Elder, The Media Matrix of Early Jewish and Christian Narrative (T&T Clark)

NEW BOOK FROM BLOOMSBURY/T&T CLARK:

The Media Matrix of Early Jewish and Christian Narrative

Nicholas Elder (Author)

Paperback
$39.95 $35.95

Hardback
$120.00 $108.00

Ebook (PDF)
$35.95 $28.76

Ebook (Epub & Mobi)
$35.95 $28.76

Product details

Published Jul 29 2021
Format Paperback
Edition 1st
Extent 224
ISBN 9780567701541
Imprint T&T Clark
Dimensions 9 x 6 inches
Series The Library of New Testament Studies
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

Description

Generically, theologically, and concerning content, Mark and Joseph and Aseneth are quite different. The former is a product of the nascent Jesus movement and influenced by the Greco-Roman Bioi (“Lives”). It details the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of a wandering Galilean. The latter is a Hellenistic Jewish narrative influenced by Greek romances and Jewish novellas. It expands the laconic account of Joseph's marriage to Aseneth in Genesis 41 into a full-fledged love and adventure story.

Despite these differences, Elder finds remarkable similarities that the texts share. Elder uses both texts to examine media and modes of composition in antiquity, arguing that they were both composed via dictation from their antecedent oral traditions. Elder's volume offers a fresh approach to the composition of both Joseph and Aseneth and Mark as well as to many of their respective interpretive debates.

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Greek influence on Petra

PHOTO ESSAY: The Stunning Greek-inspired Architecture of the Ancient City of Petra (Kerry Kolasa-Sikiaridi, Greek Reporter). Yet another travel piece on Petra, with some nice photos.

Cross-file under Nabatean (Nabataean) Watch.

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Maqdala artifacts returned to Ethiopia

ETHIOPIC WATCH: Maqdala treasures looted by British troops returned to Ethiopia in 'largest single restitution.' At the ceremony in London, the Ethiopian ambassador renewed calls for museums to return Maqdala objects (Martin Bailey, The Art Newspaper).

I noted the upcoming repatriation of the artifacts here in June. You can find further information on them and on the Maqdala treasures and their background in that post and its links.

This article has some new information about a second group of artifacts that was returned at the same time:

The second group of returned items comes from an unnamed Brussels collector and dealer. They include a processional cross, a priestly crown, a shield, a small icon of the Crucifixion and a talismanic scroll. Most are from the 18th and 19th centuries. The Brussels collection was acquired by [the writer Tahir] Shah for a few thousand pounds.

Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.

The Fast of Gedaliah 2021

THE FAST OF GEDALIAH was yesterday. It is one of the "four minor fasts." I don't recall it receiving much media attention in past years, but this year I have come across a couple of articles on it.

Fast of Gedaliah: What you need to know about the first fast of the year. Here is a rundown for what you need to know about its history, its rules and when it ends (Aaron Reich, Jerusalem Post).

The fast is meant to commemorate the death of Gedaliah, a righteous Jew who was the governor of the land of Judah following the collapse of the First Temple at the hands of the Babylonian Empire. However, he was assassinated by his fellow Jews, specifically by Ishmael Ben Nethaniah, who descended from the Davidic line.

His death was recounted in detail by the Roman-era historian Josephus, and is also described in the book of 2 Kings chapter 25 and, in even more detail, in the Book of Jeremiah chapter 41.

Dr.Tzvi Novick, Tzom Gedaliah: Why Commemorate His Assassination? (TheTorah.com)

Gedaliah ben Ahikam, the governor of Judah after the destruction of the Temple, was assassinated by Ishmael ben Nethaniah, a scion of the Davidic family. This event has been commemorated for millennia with a yearly fast—the only fast over the death of an individual. The Talmud points to his righteousness, while Saadia Gaon emphasizes the tragic consequences to the Judahite people he governed.

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Job in Religions of Western Antiquity at Florida State

H-JUDAIC: FEATURED JOB: Assistant Professor in Religions of Western Antiquity, Florida State University. The specialization is open. The application deadline is 18 October 2021. Follow the link for further particulars.

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Lyons & Stromberg (eds.), Isaiah's Servants in Early Judaism and Christianity (Mohr Siebeck)

NEW BOOK FROM MOHR SIEBECK: Isaiah's Servants in Early Judaism and Christianity. The Isaian Servant and the Exegetical Formation of Community Identity. Edited by Michael A. Lyons and Jacob Stromberg. 2021. XI, 413 pages. Wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zum Neuen Testament 2. Reihe 554. 99,00 € including VAT. sewn paper ISBN 978-3-16-155042-3.

Published in English.
The Book of Isaiah describes an Israelite group called the »servants,« who suffered for their righteousness and were promised vindication. This collection of essays shows how the Isaian »servants« texts were used by early Jewish and Christian readers to shape their own community identity. It includes analyses of Psalms 22, 69, and 102, Daniel, Wisdom of Solomon, Mark, Luke and Acts, Romans, 2 Corinthians, Philippians, 1 Peter, Revelation, and Targum Jonathan on Isaiah, as well as investigations into the relationship between exegesis and identity formation and into how the Isaian Servant(s) are presented within the framework of Israel's history.

Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.

A Phoenician sundial fragment survived the Beirut explosion

PHOENICIAN WATCH: In Lebanon, Part of an Ancient Sundial Returns to View. A year after a huge explosion leveled Beirut’s port, the National Museum has reopened, and its Phoenician timepiece is on display (Melanie Abrams, NYT).

The National Museum of Beirut has only one ancient timepiece: part of a second-century-B.C. sundial. It was broken at some point in the past, but the fragment in the museum has survived even the enormous explosion that leveled the nearby Port of Beirut on Aug. 4, 2020, blowing some of the museum’s doors off their hinges and shattering windows.

[...]

Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.

The Ezana Stone

ETHIOPIC WATCH: The “Ezana Stone” of Aksum: A trilingual monument, similar to the “Rosetta Stone.” These liturgical epigraphs were written in various ancient languages, including the Ethiopian Semitic Ge’ez, the South Arabian Sabaean & Greek (Panos, themanews.com).

For more on the Ezana stone, including a summary of its contents, see here. For more on King Ezana of fourth century Aksum, see here. And for past posts on the ancient city of Aksum (Axum), which recently has had hard times, start here and follow the links.

Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.

Akhmim exhibition

BIBLE HISTORY DAILY: Egypt’s Forgotten City.

Through September 12, 2021
Berlin State Museums
Berlin, Germany
www.smb.museum

One of the most important religious centers of the ancient world, the city of Akhmim in southern Egypt is presented in the exhibit Akhmim: Egypt’s Forgotten City, currently on display in the James Simon Gallery of the Berlin State Museums.

[...]

Akmim is not forgotten by PaleoJudaica. I have noted that it was the site of the discovery of an important Greek manuscript containing material from the Book of 1 Enoch, the Gospel of Peter, and the Apocalyse of Peter. See here, here, and here. I have also noted the work of the Akhmim Mummy Studies Consortium here. For other events in the vicinity of late-antique Akhmim, see here. And for more on the alchemist Zosimus of Panopolis (another name for Akhmim), see here.

Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.

There are Dead Sea Scrolls in New Jersey?

VARIANT READINGS: The Dead Sea Scrolls of New Jersey (Brent Nongbri).

Incidentally, I published a translation of 1Q34+1Q34^bis in chapter 1, "Festival Prayers," of my book Liturgical Works (Eerdmans Commentaries on the Dead Sea Scrolls; Eerdmans, 2000).

Also, I see that back in 2010 I noted that the West Semitic Research Project was photographing 1Q34^bis. See here and here.

Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.

Online Event: Dr. Andrea Berlin, The Rise of the Maccabees

THE BIBLICAL ARCHAEOLOGY SOCIETY: NEW! BAS Scholars Series.

Wednesday, December 1, 2021
8-9 pm Eastern

Virtual
The Rise of the Maccabees:
What Archaeology Reveals About Antiquity’s Last Independent Jewish Kingdom
- Dr. Andrea Berlin, Boston University

For description, cost, and registration informations, see the link. This lecture is part of an ongoing quarterly series.

HT Todd Bolen at the Bible Places Blog.

Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.

Rosh HaShanah 2021

HAPPY NEW YEAR (ROSH HASHANAH - Jewish New Year 5782) to all those celebrating. The New Year begins tonight at sundown. Stay safe! Last year's Rosh HaShanah post, with links, is here. For biblical background, see here.

Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.

Zoom Event: John Collins on the DSS

TONIGHT AND NEXT MONDAY: The Dead Sea Scrolls: The Light They Shed on Judaism and Christianity with Dr. John Collins (Yale Divinity School).

Event time:
Monday, December 6, 2021 - 8:00pm

Event description:
Zoom | December 6 & 13 | 8 pm Eastern | 2 Sessions

The discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls is widely regarded as the most important contribution of archeology to Biblical Studies in the twentieth century. The first lecture will ask, what are the Dead Sea Scrolls, who collected them? Are they the product of a marginal sect or representative of Judaism in the time of Jesus. The second lecture will consider some texts found in the Scrolls that are of special interest for Christianity, including one that speaks of a figure who is called Son of God.

Free pre-registration is required to attend. Details are at the link.

HT Joseph I. Lauer.

Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.

Ancient quarry excavated in Jerusalem

ARCHAEOLOGY: Second Temple period quarry uncovered in Jerusalem. Jerusalem’s ancient quarries were the main source of building stones for monumental construction projects in the city, such as the Temple Mount. (IAA press release via IMFA).

(Communicated by the Israel Antiquities Authority Spokesperson)

Jerusalem’s well-known high-tech industrial zone is called ‘Har Hozvim’ (‘Quarrymen’s Hill’), but not everyone knows why. This week, prior to future development by the Moriah Jerusalem Development Corporation, Israel Antiquities Authority excavations provided evidence of the name’s true meaning with the discovery of a vast ancient quarry that apparently dates from the Second Temple period (some two thousand years ago).

[...]

I have noted the discovery of some other Second Temple-era quarries in the vicinity of Jerusalem here, here, here, here, here, here, and here. Cross-file under Temple Mount Watch (sort of).

Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.

On Kyrenia (Cyrene)

PHOTO ESSAY: KYRENIA: The forgotten Ancient Greek colony of Libya (Greek City Times).

Kyrenia (Ancient Greek: Κυρήνη), or more commonly known today as Cyrene, was founded as a colony of Greeks from Thira (Santorini) in 630 BC and is the birthplace of Eratosthenes, who was the first to calculate the perimeter of the earth.

A relatively little-known Jewish revolt against Rome, the "Kitos War," happened in Cyrene:

At the highest point of the city, is the temple of Zeus, which dates from the 5th century BC. century.

It was destroyed during a Jewish revolt in 115 AD, and was restored 5 years later by the Romans on the orders of Emperor Hadrian.

A Simon of Cyrene is mentioned in the Gospels in Mark 15:21 and parallels. And the source epitomized in 2 Maccabees (see 2:19-32) was written by a Jason of Cyrene.

Related PaleoJudaica posts are here, here, and here.

Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.

Siegal & Ben-Dov (eds.), Social History of the Jews in Antiquity (Mohr Siebeck)

NEW BOOK FROM MOHR SIEBECK: Social History of the Jews in Antiquity. Studies in Dialogue with Albert Baumgarten. Edited by Michal Bar-Asher Siegal and Jonathan Ben-Dov. 2021. XV, 401 pages. Texts and Studies in Ancient Judaism 185. 159,00 € including VAT. cloth ISBN 978-3-16-160694-6.

Published in English.
The present volume comprises articles by renowned international scholars in academic dialogue with the work of Albert Baumgarten. They contextualize ancient Jewish texts not only for their own sake, but also as a way of shedding light on antiquity in general. They address texts from the fields of Greco-Roman studies, Hellenistic Judaism, Second Temple sectarianism, rabbinic literature, and various facets of early Christianity. Additionally, there are articles discussing comparative religion, sociology of knowledge, anthropology, and economic history. Together, the articles create an in-depth analysis of the social history of Jews in antiquity.

Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.

Inscriptions from the Tayma excavation

THE AWOL BLOG: Taymāʾ II: Catalogue of the Inscriptions Discovered in the Saudi-German Excavations at Taymāʾ 2004–2015.

For the importance of Tayma (Teima, Teiman) in the Aramaic Prayer of Nabonidus, with connections to Nebuchadnezzar's madness in Daniel chapter 4, see here and links.

Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.