HM. Schenke, Das Verhaltnis von Indikativ und Imperativ bei Paulus, Diss. Berlin, 1956 (not available); V.P. Furnish, Theology, pp. 2 2 4 - 2 2 7 ; H. Ridderbos, PauA pp. 2 5 3 - 2 5 8 ; O. Merk, Handeln, p p . 3 4 4 1 ; W.D. Dennison, "Indicative and Imperative: The Basic Structure of Pauline Ethics", CThJ 14 ( 1 9 7 9 ) 5 5 - 7 8 ; J . F . Collange, £tAique, p p . 2 5 - 2 7 ; T J . Deidun, Morality, p p . 2 3 9 - 2 4 3 ; H.H. Schade, Christologie, pp. 1 5 4 - 1 5 6 ; W. Schrage, Ethik. p p . 1 5 6 - 1 6 1 ; U. SchneUe, Gerechtigkeit, pp. 103-106.
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i n d i c a t i v e t o full r e a l i z a t i o n . T h e r e l a t i o n of indicative a n d i m p e r a tive is d e t e r m i n e d b y t h e p r e s e n t salvation-historical s i t u a t i o n as t h e y b o t h r e p r e s e n t t h e ' a l r e a d y ' a n d t h e ' n o t y e t ' . It seems t o b e clear for P a u l , h o w e v e r , t h a t w h e n t h e i m p e r a t i v e is n o t ' m e t ' , t h e i n d i c a t i v e c a n n o t b e e x i s t e n t either**^. T h u s , t h e i m p e r a t i v e im plies t h e a s p e c t of h u m a n , or r a t h e r C h r i s t i a n , r e s p o n s i b i l i t y . This leads us t o t h e n e x t a n d final s e c t i o n .
16.3. Guiding Criteria: T h e Wisdom Aspect 16.3.1. Introduction. T h e C h r i s t i a n , a c c o r d i n g t o Paul, is r e s p o n sible for his specific c o n d u c t in e v e r y d a y life. This r e s p o n s i b i l i t y has t w o a s p e c t s : h e is r e s p o n s i b l e t o o b e y t h e b i n d i n g n o r m s of t h e C h r i s t i a n e t h o s , a n d h e is r e s p o n s i b l e t o realize a n d i m p l e m e n t this o b e d i e n c e specifically a n d c o n c r e t e l y in e v e r y d a y Hfe. A n d it is this s e c o n d a s p e c t w h i c h a c c o u n t s for t h e f r e e d o m in Paul's e t h i c . Paul did n o t describe a n d p r e s c r i b e t h e w a y in w h i c h every C h r i s t i a n s h o u l d b e h a v e d i f f e r e n t l y in c e r t a i n c i r c u m s t a n c e s . T h e r e a r e differences r e l a t e d t o c r e a t i o n a l a n d e a r t h l y c o n d i t i o n s (e.g. t h e difference b e t w e e n m a l e a n d female, m a r r i e d a n d single, m a s t e r s a n d slaves). T h e r e are differences r e l a t e d t o t h e specific e x i s t e n t i a l s i t u a t i o n s . A n d t h e r e are differences r e l a t e d t o t h e c h a r i s m a t i c gifts (e.g. t h e c h a r i s m a of celibacy! )*^^. T h e s e different s i t u a t i o n s a n d c o n d i t i o n s are n e i t h e r all n o r t o t a l l y r e g u l a t e d (cf. I C o r 7 , 2 5 ! ) . Different w a y s of c o n d u c t a n d different decisions c o n c e r n i n g t h e same m a t t e r are possible (cf. 1 C o r 6 , 1 - 8 ; 7,1-40). Personal advice {yvdjun) is valuable ( I C o r 1,10; 7 , 2 5 . 4 0 ; 2 C o r 8 , 1 0 ) , b u t - a n d this is very clearly i m p l i e d for Paul h e r e — t h e p e r s o n a l , r e s p o n s i b l e decision is n e c e s s a r y . T h i s is es pecially o b v i o u s in Paul's t r e a t m e n t of t h e r e l a t i o n b e t w e e n t h e 'strong' and the 'weak' (Rom 14-15; ICor 8-10): the personal, r e s p o n s i b l e d e c i s i o n of t h e individual is of p a r a m o u n t i m p o r t a n c e , a n d t h e p o s s i b i h t y of materiedly differing decisions is basically acknowledged. This ethical plurality obviously cannot be a p p h e d
4 4 9 Emphasized by W. Schrage, o.c, p . 1 6 0 , foUowing E. Kasemann, "Gottesgerech tigkeit bei Paulus", Exegetische Versuche und Besinnungen, 2 , p. 188. 4 5 0 See generaUy W. Schrage, Einzelgebote, p p . 1 4 1 - 1 4 6 ; idem, Ethik, p p . 1 8 2 - 1 8 4 .
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t o a n y - a n d e v e r y t h i n g b u t o n l y t o areas of life w h e r e t h e funda m e n t a l n o r m s a n d c o m m a n d m e n t s of t h e C h r i s t i a n e t h o s are n o t affected a n d w h e r e t h e believer t h e r e f o r e has t h e mandatum concretissimum. T h e r e a h t y of c h u r c h discipline s h o w s t h a t s o m e limits are n o t n e g o t i a b l e , i.e. t h e y are a b s o l u t e . We suggest t h a t (1) this p e r s o n a l f r e e d o m in t h e r e a l m of t h e Christian e t h i c can b e u n d e r s t o o d , p a r t l y , o n t h e b a c k g r o u n d of t h e J e w i s h w i s d o m t r a d i t i o n , a n d (2) t h e f a c t u a l i t y of f r e e d o m a n d s i m u l t a n e o u s o b e d i e n c e t o b i n d i n g n o r m s can b e e x p l a i n e d , p a r t l y , o n t h e basis of t h e c o r r e l a t i o n of w i s d o m a n d l a w * ^ ' . S o m e scholars h a v e h i n t e d at t h e r e l a t i o n s h i p b e t w e e n e l e m e n t s , f o r m s , a n d p a r t s of Paul's parenesis a n d t h e w i s d o m tradition*^^ S o m e of t h e "classified m o t i v e s " w h i c h G r e c h lists for Paul's e t h i c * ^ ' — s u c h as t h e a p p e a l t o ' c o m m o n s e n s e ' ( I C o r 5 , 6 ; 6 , 1 2 ; 9 , 7 ; 1 1 , 1 5 - 1 6 ; 2 C o r 9 , 6 ; Col 3 , 2 1 ; 2 T h e s s 3 , 1 0 ) , t h e a p p e a l t o a sense of s h a m e ( I T h e s s 4 , 4 ; I C o r 1 1 , 6 ; 2 C o r 9 , 4 ; R o m 2,17ff. ; 1 6 , 1 7 - 1 8 ) , a n d social r e a s o n s ( I T h e s s 4 , 1 2 ; l C o r 7 , 4 ; R o m 1 3 , 1 - 6 ; Gal 5 , 1 5 ; Col 3,20-25) — are very similar t o , if n o t i d e n t i c a l w i t h , m o t i v a t i o n s in t h e w i s d o m l i t e r a t u r e . -Several i m p o r t a n t verses have t o b e p o i n t e d o u t w h i c h c o n f i r m , o n t h e t e r m i n o l o g i c a l level, t h e link b e t w e e n Paul's e t h i c a n d t h e
4 5 1 We say 'partly' because Paul's understanding of the Christian's position "in Christ" is relevant in these respects as well. M. Black thinks that the attempt to relate Paul's ethic to the correlation of wisdom and law is overstated and seems to claim t o o much {personal communication). However, we are still convinced that this correla tion provides a good basis for understanding the apparent paradoxicality of Paul's ethic which contains both normative-regulative aspects and elements of self-respon sibility. 4 5 2 As regards the catalogues of virtues and vices (Gal 5 , 1 9 - 2 3 ; also Eph 4,32-5,2; cf. also Rom 1,29-31; 1 3 , 1 3 ; ICor 5 , 1 0 - 1 1 ; 6,9-10; 2Cor 12,20-21; Col 3,5.8) see A. Vogtle, Die Tugend- und Lasterkataloge im Neuen Testament, 1936, pp.92ff.; H. Conzelmaim, "Paulus und die Weisheit", p . l 7 7 n.5; T. Heir, Naturrecht, pp.92f.; H.D. Betz, Galatians, p.282 (who, however, sees Hellenistic philosophy as the pri mary source). As regards the asyndetic sequences of poignant exhortations (IThess 5 , 1 2 - 2 2 ; 2Cor 1 3 , 1 1 ; Rom 12.9-21) see W. Schrage, £mze
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w i s d o m t r a d i t i o n . In I C o r 3 Paul t r e a t s t h e p r o b l e m a t i c divisions in t h e C o r i n t h i a n c h u r c h a n d declares as goal of a t r u l y C h r i s t i a n a t t i t u d e - w i t h t h e focus o n h u m a n o r , r a t h e r , b r o t h e r l y r e l a t i o n s — t h e yivotiai ao^pdc; ( 3 , 1 8 ) . In I C o r 6,5 Paul d e p l o r e s t h e fact t h a t n o b o d y in t h e c h u r c h is ao^dq e n o u g h t o deal w i t h lawsuits a m o n g b r o t h e r s . I n R o m 1 6 , 1 9 Paul c o m m e n d s t h e believers for b e i n g o b e d i e n t t o t h e L o r d a n d says t h a t h e w a n t s t h e m t o b e wise c o n c e r n i n g t h e g o o d {aoipovq elvat e k TO dyadov) and innocent a n d p u r e c o n c e r n i n g evil, o b v i o u s l y a r e f e r e n c e t o t h e e t h i c a l deci sions of C h r i s t i a n s . In Col 1,9-10 Paul p r a y s t h a t t h e believers will b e filled w i t h t h e p e r c e p t i o n of G o d ' s will (iiTiyi'oiai'; TOV deXrjuaTOc; avTOv) in all w i s d o m a n d spiritual u n d e r s t a n d i n g {iv irdon ao^ia KaC avveaet nvevfiaTiKfl) in o r d e r t h a t t h e y m a y Hve (n ep in arrj a at) a life w o r t h y of t h e L o r d , b e a r i n g fruit in every g o o d w o r k — w h i c h is clearly a n e t h i c a l c o n t e x t . I n C o l 1,28 Paul asserts t h a t his a d m o n i s h i n g (vovdeTeiv)
a n d t e a c h i n g (SiSdaKeiv)
was d o n e iv ndai]
oo^ig.
in
o r d e r t h a t every believer m a y a t t a i n p e r f e c t i o n in C h r i s t — t h u s linking w i s d o m a n d t h e C h r i s t i a n ethic*^*. S i m i l a r l y , Paul s t a t e s in C o l 3 , 1 6 t h a t it is t h e task of all believers t o t e a c h a n d a d m o n i s h e a c h o t h e r iv ndar] oo^ig.. In Col 4 , 5 (cf. E p h 5,15) h e stresses t h a t t h e C h r i s t i a n ' s b e h a v i o u r s h o u l d be c h a r a c t e r i z e d b y w i s d o m (ej' aoipia irepinaTeiTe), also t o w a r d n o n - C h r i s t i a n s . T h u s it c a n be a c c u r a t e l y s t a t e d w i t h S c h r a g e t h a t " V e r n u n f t u n d E i n s i c h t , Weisheit u n d E r k e n n t n i s spielen eine groBe RoUe in der p a u l i n i s c h e n E t h i k "*^^. O t h e r c o n c e p t i o n s w h i c h s h o w t h a t t h e P a u l i n e e t h i c is t o b e l i n k e d w i t h t h e w i s d o m t r a d i t i o n i n c l u d e t h e roles of r e a s o n a n d of m a n ' s c o n s c i e n c e . 16.3.2. Existing orders. T h e last area of b i n d i n g n o r m s w h i c h we discussed a b o v e was t h e realm of t h e existing o r d e r s of crea t i o n . We p o i n t e d o u t t h a t t h e s e o r d e r s a r e n o t seen as a b s o l u t e l y , i.e. for every C h r i s t i a n a n d in every s i t u a t i o n , b i n d i n g . T h e beUev-
4 5 4 Cf. J . Gnilka, Kolosserbrief. 1 9 8 0 , p . 1 0 3 : "Mahnung und Lehre geschehen in Weis heit, Damit ist im Sinn der alttestamentlichen Sophie die praktisch-ethische Zielsetzung e m e u t zu verstehen gegeben". Gnilka points out that the comparison with the Stoic ideal of the wise is not helpful here as the wisdom concept in Col is biblically determined (p.200 n.40).
455 W. Schrage, mife, p.l 8 8 .
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er's p o s i t i o n iv Kvplu^ implies a p o t e n t i a l a n d effective reserva t i o n a n d even c r i t i q u e of these o r d e r s , p a r t i c u l a r l y as regards t h e r e s p e c t of c o n v e n t i o n s . F o r this r e a s o n t h e s u b m i s s i o n t o existing o r d e r s of c r e a t i o n a n d of t h e w o r l d has t o be i n c l u d e d a m o n g t h e guiding criteria of C h r i s t i a n b e h a v i o u r . Paul's r e c e p t i o n of e l e m e n t s of t h e secular c o n t e m p o r a r y e t h i c , especially as regards his a t t i t u d e t o e x i s t i n g o r d e r s a n d conven t i o n s , reveals t h e C h r i s t i a n f r e e d o m , r o o t e d in t h e i n d i c a t i v e , w h i c h Paul p r o c l a i m s . B u t this f r e e d o m is also revealed in t h e w a y in w h i c h Paul p r e s e n t s t h e specific s u b m i s s i o n t o t h e s e received o r d e r s a n d c o n v e n t i o n s : as t h e y are n o t eo ipso a n d semper iden tical w i t h t h a t w h i c h is a p p r o p r i a t e " i n t h e L o r d " , t h e y are received w i t h p o t e n t i a l c r i t i q u e a n d reservation*^®. As t o t h e received ele m e n t s of t r a d i t i o n a l e t h i c s , t h e p r o c e s s of critical s e l e c t i o n a n d sifting gave a n e w C h r i s t i a n sense t o t h e various c o n c e p t s a n d t h o u g h t s - t h e " i n C h r i s t " is n o t a m e r e f o r m u l a ! - a n d o f t e n a l t e r e d even t h e i r c o n t e n t . T h e e x i s t i n g o r d e r s of c r e a t i o n ( m a r r i a g e , family, w o r k , etc.) are essential criteria, or in this case r a t h e r b i n d i n g n o r m s , for C h r i s t i a n c o n d u c t . T h e e x i s t i n g o r d e r s of the w o r l d , i.e. s o c i e t y ( s t a t e , social s t a t u s , p r o p e r t y , etc.) are basically t o b e s u b m i t t e d t o b y t h e C h r i s t i a n . T h e e x i s t i n g c o n v e n t i o n s r e g a r d i n g rd dyaddv ( I T h e s s 5 , 1 5 ; R o m 1 2 , 9 ; 1 3 , 3 ; 1 4 , 1 6 ; 1 5 , 2 ; 1 6 , 1 9 ; cf. Gal 6 , 6 ; R o m 1 2 , 2 ) , r d KadiJKOvTa ( R o m 1,28), r d Siaipepovra ( R o m 2 , 1 8 ; Phil 1,10), d-vriKev (Col 3 , 1 8 ; cf. Phlm 8 ) , ebdpeoToq (Col 3 , 2 0 ; R o m 1 2 , 2 ) , a n d dXq&r), aenvd, -npoaipiXfi, a n d ebifrina (Phil 4 , 8 ) are t o b e o b s e r v e d in t h e L o r d . T o d o t h a t p r o p e r l y " i n C h r i s t " is wisdom (Rom 16,19)! 16.3.3. The Spirit. Many scholars s e e m t o have w h a t a m o u n t s t o a n e n t h u s i a s t i c u n d e r s t a n d i n g of t h e Spirit. T h e y regard t h e Spirit as a d e q u a t e ethical guide m a k i n g e x t e r n a l n o r m s a n d c o n t r o l s s u p e r f l u o u s * " . We p o i n t e d o u t a b o v e ( § 1 6 . 2 . 1 . ) t h a t t h e Spirit does n o t invalidate t h e e x t e r n a l n o r m s a n d c o m m a n d m e n t s b u t t h a t h e is p r i m a r i l y t h e f o u n d a t i o n , l o c u s , a n d p o w e r of t h e Chri-
4 5 6 Cf. W. Schrage, o.c, p p . 1 8 9 - 1 9 2 ; idem, Einzelgebote. recht, pp. 116-133,211 -270 for further details. 457 Cf. supra, p.311 with n.396 for references.
p p . 2 0 1 - 2 0 9 ; T. Herr, Natur
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stian e x i s t e n c e (cf. § 1 6 . 1 . 4 . ) . Paul expresses this t h o u g h t w i t h t h e p h r a s e iv nvevtiari which has a local a n d an i n s t r u m e n t a l sense ( R o m 1,9; 2 , 2 9 ; 8 , 9 ; 1 4 , 1 7 ) . O n t h e o t h e r h a n d , Paul also uses t h e d a t . irvevnaTt w i t h o u t p r e p o s i t i o n (Gal 5 , 1 6 . 1 8 . 2 5 ; R o m 8 , 1 4 ; 2 C o r 1 2 , 1 8 ) , as well as t h e p h r a s e Kara nvevtia Ttepmareiv ( R o m 8 , 4 . 5 ) , w h i c h implies t h a t t h e Spirit is n o t o n l y t h e f o u n d a t i o n a n d p o w e r of t h e Chris t i a n life b u t also i n d i c a t e s t h e ' h o w ' of C h r i s t i a n behaviour*^*. T h u s , Paul refers t o t h e Spirit b o t h as f o u n d a t i o n o r p o w e r of t h e C h r i s t i a n e x p e r i e n c e a n d as s t a n d a r d of C h r i s t i a n c o n d u c t . Paul relates t h e l a t t e r a s p e c t , i.e. t h e r o l e of t h e Spirit as guiding c r i t e r i o n for d e c i s i o n s , t o w i s d o m {aoifiia), u n d e r s t a n d i n g (oii^eataiq) of t h e will of G o d (Col 1,9j Q ^ 4 5 9 -phat j h e Spirit h e l p s t h e C h r i s t i a n , t h o u g h n o t a u t o m a t i c a l l y ( n o t e t h e s c o p u s of p r a y e r in Col 1,9-12), t o d i s c e r n t h e will of G o d in o r d e r t o k n o w w h a t t o d o in specific c i r c u m s t a n c e s a n d h o w t o realize G o d ' s claim in e v e r y d a y life. T h e Spirit m a k e s t h e believer wise as t o his specific c o n d u c t . 16.3.4. Love. T h e P a u l i n e e v i d e n c e c o n c e r n i n g t h e role a n d t h e significance of dyd-nrt'^ can b e s t a t e d as follows*^'. First, it is r o o t e d in t h e love of G o d a n d in t h e life of Christ w h i c h was re vealed in t h e salvational mission a n d a c t i o n of Christ"**^ (cf. Gal 2 , 2 0 ; R o m 5 , 8 ; 8 , 3 2 - 3 7 . 3 9 ) . L o v e is l i n k e d w i t h t h e love of t h e Spirit ( R o m 1 5 , 3 0 ; 5,5) a n d is a fruit of t h e Spirit (Gal 5 , 2 2 ; cL
4 5 8 Cf. W. Schrage, Einzelgebote. p . 7 4 ; idem, Ethik, pp.167f. See U. Wilckens, Ro mer, 2 , 1 9 8 0 , p.l 29 w h o asserts regarding R o m 8.5" that Kara, in Paul's usage, designates the fundamental direction of (ethical) action. 4 5 9 Thus W. Schrage, Einzelgebote, p p . 9 2 f . , 1 6 3 . He states that "wo es Paulus u m die konkrete sittliche Entscheidung des Christen geht, verweist er nicht auf die Leitung des Geistes" (p.92) but rather to the renewed mind. 4 6 0 See generally C. Spicq, Agape dans le Nouveau Testament: Analyse des textes, EB, 3 vols., 3 l 9 6 6 (lit. in 1, p p . 3 1 7 - 3 4 2 ) , o n Paul cf. 1, p p . 2 0 8 - 3 1 5 ; 2, p p . 9 - 3 0 5 . On indairi in the extra-biblical literature see now O. Wischmeyer, "Agape in der auBerchristlichen Antike", ZNW 6 9 ( 1 9 7 8 ) 2 1 2 - 2 3 8 . For further literature cf. H. Schur mann, Orientierungen, p.96 n.29; G. Friedrich, ThWNT 1 0 / 2 ( 1 9 7 9 ) 9 4 8 - 9 5 1 ; G. Schneider, Art. "lridim">EWNT I ( 1 9 8 0 ) 19-21. 4 6 1 Following generally W. Schrage, Ethik, p p . 2 0 2 - 2 0 8 . 4 6 2 See generally K. Romaniuk, L'amour du Pere et du Fits dans la soteriologie Saint Paul, AnBibl 15A, 1 9 7 4 ; T . J . Deidun, Moratfty, 1 9 8 1 , p p . 1 3 7 - 1 4 8 .
de
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Col 1,8). T h u s , love is n o t a n a t u r a l h u m a n f a c u l t y b u t a salvational-pneumatic reality ( I C o r 13,8-13). S e c o n d , love h a s t o d o w i t h m o r a l c o n d u c t a n d w i t h specific w a y s of b e h a v i o u r (cf. I C o r 13,4-7 ; 2 C o r 8 , 7 - 8 . 1 1 ; R o m 1 2 , 9 ; 1 3 , 1 0 ) . Love is c o n c r e t e a n d specific since its s i n c e r i t y a n d genu ineness c a n b e t e s t e d ( 2 C o r 8 , 8 . 2 4 ) . L o v e is demonstrable*®'. T h i r d , love t h e r e f o r e is o r i e n t e d t o w a r d s o n e ' s n e i g h b o u r : t h e Srepoq ( R o m 1 3 , 8 ; cf. I C o r 1 0 , 2 4 ; 1 3 , 5 ) , thedXXijXoy?(IThess 3 , 1 2 ; 4 , 9 ; G a l 5 , 1 3 ; R o m 1 3 , 8 ) , t h e nXrjoiou ( R o m 1 3 , 9 - 1 0 ; 1 5 , 2 ) . F o u r t h , love is self-sacrifice n o t o n l y for G o d a n d Christ (Gal 2 , 2 0 ; R o m 5,6-11) b u t also for t h e Christian (Gal 2 , 2 0 ; Phil 2 , 4 ; I C o r 1 3 , 5 ) : it is paraUel t o bovXeveiv (Gal 5 , 1 3 ; I C o r 9 , 1 9 ) , StaKOueiu
(cf. 2 C o r 8,8 w i t h 8 , 1 9 - 2 0 ) , a n d (napa-)
Stdouai
iavrdv
(Gal 1,4; 2 , 2 0 ) . Love is t o give oneself. F i f t h , love is c o m m a n d e d in t h e c o n t e x t o f Paul's p a r e n e s i s (Gal 5 , 1 3 - 1 4 ; I C o r 1 4 , 1 ; 1 6 , 1 4 ; 2 C o r 8 , 2 4 ; R o m 1 3 , 8 - 1 0 ) . S i x t h , love is t h e basic p r i n c i p l e , o r t h e s u m m a r y , of t h e l a w (Gal 5 , 1 4 ; R o m 1 3 , 8 - 1 0 ) : it d o e s n o t replace t h e c o m m a n d m e n t s b u t is r a t h e r t h e c r i t e r i o n for t h e i r fulfilment*®*. L o v e is t h e con ditio sine qua non o f all Christian b e h a v i o u r w i t h o u t disclaiming t h e c o m m a n d m e n t s . W h e n t h e l a t t e r a r e u n d e r s t o o d as G o d ' s e t e r n a l l y valid a n d h e n c e n o r m a t i v e revelation a n d as finding t h e i r t r u e fulfilment i n a c t u a l a n d factual agape, t h e r e is n o d i c h o t o m y b e t w e e n l a w a n d l o v e . Love a c c o r d i n g t o Paul is t h e r e f o r e n o t (!) t h e t o t a l f o r m a l c o n t e n t of t h e Christian i m p e r a t i v e , t o t a l l y ex h a u s t i n g G o d ' s law*®^. T h i s c a n b e p r o v e d b y t h e following obser v a t i o n s : ( 1 ) t h e s t a t e m e n t s in b o t h I C o r 7,19 a n d in G a l 5,6 assert
4 6 3 Cf. W. Schrage, Einzelgebote, p . 2 5 1 arguing against R. Bultmann, "Das christliche Gebot der Nachstenliebe", Glaube und Verstehen, 1, pp.239f.; see also T. Holtz, "Frage", ThLZ 1 0 6 ( 1 9 8 1 ) 3 9 3 w h o emphasizes contra Bultmarm that love is not simply or only a state of mind, but is action. 4 6 4 Correctly H. Ridderbos,Paul, p . 2 8 2 ; similariy W. Schrage, o.c., p p . 2 5 6 , 2 6 8 - 2 7 1 ; idem, Ethik. p p . l 9 8 , 2 0 7 f . 4 6 5 Thus T.J. Deidun, Morality, p p . 8 5 - 1 0 3 . It is inconsistent when he insists that love does not replace the law and does not exclude particular ethical claims as the Chris tian is still liable to the claim of particular ethical demands (pp. 1 5 0 - 1 8 3 ) . Deidun is ambiguous, also, as regards the character of these ethical demands: he states that they differ formally totally from the precepts o f the Mosaic law but are (at the same time?) "substantially identical" with them ( p . l 8 7 ) . However, he correctly rejects the approach of situation ethics (pp.184f.).
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t h a t b o t h c i r c u m c i s i o n a n d u n c i r c u m c i s i o n are irrelevant since (dXXd) w h a t m a t t e r s in t h e life of t h e C h r i s t i a n is t h e k e e p i n g of t h e c o m m a n d m e n t s or, respectively, faith w h i c h is o p e r a t i v e t h r o u g h l o v e * * ; this m e a n s t h a t love is realized specifically b y ful filling t h e law; (2) even t h o u g h love o c c u r s often as a subjectm a t t e r in Paul's p a r e n e s i s , it is h a r d l y ever u s e d as s u b s t a n t i a t i o n of t h e exhortations**^ ; a n d (3) Paul d o e s n o t d i f f e r e n t i a t e o r d e fine sins o n t h e basis of t h e i r difference t o l o v e * ^ . S e v e n t h , as love fulfills t h e law, so love is also e x p r e s s e d in t h e r e s p e c t i n g of i n s t i t u t i o n s a n d c o n v e n t i o n s of t h e world*^^. E i g h t h , love is of c e n t r a l significance as regards t h e specific, i n d i v i d u a l e x h o r t a t i o n s a n d t h e i r r e a l i z a t i o n in a c t u a l life a n d con d u c t (cf. I C o r 13 in t h e c o n t e x t ; c f . t h e r e l a t i o n of t h e ' s t r o n g ' and the 'weak'). N i n t h , in c e r t a i n c i r c u m s t a n c e s love limits a n d t r a n s c e n d s ( n o t b r e a k s ! ) t r a d i t i o n a l o r d e r s a n d c o n v e n t i o n s (cf. I C o r 7 , 3 2 - 3 3 : c e l i b a c y ; I C o r 6 , 1 - 8 : r e n u n c i a t i o n of legal rights ; P h l m : slavery). T e n t h , love has a critical a n d creative p o t e n c y also in t h o s e areas in w h i c h Paul d o e s n o t specifically refer t o d-ydTrrj b u t w h e r e conflicts h a v e t o b e s e t t l e d a n d specific decisions t o b e m a d e (cf. I C o r 7 , 4 - 5 : s e x u a l i n t e r c o u r s e in m a r r i a g e ; I C o r 7 , 3 6 - 3 8 : engage m e n t ; cf. the r e l a t i o n b e t w e e n m a s t e r a n d slave). It is especially w i t h r e g a r d t o t h e last t w o p o i n t s t h a t love is crucially significant for t h e tackling of n e w (!) specific s i t u a t i o n s . T r u e C h r i s t i a n love leads t o k n o w l e d g e {iitiyvojoiq) a n d insight (aladrioiq) in d e c i d i n g h o w t o b e h a v e a n d c o n d u c t oneself in e v e r y d a y life (Phil 1,9-10), a n d gives w i s d o m [aotpia] for s e t t h n g crucial q u e s t i o n s ( I C o r 3 , 1 8 ) . L o v e m a k e s t h e believer act wisely!
16.3.5.
Reason
and discernment.
As regards t h e p e r c e p t i o n of
4 6 6 Cf. W. Schrage, Einzelgebote, p . 2 6 9 ; T. Holtz, "Frage", ThLZ 106 ( 1 9 8 1 ) 3 9 3 . On ICor 7,19 see § 15.2.4. 4 6 7 Pointed out by T. Holtz, a.c, p . 3 8 7 . He observes that the commandment of love is therefore n o t developed as motive but rather asspecific c o m m a n d m e n t ( p . 3 9 6 ) . C f . T.J. Deidun, o.c, p . 2 2 0 w h o asserts that "love, in itself, is not a sufficiently articu lated ethical norm for guiding the Christian in the manifold and often complex cir cumstances of daily life" (ibid.). 4 6 8 Cf. W. Schrage, o.c, p . 2 7 0 . 4 6 9 As. regards the last four points cf. W. Schrage, o.c, 204-207.
p p . 2 5 6 - 2 6 8 ; idem, Ethik,
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G o d ' s will in t h e h i e e t n u n c a n d of t h e p r o p e r w a y s of realizing G o d ' s will as revealed in t h e c o m m a n d m e n t s , Paul refers t h e believer also t o his c o g n i t i v e faculties. T h e e v i d e n c e is as f o h o w s . First, Paul uses t h e t e r m f O u i J e r e t f * ™ t o d e s c r i b e a n i m p o r t a n t a s p e c t of his p a r e n e s i s ; it can b e t r a n s l a t e d as " p u t t i n g in t h e right m i n d " (vow Ted^uai) a n d d e n o t e s t h e effort t o e n c o u r a g e o t h e r s t o refrain from w h a t is evil a n d t o d o w h a t is r i g h t * ^ ' . T h i s t e r m i n d i c a t e s t h a t Paul c o n s i d e r s t h e vovq to be significant for p r o p e r moral behaviour. S e c o n d , this is c o n f i r m e d b y t h e a c t u a l use of t h e t e r m voix; in p a r e n e t i c contexts*^^ A c c o r d i n g t o Paul m a n lives u n d e r t h e d o m i n i o n of t h e a d p ? w h i c h results in a c o r r u p t vobq (cf. R o m 1,28; C o l 2 , 2 8 ) . This is e v i d e n c e d b y c o r r u p t voiitiaTa (2Cor 3,14; 4,4) and an antagonistic relationship with God's law ( R o m 7,23.25). T h e radical r e n e w a l of m a n b y Christ also affects t h e vobq: e v e r y poqiia is m a d e o b e d i e n t t o Christ ( 2 C o r 1 0 , 5 ) , a n d t h e vovq is re n e w e d ( R o m 1 2 , 2 ; cf. Col 3 , 1 0 ) . The statement in Rom 12,2 is especiaUy sigmficant**73. T h e reference to the crucial function of the renewed mind belongs to the introductory m o t t o of Paul's parenesis in R o m . The appUcation of the human functions of perception, in obedience to Christ, is vital for the discernment of God's wiU in specific situations and thus for the Christian's conduct in everyday life. Every believer is to be fuUy convinced in his wou<; as to the propriety of his actions as a Christian ( R o m 14,5).
T h i r d , Paul describes t h e f u n c t i o n of t h e uovq in R o m 12,2 as SoKi^d^eiv. T h i s t e r m is o f t e n u s e d b y Paul*^* a n d plays an im p o r t a n t role in p a r e n e t i c c o n t e x t s ( I T h e s s 5 , 2 1 ; G a l 6 , 2 - 5 ; R o m 2 , 1 8 ; 1 2 , 2 ; 1 4 , 2 2 - 2 3 ; Phil 1,9-11 ;cf. E p h 5 , 8 - 1 0 ; T i t 1,15-16). T h e believers are to be able t o r e c o g n i z e , t o discern, a n d t o d e c i d e in specific s i t u a t i o n s w h a t t h e will of G o d is a n d h o w t h e y s h o u l d t h e r e f o r e b e h a v e . T h e SoKi/udfeo.' is b o t h " D e n k - u n d I ^ b e n s a k t ...
4 7 0 Cf. IThess 5 , 1 2 . 1 4 ; 2 T h e s s ' 3 , 1 5 ; ICor 4 , 1 4 ; R o m 1 5 , 1 4 ; Col 1,28; 3 , 1 6 ; (cf. also Acts 2 0 , 3 1 ! ) ; the noun vov^eala occurs in ICor 1 0 , 1 1 ; Eph 6,4; Tit 3 , 1 0 . 471 Cf. C.E.B. Cranfield, Romans, 2, p . 7 5 3 n.3. 4 7 2 Cf. W. Schrage, Einzelgebote, p p . 1 6 3 - 1 7 4 ; K.iev/ett, Paul's Anthropological Terms. AGAJU 10, 1 9 7 1 , p p . 3 6 7 - 3 9 0 . 4 7 3 On R o m 12,1-2 cf. C. Evans, "Romans 12,1-2: The True Worship", Z)imerw»'oni la vie chretienne, 1 9 7 9 , pp.7-33 w h o , however, contributes no insights which might be relevant for our concerns here. 4 7 4 Cf. G. Therrien, Le discemement dans les ecrits Pauliniens, EB, 1 9 7 3 , p p . 6 3 - 2 3 6 (exegetical), 239-301 (thematic).
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er aufiert sich als kritisches U n t e r s c h e i d e n (Priifen) wie als praktisches B e w a h r e n eines E r k e n n e n s " * ^ ^ . It implies n o r m s a n d stan d a r d s a n d is r e l a t e d t o e x p e r i e n c e . It is i m p o r t a n t t o n o t e t h a t Paul h i m s e l f links S o K i i i d ^ e i D b o t h w i t h G o d ' s c o m m a n d m e n t s ( R o m 2 , 1 8 ) a n d w i t h w i s d o m ( R o m 1,18; Phil 1,9-10)*^^. F o u r t h , a final t e r m of r a t i o n a l p e r c e p t i o n used in a p a r e n e t i c c o n t e x t is Xoyi^eadai (Phil 4 , 8 ) w h i c h d e n o t e s t h e reflection u p o n , a n d e v a l u a t i o n of, w h a t is the a p p r o p r i a t e a t t i t u d e a n d ac t i o n in C h r i s t i a n c o n d u c t . F i f t h , r a t i o n a l t h i n k i n g a n d d i s c e r n m e n t of G o d ' s will d o n o t o c c u r in a v a c u u m : Paul sees t h e m l i n k e d w i t h t h e c o n t e x t of t h e c h u r c h (cf. § 1 6 . 1 . 5 . ) a n d as a p h e n o m e n o n w h i c h is c o n t r o l l e d b y t h e Spirit ( I C o r 1 2 , 8 ; Col 1,9), w h i c h is a n e x p r e s s i o n of love (Phil 1,9-10) a n d faith ( P h l m 6 ) , a n d w h i c h is l i n k e d viath p r a y e r (cf. Phil 1,9-10 a n d C o l 1,9 a n d t h e respective c o n t e x t s ) . P r o p e r dis c e r n m e n t is m a n ' s r e s p o n s i b i l i t y ( n o t e t h e i m p e r a t i v e s in I C o r 1 4 , 3 7 ; I T h e s s 5 , 2 1 ; Phil 4 , 8 ) b u t at t h e s a m e t i m e d e p e n d e n t u p o n G o d ( n o t e t h e passive in Col 1,9)**^^. T h e e p i s t e m o l o g i c a l p o t e n c y of m a n ' s p e r c e p t i o n is n o t absolute*''^.
4 7 5 G. Schunack. Art. "6oKWidfa>", EWNT 1 (1980) 8 2 6 . J . D . G . Dunn, Jesus and the Spirit, pp.233f. is not entirely clear in his definition of SoKiiidiew in Paul's parene sis: he takes the word to mean "to test, and if the test warrants it, to approve" (p. 2 3 3 foUowing C.K. Barrett, Romans, p . l 0 4 ) , and then goes o n to assert that the word does not mean testing by some norm or standard but denotes rather "a spon taneous awareness of what is God's wUl in the concrete situation . . . and a recogni tion and approval of that wiU as good, acceptable and perfect". If Durm defines SoKifioiew as he does, he should reckon with norms and standards on the basis of which the testing and the approving take place! It is inconsistent to reject such standards without giving any reasons, simply (re-) defiiting the verb as "spontan eous awareness" and correlating this awareness with the recognition and approval of one's moral decision as the acceptable will of God. Re-cognition as "the mental process of identifying what has been known belore"(Shorter Oxford English Dic tionary, p . l 764) and approval also presuppose some sort of standard! 4 7 6 The contrast which Dunn sees between Rom 2,18 — the J e w mzUtes moral distinc tions and decisions on the basis of the law — and Rom 12,2 — the Christian makes ethical decisions on the basis of the renewal of his mind (o.c, p.223) is certainly not a law/Spirit antithesis: ( I ) these t w o passages are not related to each other and belong to different contexts; (2) R o m 12,2 does not refer to the Spirit at all; (3) R o m 2,18 is not a polemical critique of what the J e w is doing 'in theory' but orUy of what he is doing in practice; (4) Paul accepts the validity and authority of God's revealed law in other passages (cf. § 16.2.2). See further infra. 4 7 7 Cf. W. Schrage, Einzelgebote, p.l 6 8 . 4 7 8 Cf. T. Hen, Naturrecht, pp.l70f.
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S i x t h , t h e o b j e c t a n d c o n t e n t of t h e b e h e v e r ' s r a t i o n a l discern m e n t is t h e will of G o d ( R o m 1 2 , 2 ; C o l l,9),TdbiaipipovTa (Rom 2 , 8 ; Phil 1,10), t h e n e e d s of t h e m o m e n t (Phil 4 , 8 - 9 ) . T h e c o n t e n t of d i s c e r n m e n t is n o t identical w i t h t h e axrifia of this w o r l d ( R o m 1 2 , 2 ) . T h e n u m e r o u s uses of itdq in this specific c o n t e x t ( R o m 1 2 , 2 ; Phil 1,9; C o l 1 , 9 - 1 0 ; 4 , 1 2 ; P h l m 6) i n d i c a t e t h a t t h e believer's d i s c e r n m e n t is relevant a n d crucial for t h e c o n t i n u o u s a n d progres sive c o n c r e t i z a t i o n of G o d ' s will in e v e r y d a y life a n d in m i n o r m a t t e r s . T h e s a m e t h o u g h t is e x p r e s s e d b y xht iiaXKov KaXptdWov in Phil 1,9 a n d b y t h e -fiiiipa Kai fniipq. i n 2 C o r 4 , 1 6 as weU as b y t h e i m p . p r a e s . in R o m 12,2 (cf. I C o r 1 3 , 9 ) * ^ ^ S e v e n t h , for Paul t h e r e is n o conflict or c o n t r a s t b e t w e e n o b e d i e n c e to t h e e x p l i c i t l y revealed a n d s t a t e d c o m m a n d m e n t s a n d n o r m s of G o d a n d t h e a l w a y s fresh effort t o discern G o d ' s specific will. This m e a n s t h a t t h e searching reason of t h e C h r i s t i a n is n o t (!) p a r t i c u l a r l y relevant for t h e s u b s t a n t i a t i o n of C h r i s t i a n m o r a l b e h a v i o u r * * " , since it never provides t h e final w o r d in q u e s t i o n s of C h r i s t i a n life-style, n o r cancels o r invalidates G o d ' s n o r m s a n d c o m m a n d m e n t s , n o r is it relevant for d i s c e r n i n g a n d d e c i d i n g basic m o r a l q u e s t i o n s , as t h e s e h a v e b e e n d e c i d e d a l r e a d y in G o d ' s e t e r n a l l y valid revelation**'. T h e believer's r e a s o n is revelant for q u e s t i o n s of m i n o r i m p o r t a n c e a n d for d e c i d i n g h o w ( n o t w h e t h e r ! ) t h e b i n d i n g n o r m s of, a n d t h e g u i d i n g criteria for, m o r a l b e h a v i o u r are t o b e realized in actu. T h e use of o n e ' s cognitive faculties w h i c h have b e e n a n d are still being r e n e w e d b y G o d is crucial since t h e k n o w l e d g e of G o d ' s will is o n l y in p a r t ( I C o r 1 3 , 9 ) , a n d since m a n y n e w s i t u a t i o n s arise in life in w h i c h t h e a p p l i c a t i o n a n d realization of G o d ' s n o r m s is n o t i m m e d i a t e l y self-evident**^. Wisdom is r e q u i r e d in o r d e r t o m a k e a p p r o p r i a t e decisions in this c o n t e x t (Phil 1 , 9 - 1 0 ; R o m 1 5 ,
4 7 9 Cf.W. Schrage, o . c , p p . 1 6 8 - 1 7 2 . 4 8 0 Contra e.g. R. Hasenstab, Modelle, p p . 1 9 0 - 2 0 3 for w h o m the human KapSia and roOi; are "Organe der Selbstgesetzgebung" ( p . l 9 2 ) . 481 Cf. W. Schrage, Einzelgebote, pp.165,172f.; idem, Ethik, p p . 1 8 8 , 2 0 8 . 4 8 2 We cannot agree with W. Schrage, o . c , p . 2 0 8 when he states that new situations are "nur durch die von der Liebe geleitete Vemunft zu bewaltigen". According to Paul, the believer has the primary norm of God's revelation in the OT, in Christ, and through the apostle, as well as the secondary guiding criteria of the orders and conventions of creation and the world, and of the Spudt, which will also, apart from love, enable his mind and reason to make the right decisions.
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1 4 ; cf. I C o r 6 , 5 ) . P r o p e r use of t h e believer's vov<; enables h i m t o m a k e wise decisions b a s e d o n k n o w l e d g e a n d p e r c e p t i o n . 16.3.6. The conscience. Paul's use of t h e t e r m avveibriaiq^^ pre s u p p o s e s a m e a n i n g of t h e t e r m w h i c h is similar t o t h e Hellenistic ( p o p u l a r ) usage: it d e n o t e s s e l f - e x a m i n a t i o n , t h e critical self-reflec t i o n of the ego of m a n , t h e ' I n s t a n z ' a n d t r i b u n a l w h i c h o c c a s i o n s t h e recognitio sui "als n a c h t r a g l i c h e S e l b s t p r i i f u n g u n d R e f l e x i o n , die auf eine N o r m b e z o g e n i s t " * ^ . T h e c o n s c i e n c e ' s f u n d a m e n t a l r e f e r e n c e t o a n o r m — for Paul t h e revealed will of G o d in t h e S c r i p t u r e s , in C h r i s t , t h r o u g h t h e a p o s t l e s , a n d in t h e o r d e r s of c r e a t i o n — a n d t h e s e q u e n t i a l s u b s e q u e n c e of its o p e r a t i o n s h o w t h a t t h e c o n s c i e n c e is n o t eo ipso, m a t e r i a l l y , t h e voice of G o d a n d t h e r e f o r e d o e s n o t possess t h e u l t i m a t e or a u t a r c h i c a u t h o r i t y as regards e t h i c a l decisions (cf. I C o r 4,4!)*®^. I n Paul's parenesis t h e c o n s c i e n c e is n o t r e l a t e d p r i m a r i l y t o k n o w i n g G o d ' s will*^^ b u t t o m a n ' s c o n s c i o u s n e s s of being b l a m e less b e f o r e God*^^. P a u l clearly distinguishes b e t w e e n t h e r e q u i r e -
4 8 3 Cf. Rom 2,15; 9 , 1 ; 13,5; ICor 8 , 7 . 1 0 . 1 2 ; 1 0 , 2 5 . 2 7 . 2 8 . 2 9 . 2 9 ; 2Cor 1,12; 4 , 2 ; 5 , 1 1 ; cf. also Acts 2 3 , 1 ; 2 4 , 1 6 ; ITim 1,5.19; 3,9; 4 , 2 ; 2Tim 1,3; Tit 1,15; Cf. M.E. Thrall, "The Pauline Use of XvvelSrioK", NTS 14 ( 1 9 6 7 / 6 8 ) 1 1 8 - 1 2 5 ; R . J e w e t t , Paul's Anthropological Terms, p p . 4 0 2 - 4 4 6 ; H.J. Eckstein, Der Begriff Syneidesis bei Paulus, Diss.theol. Tiibingen, 1 9 7 9 , p p . 1 4 4 - 3 4 1 ; also J . Stelzenberger, Syneidesis im Neuen Testament, 1 9 6 1 ; P. Hilsberg, "Das Gewissen im Neuen Testament", Theologische Versuche 9 ( 1 9 7 7 ) 145-160; H. Chadwick, Art. "Gewissen", i ? ^ C 1 0 ( 1 9 7 8 ) 1 0 2 5 - 1 1 0 7 ; G . L u d e m a n n , Art. "oufetenot-r", EWNT i (1983) 7 2 1 - 7 2 5 . 4 8 4 W. Schrage, Ethik, p . l 8 5 referring to Seneca, De Ira 3 , 3 6 . Paul probably adopted the term from Hellenistic Judaism: Philo (Decal 87) has a similar understanding of conscience as Seneca and as Paul (cf. R o m 2,15).SeefurtherC.Maurer, Art. "cnipoifia KTX", ThWNT 7 ( 1 9 6 4 ) 8 9 7 - 9 1 8 ; H. Ridderbos, Paul, p . 2 8 8 ; U. Wilckens, Romer, I, p . 1 3 9 ; H.J. Eckstein, Begriff, p p . l l 7 - I 2 1 , 1 2 6 - 1 3 8 , 3 3 8 - 3 4 1 . R. J e w e t t , Pau/'j Anthropological Terms, p p . 4 2 1 - 4 3 2 , 4 3 6 believes that the term ovveldriaK was in troduced into Christian theology not by Paul but by the Corinthians. He agrees that the conscience, in parenetic contexts, "plays an active role only after the deed" (p.440). 4 8 5 Contra e.g. R. Schnackenburg, Moral Teaching, pp.293f.; R. Hasenstab, Modelle, p p . 1 9 5 - 1 9 8 (for w h o m the conscience is the witness of autonomy which controls the realization of the imperatives established by KapSia and foix;); B. Gerhardsson, Ethos, p . 8 2 . See W. Schrage, Einzelgebote. p . l 5 3 ; T. Herr, Naturrecht, p . l 6 2 ; H. Ridderbos, o . c , p . 2 9 2 ; T J . Deidun, Afora/ity, p p . l 6 I f . ; W. Schrage, Ethik, pp.I85f. 4 8 6 Cf. W. Schrage, Einzelgebote, p . l 5 3 ; H . Ridderbos, o . c . p . 2 9 2 ; P. HUsberg, "Gewis sen", 1 9 7 7 , p.l 55 stating that "bei der Frage: Was soUen wir tun? spieU im N T das Gewissen kaum eine Rolle". 4 8 7 Cf. H. Ridderbos, ibid. (cf. p p . 2 8 9 - 2 9 2 for a careful exegesis of the relevant pas-
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m e n t of G o d a n d t h e v e r d i c t of t h e c o n s c i e n c e ( I C o r 8 , 7 - 8 ; 1 0 , 2 5 2 7 ; cf. R o m 1 4 , 1 4 ) . T h e c o n s c i e n c e is n o t s i m p l y t h e t r i b u n a l w h i c h e n a b l e s t h e C h r i s t i a n to k n o w t h e wiU of G o d in his e t h i c a l decisions*** b u t t h e t r i b u n a l " w h i c h in these decisions r e m i n d s h i m of t h e j u d g m e n t of G o d a n d of t h e n e c e s s i t y in t h e m of p r e serving inviolate b e f o r e t h e j u d g m e n t of G o d t h e l i b e r t y w r o u g h t b y Christ"**^. O n e s h o u l d n o t e in this c o n t e x t t h a t Paul h n k s s t a t e m e n t s o n t h e c o n s c i e n c e o c c a s i o n a h y w i t h e s c h a t o l o g i c a l is sues ( R o m 2 , 1 2 - 1 6 ; 1 3 , 5 ; I C o r 4 , 4 - 5 ) . In the context of the dispute between the 'strong' and the 'weak' over the question of the legitimacy of eating sacrificial meat in ICor 8 , 1 - 1 3 ; 10,23-11,1 Paul is con cerned to shift the emphasis from an abstract, impersonal conscience to the respect for and consideration of the brother w h o possesses a c o n s c i e n c e * ^ . Paul was con vinced that the conscience can and must be educated - contra the 'weak' w h o re garded the conscience virtually as a superior being which should not be touched but that this education was possible otJy indirectly - contra the 'strong' w h o believed that the conscience could be transformed by the simple infusion of gnosis. The neces sary change of the conscience can be achieved orJy through the transformation of the Christian's personality.
C o n s e q u e n t l y t h e r e are t w o m a i n factors w h i c h are of funda m e n t a l i m p o r t a n c e a c c o r d i n g t o Paul. (1) T h e c o n s c i e n c e p r e s u p poses a n d f u n c t i o n s in t h e c o n t e x t of p r i m a r y n o r m s a n d stan d a r d s . T h e criteria for t h e m o r a l b e h a v i o u r of t h e C h r i s d a n ( a n d of t h e n o n - C h r i s t i a n , cf. R o m 2 , 1 5 ! ) is G o d ' s claim revealed in t h e law ( R o m 2 , 1 5 ) a n d in t h e o r d e r s of c r e a t i o n ( R o m 1 3 , 5 ) a n d de m a n d e d in t h e c o m m a n d m e n t of love ( I C o r 8 , 1 2 ) . (2) T h e sec o n d a r y o p e r a t i o n of t h e c o n s c i e n c e has a t e s t i n g a n d reviewing f u n c t i o n as regards o n e ' s e t h i c a l d e c i s i o n . T h e c o n s c i e n c e critically c o n t r o l s t h e b e h a v i o u r , i.e. t h e p r a c t i c a l r e a l i z a t i o n of t h e n o r m s , b y c o m p a r i n g it w i t h t h e l a t t e r . If this h a p p e n s / J O J ? eventum, the f u n c t i o n of t h e c o n s c i e n c e is o n e of e v a l u a t i o n a n d self-judgment. If it h a p p e n s ante eventum (cf. R o m 1 3 , 5 ! ) , i t b e c o m e s , stih in
sages); also T.J. Deidun, o.c, p.162 asserting "a human (hence fallible) power of reflecting upon and assessing the goodness or badness of one's o w n conduct". It should be noted here that Philo's conception of the conscience belongs to the c o n t e x t o f the doctrine of man's struggle against sin; cf. C. Maurcr, a.c, pp.910f. 4 8 8 Similarly Philo does not really reckon with a (positively) guiding function of the conscience. Cf. C. Maurer, in ThWNT 7 ( 1 9 6 4 ) 9 1 1 . 4 8 9 H. Ridderbos, Paul, p . 2 9 2 . 4 9 0 For these observations cf. particularly J . Murphy-O'Connor, "Freedom of the Ghetto", 1 9 8 I , p p . 3 0 - S 2 .
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t h e c o n t e x t of t h e p r i m a r y s t a n d a r d s , a c r i t e r i o n for m o r a l a c t i o n . It is w i t h regard t o t h e s e c o n d case t h a t o n e can say t h a t t h e c o n s c i e n c e e s t a b h s h e s t h e r e s p o n s i b i l i t y of m a n as t o his a c t i o n s in e v e r y d a y life*^'. A l t h o u g h it seems t h a t n o b o d y a t t e m p t e d t o h n k t h e f u n c t i o n of t h e c o n s c i e n c e in Paul t o t h e w i s d o m t r a d i t i o n , this seems t o b e n e v e r t h e l e s s possible: (1) In I C o r 4 , 4 ; 2 C o r 1,12; 4 , 2 ; 5 , l l ; R o m 2 , 1 5 ; 9,1 Paul uses ovveibr]oi<; in the sense of eXe7XO
491 Cf. U. WUckens, Romer, 1, p . 1 3 8 w h o defines the conscience as a whole as "die Instanz im I n n e m des Menschen, die seine VerantwortUchkeit begriindet und je und je wahmimmt". When WUckens states that the conscience is the representative of God's wdU in man (Uaid.), he impUcitly quaUfics his definition of conscience: man's responsibiUty is surely not established b y his conscience per se but by God's claim of which the conscience is a witness. 4 9 2 Cf. C. Maurer, in ThWNT 7 ( 1 9 6 4 ) 915f. 4 9 3 Cf. C. Maurcr, a . c , p . 9 1 1 . 4 9 4 Cf. U. WUckens, o.c, p p . 1 3 3 - 1 3 5 ; disputed by E. Kasemann. Romer, p.59. See further supra, p.319. 4 9 5 See supra, § 4 . 2 . 1 . , 4 . 4 . 1 . (Ben Sira), § 10.5.2., 1 1 . 3 . 2 . , 1 2 . 2 . 1 . (Qumran), and p. 1 6 4 with n n . 3 7 6 / 3 7 7 for references and analyses. 4 9 6 C. Maurer, in ThWNT 7 ( 1 9 6 4 ) 9 1 5 ; also C.E.B. Cranfield, Romans, WUckens, Romer, 3 , p.36.
2, p . 6 6 8 ; U.
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e n t . As t h e o r d e r s of c r e a t i o n derive essentially a n d orginally from sapiential t h e o l o g y , c o n s c i e n c e is again r e l a t e d w i t h w i s d o m . T h u s , t h e basis of t h e c o n s c i e n c e in G o d ' s universally revealed l a w / w i s d o m , t h e m o t i v a t i o n of t h e c o n s c i e n c e b y G o d ' s o r d e r s of c r e a t i o n , a n d t h e f u n c t i o n of t h e c o n s c i e n c e diS critical self-evadua t i o n a n d self-judgment as t o o n e ' s m o r a l c o n d u c t establishes a n essential link b e t w e e n t h e c o n s c i e n c e a n d l a w / w i s d o m w h i c h c o m e from G o d . T o have a clear a n d g o o d c o n s c i e n c e is t o a c t in a c c o r d a n c e w i t h G o d ' s law a n d in h a r m o n y w i t h G o d ' s wise o r d e r s . 16.3.7. Admonitory teaching. T h e very fact t h a t Paul p r o v i d e s m o t i v a t i o n s in his parenesis s h o w s t h a t h e w a n t s u n d e r s t a n d i n g a n d n o t b l i n d obedience*^^. T h i s c o i n c i d e s w i t h t h e c o n c e r n of t h e J e w i s h w i s d o m a d m o n i t i o n s . T h e link b e t w e e n Paul's p a r e n e sis as t e a c h i n g (SiSdoKeii') a n d a d m o n i s h i n g (povdeTeiu) a n d wis d o m (aodia) is e x p r e s s l y s t a t e d in Col 1,28; 3 , 1 6 . 16.3.8. Summary. We d e h n e a t e d in this s e c t i o n t h e criteria w h i c h guide t h e believer, a c c o r d i n g t o Paul, in t h e o n g o i n g p r o c e s s of i m p l e m e n t i n g a n d realizing in concrete a n d in actu t h e b i n d i n g n o r m s of t h e C h r i s t i a n e t h o s in t h e c o n t e x t of its b r o a d m o t i v a t i o n a l f o u n d a t i o n . We established t h a t t h e individual's responsi bility a n d f r e e d o m in this realm of t h e p r a c t i c a l a n d specific reaU z a t i o n of t h e Christian e t h i c in e v e r y d a y life c a n be Unked w i t h f u n d a m e n t a l c o n c e p t s of w i s d o m t h e o l o g y . T h e C h r i s t i a n is t o live in h a r m o n y w i t h G o d ' s o r d e r s of crea t i o n a n d is t o foUow, basicaUy, t h e existing c o n v e n t i o n s . T o d o so is, in Paul's e y e s , f u n d a m e n t a l l y a n d essentiaUy w i s d o m (cf. R o m 1 6 , 1 9 ) . In w i s d o m t h e o l o g y t h e o r d e r s of c r e a t i o n are t h e e x p r e s sion of divine w i s d o m , a n d h u m a n c o n v e n t i o n s are t h e manifesta t i o n of e x p e r i e n t i a l w i s d o m . As Christ is t h e w i s d o m of G o d , t h e C h r i s t i a n is e n a b l e d t o r e s p e c t these o r d e r s a n d c o n v e n t i o n s . Paul d o e s n o t s t a t e this expUcitly, b u t t h e validity of this c o n c l u s i o n c o n c e r n i n g t h e t h e o l o g i c a l or r a t h e r christological basis of t h e be liever's r e l a t i o n s h i p w i t h c r e a t i o n a n d t h e w o r l d a n d its o r d e r s a n d c o n v e n t i o n s is e v i d e n t .
4 9 7 Cf. O. Merk, Handeln,
p . 2 3 2 ; W. Schrage, Ethik,
p.187.
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T h e C h r i s t i a n is n o t o n his o w n in t h e effort t o m a k e t h e right d e c i s i o n s in e v e r y d a y life. T h e Spirit of G o d w h o has b e e n given t o h i m grants t h e believer w i s d o m a n d u n d e r s t a n d i n g so t h a t h e c a n k n o w a n d discern G o d ' s will in specific s i t u a t i o n s a n d m a k e p r o p e r e t h i c a l decisions (Col, 1,9-10). T h e C h r i s t i a n has b e e n given, b y t h e S p i r i t , a further c r i t e r i o n w h i c h guides h i m in t h e realization of t h e Christian e t h o s : love. As love can limit a n d t r a n s c e n d e x i s t i n g o r d e r s a n d c o n v e n t i o n s , it is p a r t i c u l a r l y i m p o r t a n t t o m a k e t h e r i g h t decision as t o o n e ' s specific c o n d u c t in specific s i t u a t i o n s . As love is t h e p r i n c i p l e a n d s u m m a r y of t h e law it is o b v i o u s t h a t it will n o t b r e a k G o d ' s e t e r n a l l y valid n o r m s . As c r i t e r i o n of t h e l a t t e r ' s fulfilment a n d r e a l i z a t i o n it will s h o w t h e Christian h o w t o i m p l e m e n t t h e s e n o r m s a n d s t a n d a r d s . C h r i s t i a n love p r o v i d e s t h e believer w i t h k n o w l e d g e , insight, a n d w i s d o m (Phil 1,9-10 ;Col 3 , 1 8 ) . T h e C h r i s t i a n is f u r t h e r r e f e r r e d t o his m i n d w h i c h is c o n s t a n t l y b e i n g r e n e w e d a n d also t o his cognitive faculties w h i c h , p r o p e r l y a p p l i e d in t h e c o n t e x t of t h e m o t i v a t i o n , t h e n o r m s , a n d t h e guid ing criteria, e n a b l e h i m t o m a k e decisions w h i c h are b a s e d o n k n o w l e d g e a n d p e r c e p t i o n a n d c h a r a c t e r i z e d b y w i s d o m (Phil 1, 9-10; R o m 15,14; ICor 6,5). T h e C h r i s t i a n possesses a n o t h e r guideline in this p r o c e s s of m a k i n g t h e p r o p e r ethical d e c i s i o n s : his c o n s c i e n c e . T h e con s c i e n c e ' s p e a k s ' in h a r m o n y w i t h G o d ' s n o r m s a n d s t a n d a r d s a n d p r o m p t s t h e C h r i s t i a n a l w a y s t o s t a y w i t h i n t h e f r a m e w o r k of t h e s e n o r m s . T h e c o n s c i e n c e evaluates a n d reviews t h e C h r i s t i a n ' s d e c i s i o n s a n d e i t h e r leads t o self-judgment or p r o v i d e s criteria for p r o p e r m o r a l a c t i o n . T h e o p e r a t i o n of t h e c o n s c i e n c e leads t o re s p o n s i b l e b e h a v i o u r w h i c h is in a c c o r d a n c e w i t h t h e divine n o r m s , i.e. it leads t o w i s d o m . F i n a l l y , b o t h t h e form of Paul's parenesis as t e a c h i n g a n d ad m o n i t i o n a n d its goal w h i c h is b e h a v i o u r in e v e r y d a y life c h a r a c t e r i z e d b y w i s d o m a n d k n o w l e d g e are r e l a t e d t o w i s d o m t h e o l o g y . T h u s , t h e guiding criteria of Paul's e t h i c w h i c h s h o w t h e b e liever h o w t o realize t h e b i n d i n g n o r m s a n d s t a n d a r d s of G o d ' s e t e r n a l l y valid will in t h e c o n t e x t of his basic m o t i v a t i o n as a C h r i s t i a n are all l i n k e d w i t h c o n c e p t s a n d e l e m e n t s of w i s d o m t h e o l o g y . E a c h i n d i v i d u a l C h r i s t i a n is p e r s o n a l l y r e s p o n s i b l e for t h e m a n n e r in w h i c h h e b e h a v e s in e v e r y d a y life.
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1 6 . 4 . C o n c l u s i o n : N o r m a t i v i t y a n d W i s d o m in Paul's E t h i c T h e individual r e s p o n s i b i h t y a n d f r e e d o m of t h e C h r i s t i a n is c a r r i e d o u t , a c c o r d i n g t o Paul, in t h e f r a m e w o r k of G o d ' s b i n d i n g n o r m s a n d c o m m a n d m e n t s . T h i s r e l a t i o n s h i p of individual re s p o n s i b i l i t y a n d s i m u l t a n e o u s s u b m i s s i o n t o n o r m s a n d s t a n d a r d s is t o b e e x p l a i n e d o n t h e basis of t h e c o r r e l a t i o n of l a w a n d w i s d o m . This is e v i d e n c e d b y t h e fact t h a t all t h e g u i d i n g criteria of t h e C h r i s t i a n e t h i c i m p l y a n d o f t e n express b o t h o b e d i e n c e t o G o d ' s n o r m s a n d t h e i m p o r t a n c e of individual r e s p o n s i b i l i t y , k n o w l e d g e , and perception. T h e c r i t e r i o n of t h e e x i s t e n c e of orders of c r e a t i o n a n d h u m a n c o n v e n t i o n s is in Paul's view b o t h a b i n d i n g n o r m , as t h e y m a n i fest G o d ' s universal law ( § 1 6 . 2 . 5 . ) , a n d an e x p r e s s i o n of w i s d o m ( § 1 6 . 3 . 2 . ) as t h e y m a n i f e s t (this is t h e J e w i s h basis of Paul's c o n c e p t i o n h e r e ) G o d ' s universal w i s d o m . T h e c r i t e r i o n of t h e p r o m p t i n g of t h e Spirit w h o is G o d ' s gift t o t h e b e h e v e r i m p h e s t h e f u n d a m e n t a l a n d c o n s i s t e n t r e s p e c t of G o d ' s n o r m s a n d s t a n d a r d s ( § 1 6 . 2 . 1 . / 4 . ) a n d it leads a t t h e s a m e t i m e t o w i s d o m w h i c h is k n o w l e d g e of G o d ' s will as regards e t h i c a l decisions ( § 1 6 . 3 . 3 . ) . T h e c r i t e r i o n of love w h i c h is r o o t e d in G o d ' s love in a n d t h r o u g h Christ a n d w h i c h is a gift a n d a fruit of t h e Spirit is t h e s u m m a r y of t h e law a n d realized b y t h e C h r i s t i a n in fulfilling t h e l a w a n d , a t t h e s a m e time, p r o v i d e s t h e C h r i s t i a n w i t h w i s d o m a n d insight r e g a r d i n g his specific c o n d u c t in e v e r y d a y h f e ( § 1 6 . 3 . 4 ) . T h e c r i t e r i o n of r e a s o n a n d d i s c e r n m e n t f u n c t i o n s for Paul in t h e c o n t e x t of a n d in h a r m o n y w i t h G o d ' s e t e r n a l l y v a h d wiU a n d e n a b l e s t h e b e h e v e r t o m a k e decisions c o n c e r n i n g his b e h a v i o u r w h i c h are b a s e d o n k n o w l e d g e a n d insight a n d w h i c h are charac terized b y wisdom (§ 16.3.5.). T h e c r i t e r i o n of t h e c o n s c i e n c e p r e s u p p o s e s t h e e x i s t e n c e a n d t h e n o r m a t i v e v a l i d i t y of divine n o r m s a n d s t a n d a r d s a n d — as it is m o t i v a t e d a c c o r d i n g t o Paul b y G o d ' s o r d e r s of c r e a t i o n a n d as it f u n c t i o n s as critical s e l f - j u d g m e n t a n d self-evaluation — leads t o behaviour marked by wisdom (§16.3.6.). A n d finally, Paul's p r e a c h i n g as a w h o l e a i m s , first, as t e a c h i n g a t c o m m u n i c a t i n g t h e f u n d a m e n t a l m o t i v a t i o n s of t h e indicative of t h e G o s p e l . This m c l u d e s t h e c o n t i n u e d n o r m a t i v i t y of G o d ' s claim as regards t h e C h r i s t i a n ' s life revealed in t h e law, as qualified
Conclusion
339
b y C h r i s t , as well as in t h e w o r d s of J e s u s C h r i s t , in t h e e x h o r t a t i o n s of t h e a p o s t l e , a n d in t h e o r d e r s of c r e a t i o n . Paul's p r e a c h ing a i m s , s e c o n d l y , as a d m o n i t i o n at e n a b l i n g t h e Christians t o realize a n d i m p l e m e n t t h e s e n o r m s a n d s t a n d a r d s in e v e r y d a y life w i t h w i s d o m , insight, a n d u n d e r s t a n d i n g . I t is o b v i o u s t h a t , in t h e light of o u r d e s c r i p t i o n of t h e Chris tian e t h i c a c c o r d i n g t o Paul, t h e c o n c e p t of a n a u t o n o m o u s m o r a l ity*^8 has t o b e r e j e c t e d for Paul. T h e i n t e r p r e t a t i o n of Paul's e t h i c in t h e h o r i z o n o f t h e a u t o n o m y c o n c e p t , s o m e t i m e s labelled ' C h r i s t i a n f r e e d o m ' , is clearly r e l a t e d t o K a n t i a n p h i l o s o p h y a n d m o r a l i t y * ^ . This is o p e n l y a c k n o w l e d g e d b y scholars w h o reflect o n t h e ' t r a d i t i o n - h i s t o r i c a l ' origin of t h e i r c o n c e p t i o n s a n d v i e w p o i n t s w h i c h t h e y a t t e m p t t o h a r m o n i z e w i t h Paul's position^*'^. I. Kant transferred the maxim of the ethos from obedience into man's will, from relevation into reason, from receptivity into creativity and activity. His ethic is the conscious step from heteronomy to the autonomy of the ethic. Morality is to be based upon and derived from practical reason which must determine the will of man and thus his action. These 'imperatives' are relevant for everybody, they are cate gorical. Morality is based upon the self-legislation of the human will which can be comprehended b y reason and which is related to general acceptance. T h e activity, creativity, and productivity of the cogito totally outweigh man's listening to reality501.
If o n e a t t e m p t s t o describe t h e Christian e t h i c in t h e c o n t e x t of this m o d e r n c o n s c i o u s n e s s of a u t o n o m y , it is o n l y c o n s i s t e n t t h a t o n e disregards b i n d i n g e x t e r n a l n o r m s a n d s t a n d a r d s a n d fin ally even G o d himself. A n d this has a c t u a l l y h a p p e n e d : " D i e M o r a l t h e o l o g i e h a t sich d a r a n g e w o h n t , die in d e n Wissenschaften
4 9 8 Advocated b y many Protestant scholars; cf. recently P. Richardson, Paul's Ethic of Freedom, 1 9 7 9 ; G. Strecker, "Autonome Sittlichkeit", ThLZ 1 0 4 ( 1 9 7 9 ) 8 6 5 8 7 2 , here 871f.; J . F . CoUange, Ethique, p p . 2 7 - 2 9 , 8 9 , 1 1 1 - 1 2 7 ; BiGerhardsson, Ethos. 1 9 8 1 , p p . 6 4 - 7 1 , 8 1 F . ; see also J . EUul, The Ethics of Freedom. 1 9 7 6 , and seemingly the majority of the Catholic moral theologians; cf. A. Auer, Auto nome Moral und christlicher Glaube. 1 9 7 1 ; W. Korff, Theologische Ethik. 1 9 7 5 ; F. Bockle, Fundamentalmoral, 1 9 7 7 ; R. Hasenstab, Modelle, 1 9 7 7 ; H. Halter, Taufe, 1977 (pp.19-23 on the Catholic majority view). 4 9 9 Cf. L. Honnefelder, "Die ethische Rationalitat der Nevizeit", Handbuch der 1, 1 9 7 8 , pp.19-46, here 3 4 - 3 6 ; and especiaUy G. Huntemann, Der verlorene stab: Gottes Gebot im Chaos dieser Zeit, 1 9 8 3 , p p . 1 4 - 2 0 . 5 0 0 Cf. R. Hasenstab, o.c, pp.263f.
Ethik, Afafe-
501 The last observation was made by R. Hasenstab, o.c. p . 2 6 4 . He continues to dis cuss the significance of Fichte in this context (pp.264-266).
340
The Christian
Way of
Ufe
iibliche m e t h o d i s c h e A u s k l a m m e r u n g der G o t t e s d i m e n s i o n zu akzeptieren"^"2 o b v i o u s l y i m p o s s i b l e t o ' a c t u a l i z e ' Paul's e t h i c in this c o n t e x t if o n e is n o t p r e p a r e d t o m a n i p u l a t e t h e evidence^o*. T h e c r i t i q u e of this ' e t h i c of a u t o n o m y ' in general has t o start w i t h t h e r e f e r e n c e t o the sovereignty of G o d a n d t h e f a c t u a h t y of revelation^"*. As regards Paul, it suffices at this p o i n t t o indi c a t e t h a t (1) Paul i n d i s p u t a b l y r e g a r d e d G o d ' s r e v e l a t i o n in t h e law (as qualified b y C h r i s t ) as well as t h e w o r d s of J e s u s a n d t h e in s t r u c t i o n of t h e a p o s t l e s as n o r m a t i v e for t h e b e h e v e r ' s (faith a n d ) life, a n d (2) Paul's c o n c e p t of f r e e d o m is i r r e c o n c i l a b l y differ e n t from t h e m o d e m u n d e r s t a n d i n g of a u t o n o m y ^ ^ . T h e e v i d e n c e for Paul's c o n c e p t oie\evdepia ly d e l i n e a t e d as follows^**.
can b e very brief
First, freedom is a gift of Jesus Christ (Gal 2 , 4 ; 5 , 1 ; Rom 8 , 2 1 ; 2Cor 3 , 1 7 ) . Sec ond, Christian freedom as such is freedom from sin (Rom 6, 6-7.18.22 ; 8 , 2 ) , i.e.
502 R. Hasenstab, o.c. p . 2 8 1 ; cf. T. Rendtorff, "Strukturen christlicher Ethik", Hand buch, 1, 1978, p . 2 1 3 : "Die Radikalitat der modernen Profanitat wird als geistiger Ort heutiger moraltheologischer Reflexionen akzeptiert". Cf. also G. Strecker, "Sittlichkeit", ThLZ 104 ( 1 9 7 9 ) 8 7 2 . 5 0 3 Hasenstab's attempt to 'actualize' Paul's ethic in this respect is exegetically ex tremely weak and totally unconvincing; cf. G. Strecker, "Sittlichkeit", ThLZ 104 ( 1 9 7 9 ) 8 6 7 (who is himself in favour of Hasenstab's concerns!). Hasenstab asserts, for example, regarding Rom 2,14 (his basic text!) that this verse can be related to the concept of autonomy only (!) by current hermeneutics and not by historicalcritical exegesis [Modelle, p.22), and admits that in the end he arrives at a "Autonomie-Modell aus pauHnischem Geist" rather than at a "Model! paulinischer Ethik im historischen Sinn" (p.25). We ask whether the "umfassende Grundlagenkrise" in moral theology (ibid.) is not related to this very dichotomy! 5 0 4 Cf. K Barth, Kirchliche Dogmatik, 11/2, pp.572f.; T. Rendtorff, "Strukturen", 1 9 7 8 , p . 2 1 0 - 2 1 2 ; G . Muntemann, Ma&stab, pp.24-34 (with an analysis of K. Barth's contribution in this context o n pp.64-68). 505 It has to be pointed out at this point that the basic structures of Stoic ethics in clude (1) the fundamental rationalistic structure, (2) man as ultimate measure of morality, (3) the ideal of autonomous (!) and autocratic personality which has ar rived at moral perfection in its o w n strength and o n the basis of the inborn (!) standards and norms. Cf. T. Herr, Naturrecht, pp.l 28f. (with lit.). 5 0 6 On the concept of freedom in Paul cf. B. Haring, "Paulinische Freiheitslehre, Gesetzesethik und Situationsethik", Studiorum Paulinorum Congressus, AnBibl 17, 1 9 6 3 , p p . 1 6 5 - 1 7 3 ; J . Cambier, "La liberte chretienne selon Saint Paul", TU 87 ( 1 9 6 4 ) 3 1 5 - 3 5 3 ; K. NiedeTwimma, Begriff der Freiheit, 1 9 6 6 , p p . l 6 8 - 2 2 0 ; H . Rid derbos, Paul, p p . 2 5 8 - 2 6 0 , 2 8 8 - 2 9 3 ; H. Schurmann, Onenfierun^en, pp.13-49; K. Niederwimmer, Art. "i\e>>9epo<;", EWNT I (1980) 1 0 5 2 - 1 0 5 8 (lit.); J. Murphy-O'
Conclusion
341
from sin as enslaving power. Third, the Christian is consequently freed from per formance-oriented piety seeking to attain righteousness and is therefore free from the law as lex iustificatrix (and thus et accusans et condemnatrix), as the law has n o w a new locus "in Christ" ( R o m 7,5-6; 8,2; also Rom 3,27 ;Gal 6 , 2 ; ICor 9 , 2 1 ) . Fourth, as a result the Christian is able to fijlfill the law "in Christ" and "in the Spirit" by love and in faith (Gal 5 , 1 4 . 2 2 - 2 3 ; Rom 13,8-10), as he is n o w , as freed man (!), a slave (!) of righteousness ( R o m 6,18; also 6,22). True Christian freedom finds its highest expression in service (Gal 5 , 1 3 ; ICor 9 , 1 9 ) . Fifth, Christian freedom has to be constantly protected against the two dangers of relapse into legalism (Gal 2,4; 5,1) and of antinomism (Gal 5 , 1 3 ) . Sixth, Christian freedom is essentially a property of the Christian community whose vitality conditions the reality of freedom507. Seventh, Christian freedom is therefore obviously not absolute: it is possible only in servitude to God and in obedience to his willSOS^ jj implies the Christian's 6ov\evew (lCor9,19).
W h a t M u r p h y - O ' C o n n o r said regarding t h e ' s t r o n g ' in C o r i n t h applies t o m a n y m o d e r n exegetes as w e l l : " T h e f u n d a m e n t a l e r r o r of t h e S t r o n g was t o transfer the a b s o l u t e c h a r a c t e r of ' f r e e d o m from sin' t o t h e level of decision a n d a c t i o n . . . T h e y c o n f u s e d ' f r e e d o m from s o m e t h i n g ' w i t h ' f r e e d o m to do s o m e t h i n g ' w i t h o u t realizing t h a t t h e i r e x a g g e r a t i o n of t h e l a t t e r w o u l d necessarily involve t h e d e s t r u c t i o n of t h e former"^''^. C h r i s t i a n f r e e d o m is a c h a r a c t e r i s t i c of t h e believer w h o s e con d u c t a n d b e h a v i o u r in e v e r y d a y life are m a r k e d b y o b e d i e n c e t o G o d ' s revealed will a n d b y w i s d o m as regards t h e p r a c t i c a l reali z a t i o n of G o d ' s will in specific s i t u a t i o n s . F o r this r e a s o n , t r u e C h r i s t i a n f r e e d o m is t o t a l l y different from a u t o n o m y : t h e a u t o n o m o u s individual establishes, a n d is i n t e r e s t e d in, o n l y the ex p e r i e n c e of t h e ego cogitans a n d leaves aside t h e e x p e r i e n c e of t h e C r e a t o r w h o reveals himself a n d w h o calls m a n , a n d of G o d ' s o r d e r s of c r e a t i o n a n d t h e h u m a n c o n v e n t i o n s w h i c h e n a b l e m a n
Connor, "Freedom", 1 9 8 1 , pp.7-38;G. Galitis, "Das Wesen der Freiheit", Freedom and Love, ed. L.de Lorenzi, 1 9 8 1 , p p . 1 2 7 - 1 4 1 . 507 Cf. J. IWurphy-O'Connor, "Freedom", 1 9 8 1 , p.29 referring to the study of F. Muss ner, Theologie der Freiheit, 1 9 7 6 . Murphy-O'Connor describes here Paul's reaction against the 'strong' in Corinth who understood eXev^epia in the framework of a popular cynico-stoic philosophy (cf. ICor 1 0 , 2 3 ! ) , giving 'freedom'an individualis tic interpretation. Cf. R. Schnackenburg, Moral Teaching, pp.276f. w h o asserts that Paul's concept of freedom is fundamentally different from the Stoic ideal of liberty in the sense o{ axnoitpa-iia and dtriiSeia. 5 0 8 Emphasized by W. Schrage, Einzelgebote, pp.83f.,109; H. Ridderbos, Paul p . 2 5 9 ; H. Schiirmann, Orientierungen, pp.35-37 (for w h o m , however, God's wrill ends up being identical with the "Lehrtradition der Kirche", p.37); K. Niederwimmer, in EWNT 1 (1980) 1055f. 509 J. Murphy-O'Connor, a.c, p.29.
342
Conclusions
t o live a life in g o o d n e s s a n d h a r m o n y . T h e c o n s c i o u s n e s s of a n a u t o n o m o u s m o r a l i t y is a u t o m a t i c a l l y " e r f a h r u n g s - u n d geschichtsu n f a h i g " ^ ' " ' w h e r e a s t h e c o n s c i o u s n e s s of a h e t e r o n o m o u s sa p i e n t i a l C h r i s t i a n e t h o s t a k e s i n t o a c c o u n t b o t h h i s t o r y a n d experi e n c e . It t a k e s i n t o a c c o u n t t h e h i s t o r y of t h e w o r l d as u n d e r t h e rule of G o d w h o c r e a t e d t h e w o r l d a n d revealed t h e W o r d , as well as u n d e r t h e rule of Christ w h o e n a b l e s t h e b e h e v e r t o see a n d o b s e r v e t h e w o r l d w i t h its o r d e r s as G o d ' s c r e a t i o n a n d t o fulfill G o d ' s wiU in Christ a n d in t h e p o w e r of t h e S p i r i t . A n d it t a k e s i n t o a c c o u n t t h e e x p e r i e n c e of m a n as p r o v i d i n g guiding criteria w h i c h h e l p t h e believer t o m a k e wise d e c i s i o n s . T h u s , w e see t h a t Paul p r e s u p p o s e s for his e t h i c t h e t r a d i t i o n a l c o r r e l a t i o n of l a w a n d wdsdom. T h e C h r i s t i a n is called t o , a n d en a b l e d t o (!), observe a n d s u b m i t t o G o d ' s will as revealed in t h e law, in t h e w o r d s of J e s u s C h r i s t , in t h e p r o n o u n c e m e n t s of t h e a p o s t l e s , a n d in t h e o r d e r s of c r e a t i o n . At t h e s a m e t i m e t h e Chris tian has t h e free a n d p e r s o n a l r e s p o n s i b i l i t y practicaUy a n d specifi cally t o realize G o d ' s revealed a n d n o r m a t i v e will in t h e c o n c r e t e a n d diverse s i t u a t i o n s of e v e r y d a y life w h i c h r e q u i r e s w i s d o m a n d insight. T h e C h r i s t i a n e t h o s a c c o r d i n g t o Paul is n e i t h e r legalistic n o r a n t i n o m i s t i c — it is a h e t e r o n o m o u s sapiential e t h o s realizing t h e c o r r e l a t i o n of law a n d w i s d o m in t h e h o r i z o n of G o d ' s salva t i o n a l a c t i o n in a n d t h r o u g h Christ.
5 1 0 Pointed out by R. Hasenstab, Modelle,
p.266.
C:liaptcr FKc
Conclusions
T h e universal p r e s e n c e of t h e c o r r e l a t i o n of law a n d w i s d o m in post-biblical J u d a i s m c o n f i r m e d t h e s t a t e m e n t w h i c h we m a d e in t h e Preface, t h a t this c o r r e l a t i o n is of crucial i m p o r t a n c e for e a r l y J e w i s h a n d C h r i s t i a n t h e o l o g y a n d e t h i c s . After o u r exegetical analysis of all p e r i c o p e s w h i c h e x p r e s s a n d i m p l y t h e c o r r e l a t i o n of l a w a n d w i s d o m in t h e respective d o c u m e n t s or circles of tradi t i o n , w e are n o w able t o speU o u t t h e relevant c o n c l u s i o n s con c e r n i n g t h e t r a d i t i o n - h i s t o r i c a l e v i d e n c e as regards t h e ' i d e n t i t y ' of law a n d w i s d o m ' . (1) T h e origin of t h e c o r r e l a t i o n of law a n d w i s d o m c a n n o t b e e n t i r e l y i l l u m i n a t e d . This is d u e t o t h e fact t h a t a l t h o u g h Sirach is t h e first d o c u m e n t w h i c h r e c o r d s t h e c o m p l e t e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of law a n d w i s d o m , this c o r r e l a t i o n can be t r a c e d b a c k t o O T evid e n c e w h i c h , h o w e v e r , has n o t b e e n (amd c a n n o t be?) c o n c l u s i v e l y d e l i n e a t e d . T h e discussion as t o t h e origin of b o t h O T w i s d o m a n d O T law, as regards b o t h form a n d c o n t e n t or i n t e n t i o n , is stiU g o i n g o n . T h e O T s a p i e n t i a l t r a d i t i o n sheds n o light o n o u r q u e s t i o n h e r e . T h e legal a n d p r o p h e t i c t r a d i t i o n s of t h e O T s e e m t o b e a w a r e of t h e c o r r e l a t i o n . It is especially in t h e liturgical t r a d i t i o n t h a t t h e c o r r e l a t i o n is, in s o m e w a y , p r e s u p p o s e d . C a n this b e ex p l a i n e d s i m p l y b y r e f e r e n c e t o a p o s s i b l y freer usage of t e r m s in h y m n o d y ? O r is t h e c u l t i c a n d p e r s o n a l (ethical) c o n t e x t of im p o r t a n c e a t this p o i n t ? O n e s h o u l d n o t e , a t a n y r a t e , t h a t t h e rel e v a n t p s a l m s b e t r a y a p r o f o u n d theologjccd c o n n e c t i o n b e t w e e n t h e law as r e v e l a t i o n of G o d ' s w i s d o m a n d t h e individual's fear of t h e L o r d as p e r s o n a l m a n i f e s t a t i o n of w i s d o m . F u r t h e r a s s u m p -
1 For references see the relevant summaries and conclusions in the uidividual chapters and sections.
344
Conclusions
t i o n s as t o t h e origin of the i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of law a n d w i s d o m will b e m a d e a t t h e e n d of t h e n e x t s e c t i o n o n t h e basis of the i d e n t i fication's basic sociological l o c u s . (2) T h e basic sociological locus of t h e c o r r e l a t i o n of law a n d w i s d o m c a n be e s t a b l i s h e d m o r e easily. As B e n Sira was t h e first a u t h o r t o identify law and wisdom completely and consciously, a n d as B e n Sira was b o t h a p r i e s t l y T o r a h scholar a n d w i s d o m t e a c h e r , it is n a t u r a l a n d logical t o relate t h e e s t a b l i s h e d i d e n t i t y of law a n d w i s d o m w i t h t h e circle of scribes w h o c o m b i n e d t h e f u n c t i o n s of (priestly) T o r a h scholars a n d w i s d o m t e a c h e r s . We saw t h a t this g r o u p was of essential significance in t h e s u b s e q u e n t p r o m u l g a t i o n of this i d e n t i t y (see 4 E z r , A p c B a r , Q u m r a n ) . As t h e basis sociological l o c u s of a c o n c e p t is u s u a l l y n o t u n c o n n e c t e d w i t h its origin, it seems t o b e possible t o a s s u m e t h a t t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of l a w a n d w i s d o m c o u l d have arisen in this circle. T h i s w o u l d d a t e t h e o r i g i n a t i o n of t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n t o post-exilic b u t p r e - M a c c a b e a n t i m e s a n d r e n d e r t h e O T e v i d e n c e t o b e signi ficant c o n t r i b u t i n g c o m p o n e n t s w h i c h w e r e e v e n t u a l l y t a k e n u p w h e n law a n d w i s d o m w e r e fully a n d c o n s c i o u s l y i d e n t i f i e d . (3) T h e historical development of t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of l a w a n d w i s d o m c a r m o t b e d e s c r i b e d in precise detail. T h i s is d u e t o t h e fact t h a t o f t e n t h e e x a c t historical a n d sociological c o n t e x t of t h e p a r t i c u l a r d o c u m e n t c a n n o t be e s t a b l i s h e d , t h a t in m a n y cases n e i t h e r t h e n o t i o n of law n o r t h e c o n c e p t of w i s d o m is d e v e l o p e d t o a n y e x t e n t , a n d t h a t in n u m e r o u s instances t h e i d e n t i f i c a d o n of law a n d w i s d o m is s i m p l y s t a t e d , or i m p l i e d , w i t h o u t m a k i n g a ca-eful analysis of t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n p o s s i b l e . T h e ethical dimen sion of t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n is a l w a y s in t h e c e n t r e , w i t h t h e t h e o l o g ical, c r e a t i o n a l / u n i v e r s a l i s t i c , p a r t i c u l a r i s t i c , e s c h a t o l o g i c a l a n d d i d a c t i c d i m e n s i o n s b e i n g variably p r e s e n t a n d / o r significant. T h e following o b s e r v a t i o n s c a n b e m a d e . (4) T h e ethical dimension constitutes the main and fundamen tal focus of t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of l a w a n d w i s d o m : l a w a n d w i s d o m c o n t a i n a n d p r o m u l g a t e t h e n o r m s a n d t h e criteria of m o r a l con d u c t a n d lead t o a p i o u s , holistic w a y of life. A l r e a d y Ben Sira ex pressed t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n for t h e m o s t p a r t o n t h e ethical level, a n d this focus r e m a i n e d t h e same t h r o u g h o u t t h e i n t e r t e s t a m e n t a l p e r i o d as well as in Paul's t h i n k i n g . It is in this c o n t e x t t h a t b o t h law a n d w i s d o m a r e r e p e a t e d l y l i n k e d w i t h t h e c o n c e p t of life as ' w a l k i n g ' in ( g o o d ) ' w a y s ' w h i c h is p r o m i n e n t t h r o u g h o u t t h e
Conclusions
345
early J e w i s h l i t e r a t u r e . Similarly, b o t h law a n d w i s d o m are o f t e n c o m p a r e d w i t h 'light' w h i c h gives o r i e n t a t i o n ( t o walk aright o n t h e w a y ) . B o t h l a w a n d w i s d o m are i n t i m a t e l y l i n k e d w i t h righ t e o u s n e s s , h o h n e s s , a n d p u r i t y as goal of t h e e n U g h t e n e d w a l k in the p r o p e r w a y . B e n Sira e m p h a s i z e d t h a t right ethicjd b e h a v i o u r e q u a l s wise c o n d u c t a n d results from o b e d i e n c e t o G o d ' s law. B a r u c h asserts t h a t l a w a n d w i s d o m b o t h a n d t o g e t h e r lead t o a n u p r i g h t w a l k . T h e t r a d i t i o n s i n c o r p o r a t e d in E n o c h closely r e l a t e r i g h t e o u s n e s s , w h i c h o b v i o u s l y implies o b e d i e n c e t o the law, a n d w i s d o m . T h e circles w h i c h are r e s p o n s i b l e for the Psalms of S o l o m o n w e r e con vinced t h a t p r a c t i c a l o b e d i e n c e t o t h e l a w is e q u i v a l e n t w i t h t h e a d o p t i o n of divine wise i n s t r u c t i o n . In a HeUenistic c o n t e x t t h e a u t h o r of t h e L e t t e r of Aristeas a r g u e d t h a t t h e J e w i s h law is t r u e w i s d o m since it e n a b l e s m a n t o live a m o r a U y p e r f e c t h f e . T h e J e w i s h Sibylline O r a c l e t e a c h e s t h a t t h e k e e p i n g of t h e law e q u a l s t h e ability t o give s o u n d c o u n s e l w i t h b o t h resulting in g o o d d e e d s . T h e W i s d o m of S o l o m o n yields n o clear e v i d e n c e in this c o n t e x t . T h e Q u m r a n C o m m u n i t y focused o n t h e e t h i c a l d i m e n s i o n of t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of l a w a n d w i s d o m as weU, as t h e l a t t e r is repeat e d l y l i n k e d w i t h t h e c o n c e p t s of r i g h t e o u s n e s s of t h e C o m m u n i t y ' s e t h i c s . P r o p e r c o n d u c t a n d walking in t h e right w a y is con s i d e r e d t o be possible o n l y in o b e d i e n c e t o t h e l a w b y a p p r o p r i a t ing G o d ' s w i s d o m in t h e c o n t e x t of t h e C o m m u n i t y . T h e J e w i s h w r i t i n g s of t h e first c e n t u r y A . D . equaUy p l a c e t h e e t h i c a l d i m e n s i o n i n t o t h e c e n t r e of t h e i r c o n c e r n . T h e a u t h o r of F o u r t h M a c c a b e e s a r g u e d t h a t t r u e p h U o - s o p h y consists in a p i o u s life o b e y i n g t h e J e w i s h law. T h e a u t h o r of F o u r t h E z r a was con vinced t h a t l a w a n d w i s d o m c o n t a i n t h e n o r m s w h i c h h e l p m a n t o please G o d , w a l k i n g in his w a y s , a n d t o o b t a i n salvation. T h e a u t h o r of t h e A p o c a l y p s e of B a r u c h believed t h a t o b e d i e n c e t o t h e law e q u a l s w i s d o m a m o u n t i n g t o r i g h t e o u s n e s s a n d g u a r a n t e e ing salvation. R e g a r d i n g Paul t h e a p o s t l e we discovered t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of l a w a n d w i s d o m as basis of his e t h i c . H e calls t h e i n d i v i d u a l t o o b s e r v e G o d ' s revealed wiU a n d a c k n o w l e d g e s at t h e s a m e t i m e t h e individued's p e r s o n a l r e s p o n s i b i l i t y t o r e a h z e G o d ' s will ine v e r y d a y hfe w h i c h requires w i s d o m a n d insight. T h e c o r r e l a t i o n of w i s d o m a n d law e n a b l e s t h e individual t o live in a w a y w h i c h
346
Conclusions
pleases G o d . T h e crucial c o n t r a s t t o the J e w i s h w r i t i n g s consists in t h e fact t h a t t h e individual's (or t h e c o m m u n i t y ' s ) p r o p e r ethical b e h a v i o u r does n o t s e c u r e , a n d is n o t even n e c e s s a r y for, salvation since t h e l a t t e r has b e e n s e c u r e d a l r e a d y b y a n d in C h r i s t . (5) T h e theological dimension of t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of l a w a n d w i s d o m is m o s t e x p l i c i t in Sirach a n d is s u b s e q u e n t l y m o r e im plied or p r e s u p p o s e d t h a n e l a b o r a t e d o n . Ben Sira specified t h a t law a n d w i s d o m are o n e as b o t h law a n d (!) w i s d o m are t h e ex pression of G o d ' s will for life. B o t h law a n d w i s d o m seek t o lead t h e i n d i v i d u a l a n d t h e c o m m u n i t y i n t o s u b m i s s i o n t o G o d ' s will. This objective is s u m m a r i z e d in t h e n o t i o n of t h e fear of t h e L o r d w h i c h is o b e d i e n c e t o t h e c o m m a n d m e n t s a n d p r a c t i s e d w i s d o m . This t h e o l o g i c a l d i m e n s i o n was seen as closely c o r m e c t e d w i t h t h e ethical perspective. A f t e r B e n Sira t h e t h e o l o g i c a l d i m e n s i o n of t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n was u s u a l l y s i m p l y t a k e n for g r a n t e d . This c o i n c i d e s w i t h t h e fact t h a t t h e n o t i o n of fear of t h e L o r d , w i t h t h e e x c e p t i o n of PsSal ( a n d T e s t X I I P a t r ) , n e a r l y v a n i s h e s . H o w e v e r , it is e v i d e n t in m o s t d o c u m e n t s t h a t b o t h law a n d w i s d o m are r e g a r d e d as u n i q u e p o s sessions of G o d , given as gifts t o his p e o p l e . As regards P a u l , t h e e x t a n t e v i d e n c e does n o t p e r m i t us t o d r a w a n y definite c o n c l u s i o n s r e g a r d i n g t h e t h e o l o g i c a l d i m e n s i o n of t h e r e l a t e d n e s s of law a n d w i s d o m . He did regard t h e law as gift from G o d . As for w i s d o m , i.e. t h e guiding criteria for decision m a k i n g in e v e r y d a y life, b o t h t h e Spirit a n d love, a n d s o m e of t h e exisiting o r d e r s , are seen as c o m i n g from G o d . B u t r e a s o n a n d dis c e r n m e n t , t h e f u n c t i o n of t h e c o n s c i e n c e , a n d s o m e existing o r d e r s (such as t h e h u m a n c o n v e n t i o n s ) , are n o t eo ipso t h e voice of G o d . T h e C h r i s t i a n is given t h e p e r s o n a l a n d c o n s i s t e n t r e s p o n s i b i l i t y t o realize G o d ' s n o r m s in e v e r y d a y life a n d is t h u s essentially f r e e : free from sin, free from p e r f o r m a n c e - o r i e n t e d p i e t y , a n d free t o live in h a r m o n y w i t h G o d ' s will. T h u s it seems t h a t t h e fact t h a t Paul did n o t link all t h e c o m p o n e n t s of t h e w i s d o m a s p e c t t o t h e divine reality p r e s e r v e d , o r r a t h e r r e - i n t r o d u c e d , t r u e a n d g e n u i n e (Christian) f r e e d o m . O n t h e o t h e r h a n d Paul was able t o use w i s d o m l a n g u a g e a n d w i s d o m t h e o l o g y t o d e s c r i b e t h e p e r s o n a n d mission of J e s u s C h r i s t . B u t h e was o b v i o u s l y c o n c e r n e d t o a v o i d t h e c o r r e l a t i o n of Christ w i t h b o t h w i s d o m a n d (!) law. Christ is n o t d e s c r i b e d in t e r m s of T o r a h b u t , r a t h e r , t h e T o r a h is d e s c r i b e d a n d d e f i n e d in
Conclusions
347
t e r m s of Christ. Paul dismissed t h e i d e n t i t y of T o r a h a n d w i s d o m o n t h e christological level for soteriological r e a s o n s . (6) T h e universalistic dimension of law a n d w i s d o m was recog n i z e d as result, r a t h e r t h a n p r e c o n d i t i o n , of t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of t h e t w o n o t i o n s , w i t h t h e T o r a h a s s u m i n g universalistic a s p e c t s . T h e T o r a h is h e n c e f o r t h seen as c o m p r e h e n s i v e o r d e r for t h e c o m m u n i o n of G o d , c r e a t i o n ( c o s m o s ) , a n d m a n or his p e o p l e . In sub s e q u e n t early J e w i s h t h o u g h t b o t h Q e w i s h ) law a n d wdsdom are r e l a t e d wdth c r e a t i o n a n d c o n s i d e r e d t o b e universal. N a t u r a l l y t h e (Hellenistic) a p o l o g e t i c treatises w e r e m o r e inclined t o stress t h e universal a s p e c t of t h e l a w w h i c h is w i s d o m . T h e Q u m r a n C o m m u n i t y wdth its m o n a s t i c exclusivism did n o t dwell o n t h e universalistic b u t r a t h e r o n t h e creational dimension of t h e i d e n t i t y of law a n d w i s d o m . T h e laws o f c r e a t i o n w h i c h are s e e n as e m b o d i m e n t of G o d ' s w i s d o m are c o n s i d e r e d t o b e o n e w i t h t h e laws of t h e C o m m u n i t y w h i c h c o m b i n e d T o r a h a n d rel evant h a l a k h a h . T h e P a u h n e e v i d e n c e d o e s n o t allow us t o arrive at a n y c o n c l u s i o n s in this a r e a . H o w e v e r , it seems t h a t t h e c r e a t i o n a l a s p e c t of t h e i d e n t i t y of law a n d w i s d o m w o u l d b e i m p l i e d as well. (7) T h e particularistic dimension of t h e i d e n t i t y of law a n d wis d o m w h i c h focuses o n t h e J e w i s h realm is zdways at least t a k e n for g r a n t e d . T h e l a t e r w r i d n g s of t h e Q u m r a n C o m m u n i t y w e r e seen t o n a r r o w d o w n this d i m e n s i o n from t h e wider ( a n d earlier) c o n t e x t of Israel t o t h e desert C o m m u n i t y . Paul m a k e s n o relevant s t a t e m e n t s in t h e i m m e d i a t e c o n t e x t of t h e i d e n d f i c a t i o n of law a n d wdsdom. H o w e v e r , it is p o s s i b l e t o say t h a t o n t h e o n e h a n d h e retains this p a r t i c u l a r i s t i c cUmension — t h e C h r i s t i a n has t o hve in s u b m i s s i o n t o t h e Q e w i s h ) T o r a h w h i c h is t h e r e v e l a t i o n of (Israel's) G o d a n d w h i c h is qualified b y J e s u s Christ — a n d t h a t o n t h e o t h e r h a n d h e dismisses it — t h e C h r i s t i a n life is o p e n t o b o t h J e w s a n d G e n t i l e s a n d t h e g u i d i n g criteria (i.e. w i s d o m ) are n o t exclusively J e w i s h b u t o f t e n crea tional. ( 8 ) T h e eschatological dimension of t h e i d e n t i t y of l a w a n d wis d o m was d i s c o v e r e d in E n ( e t h ) , in c e r t a i n Q u m r a n t e x t s , a n d in t h e l a t e r J e w i s h a p o c a l y p s e s 4 E z r a n d A p c B a r . T h e different m e s sianic figures are r e l a t e d b o t h w i t h law a n d w i s d o m . O b e d i e n c e t o t h e l a w a n d faithful w i s d o m are seen as decisive for o b t a i n i n g r i g h t e o u s n e s s a n d for i n h e r i t i n g e s c h a t o l o g i c a l salvation (especially
348
Conclusions
Stressed in t h e a p o c a l y p s e s ) . T h e n e w a e o n is c h a r a c t e r i z e d b o t h b y o b e d i e n c e t o t h e law a n d b y w i s d o m . While Paul w o u l d agree w i t h t h e last n o t i o n — t h a t t h e n e w a e o n is c h a r a c t e r i z e d b y l a w a n d w i s d o m — h e r e j e c t e d t h e convic t i o n t h a t living in h a r m o n y w i t h l a w / w i s d o m is t h e p r e r e q u i s i t e for o b t a i n i n g salvation: salvation is G o d ' s free a n d u n d e s e r v e d gift b y a n d in Christ a n d is r e c e i v e d b y faith in Christ. F o r this r e a s o n , as we p o i n t e d o u t , h e dismissed t h e t r a d i t i o n a l c o r r e l a t i o n of l a w a n d w i s d o m o n t h e e s c h a t o l o g i c a l (christological) level. (9) As regards a formal evaluation of t h e e v i d e n c e c o n n e c t e d w i t h t h e i d e n t i t y of law a n d w i s d o m in early J u d a i s m it is o b v i o u s from o u r analysis t h a t t h e t r a d i t i o n of this i d e n t i f i c a t i o n a p p e a r s in w i s d o m t e x t s , in p a r e n e t i c b o o k s , in a p o l o g e t i c - p h i l o s o p h i c a l t r e a t i s e s , in a p o c a l y p s e s , a n d in l e t t e r s . ( 1 0 ) T h e sociological evidence of t h e t r a d i t i o n s h o w s t h a t all circles of early J u d a i s m w e r e a w a r e of, a n d m a d e use of, t h e iden tification of law a n d w i s d o m : w i s d o m t e a c h e r s , p r i e s t s , T o r a h s c h o l a r s , scribes, hasidic g r o u p s , Pharisaic fellowships, t h e Q u m ran C o m m u n i t y a n d c o n n e c t e d circles, t h e J e w i s h Hellenistic d i a s p o r a , a n d t h e m a i n t h e o l o g i a n of early C h r i s t i a n i t y . T h e d e s c r i p t i o n a n d analysis of t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of law a n d w i s d o m w h i c h p r o v e d t o be a f u n d a m e n t a l Interpretament of early J e w i s h t h e o l o g y a n d of Pauline t h o u g h t has t h u s b e e n a c c o m p l i s h e d . T h e lack of c o m p r e h e n s i v e s t u d i e s in several i m p o r t a n t areas was felt w i t h r e g r e t . M o r e w o r k has y e t t o be d o n e o n Ben Sira's u n d e r s t a n d i n g of T o r a h , o n his ethical s y s t e m , o n t h e con c e p t i o n s of law a n d c o v e n a n t a n d e t h i c s in t h e Q u m r a n C o m m u n i t y , o n t h e h i s t o r y of sapiential l i t e r a t u r e in Q u m r a n , o n t h e basic t h e o l o g o u m e n a of Pharisaic a p o c a l y p t i c , o n Paul's k n o w l e d g e ai>d use of e a r l y J e w i s h l i t e r a t u r e , a n d o n the r e l a t i o n s h i p b e t w e e n Jevsish w i s d o m c o n c e r n s a n d Paul's p a r e n e s i s . A l t h o u g h a wise m a n w o u l d a l w a y s like t o follow Ben Sira's d i c t u m , "iv oTonaTL fiojpcov
f) Kapdia
ai)Tu>v,
KapSia
6e ao^div
ordfia
ai)Tcbv"
(Sir
2 1 , 2 6 ) , o c c a s i o n a l l y h e has t o t a k e his h e a r t i n t o his m o u t h , especially w h e n h e is w r i t i n g a d i s s e r t a t i o n ! F o r this r e a s o n t h e p r e s e n t s t u d y a t t e m p t e d t o m a k e s o m e c o n t r i b u t i o n in t h e s e a r e a s . T h e m a i n c o n c e r n a n d t h e m a i n c o n t r i b u t i o n , h o w e v e r , is t h e pre s e n t a t i o n of t h e e x e g e t i c a l a n d c o n c e p t i o n a l e v i d e n c e of t h e tradi t i o n a l early J e w i s h i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of law a n d w i s d o m .
Conclusions
349
T h e J e w i s h c o m m u n i t i e s in t h e p o s t - e x i h c era c o n s i d e r e d t h e realms of G o d ' s l a w a n d of w i s d o m t o b e i d e n t i c a l o n t h e basis of c o m p l e x r e a s o n s a n d w i t h c o m p l e x a n d varying results. T h e goal was t h e s a m e : t o e n s u r e t h e e x i s t e n c e of G o d ' s p e o p l e a n d t o at t a i n , o n t h e individual level, a life in h a r m o n y a n d p e a c e u n d e r G o d ' s a p p r o v a l . T h e a p o s t l e Paul s a w t h e e x i s t e n c e of G o d ' s p e o p l e — t h e C h r i s t i a n c o m m u n i t y — as b e i n g ratified in Christ, of t h e individual as b e i n g r e a h z e d a n d realizable ( o n l y ) in Christ. F o r t h e individual J e w o b e d i e n c e t o t h e law a n d c o n f o r m i t y w i t h wis d o m r e m a i n e d in s o m e w a y , b u t essentially, h n k e d w i t h t h e a t t a i n m e n t of r i g h t e o u s n e s s , h o l i n e s s , a n d G o d ' s a p p r o v a l . F o r t h e in dividual C h r i s t i a n , a c c o r d i n g t o Paul, r i g h t e o u s n e s s £md holiness a n d G o d ' s a p p r o v a l are G o d ' s free a n d u n c o n d i t i o n a l gift w h i c h r e n d e r s o b e c h e n c e t o G o d ' s revealed will a n d living in k e e p i n g w i t h wise c o n d u c t t o b e t h e t h a n k f u l a n d w o r s h i p f u l r e s p o n s e of t h e believer in Christ coram Deo.
Select Bibliography
The following bibliography omits dictionary articles, encyclopedia entries, and works of a complementary and tangential nature. The index of authors serves to facilitate the loca tion of material not listed in the select bibliography.
1. Sources,
texts
Albeck, H., nJWa ' m O niru;, 6 vols., Jerusalem/Tel Aviv; Bialik Institute, 19541959. Allegro, J.H., ed.. Discoveries in the Judaean Desert of Jordan V — Qumran Cave 4: 1 ( 4 Q I 5 8 - 4 Q 1 8 6 ) = DJD 5, Oxford: Clarendon, 1 9 6 8 . Andrews,H.T., "The Letter of Aristeas", ^ P O T 2 (1913) 8 3 - 1 2 2 . Baillet, M., ed.. Discoveries in the Judaean Desert VII - Qumran Grotte 4:111 ( 4 Q 4 8 2 4 Q 5 2 0 ) = DJD 7, Oxford: Clarendon, 1 9 8 2 . Baillet, M., Milik, J.T., Vaux, R. de, eds.. Discoveries in the Judaean Desert of Jordan III — Les 'Petites Grottes' de Qumran. Exploration de la falaise. Les grottes 2Q, 3Q, 5Q, 6Q, 7Q a lOQ. Le rouleau de cuivre. DJD 3 , Oxford: Clarendon, 1 9 6 2 . Barthelemy, D . , Milik, J . T . , eds.. Discoveries in the Judaean Desert I - Qumran Cave 1 = DJD 1, Oxford: Clarendon, 1955. Beer, G., Holtzmann, O., Krauss, S., Rengstorf, H.K., Rost, L., eds.. Die Mischna: Text, Ubersetzung, und ausfUhrliche Erkldrung. Mit eingehenden geschichtlichen und sprachUchen Einleitungen und textkritischen Anhangen ( = Giessener Mischna), Giessen/Berlin: Topehnann, I 9 1 2 f L Black, M., Apocalypsis Henochi Graeci, PVTG 3 , Leiden: Brill, 1970. Bogaert, P.M., Apocalypse de Baruch: Traduction du Syriaque, SC 144, 1, p p . 4 6 1 - 5 2 8 , Paris: CerL 1 9 6 9 . Box, G.H., The Ezra-Apocalypse (2Esdras 3-14). Translated from a Critically Revised Text, with Critical Introductions, Notes, and Explanations, London: Pitman, 1 9 1 2 . — , Oesterley, W.O.E., "The Book of Sirach", ^ P O r 1 ( 1 9 1 3 ) 2 6 8 - 5 1 7 . — , "IV Ezra", APOT 2 ( 1 9 1 3 ) 5 4 2 - 6 2 4 . Burrows, M., ed.. The Dead Sea. Scrolls of St. Mark's Monastery, 2 vols.. New Haven: American Schools of Oriental Research, 1 9 5 0 / 1 9 5 1 . Charles, R.H., ed.. The Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha of the Old Testament, (= APOT), 2 vols., Oxford: Clarendon, 1 9 1 3 . - - , "IEnoch",.4/'Or2 (1913) 163-281. "2Baruch, or the Syriac Apocalypse of Baruch",^POr 2 ( 1 9 1 3 ) 4 7 0 - 5 2 6 . Charlesworth, J.H., The Odes of Solomon: The Syriac Texts. Edited, with Translation and Notes, Missoula: Scholars Press, 1978. Danby, H., The Mishnah. Translated from the Hebrew with Introduction and Brief Ex-
352
Select
Bibliography
planatory Notes, Oxford: University Press, 1933 (= 1 9 8 0 ) . Denis, A.M., "Fragmenta pseudepigraphorutn quae supersunt graeca una cum historicorum et auctorum Judaeorum hellenistarum fragraentis", PVTG 3b ( 1 9 7 0 ) 217228. Epstein, I., ed.. The Babylonian Talmud, 35 vols, reprinted in 18 vols., London; Soncino Press, 1 9 3 5 - 1 9 5 2 . Gaster, T.H., The Dead Sea Scriptures. In English Translation with Introduction and Notes, New York: Anchor Press, 3 l 9 7 6 . Geffcken, J., Die Oracula Sibyllina, GCS 8, Leipzig: Hinrichs, 1902 (= Amsterdam: Hakkert, 1 9 7 0 ) . Georgi, D., "Weisheit Salomos",yS///?Z III/4 ( 1 9 8 0 ) 3 8 9 - 4 7 8 . G r a y , G . B . , "The Psalms of S o l o m o n " , APOT2 {1913) 6 2 5 - 6 5 2 . Gunneweg, A.H.J., "Das Buch Baruch",/SHflZ IU/2 ( 1 9 7 5 ) 165-181. Habicht, € . , " 2 . Makkabaerbuch",/S//«Z 1/3 ( 1 9 7 6 ) 1 6 5 - 2 8 5 . Hadas, M., Aristeas to Philocrates (Letter of Aristeas), New York: Harper, 1 9 5 1 . Holmes, S., "The Wisdom of Solomon",/IPOr 1 ( 1 9 1 3 ) 5 1 8 - 5 6 8 . Holm-Nielsen, S., Hodayot: Psalms from Qumran, AThD 2, Aarhus: Universitetsforlaget, 1960. - -, "Die Psalmen Salomos",/ST/flZ I V / 2 ( 1 9 7 7 ) 4 9 - 1 1 2 . James, M.R., The Biblical Antiquities of Philo. Now First Translated from the Old Latin Version. Translation of Early Documents, Series I: Palestinian Jewish Texts, Lon don: SPCK, 1917 (= New York: Ktav, 1 9 7 1 ) . KUjn, A.F.J., "Die syrische Baruch-Apokalypse",/S//«Z V / 2 (1976) 1 0 3 - 1 9 1 . Knibb, M.A., The Ethiopic Book of Enoch. A New Edition in the Light of the Aramaic Dead Sea Fragments, 2 vols., Oxford: Clarendon, 1978. Kurfess, A., Sibyllinische Weissagungen, Berlin: Heimeran, 1 9 5 1 . Lanchester, H.C.O., "The Sibylline Oracles", ^ 0 7 " 2 ( 1 9 1 3 ) 3 6 8 - 4 0 6 . Lohse, E., ed.. Die Texte aus Qumran: Hebrdisch und Deutsch. Mit masoretischer Punktation, Ubersetzung, Einfiihrung und Anmerkungen, Darmstadt: Wissenschaftliche Buchgesellschaft,2l971. Maier, J., "Texte der Schriftrollen", Die Qumran-Essener, by K. Schubert and J . Maier, UTB 2 2 4 , Munchen/Basel: Reinhardt, 1 9 7 3 . —, Die Tempelrolle vom Toten Meer. Ubersetzt und erlautert, UTB 8 2 9 , Basel/Miinhen: Reinhardt, 1978. Mansoor, M., The Thanksgiving Hymns: Translation, STDJ 3 , Leiden: Brill, 1 9 6 1 , pp.98193. Martin, J., Le livre d'Henoch. Traduit sur le texte ethiopien, Milano: Arche, 1975. Meisner,N., " A r i s t e a s b r i e f , / S / / « Z II/l ( 1 9 7 3 ) 35-87. Milik, J . T . , The Books of Enoch: Aramaic Fragments of Qumran Cave 4,Oxford: Claren don, 1976. Myers, ]M., I and H Esdras. Introduction, Translation and Commentary, Anchor Bible 4 2 , N e w York: Doubleday, 1 9 7 4 . Nestle-Aland, Novum Testamentum Graece, ediderunt K. Aland, M. Black, C M . Mar tini, BM. Metzger, A. Wikgren, 2 6 . neu bearbeitete Auflage, Stuttgart: Deutsche Bibelstiftung, 1 9 7 9 . Neugebauer, O., The 'Astronomical' Chapters of the Ethiopic Book of Enoch (72-92). Translation and Commentary, Copenhagen: Munksgaard, 1 9 8 1 . Nikiprowetzky, V., La Troisteme Sibylle, Etudes J u i v e s 9 , Paris: Mouton, 1 9 7 0 , p p . 2 9 1 353. Oesteriey, W.O.E., / / Esdras (The Ezra Apocalypse). With Introduction and Notes. Westminster Commentaries, London: Methuen, 1 9 3 3 . Rahlfs, A., ed., Septuaginta id est V.etus Testamentum graece iuxta LXX interpretes.
Selec t BibUography
353
2 vols., editio nona, Stuttgart: Wiirttembergische Bibelanstalt, 1 9 3 5 . "Machabaeorum W",Septuaginta, I, pp.II57-1184. Sanders, J . A . , ed.. Discoveries in the Judaean Desert of Jordan IV — The Psalms Scroll of Qumran Cave 11 (llQPs") = DJD 4 , Oxford: Clarendon, 1 9 6 5 . Sauer, G., "Jesus Sirach (Ben Siia)", JSHRZ III/5 ( 1 9 8 1 ) 4 8 3 - 6 4 4 . Schreiner, J., "Das 4 . Buch Esra", JSHRZ V / 4 ( 1 9 8 1 ) 2 8 9 - 4 1 2 . Schunck, K.D., " 1 . Makkabaerbuch",/S//fiZ 1/4 ( 1 9 8 0 ) 2 8 7 - 3 7 3 . Smend, R., Die Weisheit des Jesus Sirach: Hebrdisch und Deutsch, Berlin, Reimers, 1 9 0 6 . Tov, E., The Book of Baruch also called 1 Baruch, SBLTT 8, Missoula: Scholars Press, 1975. Townshend, R.B., "The Fourth Book of Maccabees", 4POr 2 ( 1 9 1 3 ) 6 5 3 - 6 8 5 . Vattioni, F., Ecclesiastico. Testo ebraico con apparato critico e versioni greca, latina e Sirica, Naples: Istituto Orientale, 1968. V a u x , R. de, Milik, J.T., Discoveries in the Judaean Desert VI — Qumran Grotte 4: II Tefillin, Mezuzot et Targums (4Q128-4Q157) = DJD 6, Oxford: Clarendon, 1977. Vermes, G., The DeadSea Scrolls in English, Harmondsworth: Penguin, 2 l 9 7 5 (= 1 9 8 2 ) . Violet, B., Die Esra-Apokalypse (IV. Esra). GCS 18, Leipzig: Hinrichs, 1 9 1 0 . - -, Die Apokalypsen des Esra und des Baruch in deutscher Gestalt, GCS 3 2 , Leipzig: Hinrichs, 1 9 2 4 . Viteau, J., Les Psaumes de Salomon. Introduction, texte Grec et traduction, DEB 1/4, Paris: Letoazey et Ane, 1 9 1 1 . Wahl, O., Apocalypse of Ezra: Greek. Leiden: Brill, 1977. Walton, F.R., Diodorus Siculus, LCL XH, 1967. Weber, R., ed., Biblia Sacra luxta Vulgatam Versionem, 2 vols., editio altera emendata, Stuttgart: Wiirttembergische Bibelanstalt, 2 l 9 7 5 . - , "IV Ezra", o . c , 2, p p . l 9 3 I - I 9 7 4 . Wendland, P., Aristeae ad Philocratem Epistula. Cum ceteris de origine versionis LXX interpretum testimoniis, Leipzig: Teubner, 1900. Whitehouse, O . C , "The Book of Baiuch", APOT 1 (1913) 5 6 9 - 5 9 5 . Winston, D . , The Wisdom of Solomon. A N e w Translation with Introduction and Com mentary, Anchor Bible 4 3 , Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1 9 7 9 . Woude, A.S.van der, "Die funf syrischen Psalmen", JSHRZ H I / l ( 1 9 7 4 ) 29-47. Yadin, Y., The Scroll of the War of th Sons of Light Against the Sons of Darkness, Edi ted with Commentary and Introduction, ET by B. and C. Rabin, Oxford: Univer sity Press, 1 9 6 2 . Ziegler, J., "Baruch", Septuaginta Vetus Testamentum Graecum, auctoritate Societatis Litterarum Gottingensis editum, vol. 15, Gottingen: VanderUioeck Sc Ruprecht, 1976, pp.450-467. - - , "Sapientia lesu Filii Sirach", o.c, vol. 1 2 / 2 , 2 l 9 8 0 . - -, "Sapientia Salomotus", o . c , v o l 1 2 / 1 , 2 1 9 8 0 .
2.
Subsidia
Aland, K.., Werner, H., Computer-Konkordanz zum Novum Testamentum Graece, von Nestle-Aland, 2 6 . Auflage und zum Greek New Testament, 3rd edition, ed. Institut fiir Neutestamentliche Textforschung und vom Rechenzentrum der Universitat Miinster, unter besonderer Mitwirkung von H. Bachmatm, W.A. Slaby, Berlin/New York: de Gruyter, 1980. BaJz, H., Schneider, G., eds.,Exegetisches
Worterbuch
zum Neuen Testament,
(= EWNT),
354
Select
Bibliography
3 vok., Stuttgart: Kohlhammer, 1 9 8 0 / 1 9 8 1 / 1 9 8 3 . Barthelemy, D . , Rickenbacher, O., Konkordanz zum Hebrdischen Sirach, mit syrischhebraischem Index, Gottingen: Vandenhoek & Ruprecht, 1 9 7 3 . Bauer, W., Griechisch-deutsches Wdrterbuch zu den Schriften des Neuen Testaments und derubrigen urchristlichen Literatur, Berlin/New York: de Gruyter, 5 l 9 7 1 . Blass, F., Debrunner, A., Rehkopf, F., Grammatik des neutestamentUchen Griechisch, (= B D R ) , Gottingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, I S i g y g . Botterweck, G.J., Ringgren, H., eds., Theologisches Wdrterbuch zum Alten Testament, (= ThWAT), Stuttgart: Kohlhammer, 1970ff. Brockelmann, C , Syrische Grammatik, mit Paradigmen, Literatur, Chrestomathie und Glossar, Leipzig: Harrassowitz, 5 1 9 3 8 . Burchard, C., BibUographie zu den Handschriften vom Toten Meer, BZAW 76 ( 1 9 5 7 ) , 89 ( 1 9 6 5 ) . Charlesworth, J J l . , The Pseudepigrapha and Modem Research, SBLSCS 7, Missoula: Scholars Press, 1 9 7 6 . Dalman, G.H., Aramaisch-Neuhebraisches Handwdrterbuch zu Targum, Talmud und Midrasch, Gottingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 1938 (= Hildesheim: Olms, 1967). Delling, G., Maser, M., BibUographie zur jUdisch-hellenistischen und intertestamentarischen Literatur 1900 - 1970, IV 1 0 6 2 , Berlin: Akademie-Vcrlag, 2 l 9 7 5 . Fitzmyer, J.A., The Dead Sea Scrolls: Major PubUcations and Tools for Study, SBLSBS 8, Missoula: Scholars Press, 1 9 7 5 . Hatch, E., Redpath, H.A., A Concordance to the Septuagint and the other Greek Ver sions to the Old Testament (Including the Apocryphical Books), 2 vols., Oxford: Clarendon, 1897 (= Graz: Akademische Druck- und Verlagsanstalt, 1 9 7 5 ) . Jenni, E., Westermann, C , eds., Theologisches Handwdrterbuch zum Alten Testament, (=THAT), 2 vols., Miinchen: Kaiser, 1 9 7 1 / 1 9 7 6 . Kasowski, H.J., Thesaurus Mishnae: Concordantiae Verborum quae in Sex Mishnae Ordinibus ijeperiuntur, Jerusalem, 1 9 1 8 . Kittel, G., Friedrich, G., eds., Theologisches Wdrterbuch zum Neuen Testament, (= ThWNT), 10 vols., Stuttgart: Kohlhammer, 1 9 3 3 - 1 9 7 9 . Koehler, L., Baumgartner, W., Hebrdisches und Aramaisches Lexikon zum Alten Testa ment, Dritte Auflage, 2 vols., Leiden: Brill, 1 9 6 7 / 1 9 7 4 . Kuhn, K.G., et al., Konkordanz zu den Qumrantexten, Gottingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 1 9 6 0 . — , "Nachtrage zur Konkordanz zu den Qumrantexten' ", RQ 4 ( 1 9 6 3 ) 1 6 3 - 2 3 4 . LiddeU, H.G., Scott, R., A Greek-EngUsh Lexicon, New Edition by H.S. Jones and R. McKenzie, Oxford: Clarendon, 9 l 9 4 0 (= 1 9 6 6 ) . Mandelkern, S., Veteris Testamenti Concordantiae Hebraicae atque Chaldaicae, editio nona aucta atque emendata, Jerusalem/Tel Aviv: Schocken, 1 9 7 1 . Metzger, SM., A Textual Commentary on the Greek New Testament, London/New York: United Bible Societies, 1 9 7 5 . Reicke, B., Rost, L., eds., Biblisch-historisches Handwdrterbuch, (BHH), 4 vols., Got tingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 1 9 6 2 - 1 9 7 9 . Stern, M., ed., Greek and Latin Authors on Jews and Judaism, 2 vols., Jerusalem: Israel Academy of Science and Humanities, 1 9 7 4 / 1 9 8 0 . Temporini, H., Haase, W., eds., Aufstieg und Niedergang der romischen Welt: Geschich te und Kultur Roms im Spiegel der neueren Forschung, (= ANRW), Berlin/New York: de Gruyter, 1972ff.
Select Bibliography
3.
355
Commentaries
Barrett, C.K., A Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans, Black's N e w Testament Commentaries, London: Black, ( 1 9 5 7 ) 1 9 7 1 . —, A Commentary on the First Epistle to the Corinthians, Black's New Testament Commentaries, London: Black, 1 9 6 8 . —, A Commentary on the Second Epistle to the Corinthians, Black's New Testament Commentaries, London: Black, ( 1 9 7 3 ) 1 9 8 2 . Barth, G., Der Brief an die Philipper, Ziiricher Bibelkommentare N T 9 , Ziirich: Theo logischer Veriag, 1 9 7 9 . Betz, H.D., Galatians: A Commentary on Paul's Letter to the Churches in Galatia, Hermenia, Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1 9 7 9 . Bogaert, P.M., Apocalypse de Baruch: Introduction, traduction du Syriaque et commentaire. 2 vols., SC 1 4 4 / 1 4 5 , Paris: CerL 1 9 6 9 . Bruce, F.F., Commentary on the Epistle to the Colossians, NTCNT, Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, ( 1 9 5 7 ) 9 l 9 7 7 , p p . 1 5 9 - 3 1 3 . The Epistle to the Galatians: A Commentary on the Greek Text. NIGTC, Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1982. Bultmann, R., Der zweite Brief an die Korinther, ed. E. Dinkier, KEK Sonderband, Gottingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 1 9 7 6 . Conzelmann, H., Der erste Brief an die Korinther, KEK 5, Gottingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 1 9 6 9 . —, Die Apostelgeschichte, H N T 7, Tubingen: Mohr, 2 l 9 7 2 . Cranfield, CS,.Z., The Epistle to the Romans, 2 vols., ICC, Edinburgh: Clark, 1975 (I980)/I979. Ebeling, E., Die Wahrheit des Evangeliums: Eine Lesehilfe zum Galaterbrief, Tiibingen: Mohr, 1 9 8 1 . Gnilka, J., Der PhiUpperbrief HThK X / 3 , Freiburg: Herder, 1 9 6 8 . Der Kolosserbrief HThK X / 1 , Freiburg: Herder, 1 9 8 0 . Hacnchen, E., Die Apostelgeschichte, KEK 3 , Gottingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 131961. Hughes, P.E., Paul's Second Epistle to the Corinthians: The English Text with Introduc tion, Exposition and Notes, NICNT, Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, ( 1 9 6 2 ) ^ 1 9 7 9 . Kasemann, E., An die Romer, H N T 8a, Tubingen: Mohr, 'I'lgSO. Lietzmaim, H., An die Korinther, HNT 9 , erganzt von W.G. Kiimmel, Tiibingen: Mohr, 51969. Lohmeyer, E., Die Briefe an die Philipper, an die Kolosser und an Philemon. KEK 9, Gottingen; Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, ^^196i. Lohse, E., Die Briefe an die Kolosser und an Philemon, KEK I X / 2 , Gottingen: Vanden hoeck & Ruprecht, 1 9 6 8 . Liihrmann, O., Der Brief an die Galater, Ziiricher Bibelkommentare NT 7, Ziirich: Theologischer Veriag, 1 9 7 8 . Marshall, I.H., The Acts of the Apostles: An Introduction and Commentary, TNTC, Leicester: Inter-Varsity Press, 1980. Martin, R.P., Colossians: The Church's Lord and the Christian's Liberty, Exeter: P a t c noster, 1 9 7 2 . Michel, O., Der Brief an die Romer, KEK 4 , Gottingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 51978. Mussner, F., Der Galaterbrief, HThK 9 , Freiburg: Herder, 3 1 9 7 7 . Myers, J A I . , 7 and / / Esdras: Introduction, Translation and Commentary, Anchor Bible 4 2 , New York: Doubleday, 1 9 7 4 .
356
Select
Bibliography
Neugebauer, O., The 'Astronomical' Chapters of the Ethiopic Book of Enoch (72 to 82): Translation and Commentary, with Additional Notes on the Aramaic Fragments by M. Black, The Royal Danish Academy of Science and Letters 4 0 : 1 0 , Copenhagen: Munksgaard, 1 9 8 1 . N o t h , M., Kdnige I, BK l X / 1 , Neukirchen-Vluyn: Neukirchener Verlag, 1 9 6 8 . Orr, W.F., Walther, J . A . , / Corinthians: A New Translation, Introduction with a Study of the Life of Paul, Notes, and Commentary, Anchor Bible 3 2 , New York: Doubleday, 1 9 7 6 . Plummer, A., A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Second Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians, ICC, Edinburgh: Clark, 1915 (= 1 9 5 6 ) . Roloff, J . , Die Apostelgeschichte ubersetzt und erkldrt, N T D 5, Gottingen: Vanden hoeck & Ruprecht, 1 9 8 1 . Schlatter, A., Gottes Gerechtigkeit: Ein Kommentar zum Romerbrief, Stuttgart: Calwer Verlag, ( 1 9 3 5 ) 5 l 9 7 5 . Schlier, H., Der Brief an die Galater,
KEK 7, Gottingen:
Vandenhoek & Ruprecht,
5l971. Der Romerbrief, HThK 6, Freiburg: Herder, 1977. Schnadex, C.Die Aposte^eschichte, HThK V / 1 , 2 , Freiburg: Herder, 1 9 8 0 / 1 9 8 2 . Schweizer, E., Der Brief an die Kolosser, EKK, Zvirich/Neukirchen-Vluyn: Benzinger/ Neukirchener Verlag, 1 9 7 6 . Senft, C , La premiere EpStre de Saint-Paul aux Corinthiens, Coramentaire du Nouveau Testament 2 / 7 , Lausanne: Delachaux & Niestle, 1 9 7 9 . Snaith, J.G., Ecclesiasticus or the Wisdom of Jesus Son of Sirach, Cambridge Bible Com mentary, Cambridge: University Press, 1 9 7 4 . Strack, H.L., Billerbeck, P., Kommentar zum Neuen Testament aus Talmud und Mid rasch, 6 vols., Munchen: Beck'sche Verlagsbuchhandlung, ( 1 9 2 6 ) 61974. Westermann, C , Genesis 1-11, BK I / l , Neukirchen-Vluyn: Neukirchener Verlag, 2 l 9 7 6 . Wilckens, U., Der Brief an die Romer, 3 vols., EKK V I / 1 - 3 , Einsiedeln/NeukirchenVluyn: Benzinger/Neukirchener Verlag, 1 9 7 8 / 1 9 8 0 / 1 9 8 2 . Wadberger, H., Jesaja (1-39), BK X / 1 - 3 , Neukirchen-Vluyn: Neukirchener Verlag, 1 9 7 2 / 1978/1982. Windisch, H., Der Zweite Korintherbrief, KEK 6, Gottingen: Vandenhoeck & Rup recht, 1924 (= 1 9 7 0 ) . Winston D . , The Wisdom of Solomon: A New Translation with Introduction and Com mentary, Anchor Bible 4 3 , New York: Doubleday, 1 9 7 9 . Wolff, H.W., Dodekapropheton 4: Micha, BK X I V / 4 , Neukirchen-Vluyn: Neukirchener Verlag, 1 9 8 2 . ZimmerU, W., Ezechiel BK X n i / 1 , 2 Neukirchen-Vluyn: Neukirchener Verlag, 1 9 6 9 .
4.General
bibliography^
Aalen, S., Die Begriffe 'Licht' und 'Finsternis' im Alten Testament, im Spdtjudentum und im Rabbinismus, Skrifter Norske Akademi 1, Oslo: Dybward, 1 9 5 1 . Aletti, J . N . , Colossiens 1,15-20: Genre et exegese du texte. Fonction de la thematique sapientielle, AnBibl 9 1 , Rome: Biblical Institute Press, 1 9 8 1 . Alon, G., Jews, Judaism and the Classical World: Studies in Jewish History in the Times of the Second Temple and Talmud, ET by I. Abrahams, Jerusalem: Magnes Press, 1977. Audet, J.P., "Origines comparees de la double tradition de la loi et de la sagesse dans le
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3
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Index of Passajn^es
I. Old Genesis 1,14 1,14-16 1,26-27 1,31 2,11-14 2,18 2,24 3,5 3,22 6,12 18,19 19,31 31,35 47,26
43 43 253 18 72 314 313 254 254 3 3 3 3 36
Exodus 13,21 14,21-22 16,4 16,14-18 16,18 17,6 19-20 20,11 20,14 20,18-19 22,6-14 23,7 23,8 23,15 29,28 30,23-24 34,20 34,28-35
246 246 246 246 313 246 44 312 47 210 58 52 48 38, 51 36 61 38 282
Leviticus 5,1 5,14-26 5,21 6,11 18,4ff. 19,17-18 19,17 19.18
58 51 58 36 35 47 46 275
Tcstaitiriit 26,15 26,43
35 35
Numbers 6,24-27 14,41 18,8-19 18,9 18,11 18,19 20,7-14 21,18 22,18 24,13 24,17 25,13
218 34 51 51 51 51 246 209 34 34 187 62
Deuteronomy 1,5 1,12 1,13 1,15 4 4,1 4,5 4,6-14 4,6-8 4,6 4,8 4,12 4,14 4,32 4,40 4,45 5,1 5,10 5,18 5,22-23 5,31 5,33 6,1 6,2 6,5 6,7 6,20
212 212 212 212 84 36 36 210 12, 1 3 , 8 4 5, 1 1 , 13 36 210 36, 2 1 0 84 25, 82 36 36 56 47 210 34,36 2 5 , 82 34,36 25, 3 6 , 8 2 56 211 36
380 6,25 7,8 7,9 7,11 7,13 8,1 8,11 10,12 10,13 11,1 11,8-9 11,8 11,18-21 11,22 ll,26ff. 11,32 12,1 12,6-7 12,9-10 15,7-11 15,18 16,16 16,19 17,7 18,3 23,5 25,1 25,19 26,1-4 26,13 26,16-17 27,25 28,1-17 28,15 28,45 30 30,11-14 30,12-14 30,12-13 30,14 31,10 32,8-9 32,35 32,47 33,2 33,3 33,4 33,10 33,14 33,20 Joshua 1,8 22,3 22,5
Index of Passages 34 21 56 34, 36 21 144 36 56 2 1 , 36 36 25 34 25 34 3 36 36 51 22 38,48 59 38,51,62 48, 61 313 51 21 52 22 38,51 34 36 48 75 36 36 84,97,98 14,248, 249 247, 2 9 2 , 2 9 8 248, 249 249 184 61 313 25,82 210 21 6 1 , 72 35, 97 14 26
34 34 34
Judges 11,39
36
/ Samuel 12,23 15,24
3 34
2 Samuel 15,4 24,14
52 61
/ Kings 2,3 8,32
3 52
2 Kings 12,10 12,11 17,19 17,26-27 17,37 18,37 19,2 22,3 22,8-10 22,12 25,19
64 63 34 35 3,4 64 64 64 64 64 63
/
2
Chronicles 22,13
36
Chronicles 7,17 19,10 24,20 33,8 34,8 36,12
36 36 34 36 64 21
Nehemiah 1,5 1,7 9,13 10,30 11,7-9 11,31-35
56 36 36 36 229 229
Ezra 7,6 7,10 7,12 7,21 7,25 8,1 8,4 8,9 8,13
84 32,84,210 63,64 63 5, 7 1 , 8 4 64 64 64 64
381
Index of Passages 12,6 12,36
64 64
fob 14,5 14,13 23,10-11 23,12 23,14 24,13 28,26 28,28 38,10 38.33 40,2 40,18
36 36 3 21 36 3 36 249 36 36 207 35
Psalms 1 1,2 5,13 6,6 15,5 19 19,6 19,8 19,9 19,10 30,6 30,8 33,18 36,9 46,5 56,9 69,22 72,1-2 73 78,5 78,7 78,68 82,3 87,2 89,31 105,45 111,10 112,1 112,9 119 119,2 119,12 119,13 119,20 119,22 119,33 119,34 119,38 119,39
4, 5, 1 1 , 12, 8 4 34 26 61 48 4 , 5 , 12, 1 4 , 8 4 43 146 234 5,35 26 26 61 73 73 213 211 115 5 97 32 21 52 21 35 32 5 5 314 4,5, 11,12,32,84 32 210 21 35 32 3,32 32 5 35
119,56 119,63 119,69 119,72 119,88 119,101 119,105 119,110 119,115 119,129 119,130 119,145 128,1 128,4 132,13-14 147,19 148,2-6 Proverbs 1,1 1.7 1,8 1,31 2,3-6 LXX 2.6 2,8 2,12-15 3,1 3,2 3,4 3,7 3,16 3,17 4,2 4,11-12 4.11 6,20 6,22-23 6,23 6,35 7,2 8,12-14 8,18 8,20 8,22-31 8,22-25 8,22-23 8,22 8,27-30 8,27 8,29 8,32 8,34 8,35 9,10 11,20 12,2
32 5 32 21 21 234 146 32 32 32 234 32 5 5 21 97 36
22 61 33 3 259 21 3 234 33 25 313, 313 220 3,2; 33 234 3 33 234 3, 3: 48 33 257 220 3,2: 13,; 256 257 234 257 36 36 3 234 26 61 3 26
382 12,15 12,20 14,33 15,30 17,15 17,23 18,4 18,22 22,6 22,8 25,21-22 26,27 28,7 30,1-6 30,8 31,26
Index of Passages 3 25 22 220 52 48 148 26,61 3 314 313 61 32 14,249 36 33
Qnhelet 1,12 1,16-18 2,13 2,26 5,19 7,12 9,10LXX
22 250 234 250 220 250 250
Isaiah 1,20 1,23 2 2,1-5 3,14 5,23 9,6 9,7 10,24 10,26 11,2-3 11,2 11,3-5 12,3 16,5 22,13 24,5 25,6-8 26,8-9 29,13 30,18 32,1 34,16 40,5 40,12-26 41,18 42,1-6 43,4 45,3 LXX 45,23
21 48 132 288 35 52 117 115 3 3 115 117 115 73 115 314 34 288 35 313 35 115 21 21 249 73 132 21 259 21
48,3 51,4 55,8-11 55,10 55,11 56,6 58,2 60,10 62,2 63,9 Jeremiah 1,10 2,8 5,22 5.24 8,8-9 8,8 9,11 9,19 12,16 15,19 18,18 23,5 23,16 31,12 31,31ff. 31,33 31,36 32,11 33,15 33,25 36,10 36,12 36,20-21 38,31-34
21 35 249 314 21 56 35 26 21 21
61 32 36 36 5 65,84 21 21 3 21 5 115, 117 21 73 267 288 36 34 115 36 64 64 64 282
Ezekiah 3,17 5,5-6 16,8 22,12 33,7 36-37 36,26 36,27 37.24 47
21 36 21 48 21 282 284 288 288 73
Daniel 7,10 9 9,41
213 95 56
Hosea 6,5 10,3
21,35 3
383
Index of Passages 11,4 14,4
21 21
Ilahakkuk 1,5
217
Joel 4,18
73
Zechariah 8,17 14,8
313 73
Malachi 2,6-7
5,84
Amos 4,10 8,14 Mic ah 4,1-8 4,4
288 21
II. E a i N J e w i s h L i t e r a t u r e Antiquitates 9,8 10,7 11,1-2 11,1 11.5 12,2 12,4 15,6 19,6 20,2-3 21,2 21,2 21,9 23,7 23,10 30,1-2 32,7 33,3 51,4 Apocalypse 1,2-4 1,4 2,2 3,6 5,3 6,4ff. 7,1-2 8,1-2 13,2-12 14,1-19 14,7 14,8-11 14,8 14,9 14,12 15,Iff. 15,1-8
Biblicae 164,234 246 164 164, 2 3 4 164, 2 4 6 164 164 164 164 162 162 162 164 162, 1 6 4 , 2 3 4 164 164 162 164 164,234 of Baruch 153 153 155 154, 157 153 153 153 153 155 155 155 249 155 158 155 153 154, 155
15,3 15,5-6 15,5 16,6 15,7-8 17,lff. 17,1 17,4-19,1 17,4 18,1-2 18,2 19,lff. 19,1 19,3 21,910 23,2ff. 24,1 28,1 31-34 31,5-32,1 32,1 38,1-2 38,1 38,2 38,4 43-46 44,3-7 44,3 44,5-6 44,6 44,7 4 4 , 1 2 13 44,14 44,15 45,1-2 45,2 46,2-3
155 155 155, 158, 162 155, 159 155 153 163 154 154, 156, 1 5 9 , 2 3 4 1 5 6 , 159, 163 154 153 155 155 158 153 155 158 157 157 154,155,159 154, 1 5 6 , 1 5 9 , 1 6 2 , 163, 234 1 5 8 , 159 150, 158, 159, 1 6 4 1 5 9 , 162, 164 157 157 8 2 , 1 5 4 , 155 153 158 1 5 4 , 155, 157 159 154, 158. 1 5 9 , 1 6 0 , 1 6 2 , 233 158 156 159 1 5 6 , 159, 163
384 46,3 46,4 46,5-6 46,5 48,9 48,10 48,22 48,23 48,24 48,26ff. 48,31 48,33-47 48,33 48,36 48,38-41 48,38 48,40 48,45-47 48,47 49,7 51,3-7 51,3-4 51,3 51,4 51,7 52,7 54,3 54,5 54,13 54,15 54,16-18 54,19 54,21-22 54,22 55,2 57,2 59,2 59,4 59,5 59,7 61,4-6 61,6 63,3 63,5 66,2 66,5 66,14 67, 2-4 67,6 70,5 75,2 76-77 76,5 77,3 77,5-7 77,6
Index of Passages 154,157 1 5 4 . 155, 158, 169 1 5 7 , 162 154, 155, 1 5 7 , 1 5 8 , 1 5 9 , 164 158 155 154, 160 160 1 5 8 , 1 6 0 , 162 153 160 160, 162 160 148, 1 5 8 , 160 156 160 132, 1 5 5 , 160 156 160 160 1 6 4 , 162 160 155,158,160 160 155,158 160,162 157 1 5 4 , 1 5 8 , 163 158 154 156 154 156 156 166 166 132, 1 5 4 , 156, 1 6 9 , 1 6 4 157, 1 6 0 , 1 6 2 160 168, 1 6 0 , 162 160,162 160 155 160, 162 1 6 1 , 162 161,162 154 153 155 148 168 157 166 156 167 157
77,13-15 77,15-16 77,15 77,16 82,6 84,1 84,9 86,3 85,7 85,8-9 Assumptio 1,14 3,1 Iff. 3,12
157 154, 146, 158, 154, 154, 154, 154 154 154 J Mosis
Baruch 1,5-3,8 1,15-5,9 1,15 3,8 1,15-2,19 1,17-22 1,18-20 1,18 2,1-7 2,2-28 2,2 2,10-12 2,10 2,20-26 2,27-35 2,28-30 2,28 3,2-4 3,7 3,8-13 3,9-5,9 3,9-4,4 3,9-14 3,9 3,10-13 3,12 3,13 3,14 3,15 3,16-28 3,20-21 3,20 3,23 3,24-25 3,27 3,28 3,29-32 3,29-31 3,29-30 3,29
155 1 5 7 , 164 161,162 155 155 157
272 107 272
97 96 96 95 98, 99 97 97,98,99 98, 99 98 97 97 97,98,99 98,99 97 9 8 , 99 97 98, 99 97 98, 99 97 95, 9 6 , 9 8 9 8 , 9 9 , 162 96,97,98,99 98 96,98 97,98,99,164 96,97,98,99,164,220, 234 259 96 99 96 96,99 9 6 , 164 96,99 97 249 9 6 , 9 7 , 98 248, 249 96
Index of Passages
3,30 3,31 3,32-36 3,32-34 3,32 3,35 3,36 3,37-4,4 3,37-4,1 3,37-38 3,38 4,1-4 4,1 4,2 4,3
4,5-5,9 4,5-5,4 4,12-13 4,12 4,13 5,4 Enoch
61 99 96 96, 164 96 96 96 97 97 96 96,97,200,257 96, 98,99, 162 71,97,98,99,164 82,83,99 99 95 95 98, 99 97 82,97,98,99, 164 97
(Ethiopic)
1-5 1,1-9 1,9 1,1-2 1,1
1,2-3 2-5 2,1-5,3 2,1-2 5,3-4 5,4-9 5,4 5,6-9 5,7-9 5,8-9 5,8 5,9 6-36 6-16 6-11 10,15 12,1-11 12,3-4 13,6 13,8 14,1-3 14,1 14,2-4 14,3 15,1 17-26 17-19 18,1-5 18,11-16
100,101 102 108 102 102 102 105 104 107, 164 109, 111 102,105 107, 108, 110 111,164 105, 111 104, 110, 111, 162 104, 105 105, 1 1 1 100, 101 100 101 102, 105 102 102 108 102 111 104 102 104 102 102 100 106 107
20-36 21,1-6 25,13 32,3 33,3-4 36,4 37-71 37,1-5 37,2 37,4 38-44 38,2-6 38,2 39,1-2 39,6 39,8 39,9 41,1 41,3-9 41,5-6 42 42,1-3 42,1-2 42,1 43-44 43,1-2 43,4 45-57 46,2 46,3 47,3 48,1-2 48,1 48,7 49,1-3 49,1 49,2 49,3 51,3 52,1-9 53,6 53,7 54,7-55,2 58-59 58,2 58,3-6 58,3 58,5 59 59,1-3 60 60,6 60,11-23 61,1-13 61,7 61,11
385 100 107 102 104 106, 164 107 100,101, 103 102 102 105,111 100,102 107 108 100 108, 165 107 107 107,108 104, 105 107 103, 148 110, 111, 162 103 103, 164 105 107 104 100, 102 108 259 213 104, 105, 108. 165 104, 105, n o . 111, 162 103 104, 108, 110, 1 1 1 , 162, 165 106 106, 108, 165 106 106,108, 165 104,105 108 108, 165 101 100,102 102 111,164 105, 111 104 105 104 101 110 104, 105, 106, 164 104, UO, 111, 162 103, 104 103
386 62,1-63,12 63,2-3 63,3 65,1-69,25 66,1-2 69,15-21 69,21-25 69,25 70,1-3 71 71,1 71,3 71,5 71,14 71,16 72-82 72,3 73,1 75,1 75,2 76,14 79,1-2 79,1 80,1-6 80,1 80,2-82,3 80,2-8 80,4-6 80,4 80,7 81,1-4 81,1-2 81,1 81,2-4 81,4 82,1-5 82,1-3 82,1 82,2-4 82,2 82,3 82,4 82,7-10 83-90 83 83,1 84,3 85,1-2 86,1 89-90 89,16-71 89,21-38 90,17 90,39-42 90,41 91-105 91,1
Index of Passages 102 103 104,111 101 106, 1 6 4 106 106 106 102 102 102 104 102 108, 165 108, 165 100, 101, 106 106, 164 106 107 106, 164 106, 164 102, 105 107 104, 106 104 105 107 106 106, 107, 110, 111 107, 2 1 3 102, 105 108 102,105 107 104 102, 105 104, 105, 104 104 104, 106 106 100, 101 102 102 1 0 3 , 104, 102 102 168 104 107 213 102 107 100, 1 0 1 , 102
91,3-19 91,3 91,10
1 0 2 , 104
164
111
164
1 0 2 , 1 0 3 , 105
91,12-17 92,1 92,4 93,1-14 93,2 93,5 93,6 93,8 93,10 94,1-100,9 94,1-5 94,1 94,5 94,6-11 94,6 95,1-7 95,5-6 96,4-8 96,5 96,7 97,8 98,1-102,3 98,1 98,3 98,6-10 98,6 98,9 98,11 98,13 98,14-15 99,1-16 99,2 99,10 99,11-12 99,14 99,15 100,6 100,7-10 100,7-8 100,7 101,1 101,2-8 102,4-104,13 103,3 103,5 103,8 104,7 104,12 105,1 105,2 106-108 106-107
108 102 102, 1 0 3 , 1 0 4 , 105, 111,148,162,164 1 0 0 , 101 1 0 4 , 105, 110, 1 1 1 , 108 100, 101 111 105 108, 164 105,110 105, 1 1 0 , 1 1 1 , 162 102 110, 1 1 1 , 1 6 2 , 164 102 1 0 3 , 148, 164 108 107 108 109 108 109 109 109 102 102 102 1 1 1 , 162 108 109 109 109 109 108 1 0 8 , 164 1 0 2 , 104, 110, 1 1 1 , 164 109 108, 109, 164 109 102 108 109 108 111 102 102 108 102 102 108 102, 1 0 4 , 110, 1 1 1 , 127, 2 3 4 111 100 101
110,
162
162,
162
387
Index of Passages 108 108,1 108,11-14 Enoch 48,1 49,1
101 102, 108 111, 1 6 4
(Slavic)
Epistula Aristeae 3 5 10 15 30-32 30 31 33-34 83-106 107 121 127 128-171 130-171 130 131 137 139 144 155 158 161 162 168-169 168 169 171 172-300 176-177 177 200 207 235 240 260 271 279 306 309 313 4Ezra 1-2 3-14 3,1-5,19 3,1-3 3,1
148 148
120 120 120 120, 121 121 120 120, 1 2 3 , 162 121 121 122 122 120, 1 2 1 , 1 2 2 , 1 2 3 , 1 6 2 121 121 122 120 122 120, 1 2 1 , 1 2 2 , 1 2 3 , 162 120, 1 2 1 , 1 2 2 , 1 2 3 , 124, 162 120 120 121,122,123,132,162 122 1 2 3 , 162 120,121,122 121,122 120 122 121 120 122 122 122 120 122 122 121 121 120 120
139 139 140 140 140
3,4-27 3,5-26 3,8 3,11 3,13 3,14 3,15-20 3,19 3,22 3,25 3,28-36 3,29-36 3,29-30 3,32-36 3,32-33 3,33 3,34 3,34-35 3,35-36 3,35 3,36 4,23 4,24 5,1-12 5,1 5,9-11 5,9-10 5,10 5,20-6,34 5,27 5,28-30 5,29 5,36-40 6,1-6 6,5 6,35-9,25 6,53-59 7,2-16 7,10-16 7,11 7,17-25 17,17-18 7,17 7,20-44 7,20-24 7,20 7,21-25 7,21 7,22-44 7,24 7,35 7,37 7,45-46 7,45 7,48 7,60 7,62
1 4 1 , 1 4 6 , 147 142 8 2 , 142 249 148 143 145 143 160 141 142 142 145 144 145 144,145 141,145 145 145 145 145 145 141 148 148 149,151,162 148 148 140 1 0 7 , 1 4 3 , 145, 146 142 144, 145 249 249 1 4 5 , 159 140 142 144 143 145, 146, 164 1 4 3 , 1 4 4 , 145 144 144 144 132 144 143,145 144,145 145 145 145 1 4 4 , 145 144 145 144 144 149
388 7,64 7,66-67 7,70-74 7,72 7,77 7,79 7,81 7,82 7,83 7,88-99 7,88-90 7,89 7,92 7,94 7,127-131 7,127-130 7,129-131 7,129 7,131 7,133 7,137-138 8,3 8,6 8,7-13 8,12-29 8,12 8,16-17 8,20-23 8,27 8,28-29 8,29 8,31-36 8,39 8,41 8,52-58 8,52-56 8,52-54 8,52-53 8,52 8,54 8,55-58 8,56 9,7-13 9,7 9,13 9,15 9,26-10,59 9,29ff. 9,29-37 9,29-32 9,31 9,32 9,37 9,38-10,24 10,22 10,29-59 11,1-38
Index of Passages 149 144 145, 1 4 9 , 162 145, 1 4 9 , 150, 1 5 1 , 155 159 8 2 , 1 4 3 , 146, 146 145 144 145 146, 149, 1 5 1 , 162 143 143 144 143 145 143 144 8 2 , 1 4 4 , 145 144 82 144 144 144 1 5 0 , 162 146 1 5 0 , 1 5 1 , 162 141 249 145 151 151 145 143, 144 144 150,162 151 150 160 148, 150 144 150 1 4 3 , 1 4 5 , 150 143 145 144 144 139, 140 107 144 145 1 4 3 , 145 145 1 4 3 , 1 4 6 , 164 141 145, 1 6 3 140 140
12,36-38 12,36 12,38 12,40-50 12,47 13,1-66 13,23 13,42 13,53-58 13,54-55 13,55 13,58 14,1-50 14,3ff. 14,3-6 14,5 14,6-8 14,13 14,19-22 14,20-21 14,20 14,21-22 14,22 14,23-26 14,25-26 14,25 14,26 14,27-35 14,28-32 14,30 14,31 14,34 14,35 14,37-48 14,37-44 14,38-47 14,40 14,45-46 14,46 14,47 14,48 14,50 15-16 Jubilees 1,4 1,10 1,26 1,27 1,29 1,48-50 2,1 2,2 2,25-26 2,29-30 2,33 4,17
140 148 147 141,151 148 140 145 145 143 150,151 148 143 140 107 145 143 140 140, 147, 151 145,148, 132 143 144, 145, 143 148 148, 1 5 0 , 147 142 144 141, 144, 146 146 145 151 148 140 148, 151 147 147 148 140 151 139
164 164 164 273 164,273 107 273 162, 164 273 273 164 162
151 151,163,234
148
1 5 1 , 162
145
389
Index of Passages 5,13 6,14 6,20 6,22 7,20 12,21 13,26 15,25-28 15,25 16,3 16,30 20,3 21,5 21,22 23,16 23,21 23,26 24,11 25,15 30,21 30,22 35,13 Judith 13,12 1
4
82, 164 164 273 273 164 82 164 273 164 164 164 82 164 82 164 82 82 164 82 164 213 82
82
Maccabees 1,56-67 7,12-13 7,12
72 65 65
Maccabees 1,1 1,12 1,15-19 1,16-17 1,16 1,17 1,18 1,34 2,5 2,8 2,9-10 4,23 5,2 5,6 5,7 5,9 5,11 5,16-38 5,16 5,18 5,22 5,25 5,31 5,33 5,35
135,138 136 136 132 136 137, 162 136 136 136 136 138 136 135 135 137 136 137 136 1 3 6 , 138 135 137 132 137 136 1 3 5 , 137, 162
6,15 6,21 6,22 7,1 7,4 7,7 7,9 7,16 7,21 8,1 9,1-8 9,2 9,6-7 9,15 9,29-30 11,20 11,27 13,6 13,12 13,24 13,26 13,27 15,9 15,14 16,4 16,14 16,17-22 16,17 16,19 17,7 17,16 17,19 18,3 19,1 Psalms of 1,8 2,3 2,12 2,33 3,12 4,1 4,8-13 4,9 4,11 4,12 4,19 4,21 4,23 4,25 5,18 6,5 6,6 7,9 8,9 8,11 8,32
135 135 137 138 138 136 135, 136, 137 137 135, 1 3 6 , 137 138 136 136 137 136 137 137 135 138 137 136 136 137 136 137 138 137 136 1 3 6 , 137 136 137 135,136 136 137 136 Solomon 115 115 115 116, 116, 115 117, 115, 115, 115, 115 115 115, 118 118, 118, 118 113, 115 115 113
118, 164 118, 164 162 116, 117 117 117
1 1 8 , 164 164 164 115, 164
390
Index of Passages 115 116, 118 116, 118 1 1 3 , 114, 115 95 115 115 115, 118, 164 116 118, 164 117,162 116,117,118 116 1 1 3 , 1 1 4 , 115, 117, 164 47 114 115 115 118, 164 118, 162 116 116 116 116 116 115 115 115 115 115,118 117 117 115, 1 1 6 , 117, 118, 165 114, 115, 118, 165 118 116, 117, 1 1 8 , 165 117 115, 118 118 116, 117, 118, 165 117 116, 117, 118, 165 118 115,118 118 115,116,117,118,165 118 114 114 114 114
9,2 10,2 10,3 10.4 U 12,1 12,3 12,4 13,10-12 13,12 14,1-2 14,1 14,2-3 14,2 14,3 14,6 15,8 15,10 15,13 16,7-8 16,7 16,8 16,9 16,10 16,13 17,5 17,11 17,18 17,20 17,2146 17,22-31 17,22-25 17,23 17,24 17,26 17,29 17,3241 17,32 17,34 17,35 17,36 17,37 17,39 17,40 17,41 18,7 18,8 18,10-14 18,10-12 18,10 18,12 Psalms (syr) 2,1-39 Sapientia 1-6
214
Salomonis 129
1 1,5 1,6-8 1,6 1,15 2,11 2,12 3,1 3,15 5,1 5,6 5,15 6-10 6,4 6,12-13 6,16 6,18 6,22 7,7 7,14 7,15-21 7,15-16 7,16 7,17-21 7,20 7,22-30 7,22 7,23 7,24 7,25-26 7,25 7,26-30 7,26 7,27 8,14 8,1-3 8,2 8,3-4 8,3 8,4 8,7 8,8 8,9 8,13 8,18 8,21-9,6 8,21 9-18 9,1-2 9,4 9,5 9,9-13 9,9-10 9,9 9,10-18 9,10 9,11
130 131 335 131 131 131 1 3 1 , 1 3 2 , 1 3 3 , 134, 162 131 160 131 82 131 130, 133 1 3 1 , 132 131 131 131, 133 250 131 259 250 131 131 1 3 1 , 1 3 2 , 164 234 131 131 131 131,164 131 133 250 1 3 3 , 134, 1 6 4 , 2 5 6 1 3 1 , 1 3 3 , 134 164 131 131 131 131 250 1 3 1 , 132 132 250 131 131 131 131 133 1 3 1 , 164 131 131 250 131 1 3 1 , 1 3 2 , 1 3 3 , 164, 2 5 6 1 3 3 , 1,34,249 131,241 234
391
Index of Passages 9,16-17 9,17 9,29 10,1-21 10,10 10,17-18 10,17 11,1-10 11,15-16 12,2 12,24-27 14,2 14,3 14,16 15,18-19 16,6 18,4 18,9 18,15
250 131,241 250 134 234 246 234 134 134 335 134 131 131 131 134 1 3 1 , 134 1 3 1 , 1 3 2 , 133, 1 3 4 , 146, 163, 234 131 131
Sibylline Oracles 2 125 125 3,1-92 125 3,46-62 125 3,62-96 3,69-70 126, 3,75-92 125 3,194-195 234 3,195 127 3,219-220 127, 3,237-262 126 3,246 126, 3,248-260 126 3,256 126 3,259 126 3,275-278 127 3,275 126 3,284 126 3,291 126 3,293 126 3,350-380 125 3,372 125 3,496 127 3,558 127 3,569-603 127 3,573-600 127, 3,573-583 127 3,575-579 127 3,580-581 127 3,580 128 3,584 128 3,585 128 3,586-596 128 3,600 126, 3,669-697 128, 3,670 128
127
162 127
3,686 3,687 3,702-731 3,719-720 3,719 3,720 3,757 3,762-763 3,764-765 3,768 3,776 4 4,128 4,129 4,143 5 5,264-265 5,298-305 5,360 5,384 5,509 Sirach prol. 1-3 1-2 1 7-11 8-10 8 12-14 27-36 29 31-36 35-36 1 1,1-10 1,1-8
1,1
128, 162
128 162
1,2-3 1,2 1,4 1,5 1,6 1,8 1,9-10 1,9 1,10 1,11-20 1,11-12 1,11 1,12 1,13 1,14 1,16 1,18 1,19
126, 127, 128 128 128 127 126, 128 127 127 128 128 126, 127 125 125 126 126 126 125 128 126 128 128 128
77, 78 37 38, 4 0 , 42 83 37 38,40,42 77,79,82,83 79 77, 7 9 , 8 2 , 8 3 83 77, 7 9 , 8 2 , 8 3 15 16,24 250 16, 20 18,19,73 78 78,256,257 30,77,78,82,83,259 18, 19, 7 3 , 160 16 21 16, 17, 1 8 , 7 8 1 6 , 2 1 , 2 4 , 5 6 , 7 4 , 200 24,56 25 25 25 25 24,61,74,82 18,24, 74,82 24,25,74,82,220 81
392 1,20 1,21 1,26-27 1,26 1,27 1,28 1,30 2,9 2,15-16 2,15 2,16 2,18 3,2 4,7 4,9 4,11-19 4,12 4,13 4,16-19 4,18 4,19 4,29 5,2 5,9 6,14-15 6,18-37 6,18-36 6,19 6,20-31 6,26-27 6,28-31 6,28 6,29 6,30-31 6,31 6,32ff. 6,33 6,35-36 6,36 6,37 7,6-7 7,6 7,8-10 7,15 7,19 7,23 7,26 7,29-31 7,29 7,30-33 7,30 7,31 7,32-35 7,33
Index of Passages 25,74,82,160,220 25 45 18,21,30,38, 39,40, 4 2 , 5 0 , 5 5 , 6 9 , 7 3 , 7 4 , 83 18,21,25,26 5 58 78 10,45,56,70,74 37,56,82 26,37,38,40,42,50, 56,82 61 87 57,59 35 16,30 25,26,220 25,26,220 24 19 207 58,59 82 82 181 1 6 , 2 4 , 30 74 74 181 234 74 22,25,26,220 25,26 75 26,220 30 207 58 2 5 , 2 9 , 3 4 , 3 5 , 3 8 , 40, 42, 5 0 , 5 5 , 7 0 , 7 4 , 8 2 , 8 3 5, 1 5 , 2 9 , 4 5 58, 59 58 23 18,87 58, 60 207 5 8 , 60 23 56,87 57 56 51,56,87 23 49
8,8-9 8,9 8,13 8,15 9,8-9 9,9-12 9,14-15 9,15 9,16 10,1 10,2 10,4 10,18ff. 10,19 10,25 10,26 11,4 11,7 11,17 1 1 , 18 12,5 12,15 13,6 14,11 14,12 14,17 14,20 14,21 14,20-15,10 15,1-2 15,1
15,2 15,3 15,7 15,9 15,13 15,14 15,15-17 15,15 15,19 16,20 16,24-17,14 16,24-28 16,24 16,26 16,27 16,28 16,29-17,10 17,1-2 17,2-4 17,2 17,6-9 17,7 17,8
58 18,58 335 82 57 57 58 45 5, 45 207 58 17 30 3 4 , 3 6 , 3 8 , 4 0 , 4 2 , 51 207 18 18 5 8 , 60 36, 4 3 , 8 0 36 18 82 18 23 36,43,80 36,43,80 26,34 82 16,69 25 10, 1 1 , 1 5 , 3 1 , 3 2 , 3 3 , 40,42,45,50,55,69, 70,82,83 18 73 65 18 45 46,47,75 75 26,32,34,38,40,42, 50,56,75,82 61 36 14, 1 7 , 4 4 17,44 17 16, 17, 18 17,78 17,78 17,44 43 17 17 21 17,53 16, 1 7 , 1 8
Index of Passages 17,11-14 17,11-12 17,11
17,12 17,13 17,14 17,15 17,17 17,27 18,1 18,4-7 18,4 18,14 18,20 19,4-17 19,6 19,11 19,14-17 19,17 19,18 19,19 19,20-30 10,20-24 19,20
19,22-25 19,24 19,25 20,27-31 20,29 20,35ff. 21,1-11 21,5 21,9 21,10 21,11-28 21,11
21,12 21,13 23,9-11 23,13 23,16-27 23,22-27 23,22-25 23,23 23,24 23,27
13, 1 7 , 2 9 , 3 7 , 4 4 , 69 11,42 11, 1 7 , 2 1 , 2 3 , 3 7 , 3 8 , 3 9 , 4 0 , 4 2 , 4 4 , 5 0 , 70, 7 2 , 8 0 , 8 1 , 8 2 , 150 1 7 , 3 7 , 39, 4 0 , 4 2 , 4 4 , 72,81 26,37,44 1 7 , 3 7 , 4 4 , 87 82 44,61 61 78 18 18 39 37 46 66 38,42 46 30, 3 7 , 3 8 , 4 0 , 4 2 , 46, 81,88 37,56 5 6 , 7 7 , 7 8 , 82, 83 11 16 10, 1 1 , 3 0 , 3 7 , 3 8 , 4 0 , 42,50,55, 70,74,75, 82 75 30,37,38, 40,42,50, 51,75,82 39 16 61 30 30,46 39 37 37,57,82 16, 46 12, 37, 3 8 , 4 0 , 4 2 , 4 5 , 46,47,56, 57,70,74, 75,82 46 73,250 58 62 47 38 58 37, 3 8 , 4 0 , 4 2 , 4 6 , 4 7 , 81,88 59 38, 3 9 , 4 0 , 4 1 , 4 5 , 5 1 , 56,81
24,1-34
24,1-22 24,1-5 24,3-29 24,3-6 24,3-4 24,3 24,4-11 24,4 24,6-12 24,6 24,7-11 24,7 24,8-12 24,8 24,9 24,10-13 24,10-11 24,10 24,11 24,12 24,13-17 24,13-14 24,15 24,16-17 24,16 24,17 24,18-20 24,19-22 24,20-22 24,22 24,23-29 24,23-27 24,23
24,25-29 24,25-27 24,26 24,28-29 24,30-34 24.30 24.31 24,32-33 24.32 24.33 24.34 25,9-10 25,21-22 25,25-26 26,29 26,36 27,1-2 27,6
393 11,14,15,16,19,20, 21,23,44,60,71,97, 98, 253 9,22,71.75 250 14 19 16 2 1 , 81 257 61 21 17 23 22 21,22,23,81 21,22,81 256,257 22 23 22 22 22 22,26 61 23,61 25,26,61,220 25,26 26,220 22 75 71 25,26,75,82,8 19 72 9,10,11,12,13 30,33,38,40,42,43, 44,61,69,71,72,73, 80,81 73 72 61 73,249 76 148 76 76 76,83,234 76,83 76 26 59,60 59,60 59 60 59 46,47
394 27,26 27,30-28,7 28,3 28,6-7 28,6 28,7 28,15 28,16 29,1-3 29,1 29,9 29,11 30,4-6 30,13 30,20 31,13 31,21-32,20 31,21-31 31,27 32,1 32,1-7 32,1 32,2 32,5 32,7 32,8-13 32,14-33,6 32,14-20 32,14-18 32,14-17 32,14-16 32,14 32,15 32,16 32,17 32,18-23 32,18 32,22-23 32, 22 32,23 32,24-33,3 32,24-33,1 33,1 33,2-3 33,2 33,3 33,4-6 33,5 33,7-9 33,15 33,20
Index of Passages 61 47 25 47,88 38,40.42,46,81 5, 3 8 , 4 0 , 4 2 , 4 6 , 4 7 , 7 2 , 81 59, 60 22 47 38,40,42,81,88 15,38,40,42,46,47, 81,88 38,40,42,46,47,81,88 5 9 , 60 207 35 18 23 23 18 38 23 38 38 35 38,88 23 48 23 30 48 25,32,45 32,48 31, 32, 33, 40, 42 32,34,35,36,40, 42,48 3 1 , 3 2 , 3 3 , 3 5 , 4 0 , 4 6 , 48 48 31,32,33,34,35,40, 42, 48 30,49 3 2 , 3 4 , 35, 4 0 , 4 2 , 48 31, 32, 33, 3 4 , 4 1 , 42, 48,83 48 45 32 5 0 , 5 5 , 76 31, 3 2 , 3 3 , 4 1 , 4 2 , 5 0 , 76,83 31,32,33,37,41,42, 5 0 , 76, 83 48 76 43 18 72
34,8 34,15 34,16 34,30 35,1-7 35,1 35,2-4 35,2 35,3-5 35,3 35,4 35,5 35,6-7 35,6 35,7 35,12 35,14 35,17 35,23-24 36,13-17 36,19 36,22 36,24 36,25 37,7-15 37,8 37,11 37,12 37,16-26 37,26 38,1 38,2 38,6 38,9-11 38,12 38,14 38,16 38,22 38,24-39,14 38,24-39,11 38,24-34 38,24 38,32 38,33 38,34-39,11 38,34-39,3 38, 34 39,1-11 39,1-5 39,1-4 39,1-3 39,1-2 39,1 39,2-3 39,4-5
38,41,59,73,83 88 61 59 49 38, 4 1 , 4 2 , 81 45 18,38,41,42,49,81 52 49 49 26 51 51,52,62 38,41,32,81 3 5 , 36 21, 74 18, 35, 36 88 23 26 78 61 59,60 49 18 49, 5 9 , 6 0 3 2 , 34, 35, 3 8 , 4 1 , 4 2 , 4 5 , 4 9 , 56 16 26, 2 2 0 18 25 21 23 18 25 35 36,43,80 16 6 3 , 65 65 53, 6 5 , 6 6 59 5 3 , 59 38,52,65 52, 7 6 , 8 3 11, 38, 4 1 , 4 2 , 5 3 , 76, 77, 81 11, 52 53 53 53 44 11,45,53,58 53.59,66 52
Index of Passages 39,4 39,5 39,6-8 39,6 39,7 39,8 39,9-11 39,9 39,10 39,14-35 39,16 39,18 39,20 39,21 39,24 39,25 39,28 39,29 39,30 39,31 39,33 39,34 40,1 40,17 40,29 41,1-4 41,1 41,2 41,3 41,4 41,5-13 41,8 41,16 41,24 42,1-8 42,2 42,3 42,4 42,7 42,8 42,11 42,15-43,33 42,15-25 42,15-16 42,15 42.16-17 42,18-20 42,18 42,20 42,21 42,23-25 42,23 42,25 42,33
53 53 53 25, 53, 54, 74 54 3 8 , 4 1 , 4 2 . 4 4 , 7 2 , 76, 77, 83 53, 54 54 54 17 16, 17. 1 8 , 2 9 29 78 17, 18 82 18 17 35. 36 17, 18 36, 39 17, 18 17 18 49 207 43 33,43,88 36,43,80 36,43,80 3 1 , 3 2 , 3 3 , 4 2 , 80 49 31,32,33,41,42,46, 49,56,81 35 60 32 31,33,35,36,37,41, 42. 4 4 , 6 0 , 7 2 , 8 1 59,60 5 2 , 59 59 60 58, 59 17, 1 8 , 4 3 249 18 39 18,26 18 16 16 18 18 78 18 18
43,1-2 43,1 43,2-4 43,4 43,5-10 43,5 43,6-8 43,6 43,7 43,9-10 43,10 43,12 43,13 43,26 43,28-32 43.29 43,33 44,1-15 44,2 44,3-4 44,4 44,5 44,15 44,20 44,23-45,5 44,23 45,1-5 45,3 45,5
45,6-22 45,6 45,7 45,10 45,11 45,14-16 45,17-19 45,17
45,20-21 45,22 45,23-26 45,23-25 45,23 45,24 45,25 45,26 46,1 46,13-20 46,16 47,1-11 47,2 47.10 47,11
395 18 42 43 60 80 37,39,42.43 43 18 36,43 43 18,36,37,39,42,43 18,36 2 9 , 35 37,39,42,43 18 37,42 21,25 23 18, 26 23 77,83 36 23 32,34,36,41,42,44, 45,81,83 24 22 29,54 26,39 22, 23, 3 1 , 33, 34, 35, 36,37,41,42,44,45, 50,54,70,72,73,81,82 24, 54 35, 54 36, 4 2 , 45 35, 36 22 23 65 34.35,36,37,41,45, 5 2 , 5 3 , 5 4 , 5 5 , 8 3 , 146, 234 51 22 23 24 2 2 , 62 3 6 , 4 1 , 45 45 21 22 24 23 24 2 2 , 23 35 22, 3 6 , 4 1 , 4 5
396 47,12-23 47,12-13 47,12 47,14 47,17 47,18 47,22 47,23 48,1 48,3 48,5 48,7 48,17-22 49,1-3 49,1 49,4 49,7 49,12 49,13 50,1-21 50,13 50,17 50,19 50,20 50,22 50,23 50,27-29 50,28-29 51,8 51,12 51,13-30 51,13-21 51,13-20 51,15 51,17 51,23-30 51,23 51,30 Testaments TAsher 2,6 5,4 TDan 5,5
Index of Passages 24 22 23 23 23 22 37 22 39 37, 3 9 , 4 2 39 35,36 24 24 23 31,33,41,42,81 61 26 26 23,24 22 22 3 5 , 36 22 22 21 24 25 78 22 16,77 58 58,81 77,82 26,220 77 58 3 7 , 7 7 , 8 3 , 181 of the Twelve 58 82
82
Patriarchs
5,1 5,8
82 82
TJoseph 11,1
164
TJudah 13,2 16,2 23,5 24,1 24,3 24,6
82 164 82 165 82,165 165
TLevi 4,3 8,17 13 13,1 13,7 14,3-4 14,4 18,2 18,3-5 18,3 18,5 18,7 18,9 18,11 19,1
164,234 65 1 6 2 , 164 164 164 164,234 132, 146 165 165 164,234 165 166 165 166 146, 1 6 4 , 2 3 4
arTLevi 88-90
162
TNaphtali 2,1-3,3 2,8-9 2,9 3,2-5 4,1 8,7-10
164 164 162 164 82 162, 164
hebrTNaphtali 1,6
122
TReuben 3,8
164,234
TGad 3,2 6,4
164 58
TZebulun 3,4
120
TIssachar 3,1-2 4,6
82 82
Tobit 4,15 4,19
122 82
397
fndex of Passages
I I I . D e a d Sea Scrolls :D 1,1-12 1,3-4 1,4-11 1,4 1,6-12 1,11-12 1,20-21 1,20 1.21 2,3 2,8 2,12-13 2,14-21 2,15-18 2,15-16 2,18 2,20-3,12 2,20 2,21 3,2-6 3,2 3,5-16 3,6 3,8 3,10 3,11-12 3,12-15 3,12-13 3,13-16 3,14 3,15-16 3,15 3,16-17 3,18-20 3,20 4,1 4,9 5,5 5,9 6,16 5,21 6,2-11 6,2-5 6,2 6,3 6,4-6 6,4 6,5 6,7-11 6,7 6,8-11 6,10-11 6,11 6,14-21
203 177 175 175 174 174,203 187 177 177 196,250 177 202 188 188 187 173 176 177 173, 1 7 7 , 1 8 0 188 173 187 173 177, 180 1 7 6 , 177 188 176 175 175 172 188 188 174, 175, 2 0 9 175 188 176 175 172, 174 172 176 173 174,209 209,223,224 175 196 68 212 176 182 68, 1 7 0 209 68 1 7 7 , 187, 2 2 4 187
6,19 6,21 7,1-3 7,2 7,4-5 7,5-6 7,5 7,6-8 7,8 7,14-19 7,18-20 7,18 8,3 8,13 8,16-18 8,18-19 8,21 9 16 9,3 9,7-8 10,6 12,15 12,19-20 13-16 13,2-3 13,2 13,11 14,7-8 14,17-19 15,5-15 15,5-11 15,9 15,10-13 15,12 15,13 15,15 16,1-2 1 6,4-5 16,8-9 19,1-2 19,2 19,4 19,32 20,3 20,4 20,6-7 20,10 20,11-12 20,12 20,13 20,21 20,27-32 20,30-31
177 190 172 187 187 188 207 187 207 174 187 170, 1 8 7 , 2 2 4 176 176 175 175 177 187 177 173 213 178 172 198 68 213 204 68 172 170 177 169 172 169 172 5 169 169 170 188 188 207 173 247 68,202 187 169 176 177 169 189 172 207
398 IQH 1,1-20 1,1-19 1,5 1,7-15 1,7 1,8 1,9-13 1,9 1,10 1,12-16 1,12 1,13 1,14 1,16 1,18-19 1,19 1,21 1,23 1,24 1,26 1,27-31 1,34-36 1,35 1,36 2,9-10 2,10 2,17 2,18-19 2,18 2,39 3,14 3,22-23 4,5-6 4,6 4,8 4,9-11 1,10 4,21 4,23 4,24 4,27-30 4,27-28 4,27 4,31-32 6,11 5,23 5,26 6,4 6,10 6,11 6,13 6,20 7,13 7,21-22 7,26-33 7,26-27
Index of Passages
210,222 208 211 200,211 199, 2 0 0 , 211 211 179 178, 2 0 8 , 211 171, 178,211 179 211 179,211 200,211 178,208,211 250 211 174, 1 9 3 , 2 0 2 207 178 199,207 189 217,223 195 206 203 206 203 174 199 68 196 203 174 174 201 211,223 1 7 0 , 171 187 174 187 189 203 174 217 170, 171 174 199 174 170, 171 209 209 187 199 174 202 193
7,26 7,27 7,34 8,6 8,36 9,12 9,16 9,17-30 9,17 9,31 10,4 10,5 10,6-7 10,9-12 10,13-14 10,14 10,28-29 11,3-14 11,3-4 11,8 11,9-10 11,12 11,1517 11,22 11,27-28 11,28 12,5-11 12,5 12,8-9 12,10 12,11-13 12,29 12,32 12,33 12,34 13,4 13,7-13 13,8-10 13,13 14,13 14,16 14,17-18 14,20 14,26-26 14,25 14,26 15,9-10 15,11-12 15,12-26 15,19 16,7 16,13 16,17 17,7 17,12 17,22 18,4
203 203 171,178 199 68 199 203 199 200 202 203 203 203 189 193 203 193 202 193 177 193,202 203 193 203 193, 1 9 7 , 2 0 2 203 179,200,211,222 178 178 199 217 199 217,223 203 174 201 208 200 200 193 172 170 178 202 203 189 189 173 208 173 189 1 7 1 , 1 7 3 , 188, 189 171, 1 7 3 , 188 171 175 207 174
Index of Passages 18,19 18,20 18,22 18,24 f2,8 f2,16 f4,15 f5,l fl7,3 f20,4
174 174 179 174 171 217 199 207 179 179
IQM 3,6 3,9 10,6 10,8-16 10,8-11 10,9-11 10,10-11 10,10 10,11 10,12-13 10,12 11,7-8 13,2-4 13,12 14,7 17,8
176, 177 177 175 210 189 209, 222 210 68,171 172 171,178,179 171 189 189 171 206 202
IQS 1,1-3 1,2-3 1,2 1,3 1,7 1.8 1,9 1,10 1,11-13 1,12 1,13 1,14 1,16 1,24 1,26 2,2-3 2,3 2,8-9 2,10-13 2,15 2,18 2,24 2,26-3,1 3,1-4 3.1 3,5 3,6
169,204 1 7 3 , 175 1 7 3 , 205 173, 175,205 173 176, 177, 209 1 7 2 , 1 7 3 , 190 209 191,216,223 172 187,209 172 177 177 187 216,223 174,191,202,216 68 177 172, 177 177 190 207 187 187,207,223 172 172.209
3,8-12 3,9-11 3,9 3,13-4,25 3,13-14 3,13 3,15-4,26 3,15-18 3,15-17 3,15-16 3,15 3,16-17 3,19-20 3,26-4,1 4,2-12 4,2-6 4,2 4,3-6 4,3 4,4-5 4,4 4,18 4,22 4,24 5-9 5,2 5,3 5,7-U 5,7 5,8-9 5,8 5,9 5,11-12 5,11 5,12 5,20-21 5,20 5,21-22 5,25 6,3-4 6,4 6,6-8 6,6-7 6,7 6,8-10 6,15 6,18 6,19 6,22 7,21 8,1-2 8,1 8,4 8,6 8,7 8,10 8,11-12
399 187 177 172 189 204 203 194 200 179,208,222 179 1 9 4 , 199, 2 0 0 178 174 177 202 216, 223 217 217 172, 188, 1 9 6 , 2 5 0 190 179,207 178,196 187, 1 9 6 , 2 0 3 , 2 0 6 , 2 6 0 196,201 187 169 179 170 179 1 7 0 , 1 7 3 , 177 1 7 3 , 175 1 6 9 , 1 7 2 , 1 7 3 , 177 205 172 172, 176 204 177 182 190 182 179 181 68,187 182 179 177 204 177 179 179 170 172,173 178 191 247 206 182
400 8,11 8,12-14 8,15-21 8,15 8,16 8,17-18 8,17 8,18 8,19 8,21 8,22 8,24-25 9,2 9,5 9,7 9,9 9,12-20 9,12 9,13-14 9,13 9,14-15 9,14 9,17-18 9,17 9,18 9,19 9,21 9,23 9,24 10,1-8 10,1 10,5 10,6 10,7 10,8-9 10,8 10,9 10,11 10,12 10,16 10,24 10,26 11,3-7 11,3 11,5 11,6 11,10 11,11 11,19 14f9,6-8 f55,l IQSa 1,1-6 1,2 1,5 1,6-18
index of Passages 172 181 173 172, 1 7 3 , 1 7 5 , 181 1 7 3 , 177 172 171 187,206 179 187,206 175 172 179,206 206 179 206 204 178 203 172, 1 7 3 172 171,178 187 1 7 2 , 2 0 7 , 2 0 8 , 2 2 3 , 22-! 178 172,187 179 1 7 1 , 178 177 273 171,178 178 1 7 1 , 178 178 189 171,178 178 1 7 1 , 178 199 208 196, 197 171,178 202 174, 199 174 196 178 179 172, 179 170 172
184 177 171 213
1,7 1,11 1,17-18 1,28 2,16 2,22
171, 213 171 204 196,202,206 196,202 171
lQSb9 1,1-3 1,1-2 1,1 2,26 3,22-24 3,24 5,21 5,22 5,25
173 187, 188 171 207 187 171 177 187 203
IQpHab 1,11 2,1-3 2,3-4 2,7 2,8-10 2,8-9 2,8 2,910 2,15 5,5 5,10-12 7,4-5 7,4 7,13 8,1 8,10 8,16-17 8,17 12,5
1 7 3 , 176 203 177 217 217,224 187 182, 217 187,217,224 171,173 171, 173 170 170 203 1 7 1 , 178 169,176 171 173 171 169, 176
1Q16 12,1
171
1Q22 1,1-4 1,1 1,2-9 1,4 1,11 2,1-5 2,1-2 2,1 2,7-8 2,8-9 2,9-10 2,9 2,11 4,3
173 175 187 171, 173 175 188 173 171 212 2 0 2 , 2 1 2 , 222 188 171,187 1 7 1 , 173 175
401
Index of Passages 1Q25 1,4
171
1Q26 1,4
199 172
1Q27 3-8 5,2 fl f,5-6 1,7 2,1
189 171 172 203 172
f3 2,2 2,7
171 207
2,2-3 2,3-4 2,6-7
179 189 188
7,9 13-14 f3 2,16 f4,8 f6,3 f6,12
175 187 175 171,175 171 175
4QDibHam fl21,2 fl22,l
172, 1 7 3 175
4QFlor 1,5-6 1,7 1,11 f l - 3 2,3
176 171 171, 187, 224 175
4QAf fl-3,3 f8-9,5
171 206
4QMessAr 1,3-11 1,3-10 1,3 1,5 1,6 1,7-8
212 203 213 213,224 213 213
IQ38 12,1
171
1Q.51 2
171
/ai?2 2
175
4QOrNab
199
2QiS 18 fl f2
25 181 181
4QOrd^ (159) 2,17
184 175
4QAhA
203
4 Q o / 4,5 f3,5
184 175 187
4QBer^ (286) 10 2,12
170
4QDibHam'' fl 2,13 2,13-15 2,13-14 f l - 2 2,9 2,12-15 2,13 2,14 3,9 3,12 3,18 4,3 4,5 4,6 5,8-9 6,8 f2 5,14
170,173 187 188 175 220,223 171,220 220 175, 2 2 0 175 175 220 220 175 175 175 173
(513)
4QPrFetes'' 2,3 f2,4 f4,2
171 172 175
4Q]PrFetes'^ 2,4 fl6,7 fl8,2 f55,2 f97,98 1,8 fl88,2 f212,l
175 196 175 196 175 175 172
4QShir'^ ( 5 1 0 ) f 1,6 1,9
1 9 3 , 1 9 8 , 221 203 206
4QShir'
193, 1 9 8 , 221
(511)
402
Index of Passages
f l , 7-8 f 2 , 1-6 5-7 fl0,8 f l 8 2,6 f48-51 2,4 f 6 3-64 2,3 2,5 3,5 f63 3,3
2 2 0 , 222 187 220,223 206 203 171 171 175 175 206
4QS1 37-40 39 fl 39 n i , 1 7 - 1 8 1,21-22 1,22 1,24-25
203 218 218, 223 217, 223 206 218
4QTestim 1 12 23-24
175 187 176
4QpHos'^ ( 1 6 6 ) 2,4
171
4QpHos^ f7-9,2 f23,l
171 171
(167)
4Qph'' (161) D2 f8-10,11-24
171 203
4QpIs^ (162) 2,1-10 2,7
187 173
4(2p// (163) 12 14 f4-7 2,5
171 171 171
4<2p// (165) f 1-2,3 4Qi>Nah (169) f3 2,5 3,4 4QpPs'^ (171) 1,2-5 1,3 2,3 2,15 2,23 4,8
172
172 172
188 171 171 171 171 171
4Q158 f7-8,3
175
4Q159 fl 2,17 5,4 5,7
175 175 175
4Q166 2,4 2,16
173 187
4Q175
167
4Q176 16,5
175
40.177 f5-6,9
172
4Q.179 fl 1,4
167 175
4Q180 1-5
199 179
4Q.183 fl 2,3
175
4Q,184 fl 1,15 fl 14-17 14-15 15 16-17
167, 198 171 187,218,223 218 219 218
40,185 2,3-4 3,3 f l - 2 1,13-2,1 1,14 1,15 2,1 2,2-11 2,3-4 2,8-13 2,11-12 2,13-15
1 6 7 , 1 9 3 , 198 173 175 219,222,223 219 219 219 219,222,223 220 220 220 220
4Q186
167, 199
4Q247
199
4Q260
199
4Q317
199
403
Index of Passages 4Q485 f3,2
172
4Q4S6
193
4Q487 f2,5 f2,8 f,21,3
193, 198 171 196 171
4Q489
193, 198
4Q491 f8-10
1,7
175
40,497 1,5
175
40,501 fl,7 7 1,2 1,7
172 173 175 175
fl-2
186 171
4Q503 4,3
175
46572 5,15 12,12 fl 12,4 f82,2
186 172 175 187 171
425/3 f4,5
171
5Q13 1,2 28,3
172 175
6Q16 3,1 3,2
175 171
6QD 3,4
175
llQMelch 12 UQPs"^ 17,2-3 18 18,1-16 18,1 18,3 18,10-13 18,10 18,11-12 18,11 18,12-14 18,12 18,13 18,14 19,1-18 19,2-3 19,14 21,17 21,11-22,1 22,1-15 24,8 24,9 26,4-8 26,14 27,2-11 27,2 27,3 27,4 27,11 IIQT 51,5-9 54,5-14 54,5 54,14 56,3-4 56,20-21 56,21 56,21 58,18 59,3-9 59,9-10 59,13-21
173
187 200,214, 214 215 196,215 214, 223 215 214,215 215 215 171,215 215 173 167 203 203 175 181 167 171, 203, 173 200 196 167, 187, 224 196, 221 206,221 221 221
187 173 187 187 187 187 187 187 187 187 188 187
New rcstanuMit Matthew 7,12 15,24 22,36-40
122 241 44
Mark 2,16 9,37
67 241
404
Index of Passages
Luke 4,18 5,30 6,31
241 67 122
Acts 4,11 5,34 6,9 7,20-22 7,38 7,53 9,29 9,30 11,25 15,10 15,29 20,31 20,35 21,39 22,3 22,27-28 23,1 23,6 23,9 23,16 24,16 26,5 26,10 26,14
247 230 229 228 120,210 210 229 230 230 113 122 330 315 227 227,230 229 333 229,230 67 229 333 230 229,230 229
Romans 1-2 1,2 1,5 1,8 1,9 1,18-3,20 l,18ff. 1,18 1,26 1,28 1,29-31 2,5-11 2,7 2,8 2,12-16 2,12 2,13 2,14-15 2,14 2,15 2,16 2,17ff. 2,17-29 2,17-24 2,17-20
319 295 303 303 327 285,293 251 331 320 326, 330 324 308 308 332 334 280 2 8 0 , 2 8 6 , 290 319 280, 340 333, 334, 335 308 324 285 232 232,233,234,235
2,17-18 2,17 2,18 2,19-20 2,19 2,20 2,29 3,1-8 3,2 3,20 3,21-31 3,21-26 3,21 3,22 3,27-31 3,27 3,28-30 3,28 3,29-30 3,31 4,15 5,5 5,6-11 5,8 5,12ff. 5,13-14 5,20-21 5,21 6,6-7 6,12-23 6,13 6,14 6,15 6,16 6,18 6,19 6,22 7 7,1-6 7,5-6 7,6 7,7 7,12 7,13-23 7,13 7,14 7,22 7,23 7,24 7.25 8,1ff. 8,1-11 8,1-4 8,1 8,2-4
232 233 233, 326, 330,331 232,233 234 233,234 327 285 120 286 285 285, 293 287 287 285 266, 268, 285, 286, 287, 293, 294,314,341 293 285, 2 8 6 , 2 8 7 , 2 9 3 285 269,270,281,288,294, 297 314 3 0 5 , 327 328 327 251 314 290 322 340 303 303 293 293 322 322, 340,341 303 322, 340,341 289,319 293 341 288,322 288 294, 295 288,293 288 289 295 330 288 288, 295, 330 305 322 288 288,290 281
Index of Passages 8,2
8,3-4 8,3 8,4 8,5 8,7 8,9-11 8,9 8,14 8,15 8,16-17 8,18 8,19ff. 8,21 8,26-27 8,29-30 8,29 8,32-37 8,39 9,1 9,23 9,31 10,1-21 10,2 10,3-4 10,4 10,6-8 10,6-7 11,1 11,2 11,32 11,33-36 11,33-35 11,33 11,34-35 11,34 11,36 12-13 12,1-2 12,1 12,2 12,4ff. 12,4-8 12,9-21 12,9 12,16 12,17 12,19 12,20 13,1-7 13,1-6 13,3 13,5 13,7-8
266,268,270,278,286, 288,289,290,293,294, 314, 3 4 0 , 3 4 1 289 291,293 280,290,294,305,327 327 295 294 3 0 5 , 327 305,327 305 305 306 251 340 305 253 250 327 327 333,335 249 291,293 290 290 291 284,290, 293,297 298 247,248,261,263,292 229 250 250 249,263 261 249 249 250 250,260,261,262 301,310 303, 330 295,305,306 304, 306, 3 2 6 , 3 3 0 , 3 3 1 , 332 305 305 324 326, 328 306,313 313 313,314 313 320 324 319,326 312,333,334,335 312
13,8-10 13,8 13,9-10 13,9 13,10 13,11-14 13,13 14-15 14,5 14,7-9 14,9-10 14,9 14,11 14,14 14,16 14,17 14,18 14,20 14,22-23 15,1 15,2 15,3 15,5 15,7 15,13 15,14 15,16 15,18 15,27 15,30 16,17-18 16,17 16,18 16,19 16,20 1
Corinthians 1-4 1-3 1,8 1,10 1,13 1,18-25 1,19 1,20 1,21 1,24 1,30 2,6-17 2,6-16 2,9 2,10-16 2,12 2,16 3
405 2 7 4 , 2 7 5 , 2 8 0 , 294, 328, 341 2 9 0 , 328 328 275 2 7 6 , 2 9 0 , 328 309 320,324 323 330 303 303 302 314 317,334 326 327 322 319 330 312 326,328 3 1 4 , 316 3 0 6 , 307 301,316 305 330, 3 3 2 , 3 3 7 305 303 312 305,327 324 318 322 3 0 3 , 3 1 7 , 3 2 5 , 3 2 6 , 336 304
242 243 309 317, 323 303 263 249 244 250 242,243,244,250,261 242,243,244,260,258, 261 244 244 250 305 250 250 325
406 3,8 3,13 3,14 3,18 3,23 4,4-5 4,4 4,5 4,14 4,16-17 4,17 5,6 5,7 5,10-11 5,13 6,1-20 6,1-8 6,5 6,6 6,9-11 6,9-10 6,12-20 6,12 6,13 6,16 6,17 7,1-40 7,3 7,4-5 7,4 7,5 7,7 7,9 7,10 7,11 7,15 7,17-24 7,17 7,19 7,20 7,21-24 7,22 7,25 7,26 7,32-35 7,32-33 7,32 7,35 7,36-38 7.39^ 7,40 8,1-11,1 8-10 8,1-13 8,3 8,6
Index of Passages 308 308 308 3 2 5 , 329 303 334 333,335 308 330 318 318 324 303 324 313,314 301 323,329 325, 3 3 3 , 3 3 7 314 280 324 303, 322 324 306 313 294 320, 323 312 329 324 304 317 306,313 314,315,317 314 314 279 279,317 279,292,294,295,328, 329 279 303 322 323 314 303 329 317 320 329 303 305, 323 301 244 334 250 242, 244, 245, 260, 261, 262,319
8,7-8 8,7 8,10 8,11-13 8,12 9,1 9,7ff. 9,7 9,14 9,19-23 9,19 9,20-22 9,20 21 9,20 9,21 9,22 9,24-25 9,25 10 10,1-4 10,3-4 10,4 10,11 10,13 10,14-22 10,20 10,23-11,1 10,23 10,24 10,25-27 10,25 10,26 10,27 10,28 10,29 10,32 11,1 11,3-5 11,6 11,10 11,11 11,14 11,15-16 11,16 11,17 11,23-26 11,23 11,34 1214 12-13 12,3-11 12,4-6 12,8 12,11 13 13,4-7 13,5
334 333 333 303 333,334 280 280 324 315 231,280 2 8 0 , 3 2 8 , 341 281 280,285 280,281,292,293 280,281,294, 295,296, 341 280 308 306 2 4 6 , 247 247 247 246,247,261,262 330 305 303 317 334 3 0 4 , 341 328 334 333 319 333 333 333 319 316,318 303 324 312 303 320 324 306 317 316 315 317 305 301 305 294 3 0 6 , 331 305 329 328 313,320,328
407
Index of Passages 13,8-13 13,9 14 14,1 14,37 14,40 15,22-28 15,24-26 15,32 15,44-49 15,45 15,57 15,58 16,1 16,14 2
Corinthians 1,12 2,9 2,11 2,17 3 3,3 3,4-18 3,4-6 3,6 3,7-11 3,7 3,11 3,12-18 3,13 3,14 3,17-18 3,17 3,18-4,6 4,2 4,4 4,13 4,16 4,17 5,9-10 5,11 5,13-15 5,14-15 5,17 6,2 8-10 8-9 8,7-8 8,8-9 8,8 8,9 8,10 8,11 8,15 8,19-20
328 • 332 305 328 331 320 261 261 313 261 294 261 308 317 328
333,335 317 305 317 284, 285 283,284 265,282,285,293,294, 296 282 293 283,284, 293,294 283 283 284,293 283,283 283,330 284 340 253 333,335 256,330 305 332 306 308 333,335 303 302 290 304 323 301 328 303 328 316 323 328 313, 314 328
8,21 8,24 9,4 9,6 9,7 9,9-10 9,9 10,5-6 10,5 11,22 12,14 12,18 12,20-21 12,20 13,11
313 328 324 324 314 314 314 303 330 229 312 327 324 317 306,
Galatians 1,22 2,4 2,6 2,14 2,19 2,20 3 3,3 3,13 3,15-18 3,17 3,19-25 3,19-20 3,19 3,20-25 3,20 3,21-25 3,21 3,22-25 3,23-24 3,23 3,24 3,25 4,4 4,5 4,6 4,9 4,10 4,21 5-6 5,1 5,3 5,5-6 5,5 5,6 5,13-6,10 5,13ff. 5,13-14 5,13 5,14
228 340, 307 277, 274 278, 268 305 294 271 271 271, 269, 210, 271 271, 271 271, 271 273, 273 273 273, 240, 293 241, 250 273, 293 310 113, 274 275 278 278, 301, 278, 305, 328, 274,
408 5,15 5,16 5,17 5,18 5,19-23 5,19-21 5,22-25 5,22ff. 5,22 5,23 5,25 6,1 6,2-5 6,2
6,6 6,7-10 6,8 6,14 6,15 6,16 Ephesians 4,32-5,2 5,8-10 5,15 6,4 Philippians 1,6 1,9-11 1,9-10 1,9 1,10 2,2 2,4 2,6-18 2,6-11 2,6 2,8 2,12-13 2,12 2.15 2,16 2,17 3 3,5 3,6 3,14 3,17 3,20 4,2 4,4 4,8-9
Index of Passages 2 8 1 , 2 9 4 , 3 2 8 , 341 324 278,305,327 280 2 9 3 , 327 324 304 305 278 305,327 306 305,327 305 330 266,268,269,277,278, 279,281,294, 296,314, 341 326 308 308 274 279,290 312
4,8 4,9 4,19 Colossians 1,8 1,9-12 1,9-10
309 330 306,329,331,332,337 332 3 0 8 , 3 2 6 , 332 306 328 301 248,251,252,254,261, 262,303,316 241,253,254 252 304 303 313 309 303 269 229,230 229 308 318 309 306 403 332
1,1618 1,16 1,17-18 1,17 1,18-20 1,18 1,19 1,27 1,28 2,2 2,3 2,28 3,1-4 3,5 3,8 3,10 3,16 3,17-18 3,18 3,20-25 3,20 3,21 3,24 3,25 4,5 4,12
328 327 305, 306, 325, 327, 332, 337 331,332 253,255,258 225,262 242 256, 258, 260, 261, 262, 263 256 257,258,260 256 257,258,260 255 257,261 257 249 325,330,336 259,260,313 259,261,263 330 301 324 324 330 305,325,330,336 303 3 1 2 , 3 2 6 , 337 324 326 324 322 208 319,325 332
Thessalonians 1,6-7 1,6 1,9 2,13 3,5 3,12-13 3,12 4 4,1-8 4,1-2 4,1 4,3-6 4,4 4,6-8
305 316 322 317 305 308 328 310 305 312,328 327 308 324 301
1,9 1,15-20 1,15-18 1,15-17 1,15
324 330 325 330
1
306,326,331 318 249
409
Index of Passages
2
1
4,6 4,9 4,12 4,15 5,1-11 5,1-10 5,9-10 5,10 5,12-22 5,12 5,14 5,15 5,21 5,23
308 328 319, 320 315 309 301 308 303 324 330 320,330 326 304,330,331 308
Thessalonians 3,4 3,6-7 3,7 3,10 3,11 3,15
317 320 312 324 320 330
Timothy 1,5
333
2
1,19 3,9 4,2
333 333 333
Timothy 1,3
333
Titus 1.15-16 1,15 3,10
330 333 330
Philemon 6 8
329 331,332 326
Hebrews 5,12 8,6 9,15 12,19 12,24 22,2
120 272 272 210 272 210
v . Jcvs ish-H( Mlrnistic L i t e r a t u r e Aristobulos PrEv 7.14,1 8,10,4 13,12,1-2 13,12,4 13,12,8-13 Josephus Antiquitates 12,142 12,256 13,171 15,136 16,203 17,149-150 17,152 18,13-21 18,16
257 162 162 162 162
63,65 233 166 210 63 69 69 166 67
De Bello Judaico 1,24 63 191 l,87ff. 1,648 69 2,121-123 166 166 2,128-142 2,139-142 170 2,147-149 166 2,159 191
2,163 2,292 6,291
166 233 69
Vita 10-11
166
Contra 2,41
Apionem 234
Philo De Abrahamo 16,60 19
132 234
De Decalogo 1 84-86 87
92 58 333
Quod Det. 115-118
Pot. insidiari 246
Quis Rer. Div. Heres sit 98 249 189 257 199 257 De Migratione 130
Abrahami 92
soleat
410 De Ebrietate 30-31
Index of Passages
256
De Fuga et Invent tone 97 92 108-109 92 112 257 De Mutatione 236-239 De Opificio 3,143 De Posteritate 18 84-88
Nominum 249 Mundi 132 Caini 92 249
De Praemiis et Poenis 80-81 249 Quod Omnis Probus liber sit 68 249 191 72-91 166 75-76
Quaestiones 2,118 4,97
in
De Somniis 2,180 2,252 2,242 2,245 De Specialibus 1,301 2,2-5 3,6
Genesin 257 256
249 92 92 92 Legibus 249 58 92
De Virtutibus 8 62-65 62 183-184
249 92 256 249
De Vita Mosis 2,52 3,19 76
4 4 , 132 272 249
Rabbinic Literature Mishnah Abot 1,4 1,9 3,3-4 3,5 4,1
212 58 214 113 47
Kelim 13,7
68
Keraioth 1,1 1,7
58 59
Baba Mesia 5,11 Gittin 3,1 7,2 8,8 9,8 Orla 3,9
68
68 68 68 68
68
Para 11,4-6
68
Pesahim 3,1
68
Sanhedrin 7,2 11,1 11,3 4,3 5,5
67 58 68 68 68
Shebiit 10,1
59
Shebuot 5,1
58
Shabbat 12.5
68
Sota 9,15
69
411
Index of Passages Tohorot 4,7 4,11
68 68
Yebamot 2,4 4,13 9,3
68 58 68
Yadayim 3,2
68
Tosefta Bab a Mesia 11,23
59
Shabbat 31a
122
Sanhedrin 23a 52b
58 67
Baba Qamma 62a
212
Sota 49b
230
Palestinian Pea 21a
Talmud 68
Pea 4,5 4,19
59 49
Megilla 74a
68
Ketubot 4,13
59
Taanit 69a
68
Megilla 3,19 4,38
68 68
Yebamot 13a
68
Berachot 7,2
214
Sola 6,2
68 Pesiqta Rabbati 21(103b-104a)210
Sukkah 3,1 Iff.
246
Babylonian Talmud Baba Bathra 21b 68 Ketubot 105a
Exodus Rabbah 29(88d) 210 Numeri Rabbah ll(164b) 210 14,11 212
68 Pesiqta 108a
Qiddushin 30a 30b
63 47
210
Targum Onkelos Num 2 1 , 1 9 - 2 0 2 4 6
V I I . Greek and R o m a n Literature Cicero De natum 2,14 2,37
deorum 84 84
De re pub lica 3,33
85
De legibus 1,6 1,18 2,8 Tuscularme 4,57
85 85 85 Disputationes 136
412 Diogenes 7,88
Index of Passages Laertius 85
Plinius Maior Naturalis Historia 5,73 166 Ps.-Menander 39-40
Seneca Epistulae 89,4 De ira 3,36
morales 136
333
122
V I I I . Early Christian and Gnostic Literature Barnabas 5,4
155
Didache 1,2
122
Odes of 6,8ff.
Solomon 148
Nag Hammadi Codex VII Silvanus 111,13-111,20 252 112,8-113,23 252
Index of Authors Aalen, S. 36, 8 3 , 9 9 , 1 0 6 , 1 1 1 , 1 3 1 , 1 3 3 . 145,155, 156,157,158,236 Ackroyd, P. R. 2 6 , 61 Adam, A. 166 Agnew, F. 317 Aland, B. 2 5 2 Aland, K. 9 3 , 2 3 1 Aletti, J. N. 2 4 0 , 2 5 5 , 2 5 6 , 2 5 7 , 2 5 8 Allegro, J. M. 167, 179, 184, 1 8 6 , 2 1 8 , 219,220 Alio, E. B. 2 3 9 Alon, G. 5 8 , 5 9 Alonso-Schokel, L 2 5 , 70, 75 Alt, A. 1 Anderson, G. W. I Andresen, C. 2 3 8 , 2 3 9 Andrews, H . T . 1 2 0 , 1 2 2 , 1 2 3 Audet, J. P.- 2 Auer, A. 339 Avi-Yonah, M. 6 Baillet, M. 167, 1 8 1 , 1 8 4 , 1 8 6 , 1 9 3 , 2 2 0 , 221 Balz, H. 281 Balz, H. R. 2 4 2 Bammel, E. 2 3 0 , 2 5 5 , 2 6 6 , 2 7 7 Banks, R. J. 37, 7 9 , 8 6 , 9 4 , 9 7 , 1 0 5 , 107, 108, 109, 115, 121, 126, 132, 136, 1 4 3 , 145, 1 4 9 , 1 5 4 , 157, 1 5 8 , 1 6 1 , 175, 1 7 8 , 189, 190 Baras, Z. 6 Barbour, R. S. 2 4 0 , 2 4 3 , 2 4 4 , 2 4 5 , 2 4 6 , 252, 256 Bardtke, H. 1 9 5 , 2 1 4 Barr.J. 9 4 Barrett, C. 2 4 7 , 2 4 8 , 2 5 0 , 2 6 9 , 2 7 4 , 2 7 6 , 2 7 9 , 2 8 0 , 2 8 1 , 2 8 3 , 2 8 6 , 2 8 9 , 331 Barth, G. 2 5 1 , 2 5 2 Barth, K. 2 5 9 , 340 Barth, M. 2 3 5 , 2 6 5 Barthelemy, D. 16, 3 1 , 167 Bartsch, H. W. 2 5 1 , 2 5 2 , 2 5 3 , 2 5 5 , 305 Battistone,J.J. 9 5 , 9 6 , 9 7 , 9 8 , 9 9 Bauckmann, E. G. 9, 10, 1 1 , 3 9 , 42 Bauer, W. 2 3 3 Baum, H. 2 8 2 Baumann, R. 2 3 9 , 2 4 2 , 2 5 0 Baumgarten,J. 231
Baumgarten, J. M. 1 6 9 , 1 7 2 , 1 7 3 , 1 8 4 , 185, 1 8 6 . 187 Baumgartner, W. 1, 3 4 , 207 Beardslee, W. A. 2 3 6 Beasley-Murray, P. 257 Becker, J o . 5 Becker, Ju. 1 6 8 , 1 7 4 , 1 7 5 , 178, 1 8 9 , 2 1 1 , 2 1 6 , 2 1 7 , 3 1 0 , 311 Beckwith, R. T. 6 4 , 1 0 1 , 1 0 2 , 1 6 8 , 1 8 5 , 186 Begrich, J. 1 , 6 4 Behm,J. 2 3 3 Beker.J. C. 2 4 0 Belkin, S. 2 3 0 Benoit, P. 2 5 5 , 2 7 0 Berger, K. 3 0 , 3 1 , 1 3 1 , 2 7 5 Best, E. 2 4 3 Betz, H. D. 2 4 0 , 2 4 1 , 2 4 6 , 2 6 5 , 2 7 1 , 2 7 2 , 273, 274, 275, 276, 278, 286, 324 Betz, O. 6 8 , 1 6 6 , 167, 1 6 9 , 1 7 0 , 1 7 2 , 174, 1 8 1 , 1 8 3 , 1 8 7 , 1 9 7 , 2 0 9 Bieder,W. 2 7 0 Bietenhard, H. 166 Billerbeck, P., see Strack, H. L. Black, M. 8 9 , 1 0 0 , 2 3 0 , 2 4 8 , 3 2 4 Blank, J. 2 3 5 , 2 6 5 , 2 6 6 , 2 8 6 , 2 8 9 , 2 9 0 Blenkinsopp, J. 1 , 4 , 1 5 , 1 9 , 7 2 Bdckle, F. 339 Bogaert, P. M. 1 5 2 , 1 5 3 , 1 5 4 , 155, 1 5 6 , 159 Bonnard, P. E. 16, 96, 1 3 0 , 2 3 7 , 2 4 0 , 243,250,259 Bornkamm, G. 2 3 2 , 2 4 6 , 2 4 9 , 2 8 0 , 311 Botte, B. 237 Bourke,M. M. 2 4 0 Bouttier, M. 2 4 4 Box, G . H . 8,26,32,34,43,46,47,48, 5 6 , 5 8 , 5 9 , 7 0 , 7 3 . 1 3 9 , 148 Brandenburger, E. 1 3 9 , 140, 1 4 1 , 1 4 2 , 1 4 3 , 1 4 4 , 145, 1 4 6 , 147, 1 4 8 , 1 4 9 , 150,153,154,156,232,240 Braun, H. 113,169,170,173,176,177, 1 8 1 , 1 8 8 , 197, 2 0 5 , 2 0 6 , 2 6 5 , 2 8 6 Breitenstein, U. 134, 1 3 5 , 1 3 6 , 137, 138 Bright,J. 4 Bring, R. 2 7 2 , 2 9 1 Brinsmead, B. H. 2 7 0 , 2 7 1 , 2 7 2 , 2 7 4 , 277, 278
414
Index of
Brock, S. P. 100 Brooke, G. 183 Brownlee, W. H. 1 8 0 , 181 Bruce, F. F. 1 7 0 , 1 8 1 , 1 8 3 , 2 2 9 , 231, 235, 240, 241, 257, 259, 272, 273, 274, 275, 277, 278, 296 Brunt, J. C . 311 Buhner, J. A. 317 Bultmann, R. 2 3 3 , 2 3 6 , 2 8 3 , 2 8 4 , 295,313,328 Burchard, C. 166, 2 2 8 , 229 2 3 0 Burger, C. 2 5 5 , 2 5 6 , 2 5 7 Burgmann, H. 1 8 6 Burnett, F. W. 237
230, 266, 286,
286,
CahUl, H. 261 Callan, T. 2 7 2 Calvin,J. 2 7 2 Gambler, J. M. 3 4 0 CampbeU, W. S. 2 6 9 , 2 9 1 Carmichel, C. M. 2 Carmignac.J. 9 4 , 1 6 6 , 1 8 1 , 2 1 2 , 2 1 3 Gazelles, H. 178 Ceriani, A. M. 152 Chadwick, H. 2 4 9 , 3 3 3 Charles, R. H. 100, 108, 152, 1 5 3 , 154, 159 Charlesworth, J. H. 9 3 , 100, 1 1 2 , 1 1 3 , 1 1 8 , 120, 125, 1 3 4 , 1 3 9 , 1 4 0 , 1 5 2 , 1 5 3 , 167, 168, 185 Christ, F. 2 3 6 Collange, J. F. 2 6 1 , 2 7 7 , 2 8 2 , 2 8 3 , 2 8 4 , 285, 302, 306, 308, 311, 316, 322, 339 Collins, J. J. 14, 5 2 , 100, 105, 1 0 8 , 1 1 2 , 116, 125 Colpe, C. 1 9 4 , 2 3 9 Conzelmann, H. 1 9 , 2 2 8 , 2 2 9 , 2 3 1 , 2 3 2 , 234, 238, 243, 244, 246, 247, 255, 281,324 Coughenour, R. A. 100, 1 0 1 , 1 0 2 , 1 0 3 , 104,105,109,110 Cranfield, C . E. B. 2 3 4 , 2 4 8 , 2 6 6 , 2 6 8 , 270, 272, 273, 274, 283, 284, 285, 286, 287, 289, 290, 291, 295, 296, 3 0 3 , 3 0 5 , 3 3 0 , 335 Cremer, H. 2 8 6 Crenshaw, J. L. 1 , 2 . 8 , 9 , 1 6 , 2 0 , 2 1 , 8 7 , 98,269,291 G o w e , F. E. 27 Cullmann, O.
240, 247, 252, 304, 313
Dahl, N. A. 2 6 6 Dalbert, P. 1 2 0 , 1 2 1 , 1 2 5 , 126, 1 2 7 , 1 3 0 , 135 Daube, D. 2 3 0 , 2 6 6
Authors Dautzenberg, G. 1 8 3 , 2 3 8 , 2 6 9 Davenport, G. L. 1 1 6 , 117 Davies, P. R. 1 7 6 , 2 1 0 Davies, W . D . 9 , 1 0 5 , 1 0 8 , 1 1 0 , 1 1 2 , 1 1 5 , 118, 2 3 7 , 2 4 3 , 2 4 7 , 2 4 8 , 2 5 6 , 2 5 9 , 264, 265, 269, 270, 278, 291, 296 Davis, J. A. 1 5 , 2 0 7 , 2 0 9 , 2 2 3 , 2 4 2 , 2 4 3 , 244 Dednering, S. 152 Deichgraber, R. 2 4 9 , 2 5 1 , 2 5 5 , 2 5 6 Deidun, T. J. 2 7 6 , 2 7 9 , 2 8 1 , 2 8 3 , 2 8 9 , 291, 304, 306, 307, 311, 315, 316, 321, 322, 327, 328, 329, 333, 334 Deissmann, A. 237 Delcor, M. 1 7 0 , 1 8 1 , 2 1 4 Delekat, L. 77 Delling, G. 1 3 4 , 1 3 5 , 136 Denis, A. M. 9 3 , 1 0 0 , 1 0 1 , 1 1 2 , 1 1 3 , 1 1 8 , 119, 125, 1 5 2 , 1 6 8 , 1 9 0 , 199 Dennison, W. D. 322 Dexinger, F. 9 3 , 9 4 , 1 0 0 , 105, 193 D i m a n t , D . 102 Dinkier, E. 2 3 8 , 2 3 9 Dodd, C H. 2 8 0 , 281 Domkowsi Hopkins, D. 211 Drane,J.W. 2 6 5 , 2 7 0 Du, C. le 289 Dulmen, A. van 2 6 4 , 2 6 5 , 2 7 2 , 2 7 6 , 2 7 7 , 278,281,286,289,291,295 Duesberg, a 18,77 Dunn, J. D. G. 2 0 , 1 3 1 , 2 3 5 , 2 3 8 , 2 3 9 , 241, 242, 243, 244, 245, 247, 248, 249 , 2 5 0, 2 5 1 , 2 5 2 , 2 5 3 , 2 5 4 , 2 5 5 , 256, 257, 258, 259, 260, 261, 262, 263,282,283,294,311,331 Dupont-Sommer, A. 166 Ebeling, G. 2 7 1 , 2 7 4 Eberharter, A. 6 0 , 6 1 Eckart, K. G. 2 5 5 Eckstein, H. J. 3 3 3 Edwards, R. A. 2 3 6 Eichholz, G. 3 0 2 , 3 0 3 , 305 Eissfeldt, O. 8, 9 3 , 9 5 , 100, 1 0 1 , 1 1 2 , 1 1 3 , 118, 1 1 9 , 1 2 3 , 1 2 5 , 1 2 9 , 1 3 4 , 135, 136, 139, 140, 1 5 2 , 1 5 3 , 1 5 4 Ellis, E. E. 2 3 0 , 2 3 1 , 2 5 3 , 261 Ellul,J. 3 0 4 , 3 3 9 Emerton,J. A. 1 Evans, C. 330 Falk, Z. W. 5 7 , 5 8 , 5 9 , 6 0 Farmer, W. R. 2 3 3 , 2 9 1 Festorazzi, F. 2 6 6 , 3 0 2 , 3 0 6 , 3 0 7 , FeuiUet, A. 2 3 6 , 2 3 9 , 2 4 5 , 2 4 7 , 2 4 8 , 252, 255, 256, 257, 259, 265, 277, 280, 281, 283, 284, 289, 316
324 251, 269, 296,
Index of Fichtner, J. 1 2 , 4 7 , 122 Fiddes, P . S . 9 , 1 3 , 1 4 , 1 5 , 2 0 , 3 9 , 4 2 , 7 9 , 8 1 , 8 4 , 133 Finkelstein, L. 6 6 Fischer.J. A. 231 Fitzmyer, J. A. 2 1 2 , 2 1 3 , 2 1 4 , 2 8 2 , 285 Flusser,D. 1 8 4 Fohrer, G. 5 Friedrich, G. 2 6 4 , 2 6 6 , 2 8 6 , 2 8 7 , 2 8 9 , 327 Friedrich,J. 2 6 6 Fritz, K. von 9 3 Froitzheim, F. 2 4 1 , 2 4 3 , 2 4 6 , 2 4 7 , 2 5 1 , 258,262 Furnish, V. P. 300,301,302,311,316, 322 Gabathuler, H . J . 2 5 5 , 2 5 6 Gabrion, H. 170, 1 7 2 , 1 7 6 , 1 8 1 , 1 8 2 , 183,184,207,226 Galitis, G. 2 8 0 , 3 4 1 Galling, K. 5 , 6 4 Gammie, J. G. 1 9 2 , 195 Garnet, P. 1 6 8 , 170, 1 8 9 , 1 9 0 Gasque, W. W. 2 9 6 Gaster, T. H. 209,212,213,214,215, 2 1 8 , 2 1 9 , 220 Geffcken,J. 124, 125 Georgi, D. 1 2 9 , 1 3 0 , 1 3 2 , 1 3 3 , 2 3 2 , 2 5 1 , 252,255 Gerhardsson, B. 2 3 0 , 3 0 1 , 3 1 1 , 3 1 3 , 3 3 3 , 339 Germann, H. 181 Gerstenberger, E. 2 , 5 Gese. H. 5,20,21,22,23,84,87,193, 237, 240, 246, 256, 257, 261, 288 Giblin, C. H. 2 4 5 , 2 7 2 Gilbert, M. 9, 1 3 , 7 9 , 8 4 Ginzberg, L. 185 Gnilka, J. 2 3 5 , 2 5 1 , 2 5 2 , 2 5 5 , 2 5 6 , 2 5 7 , 2 5 8 , 2 5 9 , 2 6 6 , 325 Gooding, D. W., 120 Goppelt, L. 2 4 0 , 2 4 1 , 2 5 1 , 2 5 8 Grabbe, L. L. 140, 1 4 3 , 1 5 3 Grabner-Haider, A. 3 0 0 , 302 Gray, G. B. 1 1 2 , 1 1 3 , 1 1 4 Grech, P. 3 0 1 , 3 0 3 , 3 0 6 , 3 0 7 , 3 0 8 , 3 1 3 , 316, 324 Green, W. S. 167, 178 Grozinger, K. E. 167 Gruenwald. I. 9 3 , 9 4 , 1 9 3 Grundmann, W. 2 3 6 Gunkel, H. 141 Gunneweg, A. H . J . 95 Gutbrod, W. 9, 1 2 3 , 127, 1 3 3 , 229 Guttmann, A. 6 4 , 69
Authors
Alb
Hadas, M. 118,119,120,123,134,135 Haenchen, E. 2 2 8 , 2 3 0 Haring, B. 3 4 0 Hagner, D. A. 257 Hahn, F. 2 4 0 , 2 4 5 , 2 4 7 , 2 6 6 , 2 6 7 , 2 7 0 , 272, 274, 278, 286, 289, 290, 291, 311,317 Hainz, J. 306 Halter, H., 2 7 6 , 3 0 1 , 3 0 2 , 3 0 3 , 3 0 4 , 3 0 5 , 306,307,311,316,339 Hamerton-Kelly, R. G. 2 3 6 , 2 3 8 , 2 4 1 , 243,245,246,247,248,251 Hanson, A . T . 2 4 7 , 2 8 2 Hanson, P. D. 9 4 Harnisch, W. 9 4 , 1 3 9 , 140, 1 4 1 , 1 4 2 , 1 4 3 , 144, 145, 1 4 6 , 147, 148, 149, 1 5 0 , 151, 1 5 2 , 1 5 3 , 154, 155, 1 5 6 , 157, 309 Harrington, D . J . 1 4 , 5 2 , 6 7 Hasenstab, R. 2 3 6 , 3 0 0 , 3 0 2 , 3 1 1 , 3 3 2 , 3 3 3 , 3 3 9 , 3 4 0 , 342 Haspecker, J. 16, 18, 2 4 , 2 5 , 2 9 , 3 2 , 3 3 , 37, 4 4 , 4 5 , 4 6 . 4 7 , 5 0 , 5 1 , 5 6 , 6 2 , 67, 69,70,73,73,75 Hatch, E. 3 1 , 39 Haufe, C. 2 6 5 Ffayman, A. P. 141 Hegermann, H. 1 3 0 , 1 3 1 , 135, 2 2 5 , 2 5 6 Heiligenthal, R. 320 Heinemann, I. 1 35 Heinrici, G. 237 Helfmeyer, F . J . 176 Hengel, M. 8,9,11,12,19,20,27,39, 52, 5 3 , 62, 63, 65, 71, 8 4 , 8 5 , 8 6 , 8 7 , 88, 9 3 , 98, 101, 119, 121, 123, 125, 1 2 6 , 167, 1 6 8 , 1 6 9 , 1 7 3 , 1 7 4 , 1 8 5 , 188, 1 9 1 , 1 9 4 , 195, 1 9 6 , 197, 199, 201, 202, 207, 212, 214, 215, 226, 228, 229, 230, 236, 237, 238, 240, 241, 242, 243, 244, 246, 247, 251, 253, 256, 259, 261, 263, 279, 291, 2 9 4 , 2 9 6 , 297 Herford, R. T. 8 2 Herr, T. 3 0 9 , 3 1 3 , 3 1 4 , 3 1 8 , 3 2 0 , 3 2 1 , 324,326, 331,333,340 Hertz, A. 310 Hickling, C.J. A. 282 Hilsberg, P. 3 3 3 Hock, R. F. 229 Hodgson, R. 3 0 9 , 3 2 4 Hoffken, P. 27 Hofius, O. 2 5 1 , 2 5 2 Holmberg, B. 317 Holmes, S. 1 2 9 , 132 Holm-Nielsen, S. 1 1 2 , 1 1 3 , 117, 1 7 1 , 174,211,217
416
Index of
Holtz, T. 2 5 4 , 2 9 5 , 3 1 3 , 3 1 4 , 3 1 5 , 319,328,329 Honnefelder, L. 3 3 9 Hooker, M . D . 2 5 4 , 2 6 9 Horgan,M. P. 1 8 2 , 1 8 3 , 2 1 7 Horsley, R. A. 2 4 3 , 2 4 4 Howard, G. 251 Hubner, H. 2 3 0 , 2 3 5 , 2 6 4 , 2 6 8 , 2 7 0 , 273, 274, 275, 278, 283, 286, 2 8 9 , 2 9 0 , 291 Hughes, P. E. 2 8 4 , 2 8 5 Huntemann, G. 3 3 9 , 3 4 0 Huntjens, J . A. 169, 1 7 5 , 1 7 7 , 178, 188,189 ng,N.
317,
272, 287,
184,
175
Jackson, B. S. 5 7 , 5 8 , 5 9 , 185 Jacob, E. 5 , 9 , 8 4 , 8 7 James, M. R. 139 J a n s e n , H . L. 116 Janssen, E. 9, 2 2 , 2 6 , 2 7 , 2 8 , 9 4 , 1 5 1 , 157 Jastrow, M. 217 Jaubert, A. 1 0 7 , 114, 1 2 1 , 1 3 2 , 1 3 5 , 1 5 7 , 175,177,186 Jellicoe, S. 119, 120 Jeremias, G. 1 8 0 , 1 8 7 , 2 0 2 Jeremias,J. 6 7 , 6 8 , 6 9 , 2 2 9 , 2 3 0 , 2 6 5 JerveU, J. 1 5 5 , 2 5 5 , 2 6 6 Jeske, R. L. 2 4 6 , 247 Jewett, R. 3 3 0 , 3 3 3 Joest,W. 300 Johnson, M. D. 2 3 6 Jonas, H. 252 Jonge, H.J. de 237 Jongeling, B. 1 6 6 , 2 1 0 Jouon, P. 69 Jungel, E. 2 7 4 , 2 7 8 , 2 8 8 , 2 8 9 , 2 9 5 Kasemann, E. 2 3 2 , 2 3 3 , 2 3 4 , 2 4 7 , 249, 250, 255, 266, 270, 285, 296,303,323,335 Kaiser, O. 9 , 1 0 , 1 9 , 4 4 , 8 2 , 8 6 Kant, 1. 339 Kapelrud, A. S. 175 Kautzsch, E. 141 Kayatz, C. 6 4 Keck, L. E. 2 6 9 . 2 8 9 Kehl, N. 2 5 5 , 2 5 6 , 2 5 7 Kellermann, U. 27 Kerst, R. 2 4 4 Kertelge, K. 2 8 5 , 3 1 7 Kim, S. 2 2 8 , 2 2 9 , 2 3 0 , 2 3 1 , 2 3 5 , 238, 239, 240, 2 4 1 , 243, 246, 248, 251, 252, 253, 255, 256, 258,259,260,261,263,292
248, 289,
237, 247, 257,
Authors Kimbrough, S. T. 1 8 4 , 2 0 5 , 2 0 6 , 2 2 3 Kirk, J. A. 317 Kittel, B . D . 211 Klijn, A. F. J. 139, 1 5 2 , 153, 1 5 4 , 155, 157, 158, 161 Klinzing, G. 176, 1 8 9 , 2 0 6 Knibb, M. A. 1 0 0 , 101 Knox,J. 233,291 K n o x , W . L. 9 , 1 9 , 7 1 , 7 2 Koch,K. 94, 192, 193 Koehler, L. 3 4 , 207 Koester, K. 2 3 9 K o o . T . K. 5 K o o l e , J . L. 7 9 , 8 4 Korff, W. 3 3 9 Kiichler, M. 6, 66, 8 7 , 8 8 , 9 4 , 9 5 , 9 6 , 9 7 , 9 8 , 1 0 3 , 1 0 5 , 1 0 9 , 1 3 0 , 136, 148, 1 4 9 , 158, 163, 190, 191, 196, 197, 199, 2 0 0 , 2 0 1 , 2 0 2 , 2 1 9 , 220 Kummel, W. G. 2 2 8 , 2 3 5 , 2 4 0 , 2 4 1 , 2 5 1 , 252, 254, 255, 258, 265, 276, 290, 291,296 Kuhn, G. 25 Kuhn, H. W. 1 7 4 , 1 7 7 , 1 9 3 , 194, 1 9 5 , 197,202,203,211,217,235 Kuhn, K. G. 1 7 1 , 1 7 4 , 186, 1 9 4 , 2 2 0 Kuss,0. 264 Kutsch, E. 71 Lacey, D. R. de 272 Lacocque.A. 140 Ladd, G . E . 2 8 6 , 2 9 1 Lahnemann,J. 2 5 5 Lamarche, P. 2 8 9 Lanchester, H. C. O. 126 Lang, B. 19 Langkammer, H. 2 4 5 , 257 Larcher, C. 1 2 9 , 1 3 0 , 1 3 1 , 1 3 2 LaSor, W. S. 14 Laub, F. 3 0 0 , 309 Lauer, S. 1 3 7 , 138 Lauterbach,J. Z. 6 4 Lebram, J . C. H. 1 9 , 2 1 , 2 2 , 2 3 , 2 7 . 4 4 , 71,73,135, 200 Lehmann.M. R. 1 8 1 , 1 8 6 , 2 1 2 Leila, A. A. Di 8, 86 Levine, B. A. 167 Lewis, J. J. 122 Ucht.J. 166,167 Uchtenberger, H. 1 6 6 , 167, 168, 169, 170, 1 7 1 , 175, 176, 1 7 7 , 178, 180, 1 8 3 , 1 8 9 , 1 9 1 , 1 9 2 , 1 9 3 , 195, 1 9 8 , 205, 206, 208, 210, 215, 216, 219, 220,226 UddeU, H. G. 48 Uedke,G. 3 2 , 3 4 , 3 5 , 3 6 Oetzmann, H. 2 4 3 , 2 4 5 , 2 4 6 , 2 8 0 , 2 8 1 , 286
Index of Umbeck, M. 4 3 , 9 4 , 1 0 6 , 107, 1 0 8 , 1 1 3 , 1 1 4 , 127, 1 4 3 , 146, 1 4 7 , 1 5 4 , 155, 1 5 6 , 157, 158, 169, 170, 1 7 1 , 172, 1 7 5 , 1 7 6 , 1 7 7 , 178, 179, 1 8 0 , 1 8 6 , 1 8 9 , 2 7 3 , 280, 295 Undars, B. 101 U n k , C. 312 I j p s c o m b , W. L. 1 9 0 , 1 9 1 , 1 9 2 , 1 9 5 , 2 0 1 , 203,204,214 Livingstone, E. A. 2 6 9 Lohr, M. 1 5 , 1 6 , 1 8 , 2 1 , 2 4 , 3 0 , 3 7 , 3 9 , 4 3 , 5 0 , 5 4 , 6 2 , 7 0 , 72, 7 3 , 7 4 , 75, 76, 84 l o h m e y e r , E. 251 Lohse, E. 1 6 7 , 2 0 7 , 2 0 9 , 2 1 7 , 2 3 5 , 2 5 0 , 256, 257, 259, 265, 266, 286, 287, 2 8 9 , 2 9 0 , 311 Ijjrenzi, L. De 2 3 9 , 2 4 3 , 2 4 4 , 2 6 5 , 2 6 6 , 275,341 Luck, U. 9 4 , 1 0 9 , 1 4 9 , 2 3 6 , 2 4 0 Ludemann.G. 3 3 3 Liihrmann, D . 181,200,201,214,215, 2 4 6 , 2 7 2 , 2 7 7 , 311 Luyten, J. 5 Luz, U. 2 4 6 , 2 4 8 , 2 6 9 , 2 7 0 , 2 7 2 , 2 7 5 , 287,288, 291,324 Lyonnet, S. 2 7 5 , 2 7 6 McDermott, J. M. 3 0 6 Mack, B . L 9 , 1 9 , 6 2 , 1 3 0 MacKenzie, R. A. F. 2 7 , 2 9 , 39 MacKinney, R. W. A. 2 4 0 McL.WUson, R. 242 Maier, G. 8 , 4 7 , 5 3 , 7 5 , 1 1 3 , 1 1 4 Maier,J. 9 , 2 0 , 8 8 , 9 3 , 1 3 5 , 1 8 5 Maillot, A. 269 Malfroy,J. 2 Mansoor, M. 2 1 1 , 2 1 2 Mantel, H . D . 6 4 , 6 7 , 1 8 6 Marbock, H. 9 , U , 12, 1 3 , 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 2 1 , 22, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 32, 33, 37, 42, 4 3 , 44, 46, 48, 52, 53, 60, 62, 64, 66, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 77,79,80,81,84,85,86,87 Marshall, l . H . 2 2 8 , 2 2 9 , 2 3 0 , 2 5 8 Martin, R . P . 2 5 1 , 2 5 2 , 2 5 9 Mattern, L. 3 0 8 Maurer, C. 3 3 3 , 3 3 4 , 335 Mayer, G. 9 4 , 139, 141 Meams, C. L. 101 Meisner, N. 1 1 8 , 1 1 9 , 1 2 0 , 1 2 2 Mengel, B. 2 5 1 , 2 5 2 Merk, O. 2 7 6 , 2 7 8 , 2 7 9 , 2 8 7 , 2 9 0 , 2 9 1 , 300, 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 307, 309, 310, 313, 316. 322, 336 Merklein, H. 2 3 8 , 2 4 1 , 2 5 1 , 2 5 8 , 2 7 5 , 296
Authors
417
Mettinger, T. N. D. 6 4 Metz,J.B. 250 Metzger, B . M . 9 3 , 2 7 8 Meyer, P.W. 2 6 8 , 2 9 1 Meyer R. 6 2 , 6 3 , 6 4 , 6 6 , 6 6 , 6 7 MichaeUs, W. 119 Michel, O. 2 3 4 , 2 4 7 , 2 4 9 , 2 8 6 , 2 8 9 , 3 0 1 , 306 Middendorp, T. 2 7 , 32, 3 3 , 3 5 , 4 8 , 5 2 , 58,60,61,62,86 Milgrom,J. 1 8 2 , 185 Milik, J. T. 1 0 0 , 1 0 1 , 1 0 2 , 167, 1 7 0 , 185, 212 Momigliano, A. 86 Moore, C. A. 95 Moore, G. F. 87 Moore, R . D . 1 9 8 , 2 1 8 Morgan, D. F. 4 , 5 Moule, C. F. D. 2 5 9 , 2 9 1 Mowinckel, S. 6 4 Moyne, J . Le 67 Mueller, J. R. 1 4 3 MiiUer, H. P. 4 , 5 MuUer,K. 8 8 , 1 4 5 , 1 4 7 , 1 4 9 , 1 5 0 Munchow, C. 9 3 , 9 4 , 1 0 2 , 105, 1 0 6 , 1 0 9 , n o , 1 3 9 , 1 4 1 , 1 4 3 , 145, 149, 1 5 2 , 1 5 3 , 154, 155, 1 5 6 , 157, 158, 1 9 3 , 302,308,309,311,320 MuUins, T. Y. 2 3 6 Munck, J. 291 Mundle, W. 140, 1 4 3 , 145 Murphy, R . E . 1 , 6 , 2 4 Murphy-O'Connor, J. 1 7 8 , 1 8 5 , 2 0 9 , 2 4 4 , 245, 251, 252, 255, 306, 334, 340, 341 Mussner, F. 2 4 0 , 2 4 1 , 2 6 5 , 2 7 2 , 2 7 3 , 2 7 4 , 2 7 7 , 2 7 8 , 341 Myers, J. M. 1 3 9 , 1 4 0 , 1 4 6 , 1 4 8 , 149, 150 Nagata, T. 2 5 1 , 2 5 2 , 3 1 6 Nel, P . J . 1, 4 , 9, 1 4 , 15, 7 0 , 7 4 , 8 4 , 8 5 , 301 Neugebauer, O. 1 0 3 , 1 0 4 Neusner, J. 5 9 , 6 4 , 6 5 , 67, 6 8 , 167, 185 Nickelsburg, G. W. E. 8, 14, 4 4 , 9 3 , 9 4 , 9 5 , 9 7 , 9 8 , 100, 1 0 1 , 109, 1 1 2 , 1 1 3 , 118, 119, 1 2 1 , 125, 129, 130, 1 3 4 , 135, 1 3 7 , 139, 140, 1 4 1 , 1 5 2 , 1 5 3 , 166,167 Nieder, L. 3 0 0 Niederwimmer, K. 2 3 9 , 2 9 4 , 3 1 1 , 3 4 0 , 341 Nikiprowetzky, V. 1 2 5 , 1 2 6 , 127 Nissen, A. 5 5 , 5 6 , 8 8 , 9 4 , 1 0 2 , 1 0 7 , 1 0 8 , 109, n o , 1 2 2 , 1 4 0 , 1 4 5 , 149, 1 5 1 , 152, 1 5 3 , 1 5 4 , 155, 1 5 6 , 1 5 7 , 275
418
Index of
Notscher, E. 1 6 9 , 1 7 2 , 190, 1 9 5 , 197, 199, 2 0 1 , 2 0 2 , 207, 2 1 2 , 2 1 6 Norden, E. 2 4 4 , 2 5 5 Nyberg, H. S. 3 Oepke, A 229 Ostborn, G. 3 Oesteriey, W. O. E. 8, 26, 32, 3 4 , 4 3 , 4 6 , 47,48,56,58,59,70,73,139 Ogg,G. 228 OUrog, W. H. 2 3 5 O'Neill, J. C. 2 5 5 Orr,W. F. 2 4 6 , 2 7 9 Osten-Sacken, P. von der 168, 177, 1 9 2 , 193, 208, 210, 217, 240, 265, 266, 267, 270, 282, 283, 286, 287, 289, 290 Otzen, B. 1 9 5 , 2 0 5 Panikulam.G. 3 0 6 Patte, D. 1 8 1 , 183 Paulsen, H. 231 Pearsen, B. A. 2 3 8 , 2 4 0 , 2 4 8 Perdue, L. G. 2 3 , 2 4 , 5 4 Perrin, N. 2 3 6 Pesch, R. 2 4 5 Peters, N. 2 0 , 2 6 , 7 7 Pfammatter,J. 2 5 5 , 3 0 6 Pfeifer, G. 20 Pfeiffer, R. H. 5 2 , 66 Philonenko, M. 2 1 4 Places, E. des 130 Plevnik,J. 275 Ploeg, J. P. M van der 5 Ploger, O. 178 P6hlmann,W. 2 5 4 Pohlenz, M. 8 5 , 136 Pohlmann, K. F. 2 6 Provence, T. E. 2 8 2 , 2 8 3 , 2 8 4 Priimm,K. 239 Pury, A. de 3 Rabin, C. 185 Rabinowitz, I. 1 8 3 , 217 Rabinovifitz, J. 181 Rabinowitz, I.. 1. 57, 5 8 , 66 Rad, G. von 2, 5, 9, 12, 16, 2 2 , 2 4 , 2 5 , 2 9 , 4 6 , 8 7 , 147, 1 9 2 , 1 9 3 Raisanen, H. 2 6 9 , 2 7 0 , 2 7 2 , 2 7 3 , 2 7 5 , 277, 279, 281, 286, 286, 288, 289, 290,291,295 Rahlfs, A. 1 1 3 , 1 3 4 Rahner, K . 2 5 0 Raj, V. A. R. 2 5 6 , 2 6 3 Rankin, O. S. 122 Rau, E. 1 0 0 , 1 0 3 Raybum, R. S. 2 8 2 , 2 8 3 , 2 8 4 , 2 9 5 , 3 1 3
Authors Redpath, H. A. 3 1 , 3 9 Reese, G. 147 Reese,J. M. 1 3 0 , 2 4 3 , 2 4 6 , 2 5 6 , 2 6 3 Reicke, B. 195, 197 Reinmut, E. 3 1 3 , 3 2 2 Rendtorff,!. 340 Rengstorf, K. H. 2 2 9 , 3 1 7 Renker, A. 1 Rhyne, e x . 2 6 8 , 2 6 9 Richard, E. 2 8 2 , 2 8 3 , 2 8 4 Richards, K. H. 1 4 0 , 3 1 1 Richardson, P. 3 3 9 Richter, W. 2 , 3 Ricken, F. 130 Rickenbacher, O. 1 5 , 1 6, 17, 1 8 , 2 1 , 2 2 , 24, 25, 26, 31, 33, 34, 35, 44, 46, 47, 5 1 , 5 2 , 5 4 , 6 6 , 6 9 , 7 0 , 7 1 , 7 2 , 7 3 , 74, 75,76, 77,78 Ridderbos, H. 2 7 6 , 2 8 1 , 3 0 1 , 3 0 2 , 3 0 4 , 305, 308, 309, 310, 311, 313, 322, 328,333,334, 340,341 Riesenfeld, H. 279 Riesner, R. 6 4 , 6 5 , 6 7 , 6 8 , 6 9 , 187, 2 0 3 , 237, 2 3 8 , 2 4 1 , 251 Ringgren, H. 1 9 , 2 0 , 2 0 1 Rissi, M. 2 8 2 , 2 8 3 , 2 8 4 Rist,J. M. 85 Rivkin, E. 2 6 , 3 9 , 5 7 , 6 0 , 6 3 , 6 5 , 6 6 , 67 Robinson, J. A. T. 235 Robinson, J. M. 2 3 6 Rossler, D. 9 4 , 107, 157 Roloff,J. 2 2 8 , 2 2 9 , 2 3 0 Romaniuk, K. 1 9 0 , 1 9 5 , 1 9 6 , 197, 2 0 7 , 232,247,301,307,327 Roon, A. van 2 3 5 , 2 3 9 , 2 5 9 Roop, E. F. 167, 1 9 8 , 2 0 3 Rosenthal, F. 153 Rosso-Ubigli, I , 186 Rost, I , 8, 9 3 , 9 5 , 1 0 0 , 1 0 1 , 102, 1 1 2 , 1 1 3 , 1 1 8 , 1 1 9 , 1 2 5 , 1 2 9 , 134, 135, 139, 1 4 0 , 1 5 2 , 1 5 3 Rowland, C. 9 3 , 9 4 , 1 0 1 , 140, 1 5 3 , 1 9 3 , 194,201 Rudolf, W. 6 4 Ruger, H. P. 8 Sabatier, A. 102 Samburski, S. 85 Sandbach, F. H. 85 Sandelin, K. G. 2 4 0 , 2 4 2 , 2 6 1 Sanders, E. P. 1 6 9 , 1 7 5 , 177, 1 8 5 , 189, 202,205,207,266,270 Sanders, J . A. 166,167,181,200,201, 214,215,221,266 Sanders,J.T. 2 5 2 , 2 5 5 , 2 5 6 , 3 1 1 Saucr, G. 8 , 1 7 , 2 4 , 3 2 , 3 3 , 3 7 , 4 3 , 4 8 , 5 0 , 5 4 , 5 8 , 5 9 , 7 1 , 7 3 , 7 5 , 7 7 , 7 9 , 86
Index of Schade, H. H. 2 3 5 , 2 5 1 , 2 5 2 , 2 5 3 , 3 0 8 , 309, 3 2 2 , 3 2 4 Schaeder, H. H. 6 4 , 65 Scharlemann, M. H. 239 Schelkle, K. H. 2 3 0 , 3 1 1 , 3 1 3 , 3 1 5 , 3 1 6 Schencke, W. 2 0 Schenk, W. 2 5 6 , 2 5 8 Schenke, H. M. 2 5 2 , 2 5 5 , 3 2 2 Schiffman, I . H. 1 6 7 , 169, 1 7 2 , 182, 183,184,185,186,187 Schilling, O. 9 Schischkoff, G. 9 0 Schlier, H. 2 3 3 , 2 3 4 , 2 4 1 , 2 4 9 , 2 5 0 , 2 6 4 , 266, 272, 274, 275, 278, 281, 286, 289,290,291,295,296,312 Schlink, E. 3 0 0 Schmid, H. H. 2 0 , 88 Schnackenburg, R. 2 3 6 , 2 3 7 , 2 6 6 , 3 1 1 , 333,341 Schneider, G. 2 2 9 , 3 2 7 Schnelle, U. 2 4 2 , 2 7 7 , 2 7 8 , 2 8 1 , 2 8 2 , 3 0 7 , 322 Schniewind,J. 300 Schoeps, H.J. 2 7 5 , 278 Schrage, W. 229, 275, 276, 277, 279, 290, 300, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 307, 308, 309, 310, 311, 312, 313, 314, 315, 316, 317, 318, 319, 320, 321, 322, 323, 324, 325, 326, 327, 328, 329, 330, 331, 332, 333, 336, 341 Schreiner.J. 1 3 9 , 1 4 0 , 1 4 1 , 1 4 9 , 1 5 2 Schrenk, G. 2 5 , 2 7 9 Schubert, K. 1 2 , 8 4 , 1 0 7 , 1 6 7 , 1 7 6 Schupphaus, J. 1 1 3 , 1 1 4 , 1 1 5 , 1 1 6 , 117, 118 Schurer, E. 5 2 , 6 3 , 6 4 , 6 7 , 6 8 , 6 9 , 166 Schiirmann, H. 2 3 6 , 2 6 5 , 2 6 6 , 2 7 7 , 3 0 6 , 3 0 7 , 3 1 0 , 3 1 1 , 3 2 7 , 3 4 0 , 341 Schussler-Fiorenza, E. 1 9 , 2 4 0 , 252 Schiitz,J. H. 3 1 7 , 318 Schulz, S. 2 3 6 Schunack,G. 331 Schweizer, E. 2 3 5 , 2 3 8 , 2 3 9 , 2 4 0 , 2 4 1 , 245, 246, 247, 248, 252, 255, 256, 257,259,309 Schweitzer, A. 3 0 4 Scott, R. B. Y. 1 Scroggs, R. 2 3 7 , 2 3 9 Segal, M . S . 1 8 , 4 7 , 7 7 Sellin, G. 2 4 2 , 2 4 3 , 2 4 4 , 2 4 6 Senft, C. 2 4 5 , 2 4 7 , 2 7 9 , 2 8 1 Sharvit, B. 2 0 2 , 2 0 7 Sheppard, G. T. 1 , 9 , 1 4 , 6 0 , 6 1 , 7 1 , 7 2 , 84, 9 5 , 9 6 , 9 7 , 9 8 , 2 4 8 Sigal, P. 9 , 2 3 , 2 7 , 5 7 , 6 3 , 6 5 , 6 6 , 6 7 , 6 9 , 88, 186
Authors
419
Silbermann, L. H. 2 6 9 , 291 Silver, A. H. 26 Sint.J. A. 9 3 Skehan, P. W. 58 Slomovic, E. 181 Smend, R. 8, 2 4 , 2 5 , 26, 2 7 , 3 2 , 3 3 , 34, 43, 4 7 . 7 3 , 7 7 , 8 3 , 2 6 9 , 2 7 0 , 2 8 7 , 2 8 8 , 291,324 Smhh,M. 9 3 , 2 5 5 Smitten, W. T. in der 2 7 , 6 4 Snaith, G. 8, 18, 2 7 , 3 2 , 3 3 , 3 4 , 4 3 , 4 4 , 46, 48, 5 3 , 56, 58, 59, 69, 70, 7 1 , 72, 73,76,76 Speyer, W. 9 3 Spicq, C. 2 5 4 , 3 2 7 Stadelmann, H. 8, 2 3 , 2 4 , 2 8 , 2 9 , 3 5 , 3 7 , 47, 48, 50, 5 1 , 52, 53, 54, 55, 58, 62, 6 5 , 6 6 , 6 7 , 6 9 , 7 0 , 7 1 , 7 2 , 7 3 , 75, 77, 80,88 Stahli, H. P. 3 2 , 34 StahHn,G. 3 1 2 Stanley, D. M. 2 3 5 Starky,J. 2 0 3 , 2 1 2 , 2 1 3 Steck, O. H. 9 4 , 9 5 , 147, 149, 150, 1 5 3 , 157 Stelzenberger,J. 3 3 3 Stendahl, K. 119, 1 2 0 Storig, H.J. 85 Stoike, D. A. 277 Stone, M. E. 100, 101 Strack, H. L. 2 1 0 Strecker, G. 2 7 7 , 3 0 2 , 3 1 1 , 3 1 8 , 3 3 9 , 3 4 0 Strobel, A. 186 Strolz, W. 2 3 6 StrugneU, J. 2 1 8 , 2 1 9 , 2 2 0 Stuhlmacher, P. 2 4 1 , 2 4 3 , 2 4 6 , 2 5 1 , 2 5 6 , 260, 262, 266, 267, 268, 270, 285, 288,291,292,294,313 Suggs,J.M. 2 3 3 , 2 3 6 , 2 4 8 Suter, D. W. 1 0 0 , 1 0 1 , 102 Synofzik, E. 308 Talbert, C. H. 251 Taylor, A. E. 9 0 Tcherikover, V. 5 3 , 120, 121 Theisohn, J. 105 Theochares, A. 1 0 3 , 105 Therrien, G. 3 1 1 , 3 3 0 Thompson, A. L. 1 4 1 , 149 ThraU, M. W. 2 9 6 , 3 3 3 Thusing, W. 245 Todd, R. B. 85 Todt, H. E. 3 1 2 Torrance, T. F. 2 4 0 Tov, E. 9 5 Townshend, R. B. 134 Trilling, W. 2 5 4
420
Index of
Turbessi, G. 231 T u t t l e . G . A. 14 Unnik, W. C. van 2 2 8 , 2 2 9 , 2 3 1 , 2 8 4 Urbach, E. E. 5 9 , 6 3 , 6 5 Vanhoye, A. 2 7 2 Vattioni, F. 8 , 2 5 , 3 2 , 75 Vaux, R. de 167 Vawter, B. 19 Vermaseren, M. J. 1 9 , 2 1 Vermes, G. 2 2 , 1 6 6 , 1 6 7 , 1 7 5 , 1 8 0 , 1 8 1 , 185, 1 8 6 , 187, 1 9 1 , 1 9 8 , 2 0 4 , 2 0 7 , 209, 212, 213, 217, 218, 219, 220, 221 Villiers, P. G. R. de 1 1 7 , 1 4 1 , 1 4 3 , 147, 148, 2 0 3 Violet, B. 1 3 8 , 1 3 9 , 1 4 0 , 147, 1 4 8 , 1 4 9 , 152, 1 5 3 , 154, 155 Viteau, J. 1 1 2 , 1 1 3 , 1 1 4 , 115, 1 1 6 , 117 Viviano, B . T . 9 , 1 3 3 Vogtle, A. 3 0 8 , 3 0 9 , 3 2 4 Vriezen,T. C. 3 , 4 , 15 Wacker,M. T. 1 0 3 Wagner, S. 175, 1 9 5 , 2 8 8 Wallace, D. H. 2 5 4 Walther, J. A., see Orr, W. F. Weder, H. 243,244,251,252,260,294 Weimar, P. 2 0 , 9 3 Weiss, H. F. 9, 16, 7 2 , 8 6 , 8 8 , 9 0 , 1 3 0 , 131, 2 4 6 Weiss, K. 21 Wendland, H. D. 3 0 2 , 3 0 4 , 3 0 5 , 3 0 6 , 3 1 1 , 315 Wendland, P. 1 1 9 , 1 2 0 Wengst, K. 2 4 4 , 2 5 2 , 2 5 5 Westermann, C. 2 6 4
Authors Wever, R. 139 Whedbee,J. W. 1 Whitehouse, O. C. 95 WUckens, U. 9, 19, 7 1 , 7 3 , 1 0 3 , 130, 1 9 0 , 232, 233, 234, 239, 242, 243, 244, 247, 248, 249, 250, 269, 270, 2 7 1 , 272, 273, 274, 275, 276, 277, 278, 279, 280, 281, 282, 283, 284, 285, 286, 287, 289, 290, 291, 292, 294, 295, 296, 303, 305, 307, 308, 319, 320, 3 2 7 , 3 3 3 , 3 3 5 WUdberger, H. 2 8 8 WUken, R . L . 1 9 , 2 3 6 , 2 3 8 , 2 4 0 Windisch, H. 2 3 7 , 2 4 8 , 2 5 9 Winston, D. 1 2 9 , 1 3 0 , 1 3 1 , 1 3 2 , 133 Wintle, B. 2 6 5 , 2 6 7 , 2 7 2 , 2 7 3 , 2 7 7 , 2 8 1 , 282,289,291,311,316,318 Wischmeyer, O. 327 Wolff, H.W. 2 , 9 4 , 2 8 8 WorreU, J. 6, 1 8 1 , 1 9 0 , 1 9 2 , 1 9 3 , 1 9 4 , 195, 196, 197. 199, 2 0 1 , 2 0 2 , 203, 204.205,207,214 Woude, A. S. van der 9 3 , 2 1 4 WueUner, W.W. 2 6 6 Yadin, Y. 7 7 , 2 1 0 Young, E. M. 2 6 6 , 2 7 7 Zahavy,T. 186 Zeilinger, F. 2 5 5 , 2 5 6 , 2 5 7 , 2 5 9 Zeller, D. 4 , 3 0 , 8 7 , 2 3 6 Zenger, E. 9, 1 2 , 1 6 , 7 9 , 88 Ziegler,J. 8 , 5 9 , 7 7 , 7 8 , 9 5 , 1 2 9 Ziener, G. 1 2 9 , 1 3 0 , 1 3 1 , 1 3 2 , 1 3 3 Ziesler, J. A. 285 Zimmermann, F. 129 Zink, J. K. 6 0 , 6 1 , 9 5
Index oi"Subjects Aaron 2 3 , 3 5 , 36, 5 2 , 54f., 6 5 , 8 3 , 187, 209 Abiram 6 5 Abraham 3 4 , 4 4 , 272f. Adam 1 4 2 , 145f., 1 5 4 , 156, 2 5 2 , 254f. Adam christology 252f. Adultery 3 8 , 4 7 , 5 8 , 1 1 6 Aggadah 1 1 , 8 8 -Mcimus 65 Alexandria 8, 1 1 , 1 2 3 , 129f., 1 3 4 , 162 Allegorical exegesis 9 2 , 1 2 1 , 1 2 4 , 2 4 7 Angels 2 1 0 , 272f. Anthropos myth 2 5 2 Antinomism 341 Antioch 134f., 2 3 0 Antiochos III 6 3 Apocalyptic - literature 138f., 1 4 0 , 1 5 2 - Paul 231 - Pharisaism 140 - prophecy 193 - tradition 9 4 , 1 2 5 , 1 2 9 , 1 3 9 , 1 6 3 - wisdom 147, 192f., 197 Apollo s 2 4 3 R. Aqiba 153 Aretalogy 19f. Aristeas, Letter of 119f. - Hellenism 12 Of. - law 120f. - table-talk 121f. - wisdom 121-123 Ark of the covenant 2 1 , 2 3 Astarte 19 Athene 19 Baruch, Apocalypse of 152f. - apocalyptic 1 5 2 , 1 5 7 - and4Ezra 1 5 2 1 5 4 - law 154-158 - rabbinic circles 1 5 3 , 1 6 1 - scribes 157, 161 - wisdom 158 Baptism 307 Baptismal terminology 2 4 2 Baruch, Book of 1 1 , 9 5 - covenant 97 - creation 9 6 - faith 97 - law 9 5 , 97f.
- salvation history 97 - wisdom 96f. - wisdom figure 96f. Ben Sira 8f. - covenant 4 2 , 44f., 5 4 , 7 2 , 81 - creation 11-13, 16-20, 3 2 , 4 2 4 4 , 79f. - cult 2 1 , 2 3 f . , 51f., 81 -~ death 3 2 , 4 3 - didactic thrust 12 - eternal life 56f. - eternity 78 - fear of the Ix>rd 12, 1 4, 24f., 2 9 , 3339,42,45f., 54, 56,81f. - grandson 8, 78f. - halakhah 57-60 - Hellenism 12, I9f., 2 7 , 3 1 , 86 - inspiration 5 3 , 66f. - Israel 12f., 2 1 - 2 3 , 2 5 - jurisdiction 52 - lauspatrum 22,26-28,44,54,81 - andOT 60-63,84 - revelation 15, 19, 81 - salvation history 20-28, 44f., 81 - sin 4 6 , 4 9 , 5 6 - as scribe 2 8 , 3 0 , 5 1 , 6 7 , 7 6 , 8 0 , 1 8 1 - on scribes 4 4 - Stoicism 84-86 - teaching 52-55, 83 - text 61 Ben Sira, Law - commandments 17 - correlation with wisdom 9 - 1 5 , 6 9 - 9 1 - background 1 0 - 1 4 , 8 4 - 8 7 - characteristics 79-83 - consequences l l f . , 87f. - cosmic 7 2 , 79f., 85 - covenant 4 2 , 44ff. - and creation I2f., 32, 42f. - cult 4 2 , 5If. -- fear of the Lord 2 9 , 32-39, 4 2 , 45f., 5 0 , 5 3 , 5 6 , 74 - function of 46-55 -- God 4 2 -- inscrutability 73 - and Israel 12f. - jurisdiction 5 2 - obedience to 55-57 - and revelation 1 2 , 7 3 - and salvation history 44f.
422
Index of
- study of 1 4 , 5 3 - and teaching 52-55 Ben Sira, Wisdom 10-14, 16-28 - acquisition of 5 5 - activity 1 1 , 1 7 - cosmological 16, 79f. - and creation 11-13, 16-20 - and cult 2 1 - 2 4 , 8 0 - fear of the Lord 24f., 70, 81 - fruit of 25f., 74 - God 16-18, 2 1 , 5 3 , 74, 81 - and history 12, 17f., 22 - human 16 - hymn 11 - hypostasis 14, 20 - inscTUtabiUty 73 - and Israel 16, 2 1 - 2 3 , 25, 81 - primeval 16 - rule of 16 - and salvation history 16, 20-28, 81 - search for 15 - source of 50 - universalistic 1 1 , 1 3 , 1 5 - 1 7 , 8 7 - wisdom figure 19f. Bribery 48 Cahgula 129 Cardinal virtues 136 Celibacy 3 0 7 , 3 1 4 , 3 2 3 , 329 Charismata 305f., 3 2 3 Charity 49 Cheti, Instruction of 6 6 Christological formulae 2 3 8 , 2 4 0 Christology - development 1 1 , 8 8 - and Jewish wisdom 2 3 6 Christology, Pauline - Adam christology 252f. - Christ and the Torah 264-297 abrogatio legis 2 6 7 - 2 6 9 , 2 7 3 - 2 7 7 , 2 8 3 , 2 8 3 , 2 8 7 , 2 9 0 - 2 9 2 , 294f., 2 9 7 , 2 9 9 Christ as end of the Torah 2 6 5 , 2 6 8 , 271,291-293 Christ a s - n e w Torah' 2 3 7 , 264f., 2 6 7 , 273,281,296 Christ replacing the Torah 243f. law of love 2 6 6 , 2 6 8 , 2 7 4 - 2 7 7 , 2 7 9 , 294f., 334 •law of Christ' 2 6 6 - 2 6 9 , 2 7 1 , 2 7 7 - 2 7 9 , 280 messianic Torah 2 7 8 nuda lex 2 7 2 , 2 7 4 , 2 9 3 Zion Torah 2 6 8 , 287f. - divinity of Jesus 241 - and ethics 302f. - finality of Christ 2 3 9 - 'firstborn of creation' 2 5 6
Subjects -
'firtborn from the dead' 2 5 7 humilitation/exaltation 2 4 8 , 253f. 'image of God' 2 3 8 , 2 5 6 mediator of creation 238f., 2 4 5 , 2 4 7 , 2 5 6 - 2 5 8 , 2 6 1 , 319 - mediator of salvation 2 4 3 - 2 4 5 , 2 4 7 , 250f., 2 5 8 , 2 6 1 , 2 9 3 1 . - pre-existence christology 237f., 241f., 246f., 2 5 1 , 253f., 257f., 2 6 0 , 262f. - resurrection 2 4 8 , 2 6 0 , 267 - sendingof the Son 2 3 8 , 241f., 261 - Son of God 2 3 8 , 261 - wisdom christology 2 3 6 - 2 6 4 Orcumcision 3 4 , 3 6 , 4 5 , 2 7 3 , 2 7 9 , 2 9 2 , 329 Q a n ethos 1 Common sense 324 Conscience 3 3 3 - 3 3 6 Convention 3 2 0 , 329 Corinth, Church in - opponents 2 3 9 , 242 - division 325 Cosmology - cosmic order 3 , 3 6 - law 106f. - material in En(eth) 102 - Stoic 84-86, 2 4 5 - Torah as cosmol. principle 88 - universal cosmic law 79f. - universal cosmic wisdom 79f. - wisdom 9 6 , 103f., 147 - Yahwistic 14f. Covenant 145, 2 8 2 - 2 8 5 - Abrahamic 3 4 , 36 - BenSira 1 0 , 3 9 , 4 2 - 4 5 , 5 4 , 7 2 - companions of 47 - Enoch 107 - Israelitic 10, 3 9 , 4 2 , 44f., 5 4 , 72, 8 1 , 9 7 , 145 - Mosaic 10, 3 9 , 4 2 , 44f., 5 4 , 175 - new covenant 2 8 2 - 2 8 5 - old covenant 2 8 2 , 2 8 4 - Qumran Community 1 7 5 - 1 7 8 , 202f., 222f. Creation - Christ as mediator of 238f., 2 4 5 , 2 4 7 , 256f., 2 5 8 , 2 6 1 , 3 1 9 - hymns 17f., 210f. - order(s) of and law (Torah) 13, 4 2 - 4 4 , 79f., 106108, 1 7 8 - 1 8 0 , 2 0 8 in Pauline ehtics 3 1 8 - 3 2 1 , 3 2 5 . , 3 3 4 , 336,338 and wisdom 1 1 , 1 7 f . , 8 7 , 158 - Qumran Community 1 79f. - and wisdom 1 3 , 16-20, 8 7 , 9 6 , I03f., 130f., 2 0 0 , 2 1 1 , 2 2 2 , 256f.
Index of Cult 2 1 - 2 4 , 3 8 , 4 2 , 51f., 81 Damascus 2 9 2 Dathan 65 David 2 4 , 36, 4 9 , 72, 1 6 0 , 2 2 1 , 2 2 4 Davidic King - Psalmsof Solomon 1 1 5 - 1 1 8 , 165 Death 3 2 , 4 3 Decalogue 2, 108, 312 Deuteronomistic tradition 4, 14, 3 4 , 4 4 , 7 2 , 8 4 , 9 0 , 142 Dialogue 140f., 147, 149 Diatribe 1 3 0 , 135 Divorce 58f., 3 1 4 D o x o l o g y 18 Dreams 1 0 2 , 126 Dualism 177, 1 9 2 , 194f., 2 0 5 , 232 Egypt 6 4 , 79, 119, 129, 2 1 9 Eleazar 1 2 1 , 137 R. Eliezer b. Zadok 67 Endtimc 153 Engcdi 2 6 Enoch 102 Enoch, Book of - aim 107 - apocalypse 100 - Aramaic 100 - cosmology 1 0 2 , 104-107 - covenant 107 - creation 1 0 3 , 106 - date lOOf. - eschatology 105f. - ethic 102 - Exodus 107 - Hasidim 1 0 2 , 107 - inspiration 102 - judgment 108 - law 106-109 eschatological 108 ethos 108f. correlation with wisdom 109-112 cosmic 106 Torah 107f., 110 universalistic 106 - parables 100, 102, 109 - Pharisees 107 - predestination 107 - Qumran theology 101 f. - righteousness 105f., I l l - S o n o f Man 105f., 1 0 8 , 110, 112 - wisdom 1 0 3 - 1 0 6 eschatological 105f. figure of 103 particularistic 104f. personification 103 universalistic 103f.
Subjects
423
Yahweh 104 - wisdom genres 102 - wisdom traditions 102f. Essenes, see Qumran Community Eternal life - Ben Sira 56f. - Enoch 105 - Psalms of Solomon 115f. - 4Ezra 143 - Qumran 188 Ethics, Christian - development 8 8 , 300 Ethics, Pauline - 'aiready'/'not yet' 3 0 4 , 3 0 8 , 323 - apostolic dicta 3 0 5 , 3 1 6 - 3 1 8 - autonomy 3 1 2 , 3 3 9 - 3 4 2 - catalogues of virtues/vices 3 2 4 - charismata 305f. - christology 302f. - c o m m o n sense 3 2 4 - conscience 3 3 3 - 3 3 6 , 337f. - conventions 3 2 0 , 3 2 9 , 3 3 6 , 338 - dominical sayings 315f. - ecclesiology 306f., 3 1 1 , 3 3 1 , 341 - eschatology 3 0 7 - 3 0 9 , 3 3 4 - ethica viatorum 304 - freedom 3 2 4 , 3 3 6 , 340f., 346 - heteronomy 3 1 2 , 3 2 1 , 3 4 2 - interim ethics 303-305 - indicative/imperative 3 0 4 , 3 1 2 , 322f. - judgment 3 0 8 , 3 3 4 - law, see norms - love 3 0 5 , 3 1 1 , 3 2 7 - 3 2 9 , 3 3 4 , 337f. - mimesis 3 1 6 , 318 - motivation 3 0 1 - 3 1 0 - norms 3 1 0 - 3 2 3 -
obedience 303f., 3 1 0 , 3 1 7 , 3 2 4 , 3 3 2 , 3 3 6 , 341 - orders of creation 3 1 8 - 3 2 1 , 325f., 334, 3 3 6 , 3 3 8 - perception 305f. - prayer 305 - reasons 3 1 1 , 3 2 9 - 3 3 3 , 337f. - reward 3 0 8 - and the Spirit 304f., 326f., 3 3 1 , 337f. - temptation 305 - tertius usus legis 321 - theocentricity 301 - Torah (Old Testament) 3 1 3 - 3 1 5 - wisdom 3 0 0 , 312f., 323-337 Eudaemonism 10 Euphrates 72 Exile 2 7 , 9 5 f . , 1 7 6 , 2 6 0 Exodus 10, 1 0 4 , 107, 126, 132f., 219f., 246f., 261 Ezra 2 6 - 2 8 , 6 4 , 6 6 , 8 7 , 1 4 0 , 1 4 7 , 1 7 4 Ezra, Fourth Book of 138-143
424
Index of
- apocalyptic 139f., 147 - cosmology 147 - covenant 145 - eternal life 1 4 3 - 'Ezra' 140f., 151 - inspiration 148 - law 143-147 - Pharisees 140 - rabbinic circles 152 - revelation 143 - secret revelations 143 - wisdom 147-149 Fear of the Lord 164 - correlation law/wisdom 1 4 , 8 1 f . , 3 4 6 - law 5, 12, 2 9 . SSL, 36-39, 4 2 , 4 5 L , 5 0 , 1 4 6 , 2 6 4 , 187 - righteousness 1 1 5 , 1 1 8 - will of God 5 6 , 3 4 6 - wisdom 24L Galilee 101 Gamaliel 2 3 0 Gihon 72 Gnosticism 1 9 4 , 2 3 9 , 2 4 2 , 2 5 2 God (Yahweh) - cosmic significance of SL, 17f. - inscrutability 249 - love for 5 0 , 5 6 - omniscience 18, 199, 211 - providence 1 31 - punishment of 47 - righteousness of 1 1 3 - will of 3 , 4 6 , 5 3 , 5 5 L , 8 1 L , 188, 3 0 5 , 3 0 6 , 31 7L, 3 2 7 , 3 2 9 L , 3 3 1 - 3 3 3 , 346 - wisdom of 1 7f. Golden Rule 122 Gossip 4 6 Hades 5 7 , 2 4 8 Hakhamim, see Wise men Halakhah 8 2 - BenSira 57-60 - development 5 2 , 65-67 - Qumran 183-186 - rabbinic 88 Hasidim 6,27,65,86,102,162,185, 215,220,232 Hasmoneans 67 Hellenism - BenSira 12, 19f., 27, 6 5 , 8 6 - correlation wisdom/law 1 2 , 8 4 - ethics 319 - literature 19L, 1 2 0 , 125, 129 - opposition to 1 2 , 2 7 , 6 5 , 6 7 - Paul 2 2 8 , 319
Subjects - philosophy 135, 2 2 8 , 3 2 4 Heracles myth 2 5 2 Hermon 26 Hezekiah 2 4 , 4 9 , 161 Hilkiah 174 Hillel 5 8 , 122 Horoscope 2 1 2 huq 2 1 , 3 6 L , 171, 178 Hymnody 3 4 3 Hymns 3 4 3 Hypostasis 1 4 , 2 0 , 2 4 2 Identity, law of 90f. Immortality 5 6 , ISOf., 135 hispiration 6 3 , 66L, 148, 1 7 3 , 1 8 2 , 221 Isis 19L Israel 10, 1 2L, 2 1 - 2 3 , 2 5 , 3 3 , 37, 4 4 , 7 2 . 144, 155, 176L, 2 2 0 , 247 Jacob 2 2 L , 3 S Jericho 2 6 Jerusalem - Ben Sira 8 - destruction of 104 - Enoch 101 - Ezra 6 4 - fall of 1 4 1 , 153 -- messiah 1 1 7 - Paul 228L - priests 6 4 - Psalms of Solomon 113 ~ restoration of 28 - Teacher of Righteousness - Temple 120, 127 - wisdom 21-23 Jesus - and wisdom 2 3 6 , 2 6 3 - words of S15L Jordan 72 Josephus 67, 69 Josiah 2 4 , 4 9 , 161 Judea 64 Judgment - conscience 3 3 4 - doxology 142 -- eschatological 108 - fall of Jerusalem 153 - natural disasters as 126 - Torah 145 - according to works 3 0 8 - of Yahweh SSL, 3 8 , 3 3 4 Kantian philosophy Kings 2 3 , 3 3 , 6 4 Kelal 275 Kenosis 277 Korah 65
339
180L, 2 0 3
Index of law
-
apodictic 1 - and Christ 264-297 content 2f. correlation with wisdom history 4 , 8 7 , 1 6 3 , 343f. OldTestament 1 - 6 , 1 0 - 1 4 , 8 4 Ben Sira 9-15, 69-91 Baruch 9 5 , 98f. Enoch 109-112 Psalms of Solomon 117-119 Letter of Aristeas 1 23f. Sibylline Oracles 127f. Sapientia Salomonis 132-134 4 Maccabees 136-139 4 Ezra 149-151 Apocalypse of Baruch 168-161 Qumran 2 0 7 - 2 2 6 Paul 2 3 2 - 2 3 4 , 298f., 338-342 - creation 178-181 - eschatological 108, 1 15f., 143-145, 187 - eternal 108, 115, 146 - ethos 4 6 - 4 9 , 8 8 , 9 8 , 108f. - fear of the Lord 5, 12, 2 9 , 33f., 36-39, 4 2 , 4 5 f . , 5 0 , 146, 164, 187 - history 1 - inspiration 148 - intention 4 - ius talionis 1 4 4 . 1 4 6 , 1 5 1 , 154-156 - origin 4 - revelation 5, 12, 7 3 , 120, 156 - Sitz im Leben 2 - society 4 , 46-49 - theology 1 - universalistic 79f., 8 5 , 8 8 , 1 2 1 , 1 27, 132, 136 Lasterkataloge 31,324 Lebanon 2 2 , 2 6 I^egalism 109, 1 8 8 - 1 9 0 , 2 8 2 , 2 9 1 - 2 9 3 , 341 Lehrerdffnungsformel 102 l^eontopolis 120 Levi 36 Levites 27 Ufe - as walk/path 8 2 , 198, 2 3 4 , 3 4 4 - eschatological 1 4 4 Light 111, 132f., 145f., 156f., 158f., 1 7 4 . 198, 2 3 4 , 3 4 4 IJterary genres 9 3 Logos 92 Maat 19 Macarisms 2 2 0 Maccabees, Fourth Book of 134f. - hellenistic philosophy 135 - law 135f.
Subjects
425
- SapSal 136 Marriage 3 1 4 , 3 2 0 , 3 2 6 , 3 2 9 Martyrdom 1 36f. Messiah 115-119, 165 - expectations 101 - fear of the Ix>rd 115, 118 - law 118 - messianic woes 1 47 - priestly 1 8 7 , 2 1 7 , 2 2 4 - righteousness 1 1 5 , 1 1 8 - royal 1 8 7 , 212f., 2 2 4 - saviour priest 165 - wisdom 116-118 -~ see also Son of Man, Davidic King Methuselah 104 Miracles 2 0 , 134 Mishnah 7, 68 mishpat 2 1 , 3 5 f . , 171f., 178 Monism 85f. Monotheism 3 0 , 1 3 1 , 245 Moses 2 4 , 3 3 , 1 4 7 , 2 1 2 - contrasted with righteousness 2 4 7 - covenant 175 - glory 2 8 4 ~ lawgiver 97f., 1 2 3 , 136, 154, 156, 160 - mediator of God's will 1 73 - mediator of the Torah 1 0 , 2 3 , 3 3 , 4 2 . 4 4 , 5 0 , 7 2 , 136, 173, 1 7 5 , 2 7 2 f . , 281 - ministry 282f. - oral law 183 - teacher of the law 5 4 - wisdom 5 0 , 1 2 3 , 158, 160 Music 36 Mythology 19f. Naherwartung 308 Nehemiah 2 7 , 6 4 New covenant 267 Nile 72 Nomism 2 3 , 5 1 Nomos agraphos 319,335 Oath 58 Obedience - Ben Sira 55-57, 69 - Paul's ethic 303f., 3 1 0 , 3 1 7 , 3 2 4 , 3 3 2 , 3 3 6 , 341 Onomastica 106 Oracle literature 125 Oral law, see Halakhah Pantheism 85 Parable 5 3 , 100, 102, 109 Paradise 72f., 150 Parenesis, see Ethics Parousia 3 0 4 , 3 0 8
426
Index of
Patriarchs 72 Paul - apocalyptic 2 3 1 , 2 5 3 - baptism 307 - Christology, see ibid. - Christophany 2 3 8 , 292 - covenant 2 8 2 - 2 8 5 , 2 9 3 - creation 2 3 8 , 2 4 5 , 256f., 3 1 8 - 3 2 1 , 325f. - dualism 2 3 2 - education 2 2 8 - 2 3 0 - ethics, see Ethics, Pauline - Hellenism 2 2 9 , 231f., 3 1 9 , 324f. - justification 2 8 0 , 2 8 5 , 2 8 7 , 2 9 0 , 292f., 3 0 3 , 3 0 7 , 322 - legalism 2 8 2 , 291 f., 292f., 341 - Pharisaism 2 2 9 - 2 3 2 - Pneumatology 2 4 1 , 2 8 4 , 2 9 0 , 3 0 5 , 321 f., 32 6f. fruit of the Spirit 2 8 4 , 327 gift of the Spirit 2 7 8 , 3 0 5 life in the Spirit 2 7 6 , 2 8 4 , 2 9 0 , 2 9 4 , 297,305,311,322 - revelation 263f., 2 9 5 , 340 - righteousness 2 8 5 , 2 8 7 , 2 9 0 - sacraments 307 - sanctification 3 0 3 , 307 - soteriology 260f., 292f., 2 9 7 , 348 - teaching 3 1 8 , 3 2 5 , 3 3 6 , 338 - theology, development of 2 6 8 , 2 6 9 , 270 - theology of the law cultic-ritual 2 7 7 , 2 9 5 , 313 development 2 6 8 , 2 6 9 , 2 7 0 divine origin 271 f., 2 7 4 , 295f., 3 4 0 freedom from the law 2 7 6 , 2 7 9 , 2 8 9 - wisdom school 2 3 2 , 237 Pentateuch 1 3 , 2 6 , 3 2 , 3 9 , 4 2 , 6 1 , 6 5 , 171, 1 7 3 , 1 8 4 , 222 Persia 64f. Pharisees 162 - Enoch 107 - 4Ezra 140 - halakhah 67, 185 - and Paul 229f. - Psalms of Solomon 113 - and Qumran 1 6 8 , 185 - scribes 66-68 - Temple Scroll 167 - Torah 67 - wisdom 6 Philo 9 2 , 130f. Philosophiy of religion 11 - Alexandrian 88 - Stoic 12f. Phinehas 2 4 , 3 6 , 4 5 Phylacteries 185
Subjects Physicist 86 Piety 50f., 6 5 , 6 9 , 82f., 9 8 , 137 Pishon 72 Pneumatics 2 4 3 Polygamy 3 1 4 Prayer 5 3 , 3 0 5 Pre-existence christology 237f., 24If., 246f., 2 5 1 - 2 5 4 , 257f., 2 6 0 , 262f. Predestination 1 0 7 , 1 4 7 , 2 1 1 Priests 3 , 5, 3 5 , 5 0 , 6 4 - as scribes 6 5 , 67 - Zadokite 8 6 Prophecy 1 2 6 , 131 Prophets 2 3 , 3 9 , 5 0 , 66f., 173 Protreptic 130 Psalter 221 Psalms of Solomon 112f. - eternal life 11 5f. - Davidic King 115-118 - fear of the Lord U 5 L , 118 - law 113-116 - messiah 1 1 5 - 1 1 9 , 1 6 5 - Pharisees 113L - righteousness of God 113 - wisdom 116f. Pseudonymity 9 3 Ptolemaios II 1 1 9 , 122 Purity, ritual 186L Qumran Community - apocalyptic 1 9 2 L , 1 9 7 , 2 0 4 - and Ben Sira 1 8 1 , 209 - calendar 1 7 7 , 1 8 6 , 188 - covenant 1 7 5 - 1 7 8 , 2 0 2 L , 2 2 2 L - creation 1 7 8 - 1 8 1 , 2 0 0 , 2 0 8 , 2 1 0 L , 222 - dualism 1 7 7 , 1 9 2 , I 9 4 L , 2 0 5 - election 2 1 0 , 2 2 0 - entrance into 1 69L, 17 7L, 1 8 0 , 191 193,202,204,216 - eschatology 187L, 2 0 3 , 2 2 4 L - Essenes 6, 6 6 , 1 6 6 , 168 - ethics 2 0 4 - 2 0 6 , 2 2 3 L - fear of the Lord 187, 225 - halakhah 1 8 2 - 1 8 6 , 1 8 8 , 2 0 5 L , 2 1 6 - hasidim 1 6 8 , 1 8 5 , 209 - history I 6 7 L , 2 0 9 , 217 - inspiration 1 7 3 , I82f., 221 - interpretation 1 7 2 , 1 8 2 - 1 8 4 , 2 0 9 - Israel 176L, 2 2 2 - messiah 1 8 7 , 2 1 2 L , 2 1 7 , 2 2 4 - pesharim 1 6 7 , 1 7 1 , 182L - Pharisees 1 6 8 , 1 8 5 , 2 0 9 - priesthood 67, 186 - priests 182 - proto-Essenes 168, 2 I 4 L - revelation 1 7 2 - 1 7 4 , 1 8 4 L , 194, 199 200-203
Index of -
-
sabbath 1 8 6 , 188 Sadducees 1 6 8 , 186 salvation 1 8 9 , 2 0 6 scribes 66f., 2 0 9 , 2 1 2 , 2 2 4 Spirit 1 7 4 , 1 8 0 , 2 0 3 , 2 1 7 study of the law 181-183 Teacher of Righteousness 6 8 , 170, 1 7 4 , 1 7 8 , 180-182, 2 0 2 - 2 0 4 , 2 2 4 teaching 2 0 2 - 2 0 4 Temple 1 7 6 Temple Scroll 167, 1 8 2 , 184-186 temple symbolism 177 Torah 67 wisdom 6 6 , 1 9 0 , 2 0 6 , 2 1 5 , 2 2 0 background 194f. genres 1 9 1 , 198f. personification 1 9 5 , 200f., 2 2 2 terminology 195-198 worldview 194
Rabbinic theology 5 , 9 , 1 1 , 1 4 , 4 9 , 6 6 f . , 7 2 , 8 8 , 1 5 5 , 183 Rabbis 6, 67, 152f., 161 - proto-rabbis 6 3 , 65f., 68 Reasons 4 , 1 3 5 - 1 3 8 , 3 1 1 , 3 2 9 - 3 3 3 Resurrection 2 4 8 , 2 6 0 , 267 Retribution 118, 135, 1 4 4 , 1 4 6 , 1 5 1 , 154-156 Revelation 4f., 10, 12, 15, 19, 6 7 , 8 1 , 143 - ecstatic 125, 199-201 Righteousness - Enoch 105f., I l l - Paul 2 8 5 , 2 8 7 , 2 9 0 - Psalms of Solomon I14f. Riddle 5 3 , 132 Sabbath 186, 188 Sacrifice 2 3 , 36, 51 Sadducees - and Qumran 168, 186 - scribes 67f. - Torah 67 Sage, see Wise men Sirach, sec Ben Sira Salvation - Christ as mediator 2 4 3 - 2 4 5 , 2 4 7 , 250f., 2 5 8 , 2 6 1 , 2 9 3 1 . - Qumran 1 8 9 , 2 0 6 Salvation history 2 0 - 2 8 , 44f., 8 1 , 97 Samuel 2 4 Sanhedrin 229 Satan 3 0 4 Scribes (sopherim) - activities 4 4 , 5 0 , 5 2 - 5 4 - Ben Sira 4 4 , 52-54 - Ezra 2 6 , 8 7 , 151
Subjects
427
- history 63-69 - identity 5 9 , 157 - importance 8 7 , 3 4 4 - and inspiration 5 3 , 66f. - Pharisees 66-68, 157, 2 0 9 - Qumran 67, 180f., 209 - Sadducees 67 f. - term 63 f. - wisdom 6, 7 5 , 157 Septuagint 120 Shame 3 2 4 Shammai 58 Shekhina 22f., 2 4 6 SibyUine Oracle 124f. - apocalyptic 125 - Hellenism 125 - law 126f. - revelation 125 Simon 11 2 4 Simon b. Gamaliel I 2 3 0 Sin 4 6 , 4 9 , 5 6 , 9 8 Sinai 17, 2 9 , 3 1 , 3 3 , 36f., 3 9 , 4 2 , 4 4 , 5 0 , 8 1 , 107f., 1 2 6 , 1 7 3 , 175, 1 8 3 , 2 1 0 Situation ethics 328 Solomon 23f., 1 3 2 , 160 Son of Man 105f., 108, 110, 1 1 2 , 165, 259 Sopherim, see Scribes State 3 2 0 , 3 2 6 , 3 3 5 Stephen 2 7 9 , 2 9 6 f . Stoicism - Ben Sira 12f., 8 4 - 8 6 - cosmology 85f., 245 - ethics 1 3 6 , 3 0 9 , 3 2 4 , 3 4 0 - nomos agraphos 335 - origin 8 6 - philosophy 12 - popular philosophy 12f., 8 4 , 135 - wise 325 Synagogue 2 8 2 Syncretism 125 Syria 129, 1 3 4 Talmud 6 6 Tannaim 68 Tannaitic literature 6 4 Tarsus 2 2 7 - 2 3 0 Temple 2 8 , 65, 68, 1 2 0 , 1 2 7 , 176 Tertius usus legis 321 Tetragrammaton 1 8 4 Theodicy 141f. Tigris 72 Torah, see Law torah 3 , 2 1 , 31-34, 72, 171 Translation, ecstatic 102 Transmission, written 1 8 4 Trinitarian question 2 6 3
428
Index of
Typological exegesis 247 Tugendkataloge 31, 324 Uriel 1 0 4 Urim and thummim
50
Visions 102, 126, 140f. Water 7 2 , 1 7 4 , 198 Wisdom - apocalyptic 192f. - christology 2 3 6 - 2 6 4 - content 2f. - correlation with Torah, see Law - court 2 , 2 1 - 2 4 , 8 0 - creation 11-13, 16-20, 4 2 L , 9 6 , 130L - cult 3 - eschatological 1 0 5 L , 1 1 6 L , 1 4 7 - 1 4 9 , 158 - ethics If. - fear of the IjoiA, see ibid. - figure 19L, 96L - fruit of 25 f., 104L - gift of God 1 1 , 2 1 , 7 4 , 8 1 , 1 0 4 - and God 1 6 - 1 8 , 2 1 - hiddenness 133 - history 1-6 - hypostasis 1 4 , 2 0 , 2 4 2 - inscrutability 7 3 - logos 131 - obedience 5 - origin 2, 4 - personification 19L, 9 6 L , 1 0 3 , 130, 148, 195 - profane 1 1 , 8 7 - prophecy 131
Subjects -
research 1 SUz im Leben 2 Spirit 1 3 1 , 1 3 3 teacher of 3 3 theology 1 universalistic 1 1 , 1 3 , 15 17, 8 7 , 9 6 , 103fd., 1 2 2 L , 158 - wisdom psalms 4f. Wisdom of Solomon, Book of 129L - apocalyptic 129 - covenant 132f. - HeUenism 129 ~ immortaUty 130f. - law 131L - Philo 130 - wisdom 130f. creation 130f. figure 130 logos 131 Spirit 1 3 1 , 133 Wise men (hakhamim) 2L, 1 3 , 2 3 , 3 3 , 525 4 , 6 5 - 6 7 , 8 7 , 147, 1 5 1 , 158, 2 2 4 Woe formula 102 Work 3 2 0 , 3 2 6 Worship service 305 Yahweh, see God Yahwistic tradition 3 , 1 4 Yabneh 6 8 , 1 5 3 R. Yohanan b. Zakkai 68 R. Yose b. Joezer 2 1 2 Zealots 66 Zeus 8 5 L , 2 8 9 Zion 2 1 - 2 3 , 142