Jeal (ed.), Exploring Sublime Rhetoric in Biblical Literature (SBL)

NEW BOOK FROM SBL PRESS:

Exploring Sublime Rhetoric in Biblical Literature
Roy R. Jeal, editor

ISBN 9781628375626
Volume ESEC 28
Status Available
Publication Date March 2024
Paperback $43.00
eBook $43.00
Hardback $63.00

In scholarly study of the New Testament and early Christian rhetoric, one key element is often overlooked: the sublime. To address this omission, contributors to this volume explore how the awe-inspiring, dislocating, and sometimes horrifying language that characterizes sublime rhetoric exerts cognitive, emotional, and physiological force on its audiences, transporting them to new realities as they go along. The essays lay a foundation for scholars and students to identify and interpretsublime rhetoric in biblical literature. Contributors include Murray J. Evans, Alan P. R. Gregory, Christopher T. Holmes, Roy R. Jeal, Harry O. Maier, Erika Mae Olbricht, Thomas H. Olbricht†, Vernon K. Robbins, and Jonathan Thiessen.

Includes a chapter on 1 Enoch.

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Scales on Spaces of ancient Galilee

THE BIBLE AND INTERPRETATION

Spaces of ancient Galilee: How Judaism created Galilee and Galilee created Judaism in the time of the Hasmoneans

The importance of removing impurity can be seen in the shaping of space. Objects and installations were used in ancient Judaism to deal with impurity (or achieve purity). As such, we see in specific sites, such as Jerusalem and Qumran (where many of the Dead Sea Scrolls were found) the giving over of large areas to washing facilities. This use of space reflects ideologies and practices, and subsequently shapes how people understand the space around them.

See also Galilean Spaces of Identity (Brill, 2024).

By Joseph Scales
Department of Religion
University of Agder May 2024

I noted the publication of the book here.

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Jerusalem’s Herodian Quarter is reopening

RENOVATION: Unveiling Jerusalem’s priestly neighborhood from Herodian era. "History is being revived in the Jewish Quarter" as ancient homes of Temple priests reopen after a major renovation. (YORI YALON, JNS).

(May 31, 2024 / Israel Hayom) After two years of extensive development and renovations costing $5 million, Jerusalem’s ancient Herodian Quarter is reopening to the public this week.

This remarkable archaeological site in the Old City’s Jewish Quarter features an affluent residential neighborhood from the Second Temple period, spanning 2,600 square meters (about 28,000 square feet). It includes luxurious homes, exquisite mosaics, paved streets and numerous ritual baths.

[...]

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Still more on the Crosby-Schøyen Codex

MORE ON THE CODEX'S CONTENTS: Crosby-Schøyen Codex: ancient Coptic manuscript reveals sermon that spurred violence against Jews (M J C Warren, The Conversation).

The article tells us that there are five texts in this Sahidic Coptic codex. We already knew it contains Jonah and 1 Peter. The article adds that it also has excerpts from 2 Maccabees and (the headline text) a copy of Melito's homily on Passover (Peri Pascha). The fifth text, unmentioned, is an otherwise unknown Easter sermon. For additional detains see here.

PaleoJudaica posts on the codex are here, here, here, and here (cf. here).

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Macaskill, The Entangled Enoch: 2 Enoch and the Cultures of Late Antiquity (Brill)

NEW BOOK FROM BRILL:

The Entangled Enoch: 2 Enoch and the Cultures of Late Antiquity

Series:
Studia in Veteris Testamenti Pseudepigrapha, Volume: 28

Author: Grant Macaskill

This study reframes and reorients the study of 2 Enoch, moving beyond debates about Christian or Jewish authorship and considering the work in the context of eclectic and erudite cultures in late antiquity, particularly Syria. The study compares the work with the Parables of Enoch and then with a variety of writings associated with late antique Syrian theology, demonstrating the distinctively eclectic character of 2 Enoch. It offers new paradigms for research into the pseudepigrapha.

Copyright Year: 2024

E-Book (PDF)
Availability: Published
ISBN: 978-90-04-69509-2
Publication: 21 May 2024
EUR €139.00

Hardback
Availability: Published
ISBN: 978-90-04-69508-5
Publication: 23 May 2024
EUR €139.00

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Kirk, Agur’s Wisdom and the Coherence of Proverbs 30 (SBL)

NEW BOOK FROM SBL PRESS;

Agur’s Wisdom and the Coherence of Proverbs 30
Alexander T. Kirk

ISBN 9781628375657
Volume AIL 50
Status Available
Publication Date May 2024v Paperback $50.00
eBook $50.00
Hardback $70.00

In this first in-depth study of Proverbs 30, the Words of Agur, Alexander T. Kirk examines a puzzling text attributed to an unknown figure that has long fascinated scholars. While this material has been read as everything from a devout confession to a cry of despair, few interpreters have found any real coherence in the chapter. In this detailed philological study engaging both genre and tone, Kirk demonstrates that the chapter is best read as a coherent collection that mocks pride and greed while it commends humility and contentment. Kirk draws out many subtle literary features that augment Agur’s message, including humor and animal imagery. Ultimately, Proverbs 30 deepens the presentation of wisdom in the book of Proverbs by orienting it toward a proper relationship with God.

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Josephus on the Essenes

BIBLE HISTORY DAILY: Josephus on the Essenes.

I've linked to this one before, but it's back, and the information is good to have handy.

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Forthcoming: The Illustrated Cairo Genizah (Gorgias Press)

THE GENIZA FRAGMENTS BLOG: The Illustrated Cairo Genizah – now available to pre-order (Nick Posegay and Melonie Schmierer-Lee).

We are very excited to announce that our new book, The Illustrated Cairo Genizah, is now available for pre-order! See https://linktr.ee/CambridgeGRU to order.

[...]

Estimated shipping date is 1 October 2024.

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Bakhos & Gray (eds.), Kalmin Festschrift (SBL)

NEW BOOK FROM SBL PRESS:

Making History: Studies in Rabbinic History, Literature, and Culture in Honor of Richard L. Kalmin
Carol Bakhos, Alyssa M. Gray, editors

ISBN 9781951498948
Volume BJS 372
Status Available
Publication Date March 2024
Paperback $80.00
eBook $80.00
Hardback $100.00

Essays in this volume honor Richard L. Kalmin, one of the leading scholars of rabbinic literature. Volume contributors explore a variety of topics related to Kalmin’s wide-ranging work from the development of the Talmud to rabbinic storytelling, from the transmission of tales across geographic and cultural boundaries to ancient Jewish and Iranian interactions. Many of the essays reflect current trends in how scholars use ancient Jewish literary sources to address questions of historical import. Contributors include Carol Bakhos, Beth A. Berkowitz, Noah Bickart, Robert Brody, Joshua Cahan, Shaye J. D. Cohen, Steven D. Fraade, Shamma Friedman, Alyssa M. Gray, Judith Hauptman, Christine Hayes, Catherine Hezser, Marc Hirshman, David Kraemer, Marjorie Lehman, Kristen Lindbeck, Jonathan S. Milgram, Chaim Milikowsky, Michael L. Satlow, Marcus Mordecai Schwartz, Seth Schwartz, Burton L. Visotzky, and Sarah Wolf.

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UHaifa adds a new archaeology master's program

HIGHER EDUCATION: The University of Haifa Presents: Dig, Dive and Discover. University of Haifa’s School of Archaeology and Maritime Cultures (SAMC), has launched a new science-oriented international master’s program in archaeological research. (Times of Israel).

The first of its kind to integrate the full scope of archaeological activities on land, at sea and in the lab under one roof, and building on its globally renowned reputation, University of Haifa’s School of Archaeology and Maritime Cultures (SAMC) has recently launched a new international Master’s program, offering an MSc in Archaeological Sciences.

Home to the largest community of archaeology researchers, state-of-the-art research labs and seven prestigious grants from the European Research Council, SAMC is reshaping archaeology as never before. Its four departments – Archaeology, Maritime Civilizations (underwater and coastal archaeology), Archaeological Sciences and Cultural Heritage, are an exceptionally unique combination world-wide. “Our strength lies both in exposing our students to all sides of archaeology on land, underwater, heritage and the sciences, and in our strong partnerships with the Technion (Israel Institute of Technology) and leading universities abroad,” says Prof. Israel Finkelstein, head of SAMC.

Together with the University of Haifa’s International School, SAMC now offers three groundbreaking one-year English-taught International Master’s programs, on land, underwater and in the lab.

[...]

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Niehoff, Judentum und Hellenismus (Mohr Siebeck)

NEW BOOK FROM MOHR SIEBECK: Maren R. Niehoff. Judentum und Hellenismus. Herausgegeben von Birgit Weyel unter Mitarbeit von Florian Zacher. Übers. v. Daniel Schumann, Matthew Chaldekas. [Judaism and Hellenism.] 2024. 122 pages. Lucas-Preis 2022. 29,00 € including VAT hardcover ISBN 978-3-16-163536-6.

Published in German.
In this acceptance speech, Maren Niehoff provides an exemplary insight into her innovative studies on the relationship between Jewish and Hellenistic culture in antiquity. Using the reception of Alexander the Great in Greco-Roman, Jewish-Hellenistic and rabbinic literature, she paradigmatically demonstrates the interrelationships and negotiation processes between Judaism and Hellenism.

We are fortunate to have Prof. Niehoff visiting St. Andrews this week. She gave a fascinating lecture in the School of Divinity yesterday on Paul's and Philo's developing concepts of law.

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Online course on the history of biblical translations

MEDIEVALISTS.NET: Online course starting this week: The History of Biblical Translation.

Starting, Saturday, June 1st: This six-week course includes live 2-hour sessions with the instructor each week at 1:00pm Eastern U.S. time (6:00pm BST). Sessions consist of lecture, discussion of readings, and Q&A.

Looks very informative. Starts with the Bible in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek; moves to the Latin Bible; then surveys the mutitude of translations that followed.

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What John the Baptist wasn't

RELIGION PROF: John The Baptist Was Not A Hermit. And he didn't necessarily live in the "desert."

For more on James McGrath's work on John the Baptist—and also on the Mandeans (Mandaeans)—including two imminently forthcoming books, see here and links.

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Ancient gold ring excavated in Jerusalem

MORE ANCIENT BLING: Ancient gold ring, 2,300 years old, discovered in City of David. “This is an unusual and deeply moving find, not one found every day,” the IAA stated in their announcement (Judy Siegel-Itzkovich, Jerusalem Post).

Archaeologists in Jerusalem’s City of David were recently amazed and moved to uncover a rare small gold ring set with a precious stone – apparently made for and worn by a little boy or girl who lived there during the Hellenistic period some 2,300 years ago.

[...]

Or possibly by a woman wearing it on her pinkie.

Another important find from the Givati parking lot excavation.

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Hannibal was here?

PUNIC WATCH? Hidden gold earring reveals forgotten episode of Carthage-Rome war (Mining.com).

A gold earring found in a stash at the Iron Age site of Tossal de Baltarga in Spain has revealed what could potentially be a forgotten episode of the war between Carthage and Rome.

The jewelry piece was discovered inside a ruined building in the middle of the Pyrenees. The building is believed to have been part of a devastating fire that burned the settlement to the ground.“

[...]

So far, so good. But ...

This could be just an unexpected local fire. But the presence of a hidden gold earring indicates the anticipation by the local people of some kind of threat, likely the arrival of an enemy,” Olesti Vila said. “Also, the keeping of such a high number of animals in a little stall suggests the anticipation of danger.”

Connecting this fire with Hannibal's campaign is possible, but speculative. No one left graffiti saying "Hannibal was here." But in any case, the recovery of the gold earring is exciting.

Cross-file under Ancient Bling.

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Review of Kubiak-Schneider, Palmyra and the east

BRYN MAYR CLASSICAL REVIEW: Palmyra and the east.

Kenneth Lapatin, Rubina Raja, Palmyra and the East. Studies in Palmyrene archaeology and history, 6. Turnhout: Brepols, 2022. Pp. xx, 180. ISBN 9782503598253.

Review by
Aleksandra Kubiak-Schneider, University of Wrocław. aleksandra.kubiak-schneider@uwr.edu.pl

... With rich discussions on various issues relating to the Palmyrene and neighbouring cultures, the reviewed volume is an important voice contributing to the perception of the region’s “Easterness”, often overshadowed by approaches that privilege the impact of the “Classical” civilizations. ...

The first article has lots of information about Aramaic at Palmyra.

Cross-file under Palmyra Watch.

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Israeli & Ilan, Massekhet Gittin Chapters 4–5 (Mohr Siebeck)

NEW BOOK FROM MOHR SIEBECK: Anat Israeli / Tal Ilan. Massekhet Gittin Chapters 4–5. Volume III/6/d-e. Text, Translation, and Commentary. 2024. XI, 503 pages. 169,00 € including VAT. cloth ISBN 978-3-16-163551-9.

Published in English.
Tractate Gittin of the Mishnah is located in the Order of Women and discusses divorce proceedings. Chapters 4 and 5 of the Tractate address a specific topic – “the improvement of the world” – and list a number of rules (most of them devoted to women and gender issues) which were enacted so as to improve a certain undesirable condition. This volume provides a feminist commentary on these gender-relevant mishnaic texts, and on the commentary of the Babylonian Talmud on them. The Babylonian commentary includes an extended literary unit that describes and comments on the conquest of Jerusalem and the destruction of the Second Temple. Anat Israeli and Tal Ilan address the gendered issues that arise from this literary unit and raise the question of women’s place (and victimhood) in the male economy of war.

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